Julian Farro

LBST 2301-

Proff. Sinclaire

April 19, 2018

Visitation

I visited The True Buddhist Temple Society of Charlotte. The moment my girlfriend and

I arrived we immediately noticed the distinct smell of the incense burning. As we were walking

towards the door there was a huge Buddha in the middle of the entrance surrounded by incense

candles. I noticed that there were shelves to put your shoes in before entering the temple because

it shows respect to their culture. I wasn’t sure what to expect. As we walked in there were three

people praying and chanting a song to their Buddha. We kneeled on mats and joined in and

started to meditate on our own as they finished. I’ve never encountered such a peaceful calm

environment since moving to Charlotte.We met a man named Grand Master Sheng Yen Lu who

introduced us to the culture and discussed how the temple was not only for praying but also a

school for kids and learning on Sundays. The room was filled with more than 34 Buddhas that

gave different offerings and were surrounded by fruits and treats. Between the prayer chantings,

instruments, and the burning incense. I found myself in a period of time where no time seemed to

pass it all.

In a way, I almost expected it but afterwards I kept thinking back to Haitd’s discussion on

ritualistic repetitive movement and how that phenomena brings people closer to the divine. In

Keeping Together With Time Maybe synchronized movement is to distort the body's boundaries

in similar way; one feels the ground strikes one feets repeatedly and in perfect synchrony with

seeing other people’s feet striking the ground. It seems to promote interpersonal coordination. As
the praying meditation went on, I felt that phenomena and I felt a sense of time and space

dissipate with it.

Grandmaster Sheng Yen Lu told me there were two types of meditation; internal, and

external. Praying meditation I find very challenging, but I embrace it because of the benefits that

it brings to one’s mindfulness. I must say the experience was very enlightening but there is a lot I

have to learn. Meditation is a practice that takes years of dedication. It requires one to know their

“elephant” well and be totally in tune with oneself. True Buddha’s Temple mission is to teach

and attain the joy and peace in their daily life and ultimately develop wisdom and universal

compassion. From what I acknowledged from Master Buddha is how they offer classes on

Sunday for learning Buddhism, group cultivation, and praying for sick and suffering. They teach

how to meditate with your mind and body and how to pray. Many visitors come and learn how to

pray and meditate. They come to find a peaceful setting for their mind and body and eliminate all

the stress, anxiety, and worries they are going through.

I believe this experience relates to the good life because it teaches people to let go of

material influence. In the Happiness Hypothesis describes two types of happiness. Material

possessions only provide a temporary kind of satisfaction that only holds a relative value. The

relationships, flow, and an enjoyment for ones work are consistent through different stages of

life. The idea of meditation and the good life is how essential it is to obtain. I think Buddhism

cornieves of happiness as psychological health and with that being understood, happiness is

foundational of living the good life. Happiness as a psychological state: the state of perfect

mental health. Of course, mental health is a good thing, and so it follows that happiness is a good

thing. But it does not necessarily follow that a happy life is a good life, because happiness might

come into conflict with other things that matter in life. Circumstances may arise in which we
should be willing to sacrifice our happiness for the sake of other goods—in particular, for moral

goods.

After sharing and learning the culture and history of Buddhism. I had a sense of

understanding on why and how meditation is important to experience. Meditation is an essential

to feel happy and healthy for our minds and for our self. Meditation helps eliminates all the

negativity in our in our body. I decided not to drive home with the radio on. My girlfriend and I

enjoyed the calm ride back home in silence. I didn’t want to be exposed to the pollution of pop

culture after leaving a place of such purity. It was a good feeling to take in the peacefulness and

thought of Buddhism meditation. I think what I enjoyed most about is that these were not people

that wanted anything from me or anyone but because because they are praised a higher calling. “I

am 75 years old” Master Sheng Yun Le said as we got ready to leave. A Buddhist who aged like

wine and looked so pure and serene.

 Works Cited

Jonathan Haitd. The Happiness Hypothesis. Basic Books, 2006.

William McNeill. Keeping Together In Time: Dance and Drill in Human History. Harvard

University Press, 1995