3/28/08 - First Building Session

After visiting Materials for the Arts to get as many possible construction materials as possible for this project, I ran to the Queens museum.

Laura, the educator at the QMA, very nicely organized and called up the teens (High school students who are participating in an after-school program there), so 7 students showed up today. Normally they have sessions on Wednesday after school. I appreciate Laura's quick coordination.

Thanks a lot Laura!

Although it was very short notice, they very nicely came and had an active discussion.

One of the very interesting points in their observations of the drawings were: they did not feel that drawings were so much about the religions. Rather it was about the culture, as though we looked at some sort of traveling guide. Temple-like buildings and people wearing turbans and particular clothing... The teens asked, "Was it Hinduism or Islam that this drawing came from?" as they pointed out the temple image and person wearing a turban.

In my mind, though, I felt that it had something to do with the young children's level of religous enlightenment. Even if they have been in the religion, that does not mean that when they express themselves regarding religion, that it will be about the spirituality and other such adult concepts. Not only does their level of drawing ability limit them, but also their level of experience of their religion might also affect the drawings.

By the way, Drawings at Jewish temple, one boy drew large Jacob's star and in the center he drew Mt. Masada based on his recent experience of trip to Israel.
He kept talking about food chain stores previously and mentioned the mountain, but maybe that was something for him. He was much older around 12. I am sure it defiantly reflects on their experience, but probably subtle. Without knowing the drawing process, we never know why Mt. Masada and what the brown color in the center of the star is for High School students. This is the interesting element, though.

Also, the High School students have gained a notion of what each religion is through their schooling and experience. So, they know what they are "supposed" to do for the building. But when they look for such resources from the drawings and cannot easily see them, they are confused. I just realized I have to explain we are not exactly building their replica of the temple.
They are building image of the temple based on the drawings.

That temple (Sikhism) particularly does not have so much items that could be great icon for the religion at the pray room. That might also be affected to the drawings.

Then, one of students strongly addressed concern:

"I do not want to build a religious organization's pavilion without fully knowing the religion, because I do not want people from the religion to get offended by our pavilion mis-representing them."

That reminds me of the words from the instructor at the Jewish temple's youth program. She told the kids to draw something that represents their religion well. She meant to encourage the children, but it is a bit different from the concept of the project.

Well, I like to let children and young students express what they see, feel and think. So, I tried to protect the children at religious organizations, encouraging them to do just what they wanted as a drawing. One boy even started drawing the world trade center and another girl complained to him about it since she thought that it had nothing to do with their religion. I smiled and let him do what he wanted.

I still feel that that must have something to do with his own expression, whether or not he truly got what the goal of the project is. Am I afraid such drawings lead in different directions, away from my own original idea? I do not think so. It takes time to find out what exactly it may means, but I still have faith that they all have some meaning, even beyond the level of consciousness.

Anyhow, back to teens, they were not sure if they were fine with continuing before further research. They thought they should go visit the religious leaders or at least go research it on the Internet....




After coming back to home and relaxing (now), I got some directions.

My filmmaker Rishi, actually gave me wonderful input right after the session.

He told me that in US High Schools, there are many many assignments, and each most likely has specific guidelines. Also, the teens are very smart and can see some worst case scenario before it happens so they want to address the potential issues beforehand....or something like that.

I thought that their point about the drawings perhaps addressing not so much religion as culture was very good. But, therefore they "cannot" build the pavilions because they worry that they get it wrong? I thought that, itself, is wrong.

Children at the religious organizations expressed their religion in their own way. That is not misrepresenting their religion. That is what the religious experience is for them. Then, I would just like the teens to explore via their own imagination from the childrens' drawings. It is not misrepresenting the religion, and should not offend others: it is simply based on the childrens' drawings.

