So, as some of you guessed from the photos (or because I told you before I left), I just recently returned from teaching in a joint Duke-Hong Kong University summer program – the Asia-America Institute in Transnational Law. This was the first time I taught in the program, or visited Hong Kong, and I think I miss it already.
I had a great group of students from all over the world, including a fair number from Hong Kong and Mainland China. I also had wonderful hosts from HKU – Douglas Arner and Simon Young – who many Loungers no doubt already know, as well as unofficial private dining guide, Chin Lim, who -- when he is not advising governments on their trade agreeemnts -- provides some of the best conversation, restaurant advice, and luxury car spotting of anyone in Hong Kong. Class was held in the new (mostly finished) law school building, that will be amazing when fully open -- latest technology in the classrooms, fabulous conference space, great views from faculty offices (!! -- I have a view of a dumpster from my Duke office).
The photo above is the big Buddha in Lantau, an excursion taken with new friend, Haochen Sun -- assistant professor at HKU (and currently finishing up his Duke SJD), unofficially known as "the best ever North Carolina-Hong Kong liason and tour guide." Many of you in the IP area probably already know Haochen, but if not you can plan to meet him next year when he visits at UC Davis.
Anyway, though I loved Hong Kong, it is good to be back with the Loungers again. Happy summer to all!
Often public statues of the Buddha find him in the bhumisparśa mūdrā (‘touching the earth’ gesture, or ‘calling the earth to witness’ gesture), associated with Siddhartha’s awakening or enlightenment experience. Here, however, the gesture of Tian Tian Buddha here takes the form of the abhaya mudrā, symbolizing protection, fearlessness, and serenity (a similar gesture is found in the iconic depiction of Christ in Christianity) in general (and protection from all the fears of cyclic existence in particular). This strikes me as perfectly appropriate, given Hong Kong’s geopolitical proximity to and legal relation with (as a ‘special administrative region’) the People’s Republic of China. The left hand is in a dāna gesture, symbolizing generosity or giving and is associated with cultivating this practice as a virtue.
Posted by: Patrick S. O'Donnell | August 02, 2012 at 11:42 AM
please pardon the "here" redundancy in the second sentence.
Posted by: Patrick S. O'Donnell | August 02, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Thanks Patrick.
Posted by: Kim Krawiec | August 02, 2012 at 02:58 PM
hahaha! what a nickname! i was also recognized as the best fortune teller in north carolina and hong kong! it was super fun visiting the bigg buddha with mitu, kim and their great mothers. the fortune teller had a lot of fun.
Posted by: Haochen | August 05, 2012 at 12:18 PM
The Fortune Teller! I had forgotten that one . . .
Posted by: Kim Krawiec | August 05, 2012 at 03:29 PM
@Patrick--
Interesting. The symbolism may be intentional; Hong Kong's Tian Tan Buddha was completed in 1993, just a few years prior to the territory's reunification with the PRC. In fact, an altar at the base of the stairs leading up to the Buddha is emblazoned with the phrase one country, two systems (一国两制), which describes Hong Kong's political relationship with China.
@Kim--
Thanks for the interesting write-up! I attended the Asia-America Institute in 2008, as a student at Duke Law.
Posted by: Steve M | August 14, 2012 at 04:49 PM