Circumambulation

Down our little hill

Down our little hill

the circumambulation begins

the circumambulation begins

an opportunity to give

an opportunity to give

welcome

welcome

we each go our own way

we each go our own way

influenced by the mantra of compassion

influenced by the mantra of compassion

Om Mani Padme Hum

Om Mani Padme Hum

sometimes hidden

sometimes hidden

She sweeps the path, her son and friend in tow

She sweeps the path, her son and friend in tow

the Buddhas delight in merit

the Buddhas delight in merit

more Om Mani Padme Hums

more Om Mani Padme Hums

more circumambulators

more circumambulators

flowers are offered

flowers are offered

and prayer wheels spun

and prayer wheels spun

A lone Mani stone

A lone Mani stone

and the climb begins

and the climb begins

prayer flags flutter

prayer flags flutter

we reach the level part

we reach the level part

a last Om Mani Padme Hum

a last Om Mani Padme Hum

and home to where Rinpoche observes

and home to where Rinpoche observes

Dharamsala Portraits

Rato Khyongla Rinpoche

Rato Khyongla Rinpoche

Chuwar Rinpoche, reincarnation of the late Abbot of Rato Monastery, with his Chanzo

Chuwar Rinpoche, reincarnation of the late Abbot of Rato Monastery, with his Chanzo

Norman

Norman

Jeremy

Jeremy

Jakob

Jakob

John Bellezza

John Bellezza

French Marianne, the Venerable Tenzin Kunkyi

French Marianne, the Venerable Tenzin Kunkyi

A friend

A friend

Kotwalli shop keeper

Kotwalli shop keeper

welding Jeweler

welding Jeweler

Kashmiri porter

Kashmiri porter

dry cleaner

dry cleaner

Indru Naagi friends

Indru Naagi friends

Gentleman from Indru Naag

Gentleman from Indru Naag

Sir and Madam on a Naddi walk

Sir and Madam on a Naddi walk

Naddi tea maker

Naddi tea maker

Sapna is also from Naddi

Sapna is also from Naddi

Saini Kumar and family are from Khanyara

Saini Kumar and family are from Khanyara

Saini in his photo studio

Saini in his photo studio

Barbee

Barbee

Dhauladhar Head Waiter

Dhauladhar Head Waiter

his staff

his staff

and a competing restaurant waiter

and a competing restaurant waiter

Barnet tea stall owner

Barnet tea stall owner

her daughter

her daughter

our neighbors

our neighbors

And me

And me

Happy Lunar New Year

Life proceeds with calm and artificial flowers

Life proceeds with calm and artificial flowers

It dances before us, revealing its best side

It dances before us, revealing its best side

Is there a better side?

Is there a better side?

Birds have their view

Birds have their view

which varies

which varies

with grace

with grace

and play

and play

determination

determination

and dignity

and dignity

We must all fly on

We must all fly on

and enjoy our view of life

and enjoy our view of life

I wish you a Happy New Year

I wish you a Happy New Year