Taiwan

In Xiushui the scent of lilies fills the air

in Xiushui life moves steadily

you take your shoes off outside

and people are respectful

I visit Lukang’s temple

people are happy there

happiness is the point, is it not?

and Lukang has charm

On to a mountain retreat

warmly welcomed

and then it’s over

On to Taipei

the Grand Hotel looms over all

as does 101, once the tallest building in the world

photographers take aim

I visit the Wu sisters, Saraha runs the gallery

showing contemporary Buddhist art works

her sister Ruby prepares Matcha

drunk with two hands to steady concentration and appreciation

and Hsiao Ro arranges flowers

the Wu sisters work hard

to bring beauty and spirit to their isle

Return to Rato

I return to Rato

monsoon brews

the young monks grow

they study hard

memorize their prayers

and learn about the world

Our elder scholars persevere

preparing for exams

a little walk can help

then back to studies

New construction has begun

architecture, engineering, and construction, proudly done in house

the animals relax

coconuts collect

Gen Gyatsend Tardo has taken charge of cooking

he prepares watermelon for desert

The guesthouse is well maintained

mopping continues

the generator chugs on

while Renuka takes a needed break

All is well at Rato

Dharamsala

Monsoon can be severe in Dharamsala

Kashmir Cottage remains serene

The new Rato abbot has come from Korea

the stupa of our late abbot, Chuwar Rinpoche, my teacher when I first joined Rato

View from the apartment I was so kindly lent

Temple Road, McLeod Ganj

a shave

chai with the cobbler who repaired my umbrella

a Rajasthani serenade

the best samosa and chai in town, their maker in the background

I see Heiko who photographed my ordination many years ago,

the man who guards the ATM,

and two happy lamas, Lelung Rinpoche and Ngagchen Rinpoche

I visit Prakash who cared for us at Deodar Villa during covid and now has his own tea stall

then a dinner party, Khyongla Rinpoche-style, on the eve of my departure.

A quick stop at the Amritsar Ritz

and to Delhi where life is laid back

In search of Julia

I’ve returned to India!

where work is done by hand

sweeping is supervised

and bricks are bricks

Cows roam

they rest

and pose

with grandeur

roads are improving

and fashion is safer

boys are happy

and girls are too

It’s time for a shave

clean

then off to find Julia

more bricks

more posers

and finally dear Julia

blessed by the Lord