tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23199411613752648462024-03-13T04:58:13.329+06:00Monk Key DiaryHigh Lights of My LifeJamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-49710110686505685302024-01-30T08:40:00.002+06:002024-01-30T08:47:14.316+06:00Bodh Gaya: The Ruins of Nalanda<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The distance between Nalanda and Vulture Peak is approximately 15 km; therefore, it didn't take us more than thirty minutes.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">From the bus parking, we immediately rushed towards the gate to collect tickets from the counter. Any visitors are charged, but with different prices. While Indians are charged less than outsiders, I was told westerners are charged even higher than that.
</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHs0ydCozCCgW2UMN-T6tOpYa0H48At33oSPMpJklEnDiJbhnHsXGi-CQvj4MkgcR_dnyC6pQb1AvSUkAksULQ4FWjy4AL8D5ATiuJpQuO-FvQxQBbQVd_OObkTZAfwfo0Y2geJQ-IZpfdQVmI4Jh2DKVCe-c3MAz_a4mvUe6qCnqkAg-UtDNSffp0i4/s720/FB_IMG_1704822539710.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHs0ydCozCCgW2UMN-T6tOpYa0H48At33oSPMpJklEnDiJbhnHsXGi-CQvj4MkgcR_dnyC6pQb1AvSUkAksULQ4FWjy4AL8D5ATiuJpQuO-FvQxQBbQVd_OObkTZAfwfo0Y2geJQ-IZpfdQVmI4Jh2DKVCe-c3MAz_a4mvUe6qCnqkAg-UtDNSffp0i4/s320/FB_IMG_1704822539710.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group photo with His Holiness</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">This is not a new trend in some parts of Indian places where scams are part of their bread. Be careful! Otherwise, there are scammers in auto drivers, taxi drivers, hoteliers, shopkeepers, street hawkers, beggars, even police officers ready to take advantage of innocents and newcomers.
</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Before coming, I had heard, read, and watched about Nalanda, which is not only the oldest in the world but also the biggest university of its time. I was also told it took three months to raze down the entire university by fire, and millions of books were burnt.
</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I couldn't believe I was in that particular place where great panditas like Nagarjuna, Shantrakshikta, Chandrakriti, Shanti Deva, Arya Deva, Asanga, Vasubandhu, and so many others had studied. Though there are boards at all the sites written about the events, it is not enough to make you understand. I was even skeptical when pilgrims were listening to guides. I feel it is better not to listen to distorted information. This is because if you listen, you'll pass it on to others; if you don't listen, you'll not get information, but you will not pass false information.
</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">While inspecting some of the sites, our Kyabje Rinpoche arrived. We assembled to receive oral transmission of Manjusrinamasamgiti, the first chapter of Madhyamaka-alam-kara and madhyamakavatara, recited expressions of reverence of panditas, recited Ganachakra or feast gathering, even had debates at the end within monks.
</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">To be continued.....</p>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-7466522817692553662024-01-29T07:02:00.005+06:002024-01-29T09:06:02.068+06:00Bodh Gaya: The Importance of Mindfulness in Travel<p><span style="font-family: courier;">I'm sure we've heard "Bodh Gaya" more than any other place's name, and some of us have dreamt of visiting this place for so long. But not everyone is blessed equally, at least if your dream of visiting is still pending.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnVzPzjf49elq7Xg00SHlNpaHeCiI5hzFfAUXOg6zoZ1F26t7ENQQnZ2225tcN_hSbMAW0F-bqJTE8Xi6x4eqhb2yGUg2-wHlwIhsfd1bCad6rIYob1ITA4WVvRSEXgIC-mihY6FX5DTLkF5TsU51YlKed2ZAy5KtV8JLFXibxQoSDjrZZGAke6TP-Tc/s833/Screenshot_20240129-071013_Gallery.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="692" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnVzPzjf49elq7Xg00SHlNpaHeCiI5hzFfAUXOg6zoZ1F26t7ENQQnZ2225tcN_hSbMAW0F-bqJTE8Xi6x4eqhb2yGUg2-wHlwIhsfd1bCad6rIYob1ITA4WVvRSEXgIC-mihY6FX5DTLkF5TsU51YlKed2ZAy5KtV8JLFXibxQoSDjrZZGAke6TP-Tc/w333-h400/Screenshot_20240129-071013_Gallery.jpg" width="333" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mahabodhi Temple</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In my case, I was blessed that the monastery bore all the costs for some 300 monks. Sometimes, I feel that what I've achieved can never be compensated for with what I do in this life, though I don't have much to show materially. Yet, I feel the tightness of having a lot!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">As soon as we reached Bodh Gaya, one of our friends from Namdroling Monastery received us and brought us to our rented apartment that would be home for the next 13 days. In a season like this, finding a good room with required amenities is competitive. Somehow, Pema managed to get one for the six of us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In our group, two could neither speak nor understand Hindi, two of course understood and spoke a little, while another two were a bit more advanced. I fell into the third category, which means I was bound to talk and do miscellaneous activities.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Since we reached four days ahead of '35th Nyingma Monlam Chenmo' on the second day, we were informed to reach Vulture Peak, the place in Rajgir which is approximately 75 km away. This meant we were supposed to wake up early in the morning because the bus takes nearly three hours. We missed our 2 a.m. alarm. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The 22-hour journey the previous day and night on the bus actually made us go deep into sleep. I don't know if it is luck, but something woke me up. I checked my phone to find it was 5:56 a.m. I couldn't believe it, rubbed my eyes, carefully squinted before uttering, “yalama chu tshe khung dewa la!” One of them quickly responded, “Hung? Mangi du ko.” I showed him my phone, “5:56 dewa la.” By that time, all hurried from their mattresses and rushed to their belongings.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Many of our friends had called us on messenger, some even tried calling us but received no response. Hoping to reach the place on time, we had to take a taxi. We couldn't make it to the oral transmission of Prajnaparamita, but at least got satisfaction that we sat for a few minutes in the presence of our own Guru and chanted a short version of the same scripture.</span></p><p>To be continued.......</p>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-80106703187332148882023-03-19T08:57:00.001+06:002023-03-20T01:20:34.467+06:00Why Clay Pot Saving? <div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1NWXiI5cgs68YDluWe-JBo0L6G_gEpzy-FmLnCotIp2akD2MEl9i7GEfqXeMzEohzl3OZty6t2kWm4rxqYPO1Z7WHQlDt6IVljtNkgjvlQ0bP_6qzs2ArKXmFVCyCgw4raVs0y8LjjJzX4a_7Qz02NzDHxLDqLvBWGuVH88UyKH-t7GUu2nJ8M4D/s1038/Screenshot_20230319-071052_Gallery.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1NWXiI5cgs68YDluWe-JBo0L6G_gEpzy-FmLnCotIp2akD2MEl9i7GEfqXeMzEohzl3OZty6t2kWm4rxqYPO1Z7WHQlDt6IVljtNkgjvlQ0bP_6qzs2ArKXmFVCyCgw4raVs0y8LjjJzX4a_7Qz02NzDHxLDqLvBWGuVH88UyKH-t7GUu2nJ8M4D/s320/Screenshot_20230319-071052_Gallery.jpg" width="222" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I purchased this from Chamkhar and named it to receive blessing from the god of wealth. I have even written 'Jamyang Ku' at the other side of the pot which is not visible. That means the reason for storing is to buy a statute of Manjushri, god of my birth sign.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">When it comes to saving, not necessarily cash, I'm someone who doesn't have enough to expense even a lunch trip. Yet it is surprising to realize how I saved in one of the most convenient bank I bought and named for myself 'Dzambhala'—the god of wealth.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKV3cwUuU1A_LphjcPsqve8IjwGed4JrLLpE_gIykL2kKAVlZBRrM_IV0oDNFilrf4x-xlZhXefNOZ2tIqvUt0pBxy6z4rNdQDNNU-ocRbfRgafYivNi6w4CjeupkEKpBA2B7VCMzkQeEYRQmkFmuEKZEmHzitJ84lgS1YVw7OJKcuLbqxdXOjB89/s2720/20230316_120423.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2720" data-original-width="1968" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKV3cwUuU1A_LphjcPsqve8IjwGed4JrLLpE_gIykL2kKAVlZBRrM_IV0oDNFilrf4x-xlZhXefNOZ2tIqvUt0pBxy6z4rNdQDNNU-ocRbfRgafYivNi6w4CjeupkEKpBA2B7VCMzkQeEYRQmkFmuEKZEmHzitJ84lgS1YVw7OJKcuLbqxdXOjB89/s320/20230316_120423.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9th May 2020-16 March 2023</td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">It all began with my interest in 'no to waste' rather than 'saving for the future.' Though, you might find, these two approaches have the same outcome, I personally find and believe, that the intention is different. I'll not preach the difference since I've no interest and also for a reason that I'm writing this to tell you why I saved in mud bank—points supported by first approach. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">If you happened to be a bikshu like us then it is common to receive offerings from lay people. In the olden days people would offer foods but today they offer cash as a substitute or mainly because of its convenience. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">When I joined the sangha community I had, never in my wildest dream, thought of accumulating materialistic things. But I've learned the value of having and not having over the time. It is about finding effective solution with whatever little you've. Hence my clay pot idea became a part of storing bank notes to avoid unnecessary wastes.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Initially I stored lower notes but the size of clay pot changed that. I stored bigger notes, occasionally, to avoid from getting full within a short duration. However I could keep it for less than four years only. By the way I wanted to keep another five more years but, as I said, the size of clay pot matters in the long run. And also because I'm ex-business student, it is my responsibility to give back to the economy what some of us might consider—a healthy contribution. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I would urge everyone to store for few years till it becomes available to bring before the real banking institutions. The reason why I'm saying this is because we cannot visit banks regularly based on certain reasons. For instance even when you have time, you won't have notes, because you don't have fixed income. The best way I found is to do what I've been doing. Indeed I'm doing this until I find a better solution.