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India and Nepal 2022
This afternoon is one of the most bizarre travel experiences of my life.
Situated an hour or so from Mawlamyine is the site of the world's largest reclining Buddha with an even larger one under construction.
The drive along the entrance road includes hundreds of huge monk sculptures each with a different face. They certainly understand the word 'excess' here that's for sure.
The first sight of the reclining Buddha brings a 'Wow' or an 'OMG' or even a 'WTF'! It is HUGE! On the hillside opposite the head is already in place of another creation and the substantial concrete framework in place for the rest of the body.
I am sure Siddharta Gautem (Buddha) would be perplexed/mystified at this idolatry on such a massive scale. Melani, Chris, Hilary, Sarah and I go inside and are baffled by the displays inside of cruelty, satanic images and other storylines depicted in the interior. Some imagery is very disturbing.
There is a more spiritual uplifting aspect too but somehow the overall impression is one of dissonance between Buddhist philosophies and the 'theme park' type environment.
On on a lighter note, we enjoy the journey home in the back of a little truck. Good company, great conversation, especially hearing of Hilary's plans to retrace her grandfather's footsteps out of northern Myanmar to Darjeeling in India.
Situated an hour or so from Mawlamyine is the site of the world's largest reclining Buddha with an even larger one under construction.
The drive along the entrance road includes hundreds of huge monk sculptures each with a different face. They certainly understand the word 'excess' here that's for sure.
The first sight of the reclining Buddha brings a 'Wow' or an 'OMG' or even a 'WTF'! It is HUGE! On the hillside opposite the head is already in place of another creation and the substantial concrete framework in place for the rest of the body.
I am sure Siddharta Gautem (Buddha) would be perplexed/mystified at this idolatry on such a massive scale. Melani, Chris, Hilary, Sarah and I go inside and are baffled by the displays inside of cruelty, satanic images and other storylines depicted in the interior. Some imagery is very disturbing.
There is a more spiritual uplifting aspect too but somehow the overall impression is one of dissonance between Buddhist philosophies and the 'theme park' type environment.
On on a lighter note, we enjoy the journey home in the back of a little truck. Good company, great conversation, especially hearing of Hilary's plans to retrace her grandfather's footsteps out of northern Myanmar to Darjeeling in India.
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