For those who know me AND those who don’t – Let me make this perfectly clear: I am not a buddhist – and I doubt I ever will be! There is some things that fascinate me though: Photography, art, architecture, religions and cultures. Those are the reasons why I took these photographs of the Nan Hua Buddhist temple in Bronkhorstspruit.
Entrance to the Nan Hua Temple
We travel past Bronkhorstspruit at least once every second month, and the temple is visible from the road. I was curious as to what the fuss was all about when the temple was built a few years ago and also eager to try out my camera on differnt things and settings.
Well, enough small talk – a picture paints a thousand words – or something like that:
Entrance to the museum and curio shop
Statue at Entrance
Tower
Inner Court
Inside the Repentance Hall
Statue near reception
The Temple Court
Stairs to Main Temple
Wash Basin at entrance to temple(?)
Inside the main temple
The buddha in the Main Temple
Remarks:
- The ‘basin’ has a swastika on it – This ‘Nazi’ symbol did not originate from Germany.
- It seems the buddhists have an obsession with dragons, elephants and lions
- In many areas like the Repentance hall and the main temple you are required to remove your shoes
- I was a little unsure of what I am allowed and not allowed to do because there was nobody at reception and the lady at the curio shop could not speak English.
- I did not go into the museum (did not find it), and visitors are not allowed to take picture inside the museum and curio shop (the main temple also for what it’s worth)
Is it worth visiting?
Well, I won’t go there again – but for the curious: there are quite a bit of Chinese artifacts, photos and stuff to see. The temple also offer courses in buddhism, meditation and is active in other projects like computer courses for impoverished communities
Unusual topic?
Not if you see what this guy does. I found this man drawing in the sand next to the boardwalk on the beach.
I had the privilege to once again fly down to Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth) this week – and had some time to take some pics!.
I would like to share an experience with you I had while taking the following pictures – and I hope you will not find it too sad.
I got to the beach on Wednesday afternoon and started taking some random pics: The first two were just the normal seagulls.
Seagull
After this I noted a seagull coming into land in the shallow water, most probably looking for an afternoon snack.
Closing in on the runway
At first I did not notice anything strange about this guy except that he had a slight bad landing. But as I kept my camera focused and taking some snapshots, I notice that our seagull had a problem.
This guy was handicapped! Look closely at his right foot.
While I was watching a friend arrived:
It was not long after they started chatting that the first seagull lost his balance.
He managed to keep everything under control the first time, but after the next wave he lost his balance again. This time his companion got a surprise.
Here is a close up:
This lead to both gulls looking at each other in surprise!
It is quite hilarious if you look at the expressions on their faces!
But…
the visitor just backed away and then strolled toward the waves.
Here’s may view on all of this.
Although this seagull is handicapped, he did not opt for the easy way out. He is still looking after himself. Yes, he has difficulty landing, but there is no problem flying. He may have trouble keeping his balance, but he still visits the shallow water in search for food. The other bird did not attack or bite the injured gull, not one squeal came from him, he just backed away.
What do we do? We call ourselves an advanced species – but we don’t allow anyone to slap us in the face accidentally, we don’t keep our mouths closed when someone else looses their balance.
Makes you think, doesn’t it?
I don’t know how, when or where the gull was injured, but I know one thing – he has friends who do not make fun of him or try to give him a hard time – they will most probably just encourage him and understand that a slight slap is not a train smash.
Amazing what interesting shapes, shadows, patterns and colors one can find in your own garden.
When last did you stop to look?
patterns on palm
Palm fan
Palm and sun
I am still in the grip of this dreaded flu, but at least I could stick my head out the door and went onto the balcony this afternoon. And there he/she was – the neighbor’s Scottish Terrier looking straight at me!
My brother had two of these Terriers some time ago. The one was brown and the other black – their names? The brown one was registered as “Bourneville Cacao Beans” – Cacao for short and the other “Beacon Liquorish All-Sorts” – they called her Liquorish.
Don’t know the name of this one though – but the dog was quite interested in my camera!
Looking at me?
