Macau

The Temple is closed for three weeks for maintenance so we are using the time to see more sights around Hong Kong.  The first week we took a trip with three other missionary couples to Macau and spent two days and one night seeing the sights.  Following is some information about Macau.

The first recorded Chinese inhabitants of the area were people seeking refuge in Macau from invading Mongols during the Southern Song. Under the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), fishermen migrated to Macau from Guangdong and Fujian. The Macau native people were Tanka boat people.

Portuguese traders first settled in Macau in the 1550s. In 1557, Macau was leased to Portugal from Ming China as a trading port. The Portuguese Empire administered the city under Chinese authority and sovereignty until 1887, when Macau, through a mutual agreement between the two countries, became a colony. Sovereignty over Macau was transferred back to China on 20 December 1999.  Macau is known for its casinos and luxury hotels. Its gaming revenue has been the world's largest since 2006, with the economy heavily dependent on gaming and tourism.  Macau is among the world's richest regions.

We did enjoy seeing someplace new but even with all the money that went into all the glitz and flash of the hotel areas we decided we would much prefer a ride up our mountains at home to enjoy the beauties that God has created instead.

This is a picture of the boat we took to Macau.

On our way.

Other passengers going to Macau.

We tried the local cuisine in Macau for lunch. 

Soup of the day that came with the meal.

Sister Sorensen saying YUM!

We stayed in the circular hotel in the picture, The Hard Rock Hotel.

We got to see the Eiffel Tower.

This was the sight as we entered one of the Hotels.

The center of the pillared dome area in the above picture.

Looking up into the dome.

You could go for a gondola ride, inside a hotel.

Sister Sorensen watching the Gondola coming.  The sky is just painted on the ceiling.

The Roman Coliseum. 

There weren't any Christians being feed to the lions while we were there.

This whole area was brand new and we enjoyed looking around with no crowds.

It was nice to see some truth in advertising when they named this "BABYLON CASINO".

There was even a golden calf.  

It was nice to go to Old Macau away from the casinos.  The Portuguese influence was very apparent in the buildings. 

Elder Sorensen by one of the alleys leading to other buildings.

More Portuguese buildings. 

Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral. This wall is all that was left after a fire.

Monte Forte built in the 16th century by the Jesuits and later used as a military base.

Inside the forte with cannons. 

Looking out from the forte over Old Macau.  The large modern buildings in front of the hills in the center background is Mainland China.

Macau's space needle.  You can actually bungee jump off the tower which is one of the highest bungee jumping sights in the world.  No we didn't jump.

Temples in Hong Kong (non LDS)

As we visit different areas in Hong Kong we frequently see temples of other religions.  We have visited several and decided to post some pictures of two of the temples we have visited.  The first one is a Chinese Temple (not sure which religion) and the second one is a Sikh Temple.

 Information on Chinese Temples:  Chinese temples are often comprised of many buildings, halls and shrines. They tend to be situated in the middle of towns and have north-south axises. Large halls, shrines and important temple buildings have traditionally been dominated by tiled roofs, which are usually green or yellow and sit atop eaves decorated with religious figures and good luck symbols. The roofs are often supported on magnificently carved and decorated beams, which in turn are supported by intricately carved stone dragon pillars. Many temples are entered through the left door and exited through the right.

Entering the temple grounds.

Some of the twelve figures representing the Chinese Zodiac

One of the worship areas

Ancestors are very important and gifts were being presented to them

An area for worship and prayer

Women with incense sticks which are burned as part of worshiping

Another building that has religious significance

The following information is on the Sikh faith and their beliefs.

Sikhism was founded in the Punjab region in India in the 15th century by Guru Nanak Dev. Sikhism broke from Hinduism due, in part, to its rejection of the caste system.

The philosophy of Sikhism is covered in great detail in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy text. Detailed guidance is given to followers on how to conduct their lives so that peace and salvation can be obtained. The holy text outlines the positive actions that one must take to make progress in the evolution of the person. One must remember the Creator at all times – it reminds the follower that the "soul is, but a part of the whole that is God, who is ever merciful", and that the follower must dedicate their life to all good causes - to help make this life more worthwhile.

It was interesting to learn that the Sikhs believe in the following values (articles of faith?):

1. Equality: All humans are equal before God – no discrimination is allowed on the basis of caste, race, gender, creed, origin, color, education, status, wealth, et cetera. The principles of universal equality and brotherhood are important pillars of Sikhism.
2. Personal right: Every person has a right to life but this right is restricted and has certain duties attached to it – simple living is essential. A Sikh is expected to rise early, meditate and pray, consume simple food, perform an honest day's work, carry out duties for his or her family, enjoy life and always be positive, be charitable and support the needy, et cetera.
3. Actions count: Salvation is obtained by one’s actions – good deeds, remembrance of God – Naam Simran, Kirtan.
4. Living a family life: A Sikh is encouraged to live as part of a family unit to provide and nurture children for the perpetual benefit of creation (as opposed to living as a wild hermit, which was, and remains, a common spiritual practice in India).
5. Sharing: It is encouraged to share and give to charity 10 percent of one’s net earnings.
6. Accept God’s will: One should develop one’s personality so as to recognise the unity behind happy events and miserable events – the will of God causes them.
7. The four fruits of life: Truth, contentment, contemplation and Naam (in the name of God).