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Well it might be of less importance to some of you, But it can change the entire course for someone. If you've been wondering how much I hoard in that mud I've the lists. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Notes:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">500*5</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">100*42</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">50*13</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">20*14</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">10*30</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">5*13</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">1*4</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Coins: </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">2 Indians </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">3 cents</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">1 Bhutanese</span></div>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-83959215122025140632023-03-14T22:39:00.004+06:002023-09-25T20:11:46.431+06:00Visited underrated Lugiraw—the horn of a sheep<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gl5jmG33MSv7N0oElIQAFNTYyL8g1iZZlqf_4qeAC-SnWu2_CyTIg-daxlyk-4YIet5GLU4p2Np_SXydjjIZEmCXOzSDhYx1VBw2PVkGI67Vi0_smEGP1eVtme43_BpGeX9L_LpBgvfCz3cDgQyHqreEX7EVlgU0g_q-SrmipF31qIDx_NPCubEV/s400/20230312_134151.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Monstery seen from Kakaling<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: courier;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I presume most of us would have never heard, let alone reached, one of the underrated monasteries located about a 2-hour walk from Lusbi. I've been longing to go there ever since I started hearing the name: 'lugiraw,' 'lug-sheep,' 'raw-horn,' which roughly translates into ‘sheep's horn’ or ‘horn of a sheep.’ To my utter surprise, I came to know interesting stories after I reached the monastery along with 20 other pilgrims. I'll narrate some of them, although I am not eloquent enough to do as much as some of you expect from me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think knowing route is as important as having a proper guide. I'm sharing first about this. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We drove from Kurjey Lhakhang towards Dur. After fifteen minutes, we came across a junction, took the right road towards BHU, and then took another right turn onto an unpaved road, which led us to Lusbi village. We drove until we reached the end of a bumpy road for a few minutes. We distributed our packed lunch amongst ourselves before we began our actual trek. Within that short span of time, another group, apparently T-Cell staff in their twenties, came smilingly out of their Bolero Camper. Together, we started climbing from the base of a mountain that would take us to our destination. In the beginning, I felt so tired that I even thought of giving up. As I walked further, carrying a 15kg rice container, my body couldn't adjust, so I had to share the burden of carrying the heavy lunch box with my young nephews. Then, I felt relieved with a water bottle and a few chewing gums in my side bag. Frankly speaking, I didn't find the path too strenuous, especially when I saw my 9-year-old niece managing it. She had some difficulty initially, which is common for almost everyone. Once we reached Manithang, a small stupa on the way, the terrain became flat, and we descended until we reached the monastery. Our group took 1 hour and 40 minutes, including breaks; otherwise, it wouldn't take long for regular hikersWe drove from Kurjey Lhakhang towards Dur. After fifteen minutes, we came across a junction, took the right road towards BHU, and then took another right turn onto an unpaved road, which led us to Lusbi village. We drove until we reached the end of a bumpy road for a few minutes. We distributed our packed lunch amongst ourselves before we began our actual trek. Within that short span of time, another group, apparently T-Cell staff in their twenties, came smilingly out of their Bolero Camper. Together, we started climbing from the base of a mountain that would take us to our destination. In the beginning, I felt so tired that I even thought of giving up. As I walked further, carrying a 15kg rice container, my body couldn't adjust, so I had to share the burden of carrying the heavy lunch box with my young nephews. Then, I felt relieved with a water bottle and a few chewing gums in my side bag. Frankly speaking, I didn't find the path too strenuous, especially when I saw my 9-year-old niece managing it. She had some difficulty initially, which is common for almost everyone. Once we reached Manithang, a small stupa on the way, the terrain became flat, and we descended until we reached the monastery. Our group took 1 hour and 40 minutes, including breaks; otherwise, it wouldn't take long for regular hikers. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If I've forgotten to introduce anyone, it's the caretaker of the monastery who has been with us from the beginning of our journey. He is a kind Lama, the source of many of the stories I will share.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Lama stays alone, looking after the monastery, but that's not the only reason I'm surprised by him. It's when he told me how he carried gas cylinders and other heavy items like rice bags and water tanks that I was even more amazed. He doesn't use horses to carry heavyweight items. In the simplicity of his life, I saw the qualities of a spiritual seeker who doesn't take anything for granted. I thought that if I truly want to spend time in the woods, knowing life-hacking skills is important, something I didn't realize until I met the Lama. In my observation, the Lama was like a well-equipped explorer venturing into a wildlife safari.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, let me share some of the sacred sites of Lugiraw by introducing the founder. According to Sonam Darjay, the caretaker in 2011, the foundation of the current monastery was laid by a famous Geshe Kharak Gomchung from Tibet. The present monastery was extended in the 17th century. The place became more famous, and it got the name from an incident that is narrated by many: Yogi Kharak Gomchung had a sheep accompanying him in carrying his baggage. One day, deities, spirits, and demons were causing harm, cracking the cave in which he was meditating. Miraculously, Geshe Kharak lifted the cave with one of his legs, and at that instant, his sheep came to the rescue, lifting a cave with its horn. Evil spirits were subdued in that moment. We can see the print of the horn and foot, the phodrang of subdued spirits, and the seat of a master evidently behind the monastery. Hence, the name of the monastery. The Eto Meto tree was used for tethering sheep, and I had an opportunity to observe it up close. The holy water below the cave has now dried up, but one can still see the cave getting wet in the area. There are sacred nangtens as well, which I won't elaborate on for some reason.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWmvRysvydTfkslqlpSN0mXfWI_f-KbRO3n9DOZQ1g5AVl4KltYQyMTW8XfpL91JfNd2Pg3kEz6TDdShbQSka2OQAFk6VjavOtG3Lt6eQ36r7Z8WkTBMtwFHnaI2YZq5iw4qCsK3xXMhXnpmRUI7bJAviamnznm-sjd0Tr_o0BCKsv88UAl1IuGyJ/s4160/20230312_112333.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4160" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWmvRysvydTfkslqlpSN0mXfWI_f-KbRO3n9DOZQ1g5AVl4KltYQyMTW8XfpL91JfNd2Pg3kEz6TDdShbQSka2OQAFk6VjavOtG3Lt6eQ36r7Z8WkTBMtwFHnaI2YZq5iw4qCsK3xXMhXnpmRUI7bJAviamnznm-sjd0Tr_o0BCKsv88UAl1IuGyJ/s320/20230312_112333.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Print of horn</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyXyJXiXcHpCxR7MIP88ZuZy_WJTJDFqFIi2jNi4-mPpAJH1Z1B-04376LmBKMKEkTy066Yv71Y5QJ_qWTO4OQIHxgKyPbWXlaSmEiRJ2xEQjLIxHNDKpcurg7KAH0NluEFxPV8-vp6Ao4SgU3YcRlswxT2aRyhAu9J1lUM87ijNSHwA-ak12KtkE/s4160/20230312_112751.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4160" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyXyJXiXcHpCxR7MIP88ZuZy_WJTJDFqFIi2jNi4-mPpAJH1Z1B-04376LmBKMKEkTy066Yv71Y5QJ_qWTO4OQIHxgKyPbWXlaSmEiRJ2xEQjLIxHNDKpcurg7KAH0NluEFxPV8-vp6Ao4SgU3YcRlswxT2aRyhAu9J1lUM87ijNSHwA-ak12KtkE/s320/20230312_112751.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eto meto tree, spirits phodrang, foot print and seat of Lama.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VKH1-JpTjO7g8L7-JoW1qypWyMpIslY-7cMEFYV_NzyZq31nBTQstMv1xdsUVqdlbHpET7SetPQWaJUjHbrrdC5P-B6JuHyRc_JqSNmV5QVR4dFolYt4_Owx1BT9MYfk0nDWSguUzU9rvu0x8XSyZ0uDCTLWF3tmAfEnUbxDyQiV-6OKTrqmOHnE/s4160/20230312_115804.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="1968" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VKH1-JpTjO7g8L7-JoW1qypWyMpIslY-7cMEFYV_NzyZq31nBTQstMv1xdsUVqdlbHpET7SetPQWaJUjHbrrdC5P-B6JuHyRc_JqSNmV5QVR4dFolYt4_Owx1BT9MYfk0nDWSguUzU9rvu0x8XSyZ0uDCTLWF3tmAfEnUbxDyQiV-6OKTrqmOHnE/w151-h240/20230312_115804.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do and don’ts for monks</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to the present Lama, the monastery remained under the care of Tamzhing Chhoeje and descendants for many years. With time, managing it became difficult for the family, so it was handed over to Trongsa Rabdey.
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I saw a large desho paper pasted against the wall on the top floor. My curiosity couldn't hold me back from asking the Lama about the purpose of that paper. Upon careful inspection, I could read some of the discipline-related words, though most had worn out. I was told that there were some hundreds of monks, and people from as far as Thangbi would bring monks for their ritualistic purposes. The daily learning of the monks included some of the basic rig-nye, and people living nearby the monastery paid taxes to the powerful lord, and the Lama had influential political powers as well.
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's sad to see that the monastery is in dire need of restoration. It feels like the monastery is completely forgotten by everyone. I hope the concerned authorities will look into it as they would any other important issue.
