Paul Lindberg

June 12 A Hilly Day at Hong Kong University
06-25-06 | 01:14

As the taxi driver took the twisting turns up the hill towards HKU, I knew that we were in for climbing a lot of stairs and some great interviews.

I was right on both accounts.

The first interview was with Prof. Agnes Lam, a poet and a writer. There was something so calming about her manner. She didn't wear her spirituality on her sleeve but her own quiet way was showing her grace and beautiful spirit.

In her interview, there were some wonderful moments. One moment was when she talked about one of her poems. It was about how little we all need to be happy and peaceful. "We only have one stomach not eight," she said. We only need a minimal amount of food and clothing to be content and happy. Why do we all long for so much more? I am of course paraphrasing but she made this point with simple grace which gives it more power than my awkward blogging here.

After a quick lunch with Prof. Lam, we were off to the top of HKU. It is interesting the highest point at the University was located near the Buddhist Studies Department. Actually, I am not sure if it is at the top but when you have climbed up and then take four more flights of stairs than it sure feels high up.

As I looked at the poster "Master yourself", the poster of course advertising a Masters in Buddhism at HKU. I felt like we were in the right place for our project.

Ven. Jingyin, Director of the Center of Buddhist Studies at Hong Kong University, was an important interview. Ven. Jingyin was one of the first 5 top monks sent by the Chinese government to obtain a PhD abroad. This important professor and monk had a prestigious title but his demeanor was of a laughing and smiling man. He didn't seem to believe the Awake film was of this earth. He called us angels because people are not sent to do this mission from earth. His metaphoric words did not fall on deaf ears.

His interview was filled with the clear Buddhist teachings but the real fun happened when he began testing Jeff as a master checks the understand of his student. He seemed to want to check if the director was Awake. This was all wonderful fun.

Later, Dorthy, the Manager of the Buddhist Department, gave us her attention in a short but powerful interview about her answers to Awake's question.

We soon left the the hill of HKU heading for the harbor area.But first we met Dr. Vincent Tse, he was meeting us in a local high school. Vincent was another man with a kind giving manner who was retired but volunteer with cancer patients consulting on their medical cases and spirituality. He gives each patient one hour which is longer than the usual doctor's visit. His interview was another good one.

We left Dr. Vincent Tse for the harbor with Dr. Jinou. Dr. Jinou, Joan jin, was originally from mainland China. She was getting her second Masters at the HKU. She was of course a doctor but she had the sense of a healer. We interviewed her with the harbor as the backdrop and it looked beautiful.

As we watched and filmed the nightly laser show on the harbor, I could feel the energy and magic of Hong Kong. It is a small place but full of people striving after all kinds of pursuits of the world; ,money, power, and something more.

Check out the pictures to this wonderful day.