Day Two at the Pagoda + the Massage Retreat Center

9:30PM: Today was the day of celebrations at the Pagoda in appreciation for the gift from the Center for Contemplative Justice in Nashville. We left at 8:15 to get to the Pagoda and I was wrong about one thing: there is a “rush hour” – it was virtual gridlock getting into the city across the Saigon River bridge. The river is a typical “rain forest” river – muddy brown, with many large clumps of water vegetation floating down stream. It’s not as large as I expected, probably less water than the Cumberland for example.

When we arrived at the Pagoda, the young children (2 – 10), probably 80 to 100 of them, were assembled in the meeting hall. It was amazing to see the children sitting so quietly waiting for us – especially after seeing how “spirited” they were in their own rooms on Saturday. Ven. Mr. Chau had special gifts assembled for us to distribute – a new school uniform (white shirt/blouse, navy pants/jumper - very cute) plus a 10,000 Dang bill for each child (about 62 cents). I thought it was thoughtful for Mr. Chau to have us distribute the gifts to each child but I did not understand in the limited translation we got of the Vietnamese speeches that the gifts were purchase “on our behalf” and the children were told we were bringing them gifts of love and care from America. All of this was recorded by a special video and still photographer – who at the end of the day asked me how long a video I would like – apparently Mr. Chau is having a video made for us! That was NOT good news to Aly! It is quite embarrassing to be the center of attention in this way – especially when it is such a gift to be here and experience the humility and joy of the people. However the last thing we want to do is appear to ungrateful and unaccepting of their kindness so we try as best we can to appreciate everything.

For the next 2 hours, we went to each of the child rooms again starting with the oldest and most handicapped children. We were much more comfortable today in holding, touching and talking to the children. It’s difficult to know what the most handicapped ones perceive since they don’t speak and often don’t smile and we have no experience with children with these severe disabilities. Many have misformed hands and feet, some are emaciated despite having all they want to eat. I come back to the phrase of Mother Teresa that she sees “God in every face” as I try to engage each child.

Then Mr. Chau hosted us for an elaborate vegan lunch with four of the monks, all 20 to 30 years old, and a group of about 30 volunteers from the University. Apparently these are the only male monks there except for about 5 “novices” who are 10 to 12 years old and look about 7 or 8. It seems a bit sad to have these pre-adolescent boys entering this enveloping community but we certainly don’t understand their circumstances or want this means culturally to them. We got some beautiful pictures of the novices that we will post at the end of the blog. We were a little hesitant about the food, not knowing what kind of water is used in the cooking and how it would go with our Western stomachs – but it was delicious and “so far so good 10 hours later!” We had about 6 different dishes including a great curry soup with vegetables and tofu that I concentrated on.

After lunch we went to a new “resort center” that Mr. Chau has somehow acquired, with the goal of making it into a retreat center with musical entertainment. He seems incredibly entrepreneurial for a holy man – especially when he doesn’t seem to have any business manager or real financial advisor.

However, I had some severe doubts about this place as we headed off the main road into the first semi-rural slum we had seen: a half-flooded dirt road, with a string of dilapidated houses and businesses on the right and an intimidating and polluted looking ditch/stream on the left. However, after perhaps a slow ¼ mile, we came upon a very surprising sight, starting with two tile life-size giraffes “eating” leaves from a tree.

The retreat center is a beautiful and elaborate place – perhaps 5 acres – on the Saigon River, with a “band shell,” a bar area (who knows if the Buddhists will serve alcohol) and a “spa” where the blind students will give massages. There are two dormitories for the girls/women and men (18 to 30 years old), respectively. Mr. Chau seems so relaxed and happy to walk around with us showing us each of the buildings and the elaborate grounds. Right before we left, we climbed into a little gazebo, perhaps 8 x 8, with a thatched roof but open air sides, perhaps 3 feet off the ground, which is used now for meditation. He asked us to sit in the half-lotus and lotus positions and asked if we felt the peace of the place when we were sitting there, which we did. Very cool!

After the tour we came back for a similar celebration and gift presentation to the blind students. We had not seen them before, apparently they live and have their education and training courses on the second floor. Again we gifts to each of about 80 people - much older ranging from 18 to one man about 60. This speech by the teachers about us was so touching that some of the students cried, I think they are overwhelmed when people come from around the world to care for them. It's an image and experience that we won't soon forget.

There are a couple pictures below, we will try to post more later - waiting to hear some comments!