The Rainy Season

We prepare for the rainy season

trimming

weeding

and moving pebbles around

The clouds arrive

as does the wind

and then the rain

the atmosphere has changed

administrators work on

the cashier tends his cash box

new disciplinarian assumes his duties

this year’s Geshe prepares to enter the Tantric College

He has some years to go

and Gen Tashi Dorje needs a signature

all wear face masks!

which arrive by DHL

The head of our education department sets a date for exams

monks work on memorization

the test approaches

a quick review

and into the temple

presided over by the Buddha and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s throne

Where to begin?

recitation proceeds

watched over by the Geko and Goddess Tara

We try to social distance

novices wait their turn

peek at what they must recite

a squirt of sanitizer

and then the recitation

Soon it’s over

back to the room

past empty fountain

no more need to recite!

we can enjoy the rains

Our grand trees

Our neighbors

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.

Corona Karuna

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