Then, most importantly, they will be going back to religious sites and talking to the kids, and hopefully the religious leaders as well. That point becomes more critical. That part of the project is not just based on your own concept of the religion, but is trying to represent the religion. Teens can find out about such unclear parts of the childrens' drawings by themselves from the "real" first-hand resource.

They can even have the opportunity to talk about it in their version of the pavilion, in front of the kids' drawings.

This final step finally completes the project and process. It will never offend viewers since they will not be given the chance to experience the pavilions without an explanation that they were based off of the childrens' drawings (which will be on display), but that the teens later learned that x, y, and z were true of this religion. Thus the teens are not purposefully doing anything misleading or making fun of the religion.

Rish said, "The next few coming sessions for building together with the teens will require some patience from both you and them, but we need it."

That is true about most art-making processes as well. You never know what's going to be completed until you are finishing up. Yes, you can imagine how it might turn out, but it will never ever be the same as you had imagined.

(Well, I am not that far along in my career as an artist, though, and can't claim to have a ton of experience to draw from...In fact, I was totally focusing on the discussion with the High School
teens and forgot to take some pictures! No pictures today.)

3/26/08 - Things are constantly evolving

As I mentioned the beginning of this blog in February, Art projects like this - in which the piece basically consists of establishing a system and organization, then following it through production - are constantly changing as though the project itself is a living being.

The very first proposal involved more people from many different places. I was thinking about calling for children artists from all over the five boroughs. However, after visiting so many times and so many religious organizations I am more aware of their characteristics. Religious places are highly private, although that does not mean they avoid outsiders; rather welcoming.

So, bringing a bunch of kids from everywhere might disturb their practices. I noticed that my initial plan probably came from my idea of what religious spots are like from my experiences in Japan. Japanese temples are pretty much tourist spots. So, anonymous people come in and out on a daily basis. We never felt anything odd.

But, here at least in Flushing, Queens, the religious organizations are very actively engaging with their believers, also holding many youth group activities such as dance, sports, music, etc. beyond their service.

I paid attention to their youth programs. This was also one of the good suggestions from the exhibition curator, Hitomi. While visiting and understanding each religious organization, I talked to each youth program/school director. This process required a good one month to meet due to their busy schedule and other elements.

After experiencing with the children, I was interested in the honesty of their voices and interactions with me as they worked on their drawings. That gave me a new idea.

What if the High School students who are going to build small pavilions about each religious site, will meet the children who drew about their religion instead of with religious leaders?

And, instead of learning the ABCs of each religion, why don't I let them talk to each other based on the children's drawing?

As the high school students are developing ideas through the building sessions, they will have more and more questions about and interest in each religion. Then, having them talk to much younger children might give us another idea, revealing a different facet of each religion in the end.

Today, I briefly discussed about some logistics with the curator, Hitomi Iwasaki, at Queens Museum. She questioned me about this process.

"Are you thinking about letting High School students meet the children who drew the pictures before the students finish building pavilions or after?"

This changes the effect and meaning of the project, I guess. As this project is intense schedule-wise, I might have to do it before the pavilions are done.

For instance, the Temple Gates (Jewish) have large holidays towards the end of April. We might have to meet children before then, during the time the High Schoolers are building the pavilions.

By the way, a huge issue is how I can manage to find a meeting time while many other religious organizations are also quite busy in the Spring.

Yes, High School students, too, are becoming busier towards the end of School.

Let's cross our fingers again.

3/24/08 - First and Second Drawing Sessions!

Today was very nice day. I felt fully embraced by the children's artistic expression.

At noon, I visited the Sikh Center for the first kids' drawing session. I was actually not so worried about anything, but I was at least worried that perhaps everybody would draw the same things if their teacher told what to draw or any other reasons...

Not really at all!
First I gathered all kids together and talked to them about what we would do. I had sort of started by talking to the boys. Then, their teacher called the girls over, and amazingly the boys' circle around me moved back and made a half boys and half girls circle. Their school are taught
separately, and the prayer room is also separated down the center by a yellow color carpet. I remembered the Muslim center school also separates boys and girls.

