Reaching the Peak

In this day's exploration of Faith in a New China this group from Andover Newton Theological School experienced many peaks. We began the day having the opportunity to visit Tao Fong Shan's gift shop and see wonderful artistry for sale. We then gathered together with our brothers and sisters from Luther Seminary in Minnesota to have a pannel discussion about Faith in a New China. Our guest panelists were Rev. Jonathan Hu, Dean at Eastern China Seminary; Dr. Raymond Huang, Professor at People's University in Beijing; Dr. Otto Lui, an expert on House Churches; and Dr. Jason Lam, Research Fellow at Institute of Sino-Christian Studies. These four men provided much insight to us about Christianity in China, the influences of the Chinese government on Chinese Christian churches, myths and truths about House Churches. Andover Newton and Luther Seminary people were able to ask these four men questions of topics they desired more understanding. Having the opportunity to meet and speak with these men was the first peak of the day.

The second peak of the day was when some of the attended a Taize service for prayer and meditation at 12-noon, as we were invited, and the service was led by the leader of the Luther Seminary group. This half-hour service brought peace to mind and heart. The service included singing in latin, "Laudate omnes gentes" and "Christe Salvator," prayer, and a moment of silent contemplation. After the service we gathered for lunch, Andover Newton group, Luther Seminary group, and guests Rev. Hu and Dr. Lam.

Tonia Petty and Sheldon Hurst

The Chi Lin Nunnery grounds

After lunch we traveled to Nan Lian Garden at the Chi Lin Nunnery. This was the third peak of our day! We had with us a most wonderful and kind guide for the day, Josephine. The architecture is built with no nails; built like link 'n logs. The gardens had the most beautiful bonzai landscaping. Within the Lotus Garden were four golden Buddha alters. Below the gardens, in the temple, Nuns took part in worship and you could hear their chants broadcast throughout the Lotus Garden. Being able to walk the spacious gardens brought serenity and amazement. Peace was brought to the heart and mind through the design of each bonzai and the landscape of the entire gardens. There was amazement to the maintenance of each plant to maintain it's design. Towards the end of our visit to the Nan Lian Garden at Chi Lin Nunnery, the lay nuns emerged from their service, gathering in the front entrance of the Nunnery and Garden. With their faith so strong they all removed their robes of brown and yellow, enjoying one another's company, and so they scattered in socialization.

Sanctuary in the Won Tai temple

Josephine, our guide, and her great aunt.

devotees come for fortune telling

The third peak of the day was walking along the grounds of the Won Tai Shin Temple. The temple greeted us with shops decorated with items of reds and golds for sale, items for good fortunes, items to bring to the alters to ask for good fortune, and sticks of insense. It is here at the shop outside the Temple that we had the pleasure of meeting Josephine's great-Aunt. The Temple also greeted with preparations for the Chinese New Year. At this Temple we saw statues of the two dragons: Mother with baby under her foot and dragon with the world under it's foot. There were three golden Buddha alters, two small alters and then the larger alter (the main alter). Before the main alter were people praying with sticks of inscense, people shaking their container of fortune sticks, and people tossing onto the ground their fortune-reading pear-pits. In the front of the main alter was a display of the twelve animals of the Chinese New Year. Beyond the main alter and the statues of the twelve animals were several fortune tellers. After taking in the view of the Wong Tai Shin Temple grounds, Josephine brought us to the nearby mall to dine at a friendly Chinese restaurant.

The fourth peak of this groups day was the ascension, by bus, to Victoria Peak. Once at Victoria Peak we entered a mall, ascended to the mall's "Green Terrace" (roof top) to take in the view of Hong Kong. Victoria Peak is located on the western half of Hong Kong Island. At an altitude of 1,811 ft., Victoria Peka is the highest mountain on the island proper. The view was breath taking. The night view of Hong Kong all lit-up was better than any post-card or camera captured picture could capture.

Then for some there was a fifth peak to the day, the experience of the all known "Golden Arches" (McDonalds). Although we have all enjoyed the native Chinese food and have loved the tastes, some of us just needed to have a very familiar taste; a burger and some fries.

All of these peaks in this day's experience were breath-taking, peaceful, and full of amazement. What an experience in China so far as we learn and observe the Faith in a New China. Not only do we have the opportunity to interact with Buddhists and Chinese Christians, but we also got to share with brothers and sisters from Luther Seminary in Minnisotta, USA. We are thankful for the good teachers we have and have had. Dr. Hu shared with us a saying, "If you have a good master, you can be a good student."
We have been enjoying one another's company and laughter! "God is good all the time, all the time God is good!" Being given the opportunity to reach these peaks, God continues to show just how good God is!

Interdependence Day

The day began with a lesson in Chi Gong by Hiutung Chan for a group of us who are interested in learning the practice. We stood alongside the most beautiful outdoor labyrinth I’ve ever seen and exercised our imaginations and bodies as Hiutung led us through two of the eight styles of Chi Gong.

