Fountains evaporate
peacocks preen to the setting sun
some enjoy midday
delighting in a splash
or tumble
some cool their insides
others just are cool
there are those who insulate
and those who bask in the glory of life
Recording is important!
self reliance a plus
though it can get confusing
we see a pro at work
My fellow tauruses take to roaming streets
as I do
Some have learned to loaf
and some to smile.
·
Stay cool my friends!
Hello from under the elephant of bureaucracy
The gates are guarded
within, we are well shaven
well fed
free to stroll
or sit
or lay back and enjoy
Shankar, my dear godfather who’s 90th birthday I’ve come to Delhi to celebrate, leafs through life…
past
and present,
delighting in celebration
I keep busy, discussing secular ethics with the pros
and enjoy a well guarded coffee
or equally delicious chai
and try to keep fit
competition is fierce
It’s important to have friends
and perform the required pujas
in order to survive life's ordeals
and navigate its crossroads
As the young Rato monks celebrated Tibetan New Year watching Hindi films
Rinpoche and I left the monastery
for Hong Kong
where we visited the Big Buddha
and the magnificent Guanyin, Buddha of Compassion
whom Rinpoche prayed before
and who bestowed her blessings
Then to Indonesia
with its dancing girls
However we had come to find the place where Atisha traveled from Bengal to study with the renowned Sumatran master Dharmakirti
We looked for the place they met 1000 years ago
found hints of it
a grand gateway to the monastic complex where aspirants were questioned by sharp minded gate keepers, à la Nalanda
Rinpoche prayed as we searched
And then on to Borobudur
and its famous noodle soup
Finally, with the help of Adele, who wheeled Rinpoche through Jakarta Airport, we said goodbye
Life can be a carousel
with ups and downs and turn arounds
It’s important to aim high
Some have better chances
some more challenges
If we serve others
keep our eye on the road
stay close to what’s important
true to our friends
friends of virtue
close friends
with faith
effort
steadiness
perseverance
over a long long time...
we can achieve enlightenment!
and thereby help others along their paths
to awakening
So don’t waste a moment!