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This monastery may hardly have any space on the visitors' list, but those who make it here will definitely fall in love with it
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div></span>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-53914322546625034582023-03-09T21:54:00.005+06:002023-09-29T05:37:33.738+06:00I ventured into Bonbji—the place of bõn<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I never thought I would visit Bemji, one of the remote villages under Nubi gewog in Trongsa. It was only after reaching there and searching online that I learned more about that place.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkZkF0NLtEUtsygnfo2boNTLviJaQBy9wKWsLEnCKe8fJ4qfzUlmGMQGlkdE7ESnVQr3Np9T2YvYY6qcakCGlMG0ZwYfMVEChRXUsCUu_R2kKLrRJjfNsma2IimDgjmjjikj6yKM3JvLoUEUQg_UEio7V_6n-a44iTY1NYwF9wvMFDjMUebd1S7w_/s4160/20230305_114759.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4160" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkZkF0NLtEUtsygnfo2boNTLviJaQBy9wKWsLEnCKe8fJ4qfzUlmGMQGlkdE7ESnVQr3Np9T2YvYY6qcakCGlMG0ZwYfMVEChRXUsCUu_R2kKLrRJjfNsma2IimDgjmjjikj6yKM3JvLoUEUQg_UEio7V_6n-a44iTY1NYwF9wvMFDjMUebd1S7w_/w400-h189/20230305_114759.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nephew Chokden was my guide when I visited Naktsang, with Kanjur Lhakhang seen in the background. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Before I share with you the historical significance, let me explain how I reached there.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">One of the daughters of my maternal aunt is married to a man from Bemji. So, he was on the way along with his daughter to receive treatment from Rangshikhar Rinpoche in Gelephu. They were not sure about the Rinpoche's residence. Since I know one of the attendants through a friend, I told my mom to inform them that I have someone there. In that short conversation, my mom arranged for my return journey with them. Upon their request, I accompanied them to Rangshikhar Rinpoche as a translator since both the father and daughter were not fluent in Tshangla. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">That's how I reached Bemji. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">In the beginning, I wasn't sure about the exact location, although I knew it starts somewhere from Bjizam, a bridge a few kilometers from Trongsa towards Thimphu. Of course, I had no reason to worry as I was accompanied by natives. I think it took more than forty-five minutes from the bridge point to reach Bemji, which is 17 km away. It was a dark and foggy ride that prevented me from enjoying the new scenery. The only thing I could notice was the light in each household in the distance.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The next morning, I tried looking around, but the foggy weather still veiled the villages. I waited for the next few hours to get a clear view.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Now, as I checked online, I came to know more about Bemji, its religious significance, and the stories of deities.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I asked my in-law to share anything with me, and he shared some interesting stories about Muktse, the protecting deity, and other stories that I forgot. In the olden days, Muktse would roam freely amongst humans. Many women would give birth to his illegitimate children. While some children misused their physical strength, others benefited the community. One notable figure we have heard of is Garp Lungi Khorlo—he became a postman of Trongsa Poenlop for his unmatched speed. Muktse Phodrang can be seen from the school in the distance, overlooking the villages.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">A few minutes from the primary school, there's a three-story traditional house known as Bonbji Choje Naktsang. According to one tradition, Bemji is actually a mispronunciation of Bonbji, which means 'inheritors of Bön.' It is said that the illegitimate son of King Trisong Detsen settled here after being exiled. He was a Bön practitioner, hence the name. Another tradition holds slightly different beliefs but ultimately believes the initial settlement was chosen by a descendant of a Tibetan king.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">After walking a few steps down, there's another two-story house called Kanjur Lhakhang. I was told that the Kanjur was first received by the people of Kuenga Rabten from Tibet and kept there, with the commitment to recite it once every year. However, people couldn't continue after a few years, so it was brought to a source of Mangdi River after discussions among concerned authorities. Kanjur recitation is still continued every year by the people of Bemji. Monks from Kharchu Monastery have voluntarily gone there upon the villagers' request in the last few years, starting from the 15th day of the first Tibetan month.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Then I went for another 20-minute ride to Dokseyphel Goenpa in the north.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0s1knxg91jsf1b92B0OmNvq2hkDECB67eXLQK0VgrFx88Bhq1EIMNOEj6zU8sYoah0Bml1lvBSwM7KoDyAZ9L_DnCwSXJYkdeNZJoqv6G5M31P8hytWvXzm8DWQCquq4G8DspZTvAKg86lNl-NRMzHZW_ykZvj9FTDmIeOXjz8nxd_JVVFvzVJQ6/s4160/20230305_144658.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4160" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0s1knxg91jsf1b92B0OmNvq2hkDECB67eXLQK0VgrFx88Bhq1EIMNOEj6zU8sYoah0Bml1lvBSwM7KoDyAZ9L_DnCwSXJYkdeNZJoqv6G5M31P8hytWvXzm8DWQCquq4G8DspZTvAKg86lNl-NRMzHZW_ykZvj9FTDmIeOXjz8nxd_JVVFvzVJQ6/w400-h189/20230305_144658.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dokseyphel Goenpa </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The next day, I began my journey towards Bumthang. I hitched a ride in four vehicles until I reached my destination.</span></p>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-5605613415179568172023-03-06T23:11:00.007+06:002023-03-08T12:03:02.305+06:00Visited home in Gelephu<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>Journey</b> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">After four long years in Bumthang I made myself to southern foothills along with brother and family to meet our only mother. Moreover it is better to be in the south during cold season and I've always wanted to go there for a short break.
I woke up at 3:00 am to begin my morning chant and get ready for the departure after an hour. However we were late by one hour when we started our journey (5:00 am.) Our vehicle roared through the silent Chamkhar town and then vanished into the Garpang pines. It was a marvelous ride in the early morning especially when there’s no ice and snow.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYMgN_y4-97x7aQHaIzQzN__K-Y4LHzRUf37-0k1Fboh26LmDua5tWCLHMD9sDmfwMFJtwcB54YHA18YMWfM6NamjP2RcDeWYoHWPCw3_0IlhnQXk6zZamuhbBfeQ_DYD1yrukXkCmThKDEkHuaLxZ_0DFrL8mamvYn5kO1xj9d2BKSOvW6d9z51A/s4160/20230220_150239.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4160" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYMgN_y4-97x7aQHaIzQzN__K-Y4LHzRUf37-0k1Fboh26LmDua5tWCLHMD9sDmfwMFJtwcB54YHA18YMWfM6NamjP2RcDeWYoHWPCw3_0IlhnQXk6zZamuhbBfeQ_DYD1yrukXkCmThKDEkHuaLxZ_0DFrL8mamvYn5kO1xj9d2BKSOvW6d9z51A/s320/20230220_150239.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newly paved road between Serzhong—Tareythang highway.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">We reached Trongsa when the sun rays has already fallen on the mountain peaks. After refueling the diesel our journey continued until we reached a roadside canopy at Koshala. We unpacked our tea and snacks during a short break. But the motion sickness didn't let us eat and drink peacefully. It hardly occurs to me with certain type of vehicle. Amongst all niece had a bad suffering; we had to stop several times in between. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Although my brother and I stay nearby we hardly get time to talk. This trip was worth as we could share our opinions otherwise our information passes down through second and third person.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I was surprised when we reached home at 2:30 pm. The memory’s of traveling late in the night in the bus is unforgettable. Those days we had to travel more than 16 hours to reach Gelephu from Trongsa/Bumthang. We didn't have any choice than boarding bus. Finding a lodge in the late hours was another burden. Nowadays it isn't issue even if you don't have personal vehicle. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">After reaching home I was surprised by some of the changes. Of course positive changes like upgrading of Norbuling Higher Secondary, black top road till Tareythang, most houses are covered by betel nut trees, number of concrete houses have increased, apart from bus there's taxi and the shooting of land prices , all this factors have helped people’s living standards to improve as well. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALuQik1qmVxNxWfrXDLn64K0lOLZqhTrDpbAKWDj1RZYRDC-Bpjvg7n0Ms5AVHVLjLkYaUB_HwNIeSPwyrotUyz6_9P8vktSMBNHHXb7KlLJrDJcb658jZc64R0urjd8Ipr8ytiygjFkjOyrGjlQQrcg11yHFhWPDzCnN5w62lbJq00h8A9bcySyS/s4160/20230220_150213.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4160" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALuQik1qmVxNxWfrXDLn64K0lOLZqhTrDpbAKWDj1RZYRDC-Bpjvg7n0Ms5AVHVLjLkYaUB_HwNIeSPwyrotUyz6_9P8vktSMBNHHXb7KlLJrDJcb658jZc64R0urjd8Ipr8ytiygjFkjOyrGjlQQrcg11yHFhWPDzCnN5w62lbJq00h8A9bcySyS/s320/20230220_150213.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sansari Bazaar </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlgWEsU11JGpyUZAhMFGPVnZ2qWUeLZGXc-CeF7tW36T76_UzhG716zQTi0H07ZR8t98kBP5wT_hhCKQCxx0_-_0od5zKtKWezm5ZD3aGaLS17n7Uye67V6TYOAJeI5Y7nxHugOvc6iSdtoRIg6JSHJeIWyM0BfTAHwd8N8GPLG5H0JoNCy6VxUkX/s4160/20230222_111739.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="1968" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlgWEsU11JGpyUZAhMFGPVnZ2qWUeLZGXc-CeF7tW36T76_UzhG716zQTi0H07ZR8t98kBP5wT_hhCKQCxx0_-_0od5zKtKWezm5ZD3aGaLS17n7Uye67V6TYOAJeI5Y7nxHugOvc6iSdtoRIg6JSHJeIWyM0BfTAHwd8N8GPLG5H0JoNCy6VxUkX/s320/20230222_111739.