On Thanksgiving Monday, I decided to show my friend RJ, some of the Laurentian Mountain's biggest surprises.
The Province of Quebec is primarily French, with a deep Roman Catholic Faith. Everywhere you go, you will encounter small villages with beautiful Roman Catholic churches. However, high above the small town of Huberdeau there is something completely different. In 1892 some members of the Roman Catholic clergy cut away some trees to build a tribute to Jesus and the stations of the cross. In the early 20th century, statues from France were purchased. I took RJ there to let her see what it looks like today.
From there, we traveled about 10 kms. Into the
Rough River Valley. The landscape of this valley is truly breathtaking. This week-end is was especially lovely as they had lots of rain. We traveled down an old dirt road that traces the
Rouge River, famous for its white water rapids downstream We passed many family farms until we came to another religious setting.
An old homestead next to the Rouge River was converted about 10-15 years ago into a Vietnamese Buddhist monastery, Dai Tong Lam. We stopped in and took a short walk on the grounds. This Buddhist temple now serves as the religious centre for this religion in Canada. They searched far and wide to find the exact location because Feng Shui dictates that you need three perfect elements to build this type of facility: Mountains on both sides, a river and flat flat land. This site was especially good according to a monk we spoke to because to one side, the mountains take the shape of a dragon. Furthermore, this monastery “The Large Forest of the Pines” is a replica of the Garden of Lumbini in eastern India, which according to historical writings is the birthplace of Budda almost 3,000 years ago. The site is dotted with bronze statues direct from Thailand.
It’s amazing that these two places are only 10 kms from each other, far away from just about everything else except farmland and cottages.
I'm going away again this week-end (To Cedar Oasis). I'll be back in touch in a couple of days.
From there, we traveled about 10 kms. Into the 
9 comments:
Very cool.
I once saw the stations of the cross done in copper at an atelier during a class trip to Quebec. The detail was amazing.
I hope you have an amazing weekend.
it is a bit of a stark contrast between the two faiths..and so close..lovely pics and interesting..
I've never been to the Buddhist monastery, but Mum, Diane and Ruth went there for lunch one day while I was visiting.
A veggie lunch, of course.
The Rouge is definitely one of my favourite rivers, as Harrington is one of my favourite valleys.
Like Koos, you are taking us on a pictoral journey in another part of the world.
I like that.
Thanks for sharing all your wonderful photos - keep 'em coming!
Good luck with your appointments and I'm thinking of you.
Lots of love
Dale
Wow, I had no idea that either of these places existed. How interesting. Who knew Quebec would hold anything Buddist. I only know of Rigaud with it's Catholic shrine and weird field filled with stones the devil is said to have touched, or something. I always remember my Dad saying my grandmother would go there to worship, but nobody was allowed to take home any of the stones!
Great pictures too!
happy thanksgiving Lannio. Enjoy
According to anthropologists, and I agree, religion is an idea created by mankind to help make sense of the world.
Whether the faith is Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish or whatever, the basic tenet is simple - love thy neighbor and do unto others as you would have done to you.
Although there are significant differences beyond these tenets, if you find peace and fulfillment in your religion, then it is serving its purpose in your life.
I find it hopeful in these times that these two sacred places are so near to one another.
Hope you're having a great weekend at the Oasis!
Mum and Dad want us to figure out dates we can meet with them at the Scott in February.
They want to get us tickets and hotel room - how fab is that?
:)
Dale
Guess the stark contrast is a demonstration of Canada's ethnic diversity, which is nice these days.
Rachel, love your words here - thanks!
Dale - really? Wow, M & D are getting generous in their old age. How awesome for all of us!
That's a wonderful post for the curious traveller, Lannio. Thanks for that.
I think Dale has a good point there about taking people on a pictoral journey in another part of the world.
It is a great pleasure to be taken on such a journey - and full of surprises. I hope you have fun and a sense of inspiration doing this (like I feel myself).
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