The WuHan Temple

Today we visited the WenShu Temple with my friend Xiaowei. The temple was originally built in 1697 and renovated in 1824. It is an active monastery and the monks typically study for 2 years. Chinese Buddhist monks are not allowed to marry. We watched as Buddhists gave offerings and burned incense. The monks were eating their lunch shortly after we arrived, so we watched them chant and pray before eating. Chinese Buddhist monks are vegetarians. They also have a pond where they place fish and turtles that were left to die in the markets. The temple was just beautiful and I want to go back when everything is green and it is warmer. It would be the perfect place to walk and meditate. Xiaowei tried to take us to a well-known vegetarian restaurant just off the monastery grounds, but it was just too busy. Instead we went to a small restaurant where we ate Sichuan noodles, Chinese dumplings, and Chinese pudding made of black beans and nuts. We then went to the largest market in southern China. Everything imaginable was for sale! Lauren bought all of her gifts to take home to her friends. Leigh was just besides herself when we found a whole section with shop after shop crammed with shoes. Surprisingly, she did not buy any, but she wants to come back. While we were busy with the temple and shopping, Anna was at Eaton International School. She loves that school! Today in the after school program, she learned some French. I've attached a few photos from today. The one of Leigh and Lauren in Egyptian garb is from lunch at Dico's yesterday.