Buddhist Blessings

Our FTIA travel group visited the Six Banyan Trees Temple today, a Buddhist temple in Guangzhou. It was amazing. The monks named the temple due to the six banyan trees that used to surround the grounds. They all died hundreds of years ago. They were replaced by two beautiful banyan trees that were planted over 250 years ago!

The ceremony was truly amazing! We first lit three incense sticks signifying the past, present and future. We bowed three times and were asked to make three prayers, then place the incense into an area where they stay lit until they burn out. The babies were blessed by a Buddhist monk for good health, and although I had no idea what he was saying, the place was truly spiritual. I felt God's presence all around us.

Our guide Helen told us today that the top four religions in China are as follows:

1. Buddhism

2. Taoism

3. Christianity

4. Catholicism

When we get home I'll post the ceremony on our blog. Phillip taped it.

After the ceremony we went to the Chen Family Temple. They were a wealthy family in China, and several years ago their home was donated to the country of China. It is now a folk art museum. Artists are there making fans, scrolls, chops, and selling all kinds of souvenirs. Outside the gates were what looked like Chinese minority groups selling fruits and herbs. We bought some Dragon Eye fruit outside the gate. They taste like cherries, but have a black, waxy pit in the middle resembling a dragons eye. We had them on the breakfast buffet one day last week, and the Asbell clan ate them all and they haven't had them on the buffet since!! So, we had to buy our own! :)

Tomorrow we take our group pictures with all of our China babies on the "red couch" at the White Swan Hotel. We'll get Quinn dressed up in her traditional Chinese dress. All babies have their pictures taken there on their last days in China.

Until tomorrow!!!

MK - In 3 more days we'll be home!! Woo Hoo!!

I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH!!

Mommy