Page 10 - 伊利沙伯中學舊生會湯國華中學
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“We can cleanse our past and it is more These ceremonies, though demanding
important we act right from now on.” and sometimes uncomfortable, reveal a
The door opened and it was empowering deep respect for the human experience—
to confront our fears and embrace humility. embracing humility, mindfulness, and
To me, this ritual reinforced my belief that we reverence. Hearing their stories and
must take responsibility for our wrongdoings. understanding their meanings made me
To avoid painful consequences, we had realize that these traditions are not just
better choose kindness. rituals, but powerful expressions of our
shared humanity, deserving of respect and
Lastly, we witnessed a Shinto wedding reverence.
ceremony at a shrine, where the bride and
groom kneeled on tatami mats, bowed In the end, what started as a reluctant
multiple times, and followed precise steps journey turned into one of the most
that seemed formal and demanding. Initially, transformative experiences of my life. I
I could not accept kneeling or bowing. I learned that sometimes, pushing through
was too full of myself. But as I learned its discomfort can leave us with profound
meaning through the narrator that it was lessons and memories that last forever.
a sacred act expressing mutual respect, Kyoto’s temples and vibrant traditions will
purity, and the wish for a harmonious life— remain etched in my mind as a reminder that
I realised almost instantly that my arrogance growth often comes from stepping out of our
and over-confidence often led me into anger comfort zones.
and trouble. Reverence rather than power is
more essential in relationship.
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