Hello from Police Headquarters where I submitted my application for a visa extension
The inspector kindly poses with his new phone
I’ve been told to carry on as abbot of Rato… these are some of our Rato monks...
and this is where I live
and my view
Lingappa who drives
and Suresh who cooks
and who’s father is over 100
And Ling Rinpoche
We leave…
and stop in Bangapour to visit Abdul, master builder who constructed Rato Dratsang
and his family
And now in Hong Kong where life continues
Arrival in Patna, capital of the state of Bihar
The most revered image of the Buddha, said to have been made by a celestial artisan during Buddha’s lifetime
Offerings around the Mahabodhi Temple — Om Mani Padme Hum, the mantra of compassion
A pilgrim turning his mani wheel among the stupas on the Mahabhodi Temple grounds
as others meditate, chant and circumambluate
Young monks pray, play
while their sister engages in intense mindful practice
We crossed the river...
to visit the place where Buddha engaged in six years of austere meditation
fasting to the point where his ribs and veins protruded, before accepting Sujata’s rice pudding and gaining the strength to realize enlightenment
Buddha walked the land of King Bimbisara
up to Vulture’s Peak
where he taught the Perfection of Wisdom
his most essential teaching, "...form is empty, emptiness is form, form is none other than emptiness and emptiness is none other than form…"
This poor cow lies beside the holy peak
and hopefully hears recitations of the Heart Sutra
while others try to make a buck promoting Mother India
and yet others prepare Shiva-inspired shack-tea and tandoori rotis
And then... Patna Airport where we’re reminded of the madness of life
A little local color… No snow, but some morning mist...
later in the day… Tavargeri
The happy monks of Rato Dratsang wish you a happy new year