The instruction part was smooth. They spread out to work immediately afterwards. Some did group projects. The girls were working all together since an older girl, who seems like their leader, led them to make one group work (kind of like a patchwork quilt idea). One girl looked
very quiet and did not join in, but did her own drawing which was also very nice. Her brother was very unique and on his own. First he drew the World Trade Center and his sister and others made fun of him since it not exactly related to their religion. I was fine with it, however, because in some way he thought it was linked to his religion, and there must be a reason why he felt it was linked. Or, perhaps he just wanted to draw it, but that's difficult to discern. Later he drew one of the important items for their religion, which was quite nice. I was very impressed. (I will not tell you the detail to let you have fun at the exhibition.)

Two boys sat down chatting and not doing anything. I asked if they do drawings. One of boys said he cannot draw, that he does not know how to do it, so he won't. I asked if he would then consider writing something instead. He pulled his right hand into his sleeve and said "I don't have a hand so I can't do anything!"

That was good try, but I was prepared.

"Well, then you cannot have lunch today, huh?" I replied.

He laughed and sort of tried to figure out what he could do or wanted to do. Either way, I encouraged him to draw or write something - whichever he was comfortable with.

Half an hour later or so, I went back to him and looked at his stuff. He was coloring red with the crayon on the paper. I was curious about what it was. He explained it was carpet downstairs (in the prayer room).

I slowly noticed that there was a place down the middle he was not coloring, and that that was how the carpet would look if we saw the prayer room from above. Hmm, I guess then he knew something about drawing but simply hesitated to do it. I am glad I pushed him to do something.

Quite interestingly everybody did a great job and their works, or the way they worked, seemed to be reflections of where they are and who their parents are.

This evening, I visited the Temple Gates of Prayer (Jewish temple) for the next drawing session. That was also an interesting one.

One girl was absent because of a family gathering, so all of the attendees that evening were young boys. They just wanted to play ball, hide and seek, and whatnot so, it was a bit difficult to get them to focus.

Their instructor, Lauren was nicely leading the boys. However, I was afraid that giving them too much instruction would lead them all to do the same drawings. She said you (boys) are sort of representing the temple and the Jewish culture, or something along those lines.

Although it was good way of wrapping things up for the sake of time, I sort of wanted to wait till they themselves decided to draw what they wanted to, like at the Sikh center. It was nothing wrong. I even appreciate it since the boys literally wanted to get to play "ASAP!"
Yet, that inadvertently led most of the boys to draw the synagogue's alter.

To be fair, at the Sikh center, children also drew their flag and symbols, and other such marks
a lot whether or not anyone gave them a lead to do so.

The curious part was then how each drew the same part, only slightly differently. The each had a slightly different focus. We might not be able to say that is something important or that they had a different meaning, though.

Well, at least, High school students will be able to figure out what religion it is by the drawing without too much guessing.

Again, there was one boy who was wondering what he wanted to draw. He was uninterested in the drawing session. So, I asked him about his recent trip to Israel. He talked on and on about the chain store fast food shops there and here like Burger King and McDonalds, stuff not really related to his religion, which was totally fine for me. (laugh.) I rather had fun with his observations. So, I asked if he could draw all the food he remembered and experiences with them there on his paper. He slowly started working by himself, a bit away from the others.

When I came back I was quite surprised by what he was doing! First, he drew a big Jacob's star. At that moment, I was sort of feeling like, uh-uh! (honestly...) I did not say anything or even did not come over to him. Yes, as an organizer/artist for this project, sometimes I wish to be able to control the overall process more, to be honest with you. However, each time I stop
and let others do what they want to since that is the main concept of this project.

You might wonder then how one organizes everything to be in good shape and meet the deadlines. I would say that is the magic part of this type of artwork. I will not directly control it, but will very carefully organize it to be prepared for everything to fall together in time by being very observant of how things work with each of the participants.

