Eddie suggested that we go to Nan Tien Temple on weekends.
To pray he added.
Whenever I am busy with mundane daily life duties he shows his affections and concerns
to my daughter by checking on her faithfully, replying her daily messages or ridiculous requests
patiently and diligently.
I go to our group talk and feel simply happy whenever I see they talk and share.
It's almost the same as I do talk with her.
Although it's not like that to Suze.
She usually complains why mum doesn't talk to her only read their dialogues.
Why I ignore her etc...
Such a funny girl she is.
Anyway I sensed he wanted to make time for her and us.
It's a kind of pleasant short road trip I can enjoy too.
I was even excited we could have a vegetarian lunch after we paid our prayer.
Actually I started wondering if it's really for whom.
It's been already over 2 years since we went there last time.
Suddenly I recalled our last visit there.
It was one wintry raining Friday when I was physically not a good shape due to an injury from my gym session.
I overdid my body pump class which made my right side neck and shoulder almost immobile.
I couldn't move my neck and even it was too painful to sit but I had this huge determination not to
make others uncomfortable with unnecessary worries about me so I didn't tell anyone.
I heaved a huge sigh of relief that I didn't have that kind of physical adversity any more.
On Saturday after our favourite meal of the day with the best coffee in the world Eddie made
listening to Bach so peacefully we left home at 8:30am.
This Taiwanese temple is near Wollongong which is 80 kilometres south of Sydney and it takes around 2 hours to get there.
We took M2 and M7 which was quiet and smooth.
We changed into a smaller road half way through to Canberra.
We arrived at the temple a little after 10am.
Car park was relatively quiet which was a good sign.
It was still freezing cold early in the morning but the temperature got warmer under the seamless blue sky.
I felt spring was with us already.
A couple of purple magnolia trees were fully bloomed at the corner of the temple.
We went to the main shrine first after washed our hands and prepared ourselves.
I saw a big group of people wearing traditional clothes for Buddhist monk or nun having a break
and gathering at the corner of the garden down near the stone steps from the Main Shrine.
I guessed they were participating at some sort of experiencing temple stay or something.
We entered the huge main shrine with a high and tall ceiling and found there were not many people.
We spent some time praying kneeling on the low benches.
First of all I closed my eyes and silently thanked that I was able to be just in there.
And then I thought of my beloved ones and sincerely prayed for them.
For their well being and happiness mainly in their minds and souls.
By doing that I realized my mind was gradually calming down and peaceful.
We decided to take a walk around the temple and found a really quiet and remote path via which we walked and
had a really good time feeling so content all due to the calming spirit emanating from the temple itself.
The path led us into a pond where it used to have a millions of lotus leaves and flowers.
But this time there were none except a few fat fish leisurely swimming in there enjoying the warming sunshine like us.
It was one of the most peaceful moments for us.
We went to a dining area where we bought two vegetarian dish for us.
It was really delicious just like we remembered.
We missed our precious daughter who was always with us before but she was in our thoughts and deep prayers.
