Chop Away

There are some religions which practice such acts that I haven't fully classified to be dedication or just useless....I, logically, believe there are rules and regulations as to the function of the Universe, ways to conduct yourself that are beneficial to those around you, things which build your own character and whatnot, that don't necessarily need to be attributed to a religion - they're just good and goodness makes things better. Though I would never be drawn to embracing my life as a Buddhist, I found myself completely fascinated by this whole different lifestyle as I sat inside the temple at the foot of a mountain. They wear no fancy clothes, eat no particularly fancy food, no fancy sleeping arrangements, only the highly decorated temple is fancy. They're up before the sun - 3am to be exact - and begin a day of meditation, chanting and worship, fellowship, more meditation, and making treks up and down or around the mountain. You must not wear your shoes in any part of the temple, and the toes must be facing away when you leave them at the door; you bow three times, knees on the floor, butt to the heels, upon entering and exiting the temple; you start each day off with a significant # of bows, most commonly 108 - for the 3 parts of your body (inside, outside, middle), multiplied by the number of senses (6), multiplied by the good form of the sense and the bad form (2) multiplied by the past, present, and future.
I was starving and exhausted when I left late the next morning, there was definitely a peace I had found there which I find very sacred. To just do away with everything else...To sit in complete silence, with no TV, no ipod, no computer, no throng of friends yakking away, not even a book to entertain myself - just sitting with nothing but myself and God - is something everyone needs once in awhile.

Also, the Sunday before, I went to the Seoul Arts Center which was really cool to wander around as it houses the national ballet company and the Korea symphony, as well as about 4 museums. After a couple hours there I ended up getting to see an awesome theater show, which I haven't gotten the opportunity to do here yet. It was called Nanta and all took place in a kitchen, where 4 chefs do a whole routine based on percussion of the pots, pans, and utensils. It was kinda like STOMP, with some food in the mix. Funny and way awesome. I'm putting my last few weekends to good use.