Anyway, back to the boy drawing his big star, he then started coloring brown inside the star.
I asked what it was finally. He asked me if I remembered him talking about Mt. Masada. He said he went there and now he was drawing that mountain here.

Wow, that was an interesting jump!

I am running out of time for now, so I will draw to a conclusion here. He then drew a very nice Israeli flag and nice clouds and sky. I asked him where the people were.

"I cannot draw people," he answered. "I don't like stick figures, but that is all I can draw."

I encouraged him, and later he did two people on top of the mountain. That was terrific! I appreciated his courage.

Yes, I found out how many children hesitate to draw something they can draw. I assume that in their mind they have an idea of what good drawings are. They want to do them that way but cannot, so, they do not like to do it.

It's very sad. That's totally wrong.

If we all drew nicely in the way we see in our minds, we would all fail as artists for sure.

That reminded me of when I was little. I was like that and wanted to be good at drawing. But, sooner or later, I noticed that was actually a reflection of parents' or older people's expectations.

I hope I could help give the kids a bit of freedom from that to encourage their own artistic expression. Well, unfortunately, I am unable to provide three-dimensional artistic expression
for them at this time. I am sure, like myself, some of the kids are much better at expressing
themselves by 3D work. Ideally, all media, such as music, play and dance should be available to them, though.

These experiences have given me so many thoughts for my own ideas about Art.
Thank you for this time guys!

3/17/08 - How Much I know Little

I did not know Palm Sunday.
I did not know Purim.
I did not know Hamantashen.

Not knowing is not so much of an issue, though. I am sure I am familiar with so many things related to Buddhism since my Grandma was a serious believer and I majored in Buddhist Art History at college.

But knowing certain calender events might make one better able to respect and understand others, and feel something different.

I wonder then how it is different. Maybe not on our side, but rather from the perspective of those who believe that religion. Like if you speak Japanese fluently as the foreigner, Japanese will be surprised yet feel more comfortable and close to you.

Likewise, whether or not you address how much you know something about their religion, probably you will be better able to react appropriately and therefore give them less intenseness and nervousness.

I have not had any negative experiences through this project so far. However, that is something I am beginning to feel as I try to figure out how to organize this project with them.

When Laura instructed children to make Hamantashen, she made sure children make it triangular shape as she explained why. That way, children will learn the historical tales in their
religion without relying on rote learning.

They were really enjoying making cookies (Hamantashen).
Their smile and joyful screams made me so happy either way.

Hamantashen Links -1 -2

http://kosherfood.about.com/od/glossaryofjewishfoods/g/hamantashen.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamentashen





Oh, today was St. Patrick's Day as well. I noticed when I saw Empire State building.

3/12/08 - A Bit of Progress (Temple Gates)

The Temple Gates is located in the very center of Flushing downtown, on Parsons Blvd., across the street from the Sikh Center.

I called the temple two days ago and Rabbi Thaler briefly talked with me and invited me to come to his office around four.

Security was very tight. The first door was unlocked, but the second one was like some private house: it had an intercom and I had to wait for them to unlock the door. Compared to any of the other religious places I visited, it was very modernized and well maintained with almost an hotel-like atmosphere. All the detail of the design looked very decisive. I was amazed by how organized-looking it was.

Rabbi Thaler came to greet me and invited me to his office. It was exactly like a professor's office at university. So many books in shelves around him. His desk was piled, full of books, note pads, pen and more.

He started out by asking me why the Queens Museum of Art was doing the celebration of the Flushing Remonstrance this year. The 350 years celebration was last year, he noted, and the religious community had organized so many events and even many symposiums at Queens College. Hmm, I had no idea how I should answer this. But, then I assumed the museum had their own events and program booked already and scheduled the show to fit into the museum's schedule, but once they saw the events, perhaps they thought it would be a great idea to do some community-based art projects. Thus we artists are now approaching these religious institutions. After talking with the Rabbi, however, I do wish they could have organized this project in time to coincide with the religious organizations' cerebration of the 350th anniversary of the Remonstrance document.

