The Temple of Master Hotei - By Denise "Lapis" LeFay

This uniquely fascinating book  is a little gem that holds a big surprise.   It consists entirely of the past life memories of the author, an autobiography of a previous existence lived in ancient China, and documented  by Ms. LeFay after a series of unfolding and undeniable recollections.  Whether one is a proponent of the doctrine of reincarnation, or one is not, or if one has toyed with the concept but not come to a firm conclusion regarding it, this enchanting story will nonetheless charm and entertain any who accept it's invitation to enter the temple of Master Hotei.Set in a far gone era of China's past, the tale unfolds of a young boy named Ivory One.  As a small child he is escorted by his father to the enclave of  a legendary  holy man.  The boy is delivered before the massive, cinnabar colored moon gate of this Holy One's beautiful temple.  Behind that gate lay the world of Master Hotei, a wise and wonderfu
l, greatly revered spiritual teacher.  Today, the world is familiar with the Master Hotei of this story as the figure of the Laughing Buddha.For many years the young boy, Ivory One, lives within those sacred grounds as a disciple and student of the Master.  The story takes the reader on a wondrous journey, side by side with Ivory One, as he learns and grows under the benevolent guidance of Hotei.  Each chapter unfolds a new life-lesson for the boy, through some ingenious discipline or training scenario devised by the inventive, ever joyful master.  With great playfulness he tends to his beloved disciple's spiritual development through the years.   Ivory One's soul unfolds in ever developing understanding until one day he earns a new name: Jade One.  Jade is a highly prized stone of Chinese tradition,  the embodiment of truth, beauty and spiritual strength.  The reader will be pulled from chapter to chapter in eager anticipati
on of each new, enlightening experience that Ivory One, now Jade One, encounters.We  witness the deeply loving relationship that grows between master and disciple, and become privy to the spiritual benefits of such a relationship.  Jade One grows to young manhood under Hotei's protection within the sacred precincts of the temple grounds, until he reaches a decisive juncture within himself.  The decision he makes as he stands at this juncture is startling and unexpected, even to Jade One.  The story reaches a heart wrenching climax, full of the grief of separation and  regret, yet holds the promise of ever new beginnings and continuing cycles of cosmic becoming.Spiritual insights are embedded within every page of this book, splendid little jewels offered with child-like simplicity and stunning clarity.  It is a treasure chest of the profound truths that every one  of us desire to find, but may not be so fortunate as to discover.  B
y walking with Jade One  through the temple's peaceful gardens, beside the wisdom whispering brook, and sitting with him at the feet of his laughter filled teacher, we too partake of the eternal truths so benignly bestowed by Master Hotei.  Is this story indeed the memory of a previous life?  Is such a thing possible?  - more than half  the world's population believe that reincarnation is an unquestionable fact of life.  Or is the book just the product of a very creative imagination?  However you choose to answer the foregoing questions will have no bearing on the enjoyability of reading this book.  You will come away from the experience richer for having had it.

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