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Betel nut trees </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I am not satisfied with Sansarey Bazaar, we have seen this old colony since our childhood days and is still as it was long time ago. I wish if concern authority could help develop this old place to become a proper business market with proper infrastructures. The place does have a better scope. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: courier;">Dadgari Bazaar</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">If you happened to be in Gelephu, Dadgari is a must visit Thursday market in Assam where hundreds of people come and buy goods. I wanted to visit and it truly became wish-fulfiling this year after pandemic. I bought some of the things at a cheaper price which would cost twice or even thrice in Bumthang. People often down look Dadgari products without knowing that some of the expensive shops claiming their products as branded are actually being supplied from there. Of course you can't deny the fact that inferior products are supplied abundantly considering the lower income customers. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrA7Hs8FM8ntt340Uu5zPMWNYbYq9m1vGQlew4SselrsSXS9nUR3dljiImq1iFg_AqSN1XwMxiwcaGWWuN5wTxrn7-ekBYo7sPBKqzOfICxlJP0RgW3veGhQ3VNQeqUYQT73zJSM1KV2rfXHvVsHa0KXfdchhe6Cz7owDSPBAb7D7Yyp_QckQIwptE/s4160/20230223_082906.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4160" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrA7Hs8FM8ntt340Uu5zPMWNYbYq9m1vGQlew4SselrsSXS9nUR3dljiImq1iFg_AqSN1XwMxiwcaGWWuN5wTxrn7-ekBYo7sPBKqzOfICxlJP0RgW3veGhQ3VNQeqUYQT73zJSM1KV2rfXHvVsHa0KXfdchhe6Cz7owDSPBAb7D7Yyp_QckQIwptE/s320/20230223_082906.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rickshaw drivers waiting for the customers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vHAmmtPqaNAr2ykVxygelXqnXidznC7NmG5sEfeXGQCF1auKvOWcfUTt_Pu0Zi2E6aX3qA8xiEVaBUq3l_SeadFkN7dIOaXEG-ct4yaLYl6pg6IQlKWFYGu5lsEOvnJVQpWgJAGPOEn9g421j4Ibpk_RIkrswFz0sbhsWETupvTNNWGqT6isBMGM/s4160/20230223_085432.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4160" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vHAmmtPqaNAr2ykVxygelXqnXidznC7NmG5sEfeXGQCF1auKvOWcfUTt_Pu0Zi2E6aX3qA8xiEVaBUq3l_SeadFkN7dIOaXEG-ct4yaLYl6pg6IQlKWFYGu5lsEOvnJVQpWgJAGPOEn9g421j4Ibpk_RIkrswFz0sbhsWETupvTNNWGqT6isBMGM/s320/20230223_085432.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegetable seller's waiting for BONI buyer in the early morning. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCpJYYvoVCr8QbyBgLg4zzThQ1UBpZ0KYvSPuqJ8-mA7C6Kh24gF2NI63zlCQYGmzHUm1ssmkcWUz8-gtMcsHON-_eoq_-vkWkvVZarQQyVUGwLp9E4bEMhGkgtO4-tTIkYWm4EDyd49j4fJg_t5_kBYb0PJjbhNwa6sDNZWgF1diSzXVk_J7l3x8/s4160/20230223_115210.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4160" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCpJYYvoVCr8QbyBgLg4zzThQ1UBpZ0KYvSPuqJ8-mA7C6Kh24gF2NI63zlCQYGmzHUm1ssmkcWUz8-gtMcsHON-_eoq_-vkWkvVZarQQyVUGwLp9E4bEMhGkgtO4-tTIkYWm4EDyd49j4fJg_t5_kBYb0PJjbhNwa6sDNZWgF1diSzXVk_J7l3x8/s320/20230223_115210.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The price for this product is much cheaper and they're known for lasting as well. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">By the way if you're not tough there are people desperately wanting to take advantage of your weakness.
For example, a day before the departure from Gelephu to Trongsa I went to buy spectacle in Dadgari, market adjacent to Bhutan gate, upon the suggestion from a friend. I asked the optical owner to show me the best quality, he showed me and was trying to convince me how good it looks on me and that I must go for that. If you've done shopping in Indian markets then you would know how cost prices are negotiated. They'll ask you double the price initially and it will go down half or more when it reaches your hand. The guy scammed me and I paid huge amount for the spectacles. I was aware and I let it go the way he wanted. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>Gelephu town</b> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I loitered myself in the town while remembering: </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">As a young boy I used to come to this town just to watch movies with friends and sleep in the hotel room which would cost less than 150 ngultrum per night. I vivid five/six people in a single room, two bedded rarely, watching TV and adult movies on the DVD that was rented from a shop. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPlBP3N3QHOon8NSE8j1I_N39CCxiLnlO59zZ47Xz8q_Nvbv7BA-xRi6HVkuH5V_Pso63cj6MX0IuF9bNlIohmfUL_R0jl_yxYD0jzCTA5Vcor2BzwSr_SxWJRjRhvtQhTQFwbEjP8vagoZhcPURz96a-__-iNasblr10krgexIhtp2KqqKeeznPo/s4160/20230303_082834.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4160" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPlBP3N3QHOon8NSE8j1I_N39CCxiLnlO59zZ47Xz8q_Nvbv7BA-xRi6HVkuH5V_Pso63cj6MX0IuF9bNlIohmfUL_R0jl_yxYD0jzCTA5Vcor2BzwSr_SxWJRjRhvtQhTQFwbEjP8vagoZhcPURz96a-__-iNasblr10krgexIhtp2KqqKeeznPo/s320/20230303_082834.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old cinema hall area is converted into park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQodwUY4Ussez3jeBPvNICY6XExudGlWp3jH7zbFmG8u2dZrBvXaVNYiL0uTicSSgmJ3LzrTPcg1Hcf7d4A6Cmk5OOcJLJUzHYIeqRg2AiY7aZXcdtqrD1MV1uqDznYmKDQOM36tjiZypiyWrxpMuxioBMUADhHAZO8Q9TOvzuOFhF18EHJNAv6SS/s4160/20230303_083038.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="1968" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQodwUY4Ussez3jeBPvNICY6XExudGlWp3jH7zbFmG8u2dZrBvXaVNYiL0uTicSSgmJ3LzrTPcg1Hcf7d4A6Cmk5OOcJLJUzHYIeqRg2AiY7aZXcdtqrD1MV1uqDznYmKDQOM36tjiZypiyWrxpMuxioBMUADhHAZO8Q9TOvzuOFhF18EHJNAv6SS/s320/20230303_083038.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This building has different shops</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">On one incident I ate THUKPA from a hotel but I didn't pay. It was not because of empty pockets, I had enough to cash, it could be some childish temptations to escape the life time opportunity of eating free of cost. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">One winter I went to Gelephu Tshechu with just fifteen ngultrum, I was fond of toy cars willing to do anything if I am to get that, so I bought an army jeep with the amount and returned home without even entering the Tali Dratsang.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I walked alone remembering all those bygone memories thinking how we might react if we were to reunite.</span></div>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-88358434687115166802023-02-27T05:17:00.005+06:002023-03-05T10:34:18.914+06:00Remembering the day when I saw first bicycle <p style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QCPlz_pdkuaiMAPcxx3oqnb-QhVvNzxuiUJz_QCL1gmYfWCUDAd-Q6KG11p72DDPImkmOjGo1ky0YPIHJiNt-inS4KPPrePF3upNN2_Fq8KrjVequARbuO5KF1gQu-tdExWqs3rlTTfiXK2Tmlckzatb0yNmvrDEhV_GTmZRn-WyK0TMu1peuduz/s1102/Screenshot_20230226-111527_Gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="712" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QCPlz_pdkuaiMAPcxx3oqnb-QhVvNzxuiUJz_QCL1gmYfWCUDAd-Q6KG11p72DDPImkmOjGo1ky0YPIHJiNt-inS4KPPrePF3upNN2_Fq8KrjVequARbuO5KF1gQu-tdExWqs3rlTTfiXK2Tmlckzatb0yNmvrDEhV_GTmZRn-WyK0TMu1peuduz/s320/Screenshot_20230226-111527_Gallery.jpg" width="207" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Riding this kind of cycle after so many years</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I was barely 9 years old when I saw a bicycle for the first time in Samdrupjongkhar town more than 20 years ago. Although my memory’s couldn't store everything, I can still remember how I felt when I saw a man wearing a dark complexion riding and ringing a bell along the roads: I wondered how bicycles could produce such a melodious sound when there’s obstacles in the front. Later did I know those dark complexions were our neighbor Indians. It was completely different experience for a boy who came all the way from remote village where he had seen nothing but humans, some domesticated and wild animals. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Few years later I could ride bicycles like the one I saw that once made me wondered. Even to these days— whenever I come across bicycle—the one that is mostly used by middle class Indians—which we call it MECHEY CYCLE—it reminds me of my narration thereof. </span></p>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-61762072574030729282022-07-31T23:54:00.003+06:002022-07-31T23:54:30.770+06:00Nyekor To Ura<p style="text-align: justify;">Lately I, along with four other friends, had a memorable excursion at Ura. This is my first pilgrimage to Ura although I frequently visited the place for some good reasons. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1YJMq1dL3w6LnkwxdBMQAbbNNik6j2VLcryAcBsKqNM0hO9xYi12dNUj2cPTXENobvCAWLjG56fQKn-Z_Gdz3zVFXqM005oHbh2ac2thtV5y0VN2ePZj_5nfpyfZhELcKu8MazoHAuyvFcEX9z768jgClITSrn8Y9lWEoFnV7kxE-j-pXs-rVpAk/s3812/20220724_103708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1934" data-original-width="3812" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1YJMq1dL3w6LnkwxdBMQAbbNNik6j2VLcryAcBsKqNM0hO9xYi12dNUj2cPTXENobvCAWLjG56fQKn-Z_Gdz3zVFXqM005oHbh2ac2thtV5y0VN2ePZj_5nfpyfZhELcKu8MazoHAuyvFcEX9z768jgClITSrn8Y9lWEoFnV7kxE-j-pXs-rVpAk/s320/20220724_103708.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Shamzur. </td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">It was 24th July, Sunday. Mani Lama, as is well known from his previous incarnation with the name, planned to go Kunzangdrak but it got canceled. This made me feel bad about the situation. I'm such kind of a person who will have to clear the bump on my road map. So I asked Lama if we could go Ura for a day's pilgrimage to which he impulsively replied, "sure, where do you think we should go?" I pondered, "wherever Lama has visited," and looked at other friend as we were trying to find the best places. "Longchenpa's place in Ura." I added as it has been in my bucket lists ever since I came to read and know more about the omniscient one. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">We waited for the next day. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I set alarm at 3:30 am but woke up at 5:00 am. Quite funny, right? We had to cook lunch and get ready with everything within a short time as I knew in my instinct that Lama was waiting for us. Luckily we were able to do quicker than we expected. After having light breakfast our journey kicked off before seven via old national highway. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">It was a cloudy day. We were ready with the weapon to shield ourselves from the rain. Without stopping at any point we straight away went to Shamzur which is about two hours walk from the road point, for slow walker, not for otherwise people. It took us at least one hour, if not additional fifteen minutes, at a normal speed. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Unfortunately we couldn't get the proper explanation of the Lhakhang since care-taker was not there. Thanks to three jewels, at least we got opportunity to get inside with the help of pilgrims who have taken hardship to get the key from a care-taker after walking down the village then going back climbing up towards the Lhakhang. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Nobody explained us anything. If not for Lama we might have returned without hearing anything about that sacred historical structure. The monastery has a statute of Guru Rinpoche as the main <i>nangten</i> constructed as an antidote during those days. According to the narration it was learnt that the villagers didn't help previous Wangthang Lama so previous Mani Lama played main role in the construction which was later consecrated by the Wangthang Rinpoche himself. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I knew nothing more than that. Out of curiosity we went behind the temple and saw beautiful place of Shingkhar down the valley. We took photo in order to keep memories. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Our next destiny was Dechen Choling, one of the eight lings of Longchenpa. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">After visiting there we visited a temple which is few minutes walk that has statute of a Shakyamuni Buddha and its believed as wish-fulfiling. Whoever prays here are blessed with whatever they want. I too had wished my share. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">We were hungry. No place was suitable for us to sit and munch on our food. After driving 10km we found a place where we could rest and have hefty lunch. We had begun our meal when rain started drenching us despite having umbrellas. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Nevertheless it was an adventure in disguise for all of us. We simply loved everything that has happened. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Some of the photos. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3Jp-PxgbdMvbpsJke_tfZS8m1E4IPK-xXqPrf-DLoedhEvM5rrllNMLsiHU_2Qt6SI7SlZP9FPyiKTrP0l-8NAbRqOzcQ8P3xCc6otUVWkqt5qC-C7Cb5j-GgbkzUHwGkhgYoc7dlCrN9U5pJiNzloHDLLaB7Sf17ZIC-5y2aUkfulgOLM91Xb6i/s4160/20220724_093735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="1968" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3Jp-PxgbdMvbpsJke_tfZS8m1E4IPK-xXqPrf-DLoedhEvM5rrllNMLsiHU_2Qt6SI7SlZP9FPyiKTrP0l-8NAbRqOzcQ8P3xCc6otUVWkqt5qC-C7Cb5j-GgbkzUHwGkhgYoc7dlCrN9U5pJiNzloHDLLaB7Sf17ZIC-5y2aUkfulgOLM91Xb6i/s320/20220724_093735.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waste being dumped inside the wood. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJssJMgoEm2BydlVA3mWggLX9o16YNFo4lEfrN-ADNTT38zKXgu0pz2EU92oqMbHprSXl_7zVoDartzhUZuBGi7tAVNdQ4u7cQ4qtDfziVSl8wjKAFBg_RIXOOmCLxgXnOAr2kfxb3F5ZpLWwG0pklUfP7n0d3_oJlAzcrNIDZ5zo-ZvUKyeZECwyY/s4160/20220724_093743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4160" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJssJMgoEm2BydlVA3mWggLX9o16YNFo4lEfrN-ADNTT38zKXgu0pz2EU92oqMbHprSXl_7zVoDartzhUZuBGi7tAVNdQ4u7cQ4qtDfziVSl8wjKAFBg_RIXOOmCLxgXnOAr2kfxb3F5ZpLWwG0pklUfP7n0d3_oJlAzcrNIDZ5zo-ZvUKyeZECwyY/s320/20220724_093743.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rest.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6A_xMU4vgTtgbrqj3Wj1tCFONDtOVVYJnsNOLspWbsO7pKh9sRtmkwv-llK_RKytkr6VT4ApF118VSMC5sXU2MHXCIKivIEee7DKOYPQbZtaMQK5a9WfSVtjkN-QhwGP-hyvQjSoJkxo6mi2lTX5wTaGzMqEHOKCzwmAv3fWHPgLsdvU25qowxJp/s4160/20220724_103143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4160" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6A_xMU4vgTtgbrqj3Wj1tCFONDtOVVYJnsNOLspWbsO7pKh9sRtmkwv-llK_RKytkr6VT4ApF118VSMC5sXU2MHXCIKivIEee7DKOYPQbZtaMQK5a9WfSVtjkN-QhwGP-hyvQjSoJkxo6mi2lTX5wTaGzMqEHOKCzwmAv3fWHPgLsdvU25qowxJp/s320/20220724_103143.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shingkhar Dechen Choling Seen.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVb6ANVCyRRUnu1GaguZGQkYSJLfhzNWeBYxlMbr3iOg7OX1RsM8txHDh_sLwkdJLEPAHO7NHy1-AqPQSN1FfXEkbOFYwq9U0GoVZeg_vBN0i81wiGgdV2eqZXIhgawJwOZwVrQ-Jp-1H9H3CkHkpSiw2waFsj-XoUg5yWEPh-yRjpAJTwGSA_w4dI/s4160/20220724_104341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4160" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVb6ANVCyRRUnu1GaguZGQkYSJLfhzNWeBYxlMbr3iOg7OX1RsM8txHDh_sLwkdJLEPAHO7NHy1-AqPQSN1FfXEkbOFYwq9U0GoVZeg_vBN0i81wiGgdV2eqZXIhgawJwOZwVrQ-Jp-1H9H3CkHkpSiw2waFsj-XoUg5yWEPh-yRjpAJTwGSA_w4dI/s320/20220724_104341.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breath Taking View.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_V2i1YfUVWfOfFhYCrlPmI8rS078HZVeZgJLpwR0OIbvBx-vEA0dCU5zmfdvSsA31DqDl-fBxGicktUPGK3JTVrlfHoze9N3KhI_5OY98k3ptYhGTXGOJ2-IM_pVNHJsQmw0EgvMj2ET0J093nvFcvRGyq8x03Bq6j_hZYU7uuOeBVrkRf9wDTza/s3072/20220724_140011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="3072" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_V2i1YfUVWfOfFhYCrlPmI8rS078HZVeZgJLpwR0OIbvBx-vEA0dCU5zmfdvSsA31DqDl-fBxGicktUPGK3JTVrlfHoze9N3KhI_5OY98k3ptYhGTXGOJ2-IM_pVNHJsQmw0EgvMj2ET0J093nvFcvRGyq8x03Bq6j_hZYU7uuOeBVrkRf9wDTza/s320/20220724_140011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch Spoiler: heavy rain. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-91623590972748032952022-07-30T08:37:00.007+06:002022-07-30T08:43:32.251+06:00I Received Maize of Trashi Yangtse<p style="text-align: justify;">I've a fond memories of growing up eating maize since my childhood days. When I received corn <i>(as a chhom)</i> on 25th July from a friend, sent from his home, it reminded me of my days when I would really hate <i>kharang</i>. But there was hardly any options if you've to fill your tummy. Nevertheless what I'm is what I've eaten therefore I'm grateful for those nourishment I received organically unlike the pesticides mixed and the processed foods that we get nowadays. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpkPA40dTKP45eO3oc0sSy3kE_bo4yQs5nHC2N-mT8fdfzWXvytN-apzCI7th8ePgfFjBHmXONsOki1pHciehCfbRMMTOUm4lw2mpAefvg3FtcLumJhi15NZUF_Qmhp8ptm31UysJQ-cqzn3kaGH4KbRoC4YnqnZiHt-sckw3XrJ-OXWFdcU0VgZF/s1968/20220725_183730.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1730" data-original-width="1968" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpkPA40dTKP45eO3oc0sSy3kE_bo4yQs5nHC2N-mT8fdfzWXvytN-apzCI7th8ePgfFjBHmXONsOki1pHciehCfbRMMTOUm4lw2mpAefvg3FtcLumJhi15NZUF_Qmhp8ptm31UysJQ-cqzn3kaGH4KbRoC4YnqnZiHt-sckw3XrJ-OXWFdcU0VgZF/s320/20220725_183730.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasted maize. <br />I had no idea other than roasting maize in a fire until a friend did this on his induction cooktop. It tasted good but not as much as it would have been from the fire. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlaFoljZMe9qzzYX6k5wwETC32EK7TvCWhyZl3l3tBjMaDUBS17XVIzrc-TGLyCkRM6AfyO8mkws3Q3oqyuVynUatWRthB070XY0UT0uKTG_9OX3iDc85prnwRHu2qI5j-OlYNWMEmALAmBPegsJOSCPil_ysukZGvwZHVrdXUzrB89VswmcgrNWf/s2553/20220725_183704.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="2553" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlaFoljZMe9qzzYX6k5wwETC32EK7TvCWhyZl3l3tBjMaDUBS17XVIzrc-TGLyCkRM6AfyO8mkws3Q3oqyuVynUatWRthB070XY0UT0uKTG_9OX3iDc85prnwRHu2qI5j-OlYNWMEmALAmBPegsJOSCPil_ysukZGvwZHVrdXUzrB89VswmcgrNWf/s320/20220725_183704.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boiling maize. <br />I tried boiling but it tasted not so good. </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Given a chance I would eat roasted one. </div>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-83393055901333522382022-07-03T23:03:00.008+06:002022-07-06T15:57:16.266+06:00The Pain of Losing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0v8mcz0jLOoURq7Gx9CeT-JQpR5cb6Ghw3lGSqAY_f7zXvgIUhyYdG_gOEJ5LXBO406LnMzoy3_wlNPrA9qLl3IDe3eDyMlaLONBGxqMKf07tcY6cgOr6FB2ZYfeRypELcE3y0desQfyZAqnYJnwSVzlBczhrIdtV_VVsUo_kGGKwEprP2yzz0YNP/s3771/20171219_165336.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2121" data-original-width="3771" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0v8mcz0jLOoURq7Gx9CeT-JQpR5cb6Ghw3lGSqAY_f7zXvgIUhyYdG_gOEJ5LXBO406LnMzoy3_wlNPrA9qLl3IDe3eDyMlaLONBGxqMKf07tcY6cgOr6FB2ZYfeRypELcE3y0desQfyZAqnYJnwSVzlBczhrIdtV_VVsUo_kGGKwEprP2yzz0YNP/s320/20171219_165336.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Dear Ata, just wanted to say goodbye once more. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I don't know how to say. I —I —I’m…….I don't know how to begin. Still then, I'm pretending to be okay. Day has never been same since you left us. I hope and pray that you’re fine wherever your fate has taken. As I'm writing, with eyes full of tears, I’m controlling my breath as well. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Alas! Maybe this is part of what life is all about. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I was receiving Chandrakriti’s Madhayamaka when I heard the news that you were admitted to hospital. This treatise is an assertionlessness, which means it doesn't allow us to fall into the trap of existence, non-existence, both and neither of the two. (Those of you who do not know madhyamaka and logic-epistemology, first you'll have to understand and make yourself well versed with the conventional terms of these broad subjects, hence I'll not elaborate beyond this.) I was amongst 27 others for the session but my mind was out of class. I couldn't concentrate thinking about you. When this profound dharma, labeled the king of all treatise, couldn't console me, I thought, nothing would help me at that point of a time. I know some of you'll not like cliché even then as mentioned thereof, this is life and you don't have right to steer, so I kept moving according to what life has to offer. Adjustment, that's what I've read in some books and applied out of no choice in such a situation. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I still remember the day when I went to Thimphu to attend my sick brother. It was 22nd June 2021, my friend was driving a car and in law was at the back seat, I was next to a driver, playing music’s. Of course we found ourselves completely okay externally but only the god knows what was going deep inside us. Personally I was going through mixed feelings. No sooner did we reach Thimphu than my in-law received a call and she told me that a patient was admitted to ICU ( Intensive Care Unit). My only wish at that moment was to see my brother for one last time while he was still breathing, for that to happen I had to wait until next day, we spent night at cousin sister’s house. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">We couldn't tell our mom about ICU fearing she might have to go through additional suffering as she has completed half of the 8 days quarantine at one of the hotels in Gelephu. Anyways she told us that she knew few days later from one of her relatives but she chose to remain silently. She also narrated us how quarantine has affected common people during emergencies. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Out of many quarantine related stories, I found two stories touching, this incident actually boosted my mother's energy, that's what she told me. There was a middle aged man from Laya undergoing same quarantine procedures. If you remember, due to landslide and flashfloods caused by heavy rainfall 10 Layap’s lost their lives. The man lost his family members in that tragic incident and was bound to reach and attend funeral rites but no way. </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Another man from Tsirang expected to reach during his father's crematorium but 8 days was too long. He told my mother and other people that everything will be finished by the time he manage to reach home.</i> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">My son is still alive, my mother thought and made herself stronger amid the toughest time's of her life. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The next day I did a covid test to get permission to enter hospital, later in the afternoon exchanged with my second elder brother who stayed for more than month as an attendant of our sickly brother. I entered a room, knew it as ICU attendees without asking anybody, I was ushered near the door by the eldest in-law but one of the lady, who later became little closer as she was a relative of my friend, requested my in-law to arrange my bedding in their line since they respected my red robe. By the way I felt little uncomfortable to sleep in between the women as I have taken a celibacy vow. Nevertheless I didn't feel guilty for it was situational factors which forced me. I didn't have choice as I believed I was a guest for the first few nights. After two days I found a place in the corner where I met an acquaintance who was IT officer in one of the Ministries. Later we would share our views on buddhism. I felt sad for him too as he lost his mom who was bedridden for more than years supported by ventilation. As promised he texted me two months later about the demise of his mom.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the ICU attendant is allowed to visit patient after every 3 hours but not exceeding five times in a day. It starts from 5:30 a.m. and ends at 10 p.m. All you've to do is feeding and cleaning. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">When I visited ICU for the first time, I was nervous at the same time feard. I wasn't sure how to face myself to someone who's close to me but I made myself strong enough to face as I believe in the mantra of <i>expect the unexpected. </i>When I entered the corridor along with dozens of attendants I saw them walking barefoot after keeping their slippers in a rack, I did the same, I could hear the noise of machines as if they're were pumping something followed by other beeping sounds. Few moments later I saw the patients, they were unconsciously kept in the bed. I couldn't recognize my brother at that instant. When I did, he wasn't my brother. Sorry but honestly, that's how I noticed. I slowly walked towards him. I couldn't handle. I looked at fellow attendants, I could only feel my trembling feet, saw them cleaning and doing other related works. Once again I carefully looked at my brother in disbelief, I could feel the pain, relate myself with him, my eyes were filled with tears, I couldn't greet him properly. So I slipped out of room and sent in-law in my place. For next 10 days I went once in a day or sometimes I didn't go even once. It felt like machines have started to irritate my ears. Those noises have power to make you sick even if you're fit. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">During my stay in the hospital I spent my time reciting prayers for the sick people. I visited wards, although hospital has restrictions, tried interacting with some, gave them blessed strings <i>(sungkey)</i> and <i>jinlab. </i>Learned different level of life seeing such patients. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I saw failures and success! </p><p style="text-align: justify;">On 4th July 2021, my brother left us, forever. For the first time in my life I witnessed something that would strike everyone of us one day or another. Prior to this, I saw people mourning, I've heard about the passing of somebody's parents, friends, sibling, teacher, student, boss, nephew, uncle, aunty, cousin, loving friend so on and on, never thought this would come soon upon us. The habitual tendencies has obscured truth and I was lost into it. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">My brother, those mathematics and computer skills I learned from you have become obsolete by now but the biggest teaching I'll value throughout my life is impermanence of this human body that I learned from you. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I can sum up everything about life like what Robert Frost said, <i>it goes on</i>. It is painful to leave close one but it is quite another thing when our close one leaves us. Everytime I think of you, I pray for you, I pray for beings. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">In absence of death I would have never known the essence of birth. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-74893861452711651482022-06-05T00:02:00.007+06:002022-06-07T13:22:31.835+06:00Received Reading Transmission (Lung) of The Collected Writings of Rongzompa<p style="text-align: justify;">I prostate before my Guru!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OTA_FBEooQZ_HJayVmNWV3umB8RA_01yyU7i0aLjIn8xTAVcH9lWhQ1b_Oavqt3E9nppCJjD6YlYzg0ziajqwrHHSlDw9nYaTYzCOCSlU9qdQ2AUi8BNgapsF0-aZiYLvPYpNyMfhVubHmyi2w4uhN-KpXUR8abGfjKH-TYvkkCAlfP1TsNQ2vb4/s288/Rongzom.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="245" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OTA_FBEooQZ_HJayVmNWV3umB8RA_01yyU7i0aLjIn8xTAVcH9lWhQ1b_Oavqt3E9nppCJjD6YlYzg0ziajqwrHHSlDw9nYaTYzCOCSlU9qdQ2AUi8BNgapsF0-aZiYLvPYpNyMfhVubHmyi2w4uhN-KpXUR8abGfjKH-TYvkkCAlfP1TsNQ2vb4/s1600/Rongzom.JPG" width="245" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rongzom Chokyi Zangpo <br />Pic: Wikipedia </td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">To some of you who do not know, Reading Transmission involves thorough reading of scripture by a teacher to his student(s.) It also means giving authority to practitioners where they can learn and contemplate. This method of transmission from teacher to student(s) is one of the important and a uniqueness of Buddhist. It shouldn't be broken in between by any means. To understand precisely, it is like a clean spring water that will nourish unless it gets contaminated somewhere. So it is equally important to keep lineage clean and transmission passed on from generation to generation.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Some of you might be wondering who was Rongzom Chokyi Zangpo. I won't be able to justify His welfare for the sentient beings. It is beyond sky and the earth as we usually measure the limitless things. Rongzompa was one of the highly accomplished practitioners and was also an 'omniscient' writer like Longchenpa and Ju Mipham. I can only think that He was Buddha in another form. Although I've a little knowledge about Him I'm still a proud student after receiving transmission of His writings. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I've a reason why I must be proud. Yes proud. Proud can have wrong connotations too but here it doesn't apply. This is because to receive such blessings it requires five perfect conditions: teacher, teaching, assembly, place, and time. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">1. Teacher</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Kyabje Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche is a grandson of Kyabje Dorje Chhang Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Is also 7th throne holder of Shechen Monstery. I will not elaborate more than this. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. Teaching</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Rongzom's Collected Writings are as precious as jewels. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. Assembly </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche, truelkus, khenpos, lay monks and lay practitioners received transmission. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Place</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Lhodrak Kharchu Monastery is not ordinary place. It is Zangdopelri and there's no reason why I should hesitate to say this. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">5. Time</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Every 4th month is Auspicious. Good deeds will multiply. It is a perfect time to receive such teachings. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">So I must be happy and grateful for this rare opportunity in life. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Hundreds of devoutees gathered to receive this precious and rare opportunity while another hundreds received through online streamlining around the world. Kyabje Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche talked in English and Tibetan to make online recipients comfortable. He even assured to freely distribute Rongzom's works to those interested devotees. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Thank you my Guru for making this possible! </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-48264632517588292702022-02-06T15:49:00.007+06:002022-02-06T16:55:06.388+06:00I enjoyed watching Walking To School<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijYCHSobh6HcxcxZkj7BNc0277D7HlMRLDMpgxMCvdf7nD7Ez5fSB-urH5WObldpsbdkDBiNNK1ZbZ-iTFis3cN0zLgKr4ITUD7bPqzKNVaiBA6uhzoUZ6vpXjIDvdj1IpMi0Okwo9ySw4no_ya7PmpRfGfWVhPWpIZy9hrzrchvbIuHX1Iprs4QT3=s1053" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="717" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijYCHSobh6HcxcxZkj7BNc0277D7HlMRLDMpgxMCvdf7nD7Ez5fSB-urH5WObldpsbdkDBiNNK1ZbZ-iTFis3cN0zLgKr4ITUD7bPqzKNVaiBA6uhzoUZ6vpXjIDvdj1IpMi0Okwo9ySw4no_ya7PmpRfGfWVhPWpIZy9hrzrchvbIuHX1Iprs4QT3=w273-h400" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking To School <br />Pic: Google</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I prostate before my Root Guru! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Art is one thing that will always remain close but in a respectable manner in my heart. I am always fascinated by any kind of artistic style although I do not possess one. Yet I've sang enough songs in the bathroom and watched best movies and have appreciated that deserved. It has been quite a long-time that I've lost much interest into watching movies and listening to songs. But thanks to electricity I could focus on an old documentary movie Walking to School. Yesterday we didn't have electricity for whole day and unfortunately I forgot to charge my cellphone. So what I did was, transferred some old movies to my old phone—that would serve any purpose but call—and started watching movies repeatedly to kill boredom. Not to my surprise there was this movie which I downloaded but never got opportunity to watch. I was excited to watch 2013 documentary movie and in between have to check battery life since old phones usually doesn't last long. I tried to use economically because I'll have to last till the electricity comes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The film Walking to School introduces a little girl, who later happens to be a Naxiang, with a rope, smilingly walking towards her house. At her home is mother and an old bedridden granny along with her little brother Wawa. Her mother ends her day attending meals to granny and other household chores. While Wawa is seven years old boy having a keen interest to go school with his older sister their mother doesn't allow. She expects her husband—their father—to return from town and help Wawa cross the river. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actually this takes place in a Nujiang River in Yunnan Province, China. Based on a true story.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Everyday Naxiang goes to school after crossing a river with the help of overhead cable. Wawa accompany her till the cable and in the evening too when his sister return from school. He stay at home wondering about school life at the other side of a river but he'll have to get mother's permission to cross. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One day Wawa cross the river but nobody knows except new teacher, Ms. Nie. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDs59C_XgYw5z9A1cfbyP20C6V_fRp37GMZc_94glaPjrt_pt0EXdjnH0KrR6CmkFlbdT3oqkESJUQPQRwowaAp6fM9BPi28nsdu-I9Ey50T7IP1dDvFv-Kqag9oUJvmRznn1rBZvSd5Ag4bvSMKcYxFVTYYHEFwKTYq1r1HNP0N7uexO5ffPwINUb=s720" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="720" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDs59C_XgYw5z9A1cfbyP20C6V_fRp37GMZc_94glaPjrt_pt0EXdjnH0KrR6CmkFlbdT3oqkESJUQPQRwowaAp6fM9BPi28nsdu-I9Ey50T7IP1dDvFv-Kqag9oUJvmRznn1rBZvSd5Ag4bvSMKcYxFVTYYHEFwKTYq1r1HNP0N7uexO5ffPwINUb=w400-h221" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still from the movie. Wawa crossing on his own. </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This movie is something I can relate myself. The casts are like us, I mean Bhutanese, and the landscapes are like ours. Only thing I might have missed is their dialect. But I could feel their emotions as it is expressed in a common language—expressions. Of course I used subtitles to understand throughout the film. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Walking to school has never been easy for many of us and I can relate myself to this particular situation. Although I didn't cross the river and walked scary path, I have walked down the valley for more than hours and climbed up the hills in the evening. It used to be a thick jungle and I will have to wait till my seniors classes gets over. I'll have to compete my little feet to walk like theirs otherwise I'll be left far behind. During summer's my gho would be drenched from the lower part due to heavy dew. There would be another hurdles for timid like us—bully—every morning elder boys would snatch our cash. They'll beat us if we failed anytime. Fearing them nobody complained to parents let alone teachers. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am thankful to blessings I've received that I spent only a year in that situation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From the film, I loved everything but I am touched deeply by the loving relationship between a brother and a sister. They love eachother while still having huge respect as a sibling. One morning Wawa calls his sister and asks her to sit down. When she did, he cleans his sister's feet with his clothes, he says, everyone in the school wears a new shoe and that his sister shall wear a pair too. So he puts her shoe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEij9bH0xCRs8U6s-3YkQRhVPMaubjdngbGnLMdemBmeGBKDd_Zxlr6pJIoAZt1E1WmaUQGsN6RyUv_g826HgTPt2ulFLgpXtOHCGqF_wNJLPyRw5ZzUX-Zz3lNYk-kpQXNKMD0T3FfMeCrUBtEnqGaQ1d_MhN_D_3mFj81GIxBAWKHgmE6WT6gO9HC3=s720" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEij9bH0xCRs8U6s-3YkQRhVPMaubjdngbGnLMdemBmeGBKDd_Zxlr6pJIoAZt1E1WmaUQGsN6RyUv_g826HgTPt2ulFLgpXtOHCGqF_wNJLPyRw5ZzUX-Zz3lNYk-kpQXNKMD0T3FfMeCrUBtEnqGaQ1d_MhN_D_3mFj81GIxBAWKHgmE6WT6gO9HC3=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still from the movie. Wawa cleaning his sister's feet.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Spoilers alert. In a tragic incident Naxiang falls down into the river while returning home from school. Wawa is left alone. Hence he do not enjoy anyone's company. Ms. Nie teach him at home but she finds him less interested. So she reminds him about his interests into drawing. He nods his head and takes her where he had drawn. It was a spine-chilling moment to see his drawing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc3WkrBGQq8RcOhazmVb-BhZfAQOGy-DrCT4f4mSuVYPLoI5NouKWGOM0egQSzNva2FTvFZVMPVPYrlAjsXfVTX6tBCeeD6brrKHfXQqfSi4I9R0I_SbWUIFRYx_Xowu1GX7SwnRycRuf-UPk9gc32HcWnESivUtL-LNKQ4kw15IaEbSBk3O6HyHkY=s720" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="720" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc3WkrBGQq8RcOhazmVb-BhZfAQOGy-DrCT4f4mSuVYPLoI5NouKWGOM0egQSzNva2FTvFZVMPVPYrlAjsXfVTX6tBCeeD6brrKHfXQqfSi4I9R0I_SbWUIFRYx_Xowu1GX7SwnRycRuf-UPk9gc32HcWnESivUtL-LNKQ4kw15IaEbSBk3O6HyHkY=w400-h235" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wawa's drawing</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Six months later the village receives a bridge. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are some great messages conveyed through movies and it has helped in a greater ways. This movie shows how people suffer in rural area and how some of their voices are heard lately. There's no one we can blame. This is how everything rolls in samsara. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-35571289184600237412022-01-30T11:07:00.006+06:002022-01-30T13:28:01.257+06:00Social Media Is Bad? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGIXP9BpMSHw0U-Q5ktOH1C0GBnqU6tzaXemlm1pgv_07ls-FVg1XGUVtCKjuFPW7ddXqksOqmYJ_VEMVjjkdXnOMamb5em2oB9eZpWhjIOfDXDrSk3P55F0CnrGJDXRYfp0TaVpUEZHHJRpOAwGpj7gzMXmEebXoMAyk0fRYSGMQEWrtk3VB0Dmld=s1305" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1305" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGIXP9BpMSHw0U-Q5ktOH1C0GBnqU6tzaXemlm1pgv_07ls-FVg1XGUVtCKjuFPW7ddXqksOqmYJ_VEMVjjkdXnOMamb5em2oB9eZpWhjIOfDXDrSk3P55F0CnrGJDXRYfp0TaVpUEZHHJRpOAwGpj7gzMXmEebXoMAyk0fRYSGMQEWrtk3VB0Dmld=s320" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic: Google</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I prostate before my Root Teacher! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I started using Facebook twelve years ago and
I'm thankful to the team for connecting people across the globe. It has eased
our way in a different ways. To put it in short, Facebook has made all of us
like a single community. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Recently YouTube did a tremendous job and now there are
millions of content creators influencing through their vlogging life. Simple and
yet effective solution to our boredom? Anybody can make a vlog for that you do not
have to own expensive cameras. I have personally witnessed a poor
family getting rich, now they're helping not only their families but others as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the other hand there are dark sides to what most of us
embraces with our open arm’s. When bad out weighs good it is a matter of concern
for all of us. Today there are increasing rate of youths suffering from mental
disorder, increasing suicides, polarization, rape case etc., that has a reason to blame social
media. Massachusetts Institute of Technology has found that fake news are six
times faster than the real one.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Few days back I came across one of
my Facebook friends post that he wanted to post a year before but for some
reason he couldn't until this lockdown. It’s about a Netflix Documentary which
was released two-years’ ago. I couldn't finish watching his video rather it
prompted me to search in some other reliable sources, the full documentary.
