Read Online May (Calendar Girl #5) by Audrey Carlan - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Audrey Carlan
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temple.
“The Byodo-In Temple.” Tai said, his voice low, almost a whisper. “It’s a non-practicing Buddhist temple. All faiths are welcome to mediate, worship, or just enjoy the grounds. Come on, let’s get a closer look.”
He had to drag me; I was so in awe of the building in front of me. It sat perfectly in front of a giant mountain range behind it. A bamboo forest flanked one side and another, the cemetery. Saying it was one of the most beautiful places I’d ever seen would be downplaying the rapture it brings to your body, mind, and soul. The sense of peace and humanity here filled my pores, moistened my eyes, and hugged my heart.
“Never seen anything like it,” I turned to Tai and he leaned down and gave me a soft kiss.
“I’m glad. You have yet to see the best part.”
We walked through the gravel paths, stopping to check out the koi ponds all over the grounds. Little pathways were covered with drooping trees, adding to the secret garden feel. At the mouth of the temple stood a giant bell. Next to it was a log. When I say a log, I’m actually referring to a tree trunk having been cut and turned onto its side where it was tied up level with the bell. Visitors to the temple could pull back on the heavy rope attached and hit the enormous bell with the tree. Of course, I had to do it.
On my first try, I pulled back and the wood barely moved, only slightly dinging the bell. Extremely unsatisfying!
“Hold up, girlie,” Tai said handing his phone to a Japanese couple waiting their turn to access the bell. The man lifted up Tai’s phone, getting ready. Tai looped an arm around my gut, the other around the rope and pulled along with me, using his super human strength. That log swung back and crashed into the bell making a resounding “GONG” then it swung back and hit it again. “GONG.” A little softer and one more time. “GONG.”
I jumped up and down, clapped, and wrapped my arms around his neck, giving him a grateful, sloppy kiss. Tai hooked me closer and took my kiss to a whole other level. He was sucking and biting my mouth as if he was trying to eat my excitement directly from my lips. Someone cleared their throat and once again, I’d forgotten where we were. The small Japanese woman standing next to her husband smiled and gave me the thumbs up symbol behind her husband’s back. I covered my mouth and tried to prevent the piggy snort from making an appearance.
Tai thanked the man and pocketed his phone. Then he held my hand, and we walked up the wooden steps and platform to the entrance to the temple. Tai instantly removed his shoes and I did as well, kicking off my flip-flops and holding onto the back of his t-shirt in the darkened space. There wasn’t anyone else in here that I could hear as we walked through to stand in front of the most breathtaking Buddha statue. It was huge, standing nine feet in height on a raised platform. In the center was a young, contemplative Buddha, resting in a meditative pose.
“It is a depiction of Buddha himself and known as the largest statue of its kind outside of Japan. Famous sculptor Masuzo Inui designed it. I love how he is sitting within a lotus flower.” Tai’s voice held veneration and awe.
“Why is it gold?” I asked Tai, my eyes flicking from spot to spot attempting to brand this beautiful sculpture into my mind for a lifetime.
“To highlight its beauty. It was painted with three coats of gold lacquer and then gold leaf. See all the figures surrounding him?” He pointed to a couple.
I nodded, squinting, trying to get as close as possible without going past the rope.
“There are fifty-two Boddhisattvas, or ‘enlightened beings’ surrounding him, floating on clouds, playing music, dancing. They represent the culture of Fujiwara’s aristocracy.”
After the history lesson, we both lit a small sprig of incense and set it in front of the statue. “Now say a prayer, or a wish, or send out love and light to whomever you think needs
“The Byodo-In Temple.” Tai said, his voice low, almost a whisper. “It’s a non-practicing Buddhist temple. All faiths are welcome to mediate, worship, or just enjoy the grounds. Come on, let’s get a closer look.”
He had to drag me; I was so in awe of the building in front of me. It sat perfectly in front of a giant mountain range behind it. A bamboo forest flanked one side and another, the cemetery. Saying it was one of the most beautiful places I’d ever seen would be downplaying the rapture it brings to your body, mind, and soul. The sense of peace and humanity here filled my pores, moistened my eyes, and hugged my heart.
“Never seen anything like it,” I turned to Tai and he leaned down and gave me a soft kiss.
“I’m glad. You have yet to see the best part.”
We walked through the gravel paths, stopping to check out the koi ponds all over the grounds. Little pathways were covered with drooping trees, adding to the secret garden feel. At the mouth of the temple stood a giant bell. Next to it was a log. When I say a log, I’m actually referring to a tree trunk having been cut and turned onto its side where it was tied up level with the bell. Visitors to the temple could pull back on the heavy rope attached and hit the enormous bell with the tree. Of course, I had to do it.
On my first try, I pulled back and the wood barely moved, only slightly dinging the bell. Extremely unsatisfying!
“Hold up, girlie,” Tai said handing his phone to a Japanese couple waiting their turn to access the bell. The man lifted up Tai’s phone, getting ready. Tai looped an arm around my gut, the other around the rope and pulled along with me, using his super human strength. That log swung back and crashed into the bell making a resounding “GONG” then it swung back and hit it again. “GONG.” A little softer and one more time. “GONG.”
I jumped up and down, clapped, and wrapped my arms around his neck, giving him a grateful, sloppy kiss. Tai hooked me closer and took my kiss to a whole other level. He was sucking and biting my mouth as if he was trying to eat my excitement directly from my lips. Someone cleared their throat and once again, I’d forgotten where we were. The small Japanese woman standing next to her husband smiled and gave me the thumbs up symbol behind her husband’s back. I covered my mouth and tried to prevent the piggy snort from making an appearance.
Tai thanked the man and pocketed his phone. Then he held my hand, and we walked up the wooden steps and platform to the entrance to the temple. Tai instantly removed his shoes and I did as well, kicking off my flip-flops and holding onto the back of his t-shirt in the darkened space. There wasn’t anyone else in here that I could hear as we walked through to stand in front of the most breathtaking Buddha statue. It was huge, standing nine feet in height on a raised platform. In the center was a young, contemplative Buddha, resting in a meditative pose.
“It is a depiction of Buddha himself and known as the largest statue of its kind outside of Japan. Famous sculptor Masuzo Inui designed it. I love how he is sitting within a lotus flower.” Tai’s voice held veneration and awe.
“Why is it gold?” I asked Tai, my eyes flicking from spot to spot attempting to brand this beautiful sculpture into my mind for a lifetime.
“To highlight its beauty. It was painted with three coats of gold lacquer and then gold leaf. See all the figures surrounding him?” He pointed to a couple.
I nodded, squinting, trying to get as close as possible without going past the rope.
“There are fifty-two Boddhisattvas, or ‘enlightened beings’ surrounding him, floating on clouds, playing music, dancing. They represent the culture of Fujiwara’s aristocracy.”
After the history lesson, we both lit a small sprig of incense and set it in front of the statue. “Now say a prayer, or a wish, or send out love and light to whomever you think needs
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