1st April 2013-Shanghai

What is it that makes religion so fascinating? A group of fanatics devoting their lives to the unbelievable, unlikely and unheard off. It never ceases to amaze me the practices, traditions and superstitions that people will carry out in the name of a higher power and not a signal person will bar an eyelid.

"The tiny tornado of swirling ash swept through the temple court depositing its heavy burden of dust, smoke and paper over the feet of zealot and tourist alike.

The jade Buddha temple was a lively bustle of chaotic activity. A sea of red and gold, flame and smoke,life and death.

Death to 1000's of incense sticks, paper bags and tacky offerings. The temple courts reflect madness. Gone is the beautiful order of rows upon rows of Muslim prayers, the reverence of Christianity and its gothic halls.

Here wailing filled the air, eyes stream not with tears of repentance or adoration but from the cauldron like pits of burning offerings. Individual Prayers to the east,west, north and south reflect the personal chaos of each subject on a massive scale as passers weave, duck and dive to avoid being decapitated with flaming branch or head butted from bowing devotee.

Through this scene I see my students imitating the local people, bowing with incense as they burn hands and sniffle from the smoke which burns their noses and clings to everything it manages to grab with its long tendril like claws.

The locals come to their aid instructing them in traditions passed on for 1000's of years, bowing in unison with each, a new found respect for these novices clearly from afar who are trying to embrace their culture at the stumbling pace of an infant. Each exchange questions staring in blatant curiosity in the counterparts face looking for answers of a cosmological nature.

Could this be the greatest religious studies lesson I have ever taught without raising a finger or speaking a single word? Maybe I am redundant?

We collect our things to leave the temple, A pupil approaches me.

Mr Hughes, I bought this incense. (Shows me box) it says longevity on the front, I did as I was told and prayed in each direction, bowed three times for each and thought about longevity and really wanted it with all my heart. Will it happen or come true now?

Mr Hughes,
What does longevity mean?

Maybe I am not redundant after all...