Many kind friends have sent money to help us distribute food to poor local villagers affected by corona. Thank you. Our Rato administrators and I visited our neighboring villages to see where the need was most pressing. Here are some of the people we met…
Everyone needed help. We are organizing a distribution of rice, flour, dal, oil and soap. Again, our thanks.
Kind friends have provided funds to support villagers in need
We lease two trucks
load up
and find lines awaiting us
Mr. Thomas has made a list of the poorest
Some are not on it
Others don’t wish to be
India remains locked down
schools are closed
people stay indoors
venturing out to get their bag of rice, dal, wheat, salt, cooking oil and soap
Distancing is relative
A thumb print
watched over by an elder
and one by one
each gets a bag
each family, that is
We visit a few villages
and find true need
relief
and gratitude
the day begins
some sweeping
the abbot’s chambers
bed, desk
and view
shower
sink
and toiletries
a new flower
then down to meet administrators
we stay apart
and then a walk
around the temple
where more sweeping takes place
teak trees are growing
and kitchen stores are low
fresh pasta!
then all is put away
Late afternoon
Soon dark
tomorrow is another day
Empty abbot’s meeting room
my altar
prayers
Suresh who keeps me fed
his spotless kitchen
Lunch
moi?
the roof garden
dancing trees
and pirouettes
I venture out
circumambulate
admire our environment
encourage new growth
the banyan tree is doing well
so is the bamboo
though palms are suffering
shriveling in the harsh heat
Some survive
Electricians visit
our transformer has burned out
I visit the monks rooms, meet new incarnations
much morning memorization
Drepung Monastery is locked up behind us
each finds his quiet spot
wherever
to concentrate
and memorize
I pass the incense burner
and find George who keeps us on the straight and narrow
our temple keeper prepares offerings
then lunch
we keep our social distance
walk through the kitchen
to be served
then out to the debating pavilion
and behind the temple
to visit the dancing trees
admired from above
They’re grand
and graceful
How fortunate we are!