The next area we would discover is a place we would find by accident. White Egret Park is park off the old road (Where the Confucian Temple is and where we were going to later). This area is a special place away from the tourists. It's the area where many of the older folks come to dance, do Tai Chi, play cards and play and sing music.
The area is pretty big and Randy and I weren't able to see all of it. But what we did see was the Gratitude Pagoda (a Pagoda is a tower at this Pagoda there was an area covered in red charms and ribbons for luck where an older man was playing a Jinghu (a single stringed traditional Chinese instrument). It was beautiful, like most of the area itself.
The park is peaceful, but also has a stark contrast, especially when one reaches the Buddhist Temple on the grounds.
First the the thing that was jarring. Right next to this old Buddhist Temple was a area for kids to win prizes and go on rides. It was like any small amusement park in the States.
The old people sat outside the Temple and some of the couples walked through into the different areas where there were the names of the did with some small rooms with Guan Yin in (one where she was bald, another where she had a red cape) in these rooms where the names of those who had passed along the walls. This place had tiny areas of peace where a person could connect with those who had passed on.
The final area of the Temple was a large area was an area of gold with three Buddhas bowing. This was the main ritual area and here I was able to be completely alone in great contrast to Linggue Temple where there were always folks at every area looking for donations. I donated here as I remembered and honored those who had died last year.
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