Daoist Mtn, Buddhist Complex
As noted, this is a Daoist sacred mountain, yet set in the midst of
it you find…a Buddhist temple complex. Would that more of the world’s
religions could get along so well and neighborly. True, Jerusalem
finds Islamic, Jewish and Christian sites side by side, but that
siting tends to breed violence and hatred…none of which were on
evidence here, I’m happy to say. Be sure to note the wheel ornament on
top of one of the buildings, sure sign you’re looking at a Buddhist
building.
The Mandatory Self-Portrait
Maybe you’re getting sick of it, but whenever I’m in an interesting
new place, I feel I need to show it was indeed I who was there taking
all the pictures.
Painter at Work
As you’ve seen in many of these shots, Kongtong Shan is V-E-R-Y steep.
There are many major buildings that have no access other than via
steep stone stairways of many steps, and yet somehow large and
beautiful buildings have made it up there, and are still being
steadily rebuilt and renewed, or newly built. In the next set of shots
you’ll see piles of slate tile…which were either flown in by
helicopter (very unlikely) or carried up by muscle power. You’ll also
see a woman taking a break from her digging work next to some lovely
yellow flowers, and various other shots of vendors, buildings and
vistas from high up in the clouds.
Lions with…Headdresses?
These lions were at the backside of one of the Buddhist temples being
reconstructed or newly built. If you look closely, you’ll notice that
what looks like a head-dress on one of them is just a used rag draped
over his head, and you’ll see sawdust and other construction debris
littering the floor. You’ll also see a little tea kettle set on a
brazier to the left…these proud temple guardian lions, surrounded by
workaday reality, rather captured the imagination of this Leo.
(so much world, so little time....) 