| The
Fo Guang Shan He Hua Temple
in
Amsterdam is the largest Buddhist temple in Europe.
Built
in traditional palace-style it is has a Chinese 'Pure Land'
atmosphere, however, Buddhism is universal and beyond culture
and architectural features. The He Hua Temple, this most unlikely
of structures in the heart of this most bizarre European capital
certainly demonstrates that point!
With thanks
to the budjet airline Flybe bassed at Southampton airport
that is in turn just a short bus ride from my front door I
have been able to make several trips to this place in 2008
... and intend to the same next year.
Why? Why
not! Perversely
it is actually cheaper and takes no longer for me to get to
Amsterdam than to London which is only 80 miles up the road
from here. I go there next for 18 days over the xmas new year
period and will be then looking into the possability of setting
up a permanent base there in the form of a time-share houseboat.
Watch this space or email me if you would like to know more
about this exciting (and dareing!) project.
Click
on any picture left to enter a Gallery of 28 pictures
featuring the Temple building and the Buddha images within
it. Concludes with Buddhas birthday celebrations and parade
through the streets of Amsterdam, 17th May 2008.
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