Buddhas sculptures
On a lazy Sunday, I was invited to go to a Buddhist temple and enjoy a vegetarian lunch. After a few hours lost in São Paulo, we arrived in Cotia, in the Zu Lai Temple. The 30 km should be fast, but getting out of this metropolis is no easy task.
While on the road I spotted a beautiful garden with the sculptures that show the phases of Buddha. They are great, made of soapstone and rich in detail.
Children BuddhasElder BuddhaFriendly Buddha
It does not matter your beliefs, it is worthwhile enjoying this place to relax and renew the energies. You may attend lectures or take courses on meditation, language, cooking, tai chi chuan, kung fu and how to grow shitake.
Entrance of the Temple
Among the Eastern architecture and its details, the temple has meditation and study rooms, library, museum and some prohibited areas; however, we could see beautiful altars and statues through the windows, specially where they keep the ashes of their ancestors.
Incenses that purify the soul
In front of the temple I received a quick introduction on how to thank with incenses, they are used to purify the soul. I thanked Buddha and got the message that was destined for me at that moment: “Reaching success or failure, we shall decide how much effort we are willing to put on our enterprises.” – honorable Master Hsing Yün. I could not get into the temple because there was an event. At least the doors were open; I could take a peek and see how beautiful it is.
Thanking Buddha
As for the lunch, I expected more – everything is very simple, but the food is tasty and so is the Eastern tea. It was a pleasant one-day tour to get away from the routine.
Statues rich in detail
Take Note
Meditating in front of the temple
If you really want to meditate go on a week day, Sunday afternoon is crowded and noisy. Perhaps it is better inside the meditation rooms. Lots of kids and adults go just to visit and have lunch.
Entrance and parking are for free, but they accept spontaneous donations. It is required to wear clothes suitable for a religious place, not to take any kind of food and remain in silence.
From Tue to Fri, 12 to 5. Weekends and holidays open at 9:30.
How to get there: by car, take Fernando Nobre highway, it is on 1461 in Cotia. Easy to find.
Cafeteria: all you can eat for R$15 on Sundays.
Check the website.
Fafá’s zen side
Advertiser, tourism content generator, Territorios’s creator, photographer and travel guide. From the last 12 years, reports her travel experiences focusing on culture and ecotourism on her award-winning blog (Best Content Travel Blog at FITUR Madrid 2017).
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