Our first adventure of the day was to Ngong Ping 360 on Lantau Island (home of the Giant Buddha). We traveled first by bus and then by cable car. The bi-cable we hung from in glass “cabins” runs for 5.7km (approx 3.5 miles) over Tung Chung Bay and a series of gorgeous green mountains. We will be uploading lots of photos when we return from our trip. For now if you wish to see the Giant Buddha or other attractions of Lantau Island you can go to http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/lantau/po-lin.html?4#back.

The first great ascension of our day was on the cable car. The second was up 268 steps where the Giant Buddha sits 34 meters high and is surrounded by six beautiful bronze statues of devas presenting offerings to the Buddha; all of which symbolize characteristics or values of Buddhism. 

We were blessed with the freedom to “walk with the Buddha” at our own pace and with our own intentions. The weather was beautiful, the photo opps were plentiful and our energy was ripe for blessings. There was a lot of playfulness (and maybe even a little rambunctiousness) among members of the group during our morning adventures.

After lunch we visited a Buddhist Temple and it was like entering another world. The beauty of the Chinese architecture, the incredible hospitality shown us, and the joyful presence of the Abbot (head of the monastery) was overwhelming. I suddenly found myself capable of no other state but reverence.

Our friend Hiutung had a long afternoon serving as interpreter between the monks and our group – we thank you, Hiutung! We learned about the monastic life of the monks, the Sutra stories expressed in murals on the walls of the Temple; and then so much more when we sat down around a large table with the Abbot and the founder/Dharma Teacher of the Temple for tea, a most delicious fresh fruit salad, and a question and answer session.

Hiutung and the Abbot communicating with us.

The founder is 85 years old and has been a monk since he was 12! We were blessed to hear him chant (as chanting is the primary practice for the monks at this temple) and to learn of the remarkable accomplishments of this humble man. Among other things worthy of mention, he founded the Interfaith Forum in Hong Kong which engages 6 religions. Buddhists believe in interdependence; that without help from other sentient beings we cannot survive.

I realized at the end of the long, full day that the Buddhists weren’t the only energy force in the universe reminding us of the beautiful truth that we are interdependent beings. We as a group have been relying on each other from the beginning – whether to survive travel related phobias; to be woken up in time for breakfast; to meet a dietary or other need; to order food in a Chinese restaurant in Hong Kong…the list goes on. The most profound reminder though was the experience three of us shared during our free time this evening. We decided to visit a bi-lingual, open meeting of the 12 step program of AA. Testimonies of experience, strength and hope were shared; sobriety for addicts made possible by admission of the truth that without help from each other, we cannot survive.

Now for the blessing of sleep...

Gathering for Scattering

Most of our group photos were organized by Brianna who otherwise was more often behind the camera than in front of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This morning's service at the Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong Whampo Church developed their theme for the year, Gathering for Scattering.  It seems like a good theme for the day.

We gathered for worship in Cantonese, with Dr. Chan providing translation in our ears.  The worship space, at the top of a commercial building had images of birds flocking toward the central altar as you moved into the worship space.  On the way out, the birds were scattering, spreading the Word shared during the service.  Music is music, Spirit is Spirit, so even if we only understood a fraction of the service, we were part of another community called together in God's name.

Brandon Harrington visits with a member of the congregation.

After a Dim Sum Feast (huge table, 17 folks around, a dizzy lazy susan), we headed to the Kowloon waterfront to stroll in the smoggy sunshine, looking over at the architecture and mountains of Hong Kong Island.  Folks gathered and scattered around the statue of Jackie Chan.  And they gathered and scattered around a cardtable staffed by young women giving away bibles and Christian literature.

We had the privilege speaking with Rev. Bobby Lo about the 163 year history of the 26 churches in his denomination.  Founded by missionaries from Basel, Switzerland in 1847, the Tsung Tsin Mission has begun to send foreign missions back out into the world, including to serve the Chinese diaspora in Switzerland.  So what was gathered from Switzerland to be scattered all over pre-Communist China is now gathering in Hong Kong to scatter in Switzerland.

We also got to hear much more about Rev. Lo's work with the official Three Self churches in mainland China.  His primary concern is getting training for the Christian leadership called to serve the ever increasing number of Chinese Christians.  The Three Self churches come in all sizes, from the magnificant, seating 7,000 in one service, to the sweet bamboo circular church which brings 25 souls together as a body.  Whether Rev. Lo was speaking of his preaching or strengthening the relationships between the churches, seminaries and training schools, he emphasized the critical need of faithfully serving believers gathered together in order to power the witness and love necessary to bring the Word into the rest of the world once they scattered again.

Arrived in Hong Kong

We're all settling in to Pilgrim Hall, our residence here at Tao Fong Shan. We had a good flight--15 hours---from Detroit to Hong Kong. Hiutung Chan met us and took us to the study center. Everyone is off to bed in various states of exhuastion, but eager for tomorrow when we will be up for breakfast and off to church.

The Before Picture