On the Road

A journey to Vrindavan where Lord Krishna spent his childhood

Prabhupada worshiped him under the Krishna Tree in NYC

I then visit Rikhiapeeth for the centennial celebration of Swami Satyananda who suggested calling emptiness God

then on to Rajgir where emptiness was explained

All is empty, all depends on other, emptiness makes all possible… is it not the creator?

On to Nalanda, the seat of Buddhist scholarship

many attained enlightenment

the fiercest scholars guarded Nalanda’s four gates

And Bodhgaya, where not all trees are famous

His Holiness has consecrated Khyongla Rinpoche’s stupa

The larger one is in the Rato temple

where monks sit for examination

younger ones await their turn

then play

The monastery is under new rule

the teak trees thrive

as do the palms

I visit the home of my friend Rashid

then to Kendalgiri

where children dance

my banyan dances too

I visit our monks’ rooms

pay respects to the incarnation of our former abbot Chuwar Rinpoche

my little student Leki Tsering studies hard

and Kamla sweeps

It’s lovely to be back

Soon on to Delhi where it’s cold

I visit barber

tailor

then off

to Rome

winter is crisp

and oh so beautiful

on to Göttingen

with my friends Adam

Hee Jin and Josh to meet Herr Steidl and absorb the wonders of his library

then take the train

and back to Rome to spend more time with father

view ancient murals

and enjoy the food

It’s been a while

From Rome

to Paris

to see friends

their creations

and enjoy the beauty

Then on to New Jersey where I settle in

to Kunkhyab Thardo Ling - The Tibet Center, as per Rinpoche’s instruction

Tony has maintained the Center

with Darren’s help

I venture into NYC

to see my brother

my step brother and his wife

my fellow photographer

and monk

and Wade, our lawyer friend

I’m happy to return to New Jersey

to my new pall, Buddy

to tend my garden

and welcome Serkonk Tsenshab Rinpoche

I visit Geshe Yeshi Lhundup and his student

and spend a weeked by the sea

where Nuno cooks

Then fall arrives

I must move on

to share some time with my Papa

He eats well

works hard

hangs out with palls

& pallettes

and puts up with my camera

It’s been a pleasure

now time to move on

back to the holy land, Bharat Mata

Arrivederci Roma

Italy

Holiday in Tuscany

some effort is exerted

a swim

a walk

lunch

an evening drink

and a drive to Lucca

for some fun

and a visit to the anfiteatro

Bruno has looked after us well

we stop in Pisa

then home to the dog

little outings

around the neighborhood

with stops for holy coolth

and home

to rest

then, saved by Salvator Mundi

after a bump on the head

much rest

the fruit is ripe

Sandra returns

and exhibits her devotion