I've been to hell, I've touched (and been touched by) one of God's largest creations, I've been inside Buddha's head, drunk Sri Lankan tea, and I've been to the place where Buddha's last/ Adam's first footprint is. Let me explain.
Hell was a fairly cold place, inside a cave. We were met by dreadful scary-looking statues that demonstrated the torture you are likely to experience if you come to hell. As we walked further into the cave, we saw paintings of terrible actions done to people and the explanation was above the painting. For instance if you kill an animal, you will get a spear through your own body.
The fright of coming to hell as a result of bad actions is a motivation for Buddhist's to live a pure life. As they believe in reincarnation after death (and the fact that they can be born in hell in the next life as a result of bad karma), they strive to reach the enlightenment that Buddha got, so that they can get to Nirvana and out of the “samsara” (the circle of reincarnations).
What strikes me when I learn this, is the lack of grace in this religion (and in the other religions, for that matter). The Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims don't believe that they can be saved and forgiven for their sins, they're completely on their own... This makes me so thankful for what Jesus did for me, that I can hardly figure out where to begin to rejoice. I've never really grasped the meaning of “grace” before now, when I see what it would be like without it. And WOW – God is gracious!!
The creatures I met that God has created were the Asian elephants. What beauties! It was amazing to look into their eyes, feeding them bananas and touching their rough skin and their hard hair. The best way do describe it is with a few pictures.
Buddha's head was fairly empty – or actually just full of himself. We went inside the tallest sitting Buddha in the world, and inside it were many small Buddha statues. Not worth showing pictures of, really, but I'll offer one of his outsides because his insides where pretty much the same...
When it comes to the Sri Lankan tea, I must say that from my English point of view, I am impressed. One of Sri Lanka's main export products is tea, and we were lucky to visit one of the plantations. Here we where also so lucky to get a nice and tasty cup of the delicious beverage afterwards.
a lady teaching us how to make the best tea
inside the tea factory
me and Nixon, our helpful Sri Lankan guide who was with us during our stay in Sri Lanka.
My last paragraphes of adventures from this country will be about Sri Pada (Adam's Peak). Sri Pada means “Blessed/holy footprint” and is the name of the mountain where it is said that Buddha placed his last footprint before entering Nirvana. In the Christian tradition, it is Thomas the apostle who stood on the top of this mountain, while Muslims (and maybe also Christians) believe it is here Adam first placed his foot when he was created. As this is an important mountain for many religions and a place where many come for their pilgrimage, we had to experience it as well.
On the way down.
beautiful landscape.
I can't say it was easy to walk 5300 steps up and down in the middle of the night, but it was worth it when we could see the sunrise in the morning (although it was pretty cloudy).
Our skin was covered with “sidalepa”, a potion to avoid leaches. And it took around three days for our muscles to get back to normal again afterwards. But it was all worth it when we got to see the elephants afterwards, who actually had a peaceful therapeutic effect on my heart...
This monk made move on me, ironically enough when he's not allowed to get married. But he was interested in getting married with a tourist in the future – if he decided not to be a monk anymore... Sorry for him, but I had to reject him because I'm happy with the man I already have. :-)
Here's a little extra from the Sri Lankan culture:
These men ran in front of the bus trying to sell flowers.
We found a lovely puppy who was very cuddly and cute!
So I've had a glimpse of what hell could be like, and now I'm getting a preview of paradise. I've come to the island of Perhentian in Malaysia and it is – to use only one word – heavenly! Keep reading my blog if you would like a preview of Heaven as well.
After having read for our exam we are finally finished and can enjoy the wonders of Perhentian. Tomorrow I will start diving!! :)
I'll end my post about Sri Lanka with a picture taken by the sunset in Unawatuna, with my dear friends Margrethe and Stine, who I'm so happy to be travelling with!
Our diving school is the building to the left in this photo.
A part of the hotel restaurant
Levi teaching two girls how to wear and use a snorkel
Relaxing in the sun.
On Skype talking to Granny and Granddad.
Lecture about Cambodia, where we're going tomorrow!
Enjoying ourselves on Long Beach.
Stine and her boyfriend Arve having fun in the waves.
Before you can go diving you have to check your "vest"; the BCD - Bouyancy Control Device.
Ready to go diving!
After our exam (multiple choice and we got to discuss the answers), we were finally certified divers! :)
