To Ahmedabad in search of emptiness
An empty house
with apples that lack appleness
a slide into emptiness?
a step into emptiness?
an empty room?
What is this kitchen empty of?
independent kitchenness?
Is bathroom just a name
we call a room in which we bathe?
Is beauty merely in the beholder’s eye?
Some are oblivious to it
while others delight
does it depend on maintenance?
or does it exist inherently?
evident among its parts?
even to our friends?
Prayer flags flutter above McLeod Ganj
where the meditators stay
Dr. Tseten Dorje helps others in tangible ways
and Shartse Khensur Rinpoche enjoys his cappuccino
I visit Dr. Kocchar in Delhi, he declares me well
Then to Ahmedabad with Gyume Khensur Rinpoche and Geshe Ngawang Norbu
to meet Pankaj Chandra, Vice Chancellor of Ahmedabad University and Ashok Thakur, former Indian Secretary of Education
The Buddhist Institute is signing a Memorandum of Association with Ahmedabad University,
A Grand Achievement!
which we must implement with Gandhian simplicity
I travel on to Hubli where there is marching in the streets
my friend Baba Sahib has retired
his son carries on the garland business
I drive through villages toward the monastery
Hunagunda Village has gone modern
though it retains some funk
Madame enjoys a middle way
The monastery is looking well
lush after monsoon
Dhakpa Gyaltsen trims weeds
Gen Sonam Temphel maintains discipline
Gen Wangdu administers
and our ladies keep things on track
I visit the Trithog Khang, headquarters of the Geluk Order
to see the new offices of our Buddhist Institute
designed and organized by Geshe-la
Somali comes to say hello, she works in our dairy, soon to be closed
as Gen Tashi Tsering was knocked down by a bull
In the monastery life goes on
memorization
study
and play
It’s nice to be back
and witness a new generation begin
Pilgrims from around the world visit Bodh Gaya
where Siddhartha Gautama attained the state of Buddhahood
while meditating below the Body Tree
He was a normal human being, like us
however he persevered in his pursuit of truth
shunning the limelight
and worldly pursuits
This little fellow has come from Sri Lanka
from where a sampling was brought that has grown into today's tree
there are many reliquaries around the tree
and shrines
well protected
though from what I do not know
It’s a peaceful place
We are staying at the Mahayana
where renovations are underway
we are well looked after
Tempa-la, Pempa-la, Khensur Rinpoche and I
We have come for the upcoming Dalai Lama Center for Tibetan and Indian Ancient Wisdom
the land is blessed by Maitreya, the Future Buddha
we inspect the site
many columns have sprouted since our last visit
but work is slow; whattodo?
Maybe a cup of tea would help
Karma-la requests a path be made
to avoid the mud
Each morning we pay respects to this ancient statue at the place where Gautama Buddha sat 2,600 years ago
And then we depart
leaving our project in the hands of the engineers, Sangpo-la and Pempa-la
Soon on to Gaggal
and finally to the magical world of Dharamsala
where the clouds roll in
The Tibet Center is in Tony’s able hands
as I’m in India
where I’ve had my head shaved
ordered new specs
and drunk a coconut, now payable with Paytm!
Delhi is swept
cows are fed
the generator works
and streets are repaired
There is a rhythm to life
harmonized with faith
each in our own way
Self confidence is vital
as we proceed
toward the future