Visiting the Different!

The population is very diverse in our area which allows for a variety of different temples. We have been wanting to visit some of them and here we are at the Buddist Temple in Richmond. It was difficult to know what they believe but we gathered that they believe in acquiring different positive virtures and attributes by praying to different entities that were with Budda at about 550 BC. These are represented by the statures behind us and the believers bring offerings of cooked rice, fruit,  flowers, and incense. They  would hold the incense above their heads and bow 3 times to the statue of the attribute they were trying to acqire or emulate.

We were impressed with the size and beauty of the grounds and buildings around the Temple site. There were some structures that we were allowed to view but not take pictures of. This is a meditation pond with sitting areas, fountains, and rice patty boxes.

 

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 While we did not copy down the name this is the next Budda that is to come in the next 2 billion years. Since they believe in reincarnation the earth will have gone into its next phase at that time and will need a new Budda to guide the people at that time.  From here we went up to the main complex which is right behind this shrine. It was the biggest and most elaborate structure on the site.  In this building the believers were chanting to their ancestors. It sounded like the same chant said over and over again with bowing and men and women alternating the chant.

This is a picture that we took out in front of the Fort Langley historical site. We are with Elder and Sister Nielsen who we serve with in the Mission office.  This was not a defensive fort against the wild west indians like we have in the United States; instead, it was a trading post fort that all of the different nationalities came to trade and barter for goods.  They included First Nation (indians), Russians, Spanish, Americans, and French. Instead of fighting they negotiated over a table as to who was going to get what...very civilized as opposed to their southern neighbors.  This was the birthplace of British Columbia and was founded in 1827,

This picture was taken in the "Big House" which originally housed the family assigned there by the Hudson Bay Trading Company. They made thier own barrels, shoes, tools, and structures. Sister Traxler and Sister Nielsen are showing off all the things they made for the day....it was a load....just kidding.