Buddhist monks in P.E.I. welcome visitors 'with open arms'

About 2,600 people got a peek into the lives of Buddhist monks during an open house at a monastery in Little Sands, P.E.I., during the weekend.

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People got to see where the monks study, where they rest and where they pray.

And how happy and respectful they are.

"Everyone was so incredibly welcoming," said Heidi Riley, one of the visitors. "The first monk we saw waved at us and he bowed and I thought it was a lovely gesture."

Venerable Dan, one of the monks at the monastery, said the visitors asked questions about what time they woke up, what they ate and, of course, what they thought of the cold weather.

"Obviously we are a come-from away group," he said. "We look different, we dress different, but I think this is a great opportunity for us to know more about Islanders and for everybody to get to know more about us."

Riley said she was impressed with the size of the building, and how well the monks work together as a unit.

"It must be disruptive for them, it's out of their normal routine and yet they welcomed us with open arms," she said. "I'm very impressed by that."

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