A CENTRE OF PEACE AND CALM
Visit the Tam Bao Son Monastery
Q Where did you go?
AWe headed east to an amazing place where paths led us over rolling hills to many large statues of the Buddha and his revered followers, all displayed in lovely, peaceful settings.
Q The Buddha — how far east did you go?
AOnly about two hours from Ottawa, into the Laurentian region of Quebec, although at times it felt like my friend and I were in the real Far East. We visited the Tam Bao Son Monastery (The Great Pines Monastery) which honours the life of Buddha and beliefs of his followers with larger-thanlife, colourful statues showing important events in his life and more.
Q Are you Buddhist?
ANo, and frankly, I was a little apprehensive about visiting this place. It is an operating temple, started in 1988 by Vietnamese Buddhists from Montreal, which trains monks and nuns. It also holds special celebrations and services for those of the faith. Korean, Chinese and other Buddhist ethnic groups are now part of the temple community. It was very welcoming, so I need not have worried, although there are no maps or pamphlets to guide casual visitors.
Q So what did you see?
ALots. I was amazed at the row of larger than life statues that formed a dramatic entrance to the main temple. These represented 18 special devotees who Buddha left behind to protect the faith. The main “Thousand Buddha Temple” held a figure of the seated Buddha and hundreds of miniature replicas lining shelves on every wall.
Q Did you take a tour of the grounds?
ANot exactly. A friendly monk drove a handful of visitors in a motorized mini-wagon up the hill and pointed out some things as we went. We only made a couple of stops before we had to get out to climb a long series of steps to the most revered statue. It showed the Buddha sitting under a big tree and represents the moment at which the Buddha reached enlightenment. We opted to walk and spend more time sightseeing along the way.
Q Did you learn a lot about Buddhism?
AA bit. The Tam Bao Son Monastery follows a branch of Buddhism known as Mahayana, as it is practised in some places in the Far East. There were statues honouring the Buddha in many forms — the compassionate Buddha, the protector Buddha, the Buddha of the future (who this branch of Buddhism believes will return some time in the distant future), as well others. The most recent installation, was a statue of the Buddha riding a dragon over the seas. It was dedicated last year to mark the 40th anniversary of the arrival of the Vietnamese “boat people” in Canada.
Buddhism encompasses a vast range of practices, beliefs and sects so it is hard to generalize. But like most Buddhist groups, this monastery celebrates important times in the life of the man (a prince who left his father’s kingdom on a spiritual quest) who eventually became the Buddha.
Buddhists believe he reached enlightenment, became a revered teacher and ultimately departed his body and attained a state of nirvana where he escaped the cycle of death and rebirth that is central to the religion’s beliefs.
Q Then what did you do?
AWe browsed briefly at the gift shop then ate a delicious vegetarian lunch which included soup, rice and cooked vegetables and a tasty mung bean dessert. Lunch is by donation, as is admission to the monastery.
Q What are the details?
AThe Tam Boa Son monastery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sept. 2 and then weekends until Dec. 2, when it closes until May.
Visitors are asked not to wear shorts, mini-skirts or T-shirts. It is a good idea to phone ahead: 819 687-2183 to confirm the monastery is open, in case the schedule changes. The address is 690 chemin de la Rivière Rouge, Harrington Township, QC J8G 2S7.
From Gatineau, take Hwy. 50 east for about 150 km, then head north on Chemin Kilmar in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge to Harrington.
The roads aren’t the best and, at times, are unpaved and rough. We almost gave up, thinking we were lost, but I’m glad we didn’t. The trip was well worth it.