Pilgrims from around the world visit Bodh Gaya
where Siddhartha Gautama attained the state of Buddhahood
while meditating below the Body Tree
He was a normal human being, like us
however he persevered in his pursuit of truth
shunning the limelight
and worldly pursuits
This little fellow has come from Sri Lanka
from where a sampling was brought that has grown into today's tree
there are many reliquaries around the tree
and shrines
well protected
though from what I do not know
It’s a peaceful place
We are staying at the Mahayana
where renovations are underway
we are well looked after
Tempa-la, Pempa-la, Khensur Rinpoche and I
We have come for the upcoming Dalai Lama Center for Tibetan and Indian Ancient Wisdom
the land is blessed by Maitreya, the Future Buddha
we inspect the site
many columns have sprouted since our last visit
but work is slow; whattodo?
Maybe a cup of tea would help
Karma-la requests a path be made
to avoid the mud
Each morning we pay respects to this ancient statue at the place where Gautama Buddha sat 2,600 years ago
And then we depart
leaving our project in the hands of the engineers, Sangpo-la and Pempa-la
Soon on to Gaggal
and finally to the magical world of Dharamsala
where the clouds roll in