An integral part of religion is worship, either done as some sort of ritual or ceremony which most often takes place in an organised manner. This week, I shall examine Buddhist "worship".

Buddhism is an atheistic religion (believe it or not), because it does not acknowledge a God. It rejects the notion that religion has to involve a Higher Being or Supreme Creator. rather, Buddhists believe that, by debating about the existence of a God, the search for true enlightenment is frustrated. However, meditation is very imporatant in the Buddhist religion. For this reason, it may be regarded as a form of "worship".

The Nan Hua Temple of the Chinese Fo Kuang Shan Order in Bronkhorstspruit is the perfect example of a sacred Buddhist space worth revering. This large, majestic structure has a certain allure to it that will even attract non-Buddhists. The gardens are well-maintained and the atmosphere is one of peace and tranquility. Anyone is welcome to visit the temple, but be warned: the Buddhist life is simplistic and without physical delicacies. If you're considering having lunch there, be prepared for  a meal of simple soup and small portion of vegetables and rice.

Not that the Buddhist life is boring... On the contrary, the journey towards nirvana is probably one of the most exciting and interesting issues of all.

Be sure to visit the Nan Hua Temple for a truly amazing spiritual experience!

* Photo courtesy of Google Images.