They also have prohibited behavior:

1. Non-logical behavior: Superstitions, or rituals which have no meaning, such as pilgrimages, fasting and bathing in rivers, gambling, worship of graves, idols or pictures, and compulsory wearing of the body-veil such as the Islamic Niqab for women, are prohibited.
2. Material obsession: ("Maya") Accumulation of materials has no meaning in Sikhi. Wealth such as gold, portfolio, stocks, commodities, properties, et cetera, will all be left here on Earth when you depart. Do not get attached to them.
3. Sacrifice of creatures: Sati – Widows throwing themselves in the funeral pyre of their husbands, the act of slaughtering lambs and calves to celebrate holy occasions
4. Non-family oriented living: A sikh is encouraged not to live as a recluse, beggar, monk, nun, celibate, or in any similar vein.
5. Worthless talk: Bragging, gossip and lying are not permitted.
6. Intoxication: The consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or other intoxicants is prohibited.
7. No priestly class: Sikhs do not have to depend on a priest for any of the functions that need to be performed.
8. Eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (Kutha meat): Sikhs are strictly prohibited from eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (such as halal or kosher, known as Kutha meat^[1] ), or any meat where langar is served.^[2] In some small Sikh Sects, i.e. Akhand Kirtani Jatha and Damdami Taksal eating any meat is believed to be forbidden, but this is not a universally held belief.^[3] The meat eaten by Sikhs is known as Jhatka meat.
9. Having premarital or extramarital sexual relations

No Pictures were taken in areas that were prohibited.

This  is a view of part of the Sikh Temple from across the street.

Everyone is welcome to come inside the temple

A view of some of the complex

This is the main worship area.  Before entering we were asked to remove our shoes and socks, wash and hands and feet and cover our heads.

The kitchen area.  Notice how large the cooking pots are.  Anyone who needs food can come to the temple and eat.  Donations are accepted but not required.  Volunteer work is also accepted.

The area missionaries eating during their visit to the temple two days before we went.

The area missionaries had made an appointment before going so were given a lecture on Sikh beliefs while they were there.

When we first arrived this young man saw us and came and asked if he could help.  We told him we were just interested in learning about the temple so he gave us a tour and answered questions.  We found out that he is from Russia and when we asked him where he learned to speak such good English he said, "from the missionaries".  Turns out he is a member of the the church.

Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery

On Mondays we have been able to go with some of the other senior missionaries, Temple and Area, and see some of the sights in Hong Kong.  One of the areas we really enjoyed was the Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery.  It was very relaxing to just enjoy the beauty of this haven in the city.

The information below is from the internet.

Nan Lian Garden, opened on 15th November 2006, is a Tang-style landscaped Chinese garden of classical elegance based on the blueprint of the famous Jiangshouju Garden in Shanxi Province. It was jointly developed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Chi Lin Nunnery. Although the location of the garden is in urban Kowloon this is a truly beautiful, colourful and scenic place with a tranquil and serene atmosphere. Noise barriers shield the gardens from the sound of traffic outside the garden and mounds have been placed around the whole garden with extensive planting of trees to filter exhaust and dust from the surrounding area.

Chi Lin Nunnery is a large Buddhist temple complex located in Diamond Hill, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It was founded in 1934 as a retreat for Buddhist nuns and was rebuilt in the 1990s following the traditional Tang Dynasty architecture. The temple halls have statues of the Sakyamuni Buddha, the goddess of mercy Guanyin and other bodhisattvas. These statues are made from gold, clay, wood and stone.

We were able to go in and see the statues mentioned above but were asked not to take pictures so we respected this request.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Where do you want to go?

Entering the Garden

Chinese Architecture

The Becksteads, left, who work in the Area Office and the Chattertons who work in the temple with us.  Elder Beckstead and Elder Chatterton both served in Hong Kong as young missionaries and were in the MTC together.

Elder and Sister Sorensen, yes we needed jackets because we arrived in winter.

Notice typical tall buildings in the background.

Flowering trees.

Chinese architecture old and modern.  Notice the fish in the pond.

Interesting tree.

This picture shows that this garden is a haven in the city.

The courtyard leading to the Buddhist Halls in the background.

Standing in front of the Buddhist halls and looking back at the courtyard.