The Giant Buddhas

Bamiyan Buddha, Afghanistan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just finished watching this wonderful documentary, The Giant Buddhas from Netflix on my computer. I highly recommend this program. 
The documentary mentioned that originally the Buddha had a wooden face covered in gold and jewels.  The face could be tilted so that the Buddhist monks could light candles behind the eyes.  I now have a mental picture of the Buddha at night with lights coming from behind giant ruby eyes, shining over the Bamiyan Valley. What a fantastic vision it must have been. Makes me wonder though what is happening in that region of the Silk Road now and how sad it is to have lost these world treasures to the Taliban’s twisted perspective.

I am  so appreciative for the life I lead as I watch how difficult it has been and continues to be for generations in that area.  Those families that had lived in the cliff dwellings for generations have now been “relocated” by the government to a seemingly undesirable and inhospitable  location, farther from water and in an extremely cold and windy area.  It made me think of  how the US “relocated” the  American Indians to the Reservations.  It looks like a life of  survival, not really living or being able to appreciate.  I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to live in that region.  This helps me to remember that I have nothing to complain about. 

The Giant Buddhas
(2005) NR
Christian Frei’s documentary traces the tragic tale of the giant Buddhas of Afghanistan’s Bamiyan Valley, which stood as monumental landmarks for 1,500 years until 2001, when the Taliban declared that all non-Islamic statues in the country be destroyed. Despite international protest, the statues were blown up. Through interwoven narratives from past and present, Frei’s film sheds light on the disturbing consequences of religious fanaticism.

Here are some links with more information about the Buddhas.

http://buddhistlinks.org/BuddhasBamiyan.htm

Here is something about the uncovered third and reclining buddha.

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iMwnIv89hH3Q7rvdzmDQH9zCL6KA

And here is a video discussing the possible rebuilding of the Buddhas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9Cu5iOjHQo

Gail Brokaw
http://www.embracethepossibility.org

The Big Island, Hawaii Vacation

          Akaka Falls, Hawaii                                                                               

 I just got back from a week in Hawaii on the Big Island.  It was spectacular!  The rainforests were amazing with plants that were so huge and dense that it seemed a dinosaur could appear at anytime.  The island seemed quiet except for Kilauea which was belching sulfur dioxide enough to cover the Big Island and all the other islands in the chain with dense clouds of the gas.  Though we seldom saw any blue sky during our week, it was warm and bright.  I especially loved the Hilo side of the island as it seems more like the old Hawaii versus the Kona side which is geared more toward the tourists who are looking for beaches, restaurants, and entertainment.  It was a nice balance to see both areas during our week. 

One day we drove to Pahoa to walk the old lava fields and view steam rising from the ocean where lava is now flowing from Kilauea.   We could see steam rising from places all down the mountain where cracks in the earth were releasing the sulfur dioxide gas.  The lava flow we were walking on had hardened into shapes and ropes and now ferns and other plants are coming up out of the black rock.  Land owners who’s property was completely covered by lava flow are now rebuilding out in the middle of the lava rock field. One house was spared the lava and sits alone, surrounded by lush green plants that are surrounded by acres of lava rock.  It’s an oasis in the middle of a lava field.  There were realtor signs in the rock lava announcing property for sale, if you would like to buy a nice piece of Hawaii!  Talk about owning a piece of the rock!

How about you?  What location could you recommend for a relaxing and interesting vacation?

Rainbow Falls, Hawaii

Discovering new paths

This last weekend I walked with a couple of friends in a beautiful wooded area near the local lake.  I found an easy hike since we don’t do this regularly, and we headed out for a walk hoping to find sign posts along the way for direction.  None of us knew where we were going.  We dodged poison oak, enjoyed spring wildflowers, and made choices about the way to go as we approached a fork in the path with no clear direction.  We hoped it would take us where we were heading.   We found the lake, and along the way made friends with a woman and her dog, who was having a blast retrieving a stick from the lake over and over again.  Such joy and energy!  The temperature was just perfect to be out in nature, the quiet was refreshing and we actually saw some wild turkeys and heard a few birds singing above our heads.  We had a great time visiting, talking about future vacations and just laughing.  It was a great day.  On our way back from the lake, we took a path that lead us to a different destination than the one we wanted.  We received differing advice from fellow hikers about how to get to our destination.   Of our choices, we decided to take the quicker but steeper path up the hill.  I couldn’t help but see the similarities of our hike with the path we take during our lives.  We start down our path with no specific map telling us which fork in the road to take along the way.  We try to dodge things that are not good for us, find friends and happy experiences along the way, receive lots of suggestions from others telling us which way to go, and sometimes take the trail that involves a struggle but sure feels good when we’re successful.  It helps to keep your wits about you, have friends and supporters close, and listen to the voice inside, telling you which path seems right for you.  Enjoy the journey.

 Gail Brokaw, Life Coach       You CAN create the change you want in your life.

http://www.embracethepossibility.org