Well, maybe celebrating this important document twice might be good:)

Rabbi Thaler giggled that it was not my fault, so let's begin discussing my project.
I explained my proposal.

He was very thoughtful. First, he said in their religion, during services, no one can write or draw.

I was really surprised. I did not know that. (!!!!)

Rabbi Thaler seemed not so concerned. He suggested that we do drawings at the youth program. He also mentioned that the youth group recently visited Jerusalem, Israel. They probably have many fresh memories and experiences that they can express by drawing.

That sounds great!

Anyhow, we talked about the Wailing Wall briefly then left for today.
I will meet the instructor next Sunday, hopefully, and we will do drawing
sessions the week after that meeting.

3/12/08 - A Bit of Progress (Hindu temple)

Hindu Temple Society of North America is the one we visited as a group during the first trips. I got in touch with the public relation person, Mr. G.P. two days ago and visited there again. He said his name is long and difficult to pronounce, so I should use the abbreviation.

While waiting, I carefully walked around and observed each of the dieties and the relief sculpture. At a glance, it looked like casting of some sort, but when I looked through the connected elephants along the bottom of one of the sculptures on the wall, I noticed it was hand curved. Every single elephant is very much alike but slightly different. They must be handmade
one by one.

Later, Mr. GP told me it is a cement relief sculpture painted gray later. Personally, since I studied Buddhist Art History a long time ago, I was very curious about all the details. Since the room does not have so much light, you cannot see well, but that also makes it a good place to calm down.

He was very passionate about their current expansion project. He showed me the future entrance which has 16 columns that represent 16 gods. He said they hired sculptors to carve each god on them.

Back to my project with them, he was quite comfortably saying as long as I can avoid the busiest pray time, it should not be a problem to participate, and their school children might be able to visit other religious organizations to do drawings. Very nice.

Next Sunday, I am coming back to the temple to meet the educator and discuss the possibilities.

In Hinduism, they normally practice individually so there is no formal service. However, Saturday morning to 1 pm are quite crowded. Actually, the room is not so large, so if people walk around the dieties as well as sit down and pray, it must be quite packed.

I do not remember who said that, but I heard that the temple is very authentic, even more than the ones in India. Mr. G.P. proudly mentioned the temple is the oldest in North America.

The temple is located on the corner of Holly Avenue and Smart Street. Just a couple blocks from Kissena Blvd.

I am getting excited about meeting the children and the possibilities
of including drawings by them...

3/12/08 - a bit more Progress -1 (Synagouge)

Fortunately my current job is flexible because of my boss is very generous.
I truly feel lucky that I am able to focus on this project that requires so much
coordination. Thanks Carol!

Anyway, I went to bed late and got up early to visit Flushing today.
It was not sunny and it made me so blue.

First I went through all the religious organization lists that I had
researched through the internet over the past three nights to make certain
my map was correct. For the best luck, I decided which ones I should go to first
and marked them in order. By the way, Flushing is very much an Asian town right now,
so it is pretty easy for me to find a quick rest at bakery/coffee shops which are
similar to Japanese ones. In this case, as an Asian, it is a pretty convenient town.

I went to a couple of places that I already visited to take some photos from
outside. Then, walked to Kissena Blvd. to look for a Synagogue.
I went too far at first, but then I found it. It is very large and looks like a very historical
temple. The main entrance was closed, so went into the high school (I guess)
next door. At the office, I met Mrs. Edith Siegle.

Another artist, Tattfoo it seemed, had already visited there. Mrs. Siegle began talking about
his work and seemed confused. I explained to her from the beginning, precisely what my project is. Despite the fact she seems pretty much on the older side, her posture is very straight, and she remembers well. She explained to me the service (Shabbat) schedule and
told me about Purim and what they generally do on weekly schedule. (I asked her age, although it is rude, and she smiled saying she did not count after 50. I like that!)

