The final installment of my miraculous visit that became an unexpected journey. I would say that this is perfect timing. Why? Because in 3 days, I will back in the land of Java continuing another exploratory excavation of the hidden inside all of us. But before I get into all of that, I will finish telling, to the best of the space allotted here and also what I can still recall, the story of my last visit to Jakarta, Indonesia. (I began this post 3 days before leaving for Jakarta, that was one month ago. I finally finished this post today, May 23, 2014. Since then I’ve spent one month in Indonesia. More tales to come, LOL)
OK, where was I; oh yeah, pilgrimage for a Mystic in training. Before the opportunity arose for us to demonstrate the effects of all of our hard work at the school, Devi and I decided to take a day trip to give all of the teaching and performing a rest before returning to teaching and performing. The place for this excursion was none other than Borobudur.
I cheated and pulled the aerial view of the temple from the web. It helps with the explanation of the description of this unusual structure. Borobudur is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist Temple in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The monument consists of six square platforms topped by three circular platforms and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.[1] A main dome, located at the center of the top platform, is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside a perforated stupa. It is the world’s largest Buddhist temple,[2][3] as well as one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world. (taken from wikipedia).
I wanted to venture to this historical site on my last visit four years ago. I read during the full moon in May or June, Buddhists in Indonesia observe Vesak (Indonesian: Waisak) day commemorating the birth, death, and the time when Siddhartha Gautama attained the highest wisdom to become the Buddha, Shakyamuni.
There are many different Buddhists sects. I personally practice Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism and I am a member of the Sokai Gakkai International USA (SGI). Still it is always inspiring to view some of the ancient Buddhist temples while traveling around the world.
My friend Clark Strand has a new book out entitled, Waking the Buddha: How the Most Dynamic and Empowering Buddhist Movement in History Is Changing Our Concept of Religion. It is an illuminating read on Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism specifically and the SGI organization and its founding Presidents Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Josei Toda and Daisaku Ikeda.
All in all I’d say the trip was one big amazing surprise after another. A wonderful student of mine in Indonesia , an inspiring person I consider a dear friend, Melyana was kind enough to direct us to a place to stay while we were visiting the Magelang Regency in Central Java, Indonesia the beautiful, spiritual resort, Amanjiwo. From my room I chanting throughout the night and found that I have a peace that was immediate and always there inside me waiting for me to acknowledge and then surrender to it’s purity.
Believe it or not I was anxious to return to Jakarta to continue my lessons with the students. I looked forward to our “Chillin’ with Veronica” night along with the jam session. For this evening in particular, all of the private students along with the ensemble classes that I worked with performed. The night was spectacular. I was so proud of everyone and how hard they worked. But once again I got another “out of the this world” surprise. Every student in the school at the close of the evening sang a song for me. You Are My Heaven written by Stevie Wonder and Eric Mercury, made famous by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. Their beautiful voices and the love that flowed through each note, each word…. Well, was I crying. Absolutely and throughout the entire thing. They presented me with gifts and a card that they each signed. Although I’m beyond thankful for the gifts and the card, the greatest gift was the one that was not material, but instead it was one where the value can never be measured. It’s value increased every second of every day for always. That precious gift was each student, exactly as they are-one of a kind.
Daisaku Ikeda
“Unless we view things with our hearts, we can see nothing. But if we look at the world with a love of life, it will reveal its beauty to us.”“