Perhaps it was fate’s gentle nudge, or destiny’s invisible hand guiding me.
On the eve of my departure from Dar es Salaam, I stumbled upon a hidden gem—the serene Longquan Tanhua Temple. Who would have imagined? A peaceful Buddhist sanctuary nestled in the vibrant heart of Africa, thousands of miles from its spiritual roots.
And just like that, my journey took an unexpected turn. I found myself staying, becoming part of the temple’s daily rhythm as a volunteer.
“Volunteer” might sound too formal for what I did. My days were filled with simple yet meaningful tasks—learning carpentry from wise senior monks, breathing new life into weathered tables, then turning soil under the African sun to plant hopeful chrysanthemum seeds.
Every sunrise to sunset overflowed with purpose, each moment woven tightly into a tapestry of fulfillment. The temple taught me that sometimes, the most ordinary tasks can bring extraordinary peace.
That sounds like such a unique and meaningful experience! It’s amazing how travel can lead to unexpected opportunities to give back. The contrast between the temple’s peace and its location in Africa is striking. I’d love to hear more about the specific volunteer work you did there.
Thank you for your kind words! I mostly helped with daily tasks like cleaning and teaching basic English to the children. The contrast was indeed striking, and it taught me so much about resilience and gratitude. Would love to share more details if you’re interested!