PATHWAYS TO HEAVEN VIA RICHMOND,
BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Story: Margaret Deefholts.
Photos:
Margaret Deefholts and Maxine George
Published on
Travel-wise.com (2005)
Editor Vic Foster's syndicated VanNet
newspaper chain in British Columbia
A year ago when I was in Malaysia, I stayed in a pretty Tudor-style inn,
and my itinerary included visits to impressive Buddhist shrines, Hindu
temples and Moslem mosques in and around Penang.
I think about our own large Asian population in Richmond, and the city's
wealth of temples and cultural landmarks, which are just as riveting as
those located in Borneo or India. Because they lie just beyond my
backyard fence I've taken them for granted (yawn!) never bothering to
see them. They are all free, and easily accessible, and a self-guided
tour would cost only a few dollars worth of gas, rather than expensive
airline tickets. Better still, there'd be no jetlag to contend with
either!
I decide to treat myself to an overnight stay at the Best Western
Abercorn Inn on Bridgeport Road in Richmond. I like the Abercorn: it has
personality - a jaunty insouciance - that sets it apart from other bland
high-rise hotels in the area. Their Bobby-G Pub (named after the Inn's
little mascot, the legendary faithful-unto-death Skye Terrier,
Greyfriars Bobby) is a lively spot, and I'm looking forward to dining
once again in their Inglenook Restaurant which has a well-deserved
reputation for culinary excellence. Executive Chef Steve Parris's crème
caramel dessert, for instance, is as smooth and sensuous as a caress.
Also, with its Tudor architecture, it parallels my Malaysian lodging,
and makes a perfect starting point for my Sunday afternoon
"temple-crawl" adventure.
I turn into the gates of the Gurusikh Temple on the Westminster Highway
around noon the following day. The place is seething with activity, and
I don a scarf, shed my shoes and tiptoe to the back of the prayer hall.
A reading from the Sikh holy book, the Granth Sahib is in
progress; the women and children sit on the deep blue carpet to the
left, while the men are on the right. The women make up a shifting
kaleidoscope of colours in their kurta-pyjama outfits of parrot
green, bright orange, royal purple, inky blue and bubble-gum pink.
The reading draws to a close, and the congregation of perhaps 2,500
people, spills out onto the grounds. Everyone is invited to a free
Indian vegetarian lunch, and the tantalizing smell of spicy potatoes,
cauliflower and lentils wafts down a corridor where people are lined up,
waiting for a table. Adults congregate in chat groups, kids shriek as
they play tag, and a crowd of teenagers with decidedly Canadian accents,
erupt with laughter at a comment made by a pretty girl wearing a
traditional Punjabi outfit. Obviously, the Temple (Gurdwara),
apart from being a religious venue, is also a lively social meeting
place.
Although I'm a non-Sikh, nobody appears discomforted by my presence and,
as Mr. Bachan Singh Toor, a venerable bearded elder, says emphatically, "Everyone
is welcome! I hope you'll come again."
Like most Hindu temples in India and the world over, the Ram Krishna
Mandir at the Vedic Cultural Centre on No. 5 Road, has an exuberant
display of statues representing gods and goddesses from the vast Hindu
pantheon of deities. The main stage, festooned in scarlet drapes and
marigold garlands, has effigies of the main characters - Ram, Sita,
Laxman and Hanuman - from the well-loved epic story of the Ramayana.
The goddess Durga (who removes afflictions) is resplendent in a
shimmering gold brocade costume; Parvati, the wife of the god Shiva, is
dressed in deep pink, with gold embroidery spangling her skirts.
Bimla Veer Singh, Secretary and Co-ordinator of the Centre, greets me
with a smile. She is regretful (as I am too) that I've missed the Sunday
morning devotionals, when oil lamps are lit and sacred mantras are
chanted to the accompaniment of temple bells. However, she invites me to
join her in their cafeteria, where a free vegetarian lunch is served
every Sunday. Over a spicy meal of rice, curried vegetable bhajis and
linen-soft rotis, we exchange views on Hindu philosophy. She
points out that in addition to Yoga meditation classes, the Vedic
Society Centre has recitals, festival celebrations and ceremonial events
year round, which she says, "are open to everyone, regardless of race or
creed."
No. 5 Road, which Ms. Singh dubs, "the pathway to heaven" has an
inordinate number of religious institutions including churches of
various denominations. A Moslem mosque (closed on Sunday) stands
adjacent to yet another Sikh Gurdwara.
Across the street from a church, the orange tiled roof of the "Pure
Land" Chinese Buddhist Ling Yen Mountain Temple shimmers in the
afternoon sunshine.
Also along this "celestial highway" is Fantasy Gardens World, where the
gods no doubt amuse themselves by swinging on its decorative windmill
blades.
Although the Kuan Yin, "Goddess of Mercy" Buddhist Temple in the heart
of Penang is a popular shrine, it is modest in comparison to the Kuan
Yin temple complex on Richmond's Steveston Highway. And whereas the Ling
Yen Mountain Temple is reclusive, the Goddess of Mercy Temple extends a
hospitable invitation to tourists and spiritual seekers alike. As I
stroll along an entrance pathway flanked by bright flowerbeds, a chubby
"Happy Buddha" statue beams a welcome. The Bonsai garden surrounding a
lotus pool is serene, and the gentle splash of ornamental fountains
lends a dreamy softness to the afternoon air.
