Songzhanglin Monastery

The Songzhanglin Monastery was, for me, one of the most touching places we visited in China. Not only was the art and architecture stunning, but I have rarely ever been in a place that felt so much at peace. Though there were film crews documenting the making of a mandala, construction teams building new halls, and dozens of tourists milling about, I never once saw an ounce of concern, impatience, or frustration on the face of a single monk. While Percy, Spring, Roy, and Tao each made their devotions and circles around a Buddhist shrine, I was focused on the monk who was watching their ministrations. Now, I spend my life trying to sort out truth from lies based not only on evidence but on body language and social cues. I watch to see how questions cause people to react. I look to see which direction their eyes move when I ask them to remember something inconsequential so I know how they will react if they are relaying something truthful. I watch for fear responses, frustration, submission, or guilt. I have come to expect that nearly everyone I meet in my professional life has an agenda. But when I looked into the eyes of that monk I was struck to the core. I have never experienced eyes so clear. They were totally free of worry, doubt, fear, or intention. They were simply good. Clear, kind, and good. Meeting him was one of the most memorable parts of my trip even though it only lasted a moment. Just being in his presence made me want to be a better person.