After leaving the Sonoma Valley area we spent 10 days in Ukiah, CA. Why...you might ask. We are not real sure but did see a couple of interesting attractions.
The first was the City of 10,000 Buddah's. This is the first large Buddhist monastic community in the United States. Over a hundred
volumes of Buddhist scriptures have been translated into English, Spanish,
Vietnamese, and other languages here, laying a solid foundation for the
dissemination of the Buddhadharma in the West.
"Ten thousand" is a symbolic description indicating an infinitely large number of "awakened ones". "City" means a harmonious community. Therefore the title expresses an ideal community dedicated to fostering each individual's inherent wisdom to revering Awakened Ones and recognizing that all beings possess the innate capacity for enlightenment. Or so we were told.
Entrance
Our first stop after entering the grounds was at the main office in the administration building. You have to register your visit, we were given a map and invited to ask any questions. Instructions were given that no pictures are allowed in the Jewelled Hall and that only men can visit the male section of the school and women the female section.
Also in the administration building is an exhibition room and book/gift shop. The exhibitions consist of photos from Dharma Realm Buddhist Association's 30 year history, as well as photos of the Venerable Mater Hua's life.
The Jewelled Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas is where the seven assemblies of disciples (Bhikshus and Bhikshunis (fully ordained monks and nuns), Shikshamanas (those training to be Bhikshunis), Shramaneras and Shramanerikas (novice monks and nuns), Upasakas and Upasikas (laymen and laywomen)) gather to attend the daily ceremonies. Rows of yellow bowing cushions are lined upon the red carpet. Many ornate banners are suspended above. The entire Buddha Hall is magnificently adorned in ancient style.
Close up of the Buddha sitting above the entrance to the Jewelled Hall.
We were also invited to attend their 10:30 am daily service. Which we found to be very fascinating. Their rituals, although foreign to us, are interesting and we were encouraged to participate in the offering . A ceremony where you hold up a small dish containing oil and a small orchid. (representing purity) while prayers are chanted.
The most eye-catching thing about the Jewelled
Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas is that the walls on all four sides are covered
with a grid of compartments, and each compartment contains a statue of a Buddha.
There are a total of ten thousand Buddha statues, great and small. These ten thousand Buddha statues
were made by the Venerable Master himself over ten years ago. Foregoing sleep,
the Master spent the nights casting each statue from a mold and then etching its
features by hand. The features are simple and serene, not elaborately decorated.
It is said that when the Master cast the molds, he added a snatch of his own
hair to each statue.
On the outside of the Jewelled Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas, there are four murals. One of
the Heavenly King Increasing of the South, Heavenly King Broad Eyes of the West, Heavenly King Upholding the Country
of the East and the Heavenly King Much Learning of
the North. These splendid twenty-foot-high murals convey the
awesome and majestic bearing of the Heavenly Kings. Each one wears a golden
helmet and golden armor, holds a Dharma treasure, and wears cloud shoes.
The main artist Professor Yang asserted that,
“Even in China, such large murals of the Four Great Heavenly Kings can’t be
found."
There were several other buildings on campus that either were not open to the public or we chose not to visit.
There is also a full service vegetarian cafe and although our visit extended through lunch time, we decided not to try it. Ron is really good at going along with my sight seeing ventures but he did draw a line here. We
opted to eat at the Ukiah Brewing Company in downtown Ukiah. The Ukiah Brewing Company is America's first certified organic brewpub and the nation's second organic restaurant. Ron liked the beer he ordered but neither of us were impressed with our meal which was very expensive....oh yah...I forgot, we are in California.
A monk rushing to the morning service. I don't think we were suppose to take pictures of them, but I couldn't help myself.
There are several peacocks running loose on the grounds. Although they are a beautiful animal and fun to watch, their constant schreeking can get to be annoying.
Street signs found throughout the campus. A constant reminder how they want to live their life. I could use a few reminders too.
The second attraction was the Worlds Largest Redwood Tree Service Station, located on Highway 101 in the heart of Ukiah.
It
was a gas station in the 1950´s , built out of three hollowed out Redwood trunks .
Ít´s now just a small walk-in one room museum - with photos of
days gone by, gas signage, even a case of old glass oil cans and gas pumps
labeled "Ethyl.
Uniquely different from the Buddha city but interesting in it's own right.
Photos and stories of how the station was built.
Those were the good ole days. You can put a 4 in front of this rate and it still will not be the current cost for gas in California. We paid $4.44 to fill the car the other day and have paid as much as $4.69 for diesel for the coach. With an 100 gallon tank, we practically have to cash in an annuity every time we fill up. We will be glad when we leave California and get back to more normal costs.
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| An old gas pump. |
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| And and even older one!! |
Well, that's about it for our visit to Ukiah. We then drove 68 miles north to Eureka, CA to visit the Redwood National Park. Another time for that blog.
