big buddah

Today was one of the most interesting days of the trip. I learned a lot of cool things, and learned things that I will keep with me forever. We started the day off at the Longmen Grove. This was a mountain of sandstone, that was carved into buddahs. But this is not like Mt. Rushmore, there are more than 100000 buddahs sculpted into this mountain. The height ranging from 17 meters to 4 centimeters. The coolest part of the place was learning about the defacing of some of the statues. Some sculptures had the heads obliverated off because some emperors had different beliefs in religion. Taoism and Buddism were the different religions, that were often butting heads. People also pay a heafty salary to steal one of the heads of the scultures, another reasoning for the decapitated bodies. This was one of the more interesting places we have been to. Then, we were on the bus again to go to the Shaolin Temple. As we reached Shaolin, we found that we were going to meet the master at the Temple. It was very important to be respectful towards these very religious people, because they are so conservative. He gave us a lecture on th brief history of the Shaolin monks. He also gave us tips on life, and how we should release all anger, greed, and stupidity. Because if were are to do this, we will be rewarded in the after life. Daniel asked what was the name of the buddhist afterlife is. The master said that we should not worry about our afterlife now, and live in our present ones. :e also stated that it doesn't matter what kind of afterlife we have, he related it to christianity and how christians believe in heaven. The master added that we all have a little heaven in our hearts, and the best way to live our life is with a pure heart, like a childs. I will take what the master had to say, and keep it lodged into my brain. It was so wise, and enpowering. I wonder what there is to be learned next!