More than 2,400 years ago, the great Siddhartha set out on his
journey to find truth and enlightenment—what he found was Nirvana and became Buddha. Last week,
more than 8,000 Buddhists gathered at the Chiang-Kai Shek Memorial Hall in
downtown Taipei to celebrate the mystical iconoclast and the teachings with
which he blessed the world. Standing atop the hall, in front of the 20’ high
bronze statue of the late Taiwanese general, I looked out across the panorama
in awe. In reverent blue and white uniforms the followers stood perfectly
aligned each holding a lotus flower, the most poignant symbol of the eight auspicious
symbols of Buddhism. In unison, they sang in perfect harmony praising their
spiritual leader and offering thanks. Though I couldn’t understand what was
sung, the energy and love was palpable, wrapping us all in a cloak of
transcendence. Here, in the center of a bustling city the drone of horns and
sirens was blocked by a magnetic field of awe and reverence. I found myself,
like everyone else, cupping my hands together as if Buddha himself were going
to shed a tear of love landing gracefully in my palms, before being absorbed.
As I opened my eyes, I felt a warm tingling sensation disseminate from my spine
throughout my body—a feeling that can only be generated by a collective love.
Though I was in a foreign land, I felt a profound connection to the people and
the temple in which I stood. Whatever linguistic or cultural obstacles worrying
me, were silenced knowing that I was surrounded by a people of equanimity and
peace. Suddenly, I didn’t feel so far away from home.