The temple's main building is architecturally dazzling, its glittering
gold ceramic roof tiles with their upturned corner "wings" soaring
against the sky. I enter the prayer hall, and listen to a sonorous
chant, punctuated by drumbeats, as six monks perform their afternoon
prayers before an enormous golden image of the Sakyamuni Buddha. The
temple also provides visitors like myself a glimpse into Chinese art,
and I linger over their display of sculpture, paintings, embroidery,
woodcarvings, a splendid ceramic mural, and an intricate bas-relief
panel.
The exotic, the inspirational, the whimsical and the astonishing - it's
all out there...just over the fence of my backyard. And yours.
IF YOU GO
Where to Stay:
The Best Western Abercorn Inn is one of Richmond's unsung
treasures. Their rooms are furnished with drapes and
comforters in cheerful Scottish paisley designs. Some
rooms also offer wireless high-speed Internet access. The
Abercorn is pet friendly, and welcomes children. Their
Inglenook Restaurant is outstanding in terms of service and culinary
standards. Accommodation rates are reasonable, and
include a continental breakfast as well as the facility of a free hourly
shuttle bus to and from the airport (about a 20-25 minute ride). For
more information go to their comprehensive website at http://www.abercorn-inn.com/index.html
Be sure to click on the Restaurant & Pub tab to take a look at
their menus.
Getting There:
Richmond is a 25-minute trip by car from downtown Vancouver - for
directions to specific sites go to www.mapquest.com
Temple tour sites:
The Nanaksar Gurdwara Gurusikh Temple
18691
Westminster Highway, Richmond BC.
Phone (604)
270-7369
Open daily (phone for timings). All visitors welcome.
Please dress modestly. Shoes are to be taken
off and heads covered (scarves or caps) before entering the prayer hall.
No admission charge. A free vegetarian meal is
served in the cafeteria. Sundays are busy, but
weekdays are less crowded. If you are looking for
more information on the Sikh religion and its traditions, please set up
an appointment with Mr. Ranu Tirlochan Singh at the above phone number.
The Ram Krishna Mandir in the Vedic Cultural Centre
8200 - No.
5 Road, Richmond. B.C.
Phone: (604) 275-9182.
Open to all. Their Sunday devotionals from 10.00 a.m.
to 1.00 p.m. encompasses Kirtan and Arati
(religious chants and prayers) followed by Pritibhojan (lunch) at
no charge. Please dress modestly. Donations
always welcome.
Other weekly programs include Yoga/meditation classes.
For more information or if you'd like to know more about Hinduism,
please phone Bimla Veer Singh at (604) 275-9182 or (604) 270-7672
Or e-mail: ramkrishnamandir@shaw.ca
Az-Zaharaa Islamic Centre
8580 No, 5 Road,
Richmond,
B.C.
Phone: (604) 274-7869
Please contact directly for further information. If
you wish to tour the Centre, you will be asked to complete a form
available from http://www.az-zahraa.org/tour
India Cultural Centre (Sikh Temple)
8600 No. 5 Road
Richmond,
B.C.
Phone: (604) 274-7479, Fax: 250-274-0046
Open 9 a.m. to 5.p.m. Monday to Friday
Ling Yen Mountain Temple
10060 No. 5 Road,
Richmond
B.C.
Phone: (604) 271-0009
This is a nunnery and meditation centre. If you would
like to tour the Temple, please phone ahead and talk to one of the
volunteers (ask for Susan or Mai) in order to set up an appointment.
Kuan Yin "Goddess of Mercy" Temple,
(International Buddhist
Society)
9160 Steveston Highway,
Richmond, B.C.
Ph: (604)
274-2822.
Open daily 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Free admission - donations gratefully accepted.
All visitors welcome. The Temple has regular Buddhist
ceremonies, lectures, meditation classes, a Buddhist library and an art
exhibition. Contact Julia Wang for more information.
Asian Night Market -
food stalls, shopping, live cultural shows, and family fair at Vulcan
Way on weekends during the summer. Directions
on how to get to this, and their calendar of specially themed events is
posted on their website at www.richmondnightmarket.com
.
Other Attractions - art galleries and exhibitions in Richmond
There are other temples and ethnic celebrations in Richmond, too
numerous to list. However, the Arts, Heritage and
Cultural site of the City of Richmond at: http://www.richmond.ca/discover/organizations/arts.htm
has a list of sites and attractions;
Or, visit Tourism Richmond at: http://www.tourismrichmond.com/visitors_calofevents.htm
for a 2005 calendar of events.
Of special note:
Britannia Heritage Shipyard - Murakami Family Home
5280
Westwater Drive, Steveston, B.C.
A Japanese family's historic
home and garden
Gulf of Georgia Cannery
12138 - 4th Avenue,
Steveston, B.C.
Phone: (604) 664-9009 for further information on ticket prices and hours
of operation.
London Heritage Farm,
6511
Dyke Road, Steveston, B.C.
Phone: (604) 271-5220 or e-mail: londonhf@telus.net
to get further information on their schedule of weekend special events
through the year. Entrance: By donation.
Open:
September-June: Saturdays & Sundays from noon to 4 pm
July-August: Wednesday- Sunday, 10 am to 4 p.m.
Self-guided
tour through a fascinating historic home and lovely gardens; scrumptious
English tea served in their heritage tea-room: fresh scones, home made
cookies, exclusive brands of jams and jellies and their own special
blend of London Lady Tea served in bone china ($6.00 per person); gift
shop with attractive specialty items.
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