34 FOCUS - OCTOBER 2017 “People are in awe of what can be produced manually. There’s a WOW factor,” commented Kathy Morton. “It’s kind of funny to see a Buddha missing an ear or a foot because it hasn’t been attached yet. Everything is put together like Lego blocks.” Retired Local Teacher Kathy Morton Readers may remember Kathy Morton as the popu- lar teacher who retired from Cartwright Public School in Blackstock after 32 years. (There’s still a Community Service Award presented annually to a deserving local student in her name.) Kathy wears many hats. As founder and current presi- dent of the Manvers Historical Society MHS), she became involved with the Cham Shan Temple as a community liaison, seven years ago. Why was Kathy chosen? “I’m a local mover and shaker, and they wanted a local face, to dispel the idea of it being foreign to a rural popu- lation.” This also fits in with the mandate of the MHS, “to educate and make people aware of other nationalities in our community.” “Our philosophy is to promote tolerance of one an- other regardless of colour, race or creed,” she added. For many years, the MHS has embraced and celebrated the local Jewish population. Kathy says that the Cham Shan Temple and the Buddhist philosophy dovetails nicely into the serenity and tranquility of the natural environment of what is called the Hog’s Back geographical feature of rolling hills. They own 1,700 acres in Manvers, to be kept in its natural state. Kathy says that the Chinese Buddhists have a high regard for Canada and, “The things we take for granted as Canadians, they appreciate.” Being involved has been “a real learning curve” for Kathy. “Buddhists are a peace loving people,” she de- scribes. “Their mission is to preserve the environment and promote peace.” “Buddhism is not a religion,” she clarified. “It’s a way of life.” The Largest Temple Outside Of China The “Garden of Buddhism” Cham Shan Temple is situ- ated on 630 acres just outside of Scugog Township. Part of the lands are in the City of Kawartha Lakes, and part of it is in the Township of Cavan. This development will include the prayer temple, onsite accommodations, a vegetarian restaurant, an exhibit area, office space, a yoga retreat, a gift shop, the tea ceremony area, a meditation centre, 100 acres of gardens and the stunning 14-acre Wisdom Pond. At 100,000 square feet, this new two-level Chinese Buddhist temple will be the largest outside of China. The interior of the temple, on the second floor, features all beautifully hand carved teak and rosewood seats and altar. Visitors can expect to walk on marble floors. “It’s said to be grander than the Taj Mahal,” said Kathy. “An amazing sight” will be 20 Buddhas, all in different poses, at the front of the towering steps to the imposing These pagodas are along both sides of the driveway at the entrance to the grounds. The English translation on this one reads, ‘Vowing that all the Buddhalands will appear among trees’. Cham Shan Temple (continued from page 33)