After visiting Benalmádena's butterfly park Thursday, we crossed the street to visit the breathtakingly situated Enlightenment Stupa (Buddhist Temple). We can see the temple from our beach (it's less than 7 km/4 miles away), but until the other day, I had no idea what it was. It's a monument (built in 2003) for world peace, prosperity, and harmony. And it's a place to learn, reflect, and meditate. It's the largest Stupa in the Western World.
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| CROSSING THE STREET FROM THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN TO THE BUDDHIST STUPA. |
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| THE TEMPLE FROM THE FRONT. THE FUTURE SPANISH SOCCER TEAM (?) HEADING FOR THE STAIRS. |
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| BUDDHA TOOK ONE ARTIST TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE. |
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| ONE OF THE HAND-PAINTED WALLS. FOUR ARTISTS, 6 MONTHS. |
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| THE VIEW FROM THE TERRACE. FUENGIROLA COASTLINE IN THE DISTANCE. |
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| A SAND MANDALA. MADE FROM SAND AND RITUALISTICALLY DESTROYED ONCE CEREMONIES AND VIEWING ARE OVER. IT SYMBOLIZES THE BUDDHIST BELIEF IN THE TRANSITORY NATURE OF MATERIAL LIFE. |
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| HEADING BACK OUT TO THE TERRACE AND THE VIEW. |
The Amphibious Gruñon
After our inspiring visits to the Butterfly Park and the Buddhist Stupa, we took advantage of the fact that we had a rental car and drove down from Benalmádena Pueblo (the old town) to Benalmádena Costa (the beach town) to visit "Sea Life," a marine-life center. We had a so-so lunch at a tourist trap before heading next door to Sea Life. We all agreed that, if the butterfly park rated an A+, Sea Life rated a C–. They are clearly well-intentioned but we found the place to be sadly outdated and overpriced. So, I've only included one photo from our hour there. One fish reminded us all of San Geraldo during a "Gruñon" (Grumpy) phase — click here and here for that story.
If we hadn't first been enlightened yesterday, we might all have ended up like this guy.
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| GRUÑON THE FISH. |
That's the kind of fish that Grumpy Cat would eat.
ReplyDeleteOwl Wood:
DeleteWell, given that both our cats just came in, saw a pair of shoes under the bed that hadn't been there before, and ran terrified out of the room, I don't think Gruñon the Fish has to worry about them.
Beautiful temple - and what a great location!
ReplyDeleteThe sand mandala reminds me of some of the places I've worked: I work hard on a project to make it as close to perfect as possible, and in a few weeks the project is not only canceled, but all remnants of the project are wiped from the corporate mind-set. In several other cases, the company that I worked hard for is no longer in business.
When I saw the last picture, I thought I was looking in a mirror. (Not that I'm a grunon all the time)
Jo:
DeleteFortunately, San Geraldo isn't a gruñon all the time either. I had a picture of him that looks not unlike the fish photo but I thought that might taking things a bit too far. I remember those projects, too, where I worked so hard, was so pleased with what I created, only to have it go nowhere for a variety of reasons. It takes a strong constitution.
I find sand mandalas fascinating. All that time and effort blown away in seconds.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteI can't imagine putting that kind of love and care and planning into something, producing such an incredible work of art knowing all along it's to be destroyed. Allowing photographs is unusual and does give it the opportunity to live on. I'm surprised (and grateful) they let pictures be taken.
I am SO ready to come back to Spain... sigh.... no plans in the future..... sigh.... Say... is that YOUR motorcycle parked in front of the temple? I can just see you and San Geraldo skidding up to the entrance and heading in.... not!
ReplyDeleteSharon:
DeleteSure that's my motorcycle. There were 5 of us that day and one of those in a wheelchair. It was quite a sight on the road!
I can't wait to see what YOU'RE next adventure will be.
The butterfly garden looks like a wonderful place to visit. I always find aquariums to be much less entertaining. Maybe it's because home aquariums are just side entertainment like Muzak. They're never the main attraction.
ReplyDeleteMs. Sparrow:
DeleteSome aquariums are amazing, like the Baltimore Aquarium. And my brother-in-law and niece say the Berlin Aquarium is the best they've ever visited (I've not been there). But I agree that many are disappointing. That butterfly garden on the other hand was pure magic.
Looks like a super Stupa.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am all for world peace.
I said so during my Miss USA days,
Bob:
DeleteIsn't it sad how "world peace" has become synonymous with the Miss USA?!? I actually thought about that, too, when I read the description.