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| Statue of the Buddha Seated Under the Bodhi Tree |
- I went to the Temple, for the first time since Covid-19 became part of our everyday vocabulary!
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| The Stupa (also known as Chaithya or Dagaba) A repository for relics |
I called the chief monk at the Temple in the afternoon and asked if it I could stop by a little later in the afternoon and I was told, "Yes, certainly". Unlike at a Church, there are no set hours of daily services, although there is usually a daily offering of flowers and lighting of candles in the evening. If anyone is there at the Temple in the evening, then, they participate in that and the monks chant blessings. But I didn't want to go to the Temple when there were others as I want to minimize my risks of exposure. I had chosen a good time to go, today, as there was no one else at the Temple. I paid my respects at the outdoor shrine which features the statue of the Buddha seated under the bodhi tree and then, the chief monk invited me into the prayer hall which also features another statue of the Buddha and he chanted blessings for me. I gave him the English-Sinhala dictionary that I set aside to give to the Temple and the donations I had brought with me. This visit to the Temple was something I had been wanting to do for some time, now, and I was happy that I was able to go, today.
- Friend R had lunch delivered to me, once again!
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| Lunch Plus - Compliments of Friend R Shrimp Fried Rice, Garlic Chicken, Plain Fried Rice and Thai Pepper Beef |
I told her it was too much, but, she said to have it for dinner, too! Not only did I have it for both lunch and dinner, I have enough leftovers for several more lunches and dinners!
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| New Sweatpants (2 pairs) and Sweatshirts (3) |
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| Asparagus retrofractus |
We planted it in the front garden, in a bare spot among the other, more sprawling asparagus ferns. I hope it will grow as well as the other asparagus ferns are growing.
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| Buttercream Birthday Cake |
It tasted just like what the label said! Like frozen buttercream frosting!
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| Birthday Cake Ice Cream! |
Happy Birthday to you Bless. And many happy birthdays to come.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you were able to visit the Temple. I know you've been wanting to do so and it must have given you a sense of peace to be there on your birthday.
Such wonderful gifts from your friends and your daughter.
Her gift will keep you warm in style :)
Thank you, Debra. :)
DeleteYes, I really wanted to go to the Temple on my birthday. My parents took me to the Temple on the way home from the hospital after I was born (and I did the same with my daughter!) As I've said before, going to the Temple doesn't make you any more of a Buddhist, it's not an obligation, but, I felt the need to go...I don't know if that makes any sense! But, yes, it gave me a sense of peace and contentment. :)
I'm so touched by the gifts I've received. Yes, my daughter's gift will keep me warm in style. Now, I have to declutter the old sweats!
Happy Birthday! I will have to look for the birthday cake ice cream. Sounds like a winning combination. I'm sure it was very special to finally visit the temple after all of this time. The stupa is so clean and white. Do they make a special effort to keep it that way?
ReplyDeleteThank you, June. :)
DeleteThe ice cream is made by a company called Jeni's.
It felt really good to visit the Temple after not going for so long. The stupa is fairly new, completed in 2019; I don't think it has had time to get dirty, but, the recent rain might have washed it clean, too. No doubt the monks will have it painted if it gets dirty.
Oh Bless, that's wonderful news. I'm so happy for you being able to visit the Temple again, and on your birthday too.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a special day with lots of treats. The meal from R looks delicious and the new clothes from your daughter look lovely and comfy and will help keep you warm. I love the new fern but may have passed on the ice cream! xx
Thank you, Eileen. I'm happy that I was able to visit the Temple on my birthday. And I chose a good time to go because there was no one else there! I had my mask on the whole time, though!
DeleteIt was a very lovely day and I felt surrounded by love.
That ice cream was something else! A bit too much, I think! Might need to serve it with some fruit or something!
I'm so happy you were able to visit the temple on what was a special day for you. You must have felt quite emotional.
