A Southeast Asian Adventure

As the young Rato monks celebrated Tibetan New Year watching Hindi films

As the young Rato monks celebrated Tibetan New Year watching Hindi films

Rinpoche and I left the monastery

Rinpoche and I left the monastery

for Hong Kong

for Hong Kong

where we visited the Big Buddha

where we visited the Big Buddha

and the magnificent Guanyin, Buddha of Compassion

and the magnificent Guanyin, Buddha of Compassion

whom Rinpoche prayed before

whom Rinpoche prayed before

and who bestowed her blessings

and who bestowed her blessings

Then to Indonesia

Then to Indonesia

with its dancing girls

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

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

We looked for the place they met 1000 years ago

found hints of it

found hints of it

a grand gateway to the monastic complex where aspirants were questioned by sharp minded gate keepers, à la Nalanda

a grand gateway to the monastic complex where aspirants were questioned by sharp minded gate keepers, à la Nalanda

Rinpoche prayed as we searched

Rinpoche prayed as we searched

And then on to Borobudur

And then on to Borobudur

and its famous noodle soup

and its famous noodle soup

Finally, with the help of Adele, who wheeled Rinpoche through Jakarta Airport, we said goodbye

Finally, with the help of Adele, who wheeled Rinpoche through Jakarta Airport, we said goodbye