She invited me to the next Shabbat on Friday evening, and I will try to go to see how they do and who their members are. In the hallway, several photos, images of past Board members, and news articles lined the wlls. It looks like a very historical temple and the members seem to be quite elderly people. She mentioned they only have two children so they cannot do any
drawing sessions themselves.

3/10/08 - This is the beginning

Just before I found the Sikh temple, my wife and I walked in to the park called, Margaret I. Carman Green or Weeping Beech Park.

One of artists of the Queens Museum of Art exhibition, Emmy Catedral is working on planting Beech trees, inspired by the 151-year-old weeping beech tree that was in this park until 1998 which, according the parks service, is the genetic root of every weeping beech tree in the United States. She is interested in planting the sapling on the grounds owned by each different religious organization. That reminded me of the Kaki Tree project conceived by Tatsuo Miyajima. (The project concept)
A Japanese persimmon tree that was irradiated by the nuclear bomb dropped on Nagasaki in 1945 managed to survive. One tree doctor decided to take cuttings from the original trees. Artist Miyajima, known for his LED light number sculptures, got interested in spreading the sapling through artistic activities involving whole communities. It's been ten years since the project began. Someday I would like to bring a sapling to this community.

I have been always interested in visiting historical sites and remains. Sometimes I visited actual, original historical buildings, and sometimes just statues of the event that happened there. It does not have to be monumental; I rather tend to feel closer to the place or event, myself, if it is unmonumental. For example, in the 60s or 70s, some group or city commemorated an historical site, yet it has not been taken care of well since then so that the new explanation plate itself is again almost rusty and feeling like it will disappear.

Whether or not the memorial objects - like statues, plaques, and the site ruins - are there
I feel the effort someone took to keep it there is something important.

I did not know about the Flushing Remonstrance until this show at the Queens Museum of Art. But, by knowing it by chance and coming to understand its importance, I now would like to share this information with more and more people through this project and the exhibition.

The Bowne House

3/09/08 - Second Visits (3)

As a foreigner and spending his eighth year in the US, now I understand the meaning of community and religious organizations here.

Maybe particularly in Flushing, Queens, NY, heart of most truly ethnically diverse community, each religious organization functions as school, day care center, place to meet up, place to go for helping/supporting each other, other than just praying every weekend. This is a situation I had not realized before.

Certainly how they organize and what they do each weekend is a bit different from religion to religion, but the unification of a group of community members looks similar.

Towards the end of the day, I just saw an unusual building on Parsons Blvd. It looked to me like Las Vegas-like tropical coconut trees on top of the building with the shape of the top of the facade similar to that of the top of a castle wall. Suddenly one guy wearing a turban came out from the door. Actually there was no sign except in their own language.

I was not sure but wondered if that was a temple. The door was not locked. I opened and then saw many randomly removed shoes. many people wondered about me and asked. I explained that I was hoping to speak with someone there, and I was asked to wear yellow scarf on my head.

Each person pointed me to another person until I reached two older gentlemen
wearing nice turbans and beards at the end of the carpet. Although it was a totally foreign atmosphere to me, I was not so nervous, maybe because many kids were cheerfully running around all over the place inside. They seemed so happy.

It was a Sikh temple. They understood my project explanation and nicely said they should be able to do a drawing session with children from their associated school. Also, they think they can bring their kids to other religious organizations to do other drawings as well. That was very nice. By the way, I guess this is me, as Japanese perspective, no bias, their faces were always pretty serious face so I was a bit becoming nervous. I realized there was a subtle cultural difference. It is a matter of getting used to it, though. I remembered when I talked to Germans in Germany I had a hard time to understand if they were upset or not. (laugh)
I have been told similar stories from my American friends...