ReplyDeleteThe ice cream looks amazing. It was very kind of M to bring it for you. Xx
Thank you, Jules; it really felt good to visit the Temple, yesterday. :)
DeleteThat ice cream was sweeter and richer than any other ice creams I've had! It was very kind of M to bring it, in addition to the plant and the package of seeds!
Sounds like a wonderful birthday in every way! I'm glad you got to visit the temple - it was looking lovely in the sun. I can't believe that lunch delivery! And pudding from M! I nearly added "special food parcels" to the list of birthday wishes but then decided that the word "blessings" (apt) already encompassed those. Enjoy your new sweatshirt sets! I know what your daughter means: this week Mum wore for the first time the jumper I bought her for Christmas! Dad is just as bad with saving clothes for months before finally putting them on!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a wonderful birthday! I enjoyed it! :D I was very happy I was able to visit the Temple - it made the day feel even more special. The lunch from R and dessert from M were almost like a party! Thank you, again, for the birthday wishes; it was very kind of you to remember.
DeleteAs for the sweat shirts and pants, I will probably live in them this winter! :D
Happy birthday, Bless! It sounds like you had a good day, with visit to the temple, lunch&,dinner brought to you, and ice cream! The ice cream does sound yummy. Your daughter is right that you should wear the clothes,! The colors look lovely too. My best wishes to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celie; yes, it was a very good day. Everyone did their best to make it a very special day for me and being able to visit the Temple was a blessing. The ice cream is from a company called Jeni's. I've a tendency to wear the same old worn out clothing, even when new replacements have been bought! My current sweats are in such a state that they should be tossed, which is why I requested new sweats as my birthday gift. :)
DeleteOh Happy Birthday Bless- I missed the day, but best wishes anyway. You are exactly one week younger than my Bob!! And how lovely you could visit the Temple, that must have been very special for you. What lovely gifts too. 🍰🎂🍥💐🌷🌺🎈🎀🎁🎉💌🥰👍🙏
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. I was so happy to visit the Temple after so long! I had been to Church a couple of times during the pandemic to attend funerals/memorials, but, not to the Temple! Not that it matters where one goes to say a private prayer, but, being blessed by the monks at the Temple was important to me. :)
DeleteSo happy to learn that you had such a lovely day and I'm glad you liked the e-card. It must have been such a treat to visit the Temple in person. Glad you were gifted a special meal and that amazing ice cream. Your new clothes will keep you warm and attractively dressed.
ReplyDeleteWe fetched some groceries this morning and I had a long nap in the afternoon.
Thank you, Bushlady. I loved the e-card! All those kitties! :D
DeleteIt felt good to visit the Temple after more than 2 years! I still won't attend any functions (I saw a video of the last function and hardly anyone was wearing a mask!), but, I might make another weekday afternoon visit to take a few more items I have to donate.
My birthday lunch and dessert were delicious and much appreciated. :)
The new clothes will replace the really worn out and way too baggy sweats I've been wearing. I just need to declutter them - they are too shabby to donate!
I'm glad you were able to take a nice, long nap in the afternoon, Bushlady. Naps help to restore us, don't they? :)
Happy Birthday and all good wishes!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you went to the Temple, and thank you for sharing about it. It's by learning about each others' faith that we learn tolerance and love.
The clothes are a lovely collection of colours, and, if I remember correctly from past pics, they will look amazing on you.
R's food looks great, but very ample! The ice cream looks lovely as well.
Sending hugs and all good wishes for the coming year.
Thank you, Lyssa. :)
DeleteI was very happy that I was able to visit the Temple. I am happy to share about my religion and answer any question anyone might have.
Thank you for the kind comments about the clothes - I just wanted something that was warm and comfortable that I wouldn't feel ashamed of being seen in if I wore them out in the front garden! :D
R has been more than generous and the ice cream has to be taken in small doses! LOL.
Thank you, again, for the well wishes, Lyssa; they are much appreciated. :)
Happy belated birthday, it sounds like a wonderful day. May it be the start of an especially happy year for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susanne. :)
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