We were originally signed up for an excursion to an elephant refuge today. Then someone posted on their blog a photo of an elephant there with a chain on its leg. So our excursion got cancelled.
Of course, there are two sides to the story, but the ‘cruelty to animals’ side prevailed in this instance.
Rather than book a substitute excursion, we decided to declare today a ‘vacation day.’ We slept in, exercised to earn a late breakfast of waffles at Mamsen’s, and spent the morning reading on the couches in the pool area (Cheryl) and puttering around on-line (Randy). What a relaxing way to spend a day!
After a late lunch we threw in a couple of loads of laundry and (for a change) read (Cheryl) and puttered around on-line (Randy). In my defense, I was working on yesterday’s blog and spent quite a bit of time reading while waiting for laundry to finish and photos to upload.
4:30 saw us back in the Theatre for the Port Talk on Cochin India (our next port on Wednesday).
This was followed by a lecture: “Paying the Debt of Karma” at 6:30, then dinner, and BBB at 8pm (only 6 out of 21-our worst score yet). We’d better get to bed.
Cheryl’s Factoids:
- Hinduism is the the third largest religion in the world and the oldest still in existence (Egyptian, Greek and Roman gods are gone). Hindus believe in a trinity of 3 main gods: Brahma (Creator), Shiva (Destroyer/Recycler), and Vishnu (the protector of the universe. One of Vishnu’s incarnations was as Krishna, but Jesus and Mohammad are also thought to be incarnations.)
- All people are created UNEQUAL fitting into the 4 castes and the “untouchables”, who cannot even enter a Hindu temple or bathe in the temple pools. Castes must only marry within their caste. Reincarnation is a key belief. Karma (if you do good to others in this life you will be rewarded by being born into a higher caste in your next life – and the opposite if you do bad things). There is no way off this eternal wheel of life unless you become enlightened, like the Buddha. Buddhism rejected castes and the reliance on the worship of gods and priests. All are welcome into a Buddhist temple.
It always helps me to think about the relationship between Buddhism and Hinduism is similar to the relationship between Christianity and Judaism. (Or Islam and Judaism). It’s a “yes that, but…” kind of situation.
I also think it’s pretty funny that you have rhetorically stacked here: vacation day, karma, worst BBB score. Sounds like you all need to get back to work!!!
😮🤪