Peace Garden in Portugal

Buddha Eden, BombarralThe amazing Buddha Eden is a 35 hectare garden with “6000 tons of marble and granite Buddhas, lanterns, terracotta soldiers and various oriental sculptures,” amongst the hills and trees of the Quinta dos Loridos, an old wine producing estate just outside the dull Portuguese town of Bombarral. The ‘peace garden’ was created by Portuguese businessman Jose Berardo following the destruction in 2001 of the Bamyam Buddhas in Afghanistan. According to the garden’s official website “so saddened and outraged was Mr Berardo of the callous and deliberate destruction of the cultural heritage of the Afghan people ….that he embarked on the creation of his …..project as homage to the Bamyan Buddhas.” Of course the people of Afghanistan are very unlikely to ever be able to console themselves for the loss of their Buddhas by visiting this ‘hommage’ in an obscure corner of a country half way across the world (but then, that’s perhaps just as well, as they would probably want to blow this up too.)

I am having a cup of ice coffee and enjoying the summer beauty. Somehow my thoughts are sent to far away places where women, children and man do not have the opportunity to enjoy the moment I was living. They do not have a place where they can find peace. I felt sad in my heart! I thought of a place in Portugal where one can walk on the paths of peace. The Peace Garden in Bombarral, Portugal. Here are some photos taken there a few years ago. If you have an opportunity pass by and enjoy it. I felt much at peace when I walked them.