Next week, I will come back with materials to explain the drawing sessions more thoroughly.

Oh wow, this project has suddenly moved forward!
I now have to look for kids to participate in drawing sessions from outside the religious organizations, as well as one or two more participating organizations.

I hope it works out...

3/09/08 - Second Visits (2)

Previously I had visited Macedonia Church with the whole QMA group, and I returned again today to see Ms. Annette Webb (picture with me, my wife, and Ms. Webb). We had visited there as a group before, and inbetween their services, Reverend Nicholas had come to listen to our projects.

Since I have never been involved in church programs, I was totally amazed how
their services are busy and tight. Today, I went there before the morning service
ended, I participated in their service just 20 minutes or so. Maybe because I like
gospel songs and participated in choirs at school in New Orleans, it came into my body smoothly. On both sides of me of older African American gentlemen held my hands
together and repeated some phrases. My English is still not good enough in this kind
of case, but heard "Use your time wisely..." It was quite a nice service and I felt embraced
even if it was just for a short time. They nicely explained their time of service and invited me
to return next time. You may say that is always the case no matter which religious organizations we visit, but it had no undertone of forcefulness as some do. That was quite nice.

After the service, one of our participating artists Tattfoo Tan, handed out his
prayers stickers. Many church members nicely and seriously wrote their prayers on them and and returned the stickers to him. When I looked at today's service program handout, they announced it as "Prayer Request As Art." Very nice organization.

Later, Ms. Annette Webb, Director of Christian Education at the church told me how busy they are and how all the Sunday programs were full for the coming one to two months. However, she does not want to uninvite anyone and would love to participate in any way that they can.
Since my project requires little bit more organizational effort, drawing inside church by people from both inside and outside of the church, it seems quite difficult to do around this Easter time.

In fact, today, right after this service, they planned on visiting and joining another church's
service so they were loading up a bus.

Since I did not know about such programs, I was completely amazed. Then I thought about how important this entity is for many people in this community.

Continues to (3)

3/09/08 - Second Visits to religious organizations (1)

I was quite busy after visiting religious organizations last time with other artists.
My friend had a beautiful wedding in New Orleans, then I, myself, had to do moving
with my wife. Life is busy, but also I was able to catch up with so many friends in New Orleans and talked about past three years after Hurricane Katrina. Fortunately, more people (though still not many) are able to move on to the next step now. My close friend's family finally started renovating their house! Yet, that is still a lucky case.
More than half of the original population of New Orleans is still outside of the city...

Speaking of which, I visited one more Buddhist temple today since their website grabbed my attention. They do relief to areas of the Gulf Coast victimized by Katrina. Tzu Chi temple is located on Northern Blvd near Union Street in Flushing. They are very modernized. Upon entering, their bookstore/cafe on the first floor looked like any ordinary modern Japanese bookstore - very typical (in Asia) nicely-kept Asian store.

Mr. Scott Huang came to greet us and soon started talking about our project. First he listened to my project very carefully but once I finished, he explained brief history of the temple and possibilities for how they could contribute to my project without stop. One person passed by and he called him and started talking about my project in Taiwanese. Soon, he told us it might be quite possible to make this happen with their school children. Then, we walked upstairs and looked through all of the facilities.


He never stopped explaining, but everything is very short and complete. He even introduced to their Northeast Regional director Mr. George Chen. I could not see any hierarchy and weirdness. Just amazing. In the end coming back to the bookstore, he introduced their precooked food and environmentally safe kitchenware such as portable chopsticks.

I do not mean to come across as cynical or rude, but I felt this is amazingly well done business style. I mean that in order to network their worldwide relief activities, they need very efficient organization. I can see how seriously they work for that. No one was rude to us or wasted their time either. Their brochure explain very concisely and precisely their mission and activities.

He was actually in the midst of a pretty busy schedule but within 40 minutes or less,
we were able to communicate and complete our meeting without missing anything.


continues to (2)