Praying for Peace

This past week I spent in Zamboanga City, in the western part of Mindanao, conducting research for my future master's paper. I'll be sure to put up a blog post soon about that but I forgot my camera and I want to try to wait for photos of my trip from my new friends.

While I was there, however, I broke the fast with my Muslim friends in a community mosque. My prayer there, of course, was for peace, in Zamboanga, in Mindanao, in relations among Christians and Muslims and beyond. At the Catholic retreat center I stayed in while in Zamboanga I woke every day feeling refreshed and peaceful. I could only thank God for that and pray that people all around the world can feel this same calm. Today, upon my return back to Davao my classmate, Chernor and I, headed to two Chinese temples here, one Buddhist, the other Taoist. I conjured up my World Religions classes in undergrad and gathered inspiration from the "Eighfold Path" and "The Way." I lit incense, kneeled, and made prayers for peace and love across the world, particularly on this September 11th. I hope someone's (or some might say everyone's) God is listening...

The front of the Buddhist temple

Who doesn't love a koi pond!?

The main altar

Another prayer area, where we lit incense

This was one of the beautiful carvings on the wall depicting the
eight major moments of the Buddha's life

The main gate to the Buddhist temple

Another temple!


The main altar in the Taoist temple.
I love the Octagon shape, such nostalgia for
St. Joseph Worker Days at the Dwelling Retreat Center.

There were Tibetan singing bowls at both temples,
but I liked the one in the Tao temple better, is was simple but larger.
I also have such nostalgia for these bowls, here's looking at you Sisters of St. Joseph!

Yes, that is Jesus and his Sacred Heart among the other statues.

On the right side of the altar you can see the caretaker of the temple. Chernor and I chatted that, as much as we love our work, there is something beautiful about leading a life of simple dedication to something like looking after a temple.

Getting some balance in life!