On a random day of field work, I spotted this beautiful, shiny Temple, that appeared to be under-construction in the middle of no-where, PA. We were driving from location to location on a tight schedule and chasing the sun, so we couldn't stop to check it out - even though I had the intense desire to! I wrote it in my notes and decided that I would be back.
So the day finally came when I set back out to a vague address (really an intersection) and no clue the name or kind of Temple and if visitors would be welcome. And so, upon arrival and basking in the ambiance, I took out my camera to snap a few photos - It was such a beautiful atmosphere, I almost felt like I was brought here by some divine power! As I made my way around the structure - snapping from every possible angle and vantage point (I was doing a lot of architectural photography back then), I see a monk approaching me in the distance. At this point, in my mind, I am mortified - was I about to get in trouble with a sacred monk?
A gentle face greeted me with a smile. I smiled back, motioning to my camera and asked if it's okay to take pictures? He says "of course" and then begins to walk with me as I shoot! We have conversation about the progress of the temple's construction. As our walk continues, he reveals to me that he, himself is a photographer as well. He says "Stay right here, I will be right back!" He runs away and then comes back with his very on DSLR. I am in awe. We wander further into the Temple grounds, through a wooded area.
The Monk pointed to a tree and says "Look! Do you see the birds?" Sure enough there is a mother bird feeding her babies a worm. We both start to fire away our cameras, getting shots from different angles. Then, as we keep walking he says "Look, it's a butterfly!" And surely enough there was a beautiful butterfly perched on a rock, sitting perfectly still and slowly fanning it's wings as if it were posing to let us take photos. So, as if that's not enough - we pass by a pond and the Monk points out a camouflaged frog in the water.
He had an overwhelmingly calming and peaceful energy. I was amazed how he observed the land and made the animals appear right in front of my eyes. We eventually made our way back to the Temple and I went on my way, forever changed by this experience.