Although there were some reviews I had to watch some of them not because I
intended to watch. It is because I couldn't find what I wanted to watch in full
length. At last I was able to find with the help of a Google. It took hell of a
lot of time out of my day. And this is not the first time I have spent trying to
find something on Google. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After watching it pinned awareness about social media
and its ethical conducts. About how gigantic companies like Facebook and Google
are operated with the profit maximization as their core interest. And how they
can manipulate about billions of users with the help of Artificial Intelligence
(AI) and the algorithm. Almost every social media apps uses one or similar kind
of algorithm to keep their users engaged all the time. These powerful machines
are triggering your emotions that you even do not know. Our body
releases dopamine—sort of chemical released by body to feel pleasure—while
engaging online and therefore our mind wants us to be near our mobile always
checking notifications. Most of us would have never thought of this but this is
not something accidental. Actually they're designed in such a way that you are
hooked on to the screen for hours and make you feels like it is only few
seconds. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some of the former employees (resigned) of Facebook, YouTube, Google
and Instagram have shared their concern about how these companies are venturing
into unhealthy trends. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To understand technically you must watch The Social
Dilemma.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I do not totally disagree that social media is a waste. But the
question is about who should regulate it? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hardly there is anybody who thinks
that this is a problem therefore it will take a long time to solve. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Social media
is not but they're designed to be addictive.</div>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-27922527969158890782022-01-05T22:10:00.007+06:002022-01-06T20:47:43.985+06:00Dear Jurmey<p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDl57dHNzXrM1r85Eg2pgZc4o8coJN33pQxb2CoFwjgvQZt-b4-E5h7fCJIUfcZcV_7x_ahoVj4hWAbtfwdCK4R-6MNsk9SF_ociAm85VcFMd40_sxdX_cZvnG-Mo4xXu1gjoc_deIf2WCwFwfQ5jpHNSoSQbM_lp1QJRUceMSYUoNcfsw-Fx_0DNR=s2733" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1613" data-original-width="2733" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDl57dHNzXrM1r85Eg2pgZc4o8coJN33pQxb2CoFwjgvQZt-b4-E5h7fCJIUfcZcV_7x_ahoVj4hWAbtfwdCK4R-6MNsk9SF_ociAm85VcFMd40_sxdX_cZvnG-Mo4xXu1gjoc_deIf2WCwFwfQ5jpHNSoSQbM_lp1QJRUceMSYUoNcfsw-Fx_0DNR=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dumo</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Dear Jurmey, </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I hope you're doing fine. I had to write this short letter in order to ask a favor from you. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Four days ago a cat entered my room from the kitchen window — that I have left open for the ventilation purpose. I will call her Dumo. Long time back we had a cat named Dumo. She was our neighbor's cat but she spent most of her time at our house and later died in our home. This cat resembles our long-time lost Dumo. Their color spots are similar though late Dumo was white and grey. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I didn't chase her immediately. I wanted to. As it is extremely cold she found a warm place near the electric heater. I thought she might leave. You know I have no passion to raise pets and not definitely cats although I don't have ailurophobia. Of course I hate feline hair loss as it messes blankets and floor. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">After few hours I chased Dumo because I knew she won't leave easily.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The next morning Dumo was inside washroom on a washing machine supposedly waiting for me to open door. I noticed how cleverly she crossed from a hole of the ventilation nets. This time I chased her instantly. How cruel of me. This action gave me a sensible reason to call her back. I opened the door and she was no where. Crazy cat, when I went to cook breakfast, i found her on the window of a kitchen. It was such a pitiful moment to see her. She might have pleaded me if I had understood her better. I knew she wanted to come in but don't want to show in front of me. She wasn't coming inside when I called her instead pretended to stay far from my reach. I knew what was coming and skipped myself into washroom. Exactly she was, hesitantly, but stubborn as you see, treating herself with warm heat. I thought, I will not chase. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">You see, I pray and wish for the fulfillment of every desires of every beings, and here I'm not willing to keep one cat. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I'm such a hypocrite! So blame me! </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">During lunch time she wanted to go outside. I knew as She was meowing. I closed the door. Thought she's kind as she's not asking for food. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">But she would sleep for a long hours and I've never seen cat sleep like this. Promise. Jurmey this reminded me of how peacefully you would sleep during the day time. In Dumo I saw your sleep. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">And today morning she was sleeping in my blanket. I wanted to chase again and curse never to leave any windows open but it was midnight and I thought she won't find any better cloths than my blanket. We slept together. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">As usual she slept from morning till evening. But today I felt something unnatural with Dumo. She was not asking for food also. In earlier days I thought she might be eating somewhere and coming to sleep. My presumption was incorrect. I even tried feeding her but no sign of any interest in eating. I'm helplessly worried about Dumo.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Still she's sleeping on a chair and I can hear her pur. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Jurmey please take her to the veterinary tomorrow morning. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;"><span>Jamyang</span><span> Loden</span> </span></p>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-50634035851367389582021-11-20T17:23:00.004+06:002022-01-06T20:48:50.009+06:00Class Picnic 2021<p style="text-align: justify;">William Shakespeare said, "All is well that ends well." Our class officially closed smoothly yesterday and today we went for a dry picnic at Kurkubithang which is roughly one and half hour's walk from the monastery. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The moment we arrived picnic spot, not even bothering anything, some of them started to prepare for football. I do not know why football is one of the most admired games in the world. Craziest are monks who would do anything for football. Yes everything! But I've never been influenced by this game although I remember myself playing football twice in a grand celebration during college days and that was only on final matches. By the way, not because I was ace player in the class but because we had only 13 boys in our class and by default I had to play. I remember how horribly I played with satisfaction. You must have noticed when someone plays football for the first time. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">So today as I was listening to a new (not really new) Bhutanese song in <i>tshanglakha, Nan gha dengay, </i>by Tenzin Tashi in SoundCloud. In the middle of a song there's a line and at that instant it touched me. It says ‘…aii…yongba….jung...’ which loosely translates into ‘foolish me.’ Really I was foolishly watching while everyone was involved with the games they enjoy. There's none but myself who's watching them play football and khuru and still get full satisfaction just by sitting there and watch them play. To be honest, I've never been good at any (outdoor) games throughout my school days. Indeed I've been a good spectator so far. And yes it is worth watching when you're not good at entertaining. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Many believes in memory and I too remember my bygone days while in the process of making some new memories. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Here are some pictures from the spot. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Jlx4RR__9zV-9mKkbj0KwlV-j0MWY92sq5-7bhzzJkbAE7w_Y7IlWKhnXqh1-743SjDjtSsYXgUpWZGbN_fOXlxgUOaL29pM9yyO29o5E19nHoTBC5llv1LUj7mpNQxAlQb_mPJyYA4/s2730/IMG_20211120_095008-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2730" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Jlx4RR__9zV-9mKkbj0KwlV-j0MWY92sq5-7bhzzJkbAE7w_Y7IlWKhnXqh1-743SjDjtSsYXgUpWZGbN_fOXlxgUOaL29pM9yyO29o5E19nHoTBC5llv1LUj7mpNQxAlQb_mPJyYA4/w400-h169/IMG_20211120_095008-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to reach our spot</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcD-ljuSLdKPzC-xS2yegRCw__SvIMGqGhE5xs8jyRgjEK87ikzAxxAhXWdE1ERjURA5Auo826lL9pLI9TX0tp04I3jdNvfdfOmvmIcb5tP_vgL2gczPwV1XsaHvd975eiO8n2H9GwjP0/s2470/IMG_20211120_095951-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="2470" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcD-ljuSLdKPzC-xS2yegRCw__SvIMGqGhE5xs8jyRgjEK87ikzAxxAhXWdE1ERjURA5Auo826lL9pLI9TX0tp04I3jdNvfdfOmvmIcb5tP_vgL2gczPwV1XsaHvd975eiO8n2H9GwjP0/w400-h179/IMG_20211120_095951-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing football and in the back is khuru</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7RlqYUwiEbiX-J9jqhXoorJ053KUM6Ves_Z0d3UdJA6QEjmTA31uz4Q246rNRJImzkqdVU82cFxTSV7jWKB1bhqU-fQewOSRHA-znjC5u4KiEMsMrAj9sv0nQVyzLp2UCNIhV9NpqcE/s2578/IMG_20211120_100842-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7RlqYUwiEbiX-J9jqhXoorJ053KUM6Ves_Z0d3UdJA6QEjmTA31uz4Q246rNRJImzkqdVU82cFxTSV7jWKB1bhqU-fQewOSRHA-znjC5u4KiEMsMrAj9sv0nQVyzLp2UCNIhV9NpqcE/w400-h189/IMG_20211120_100842-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing Khuru.<br />I bet a sum of cash Nu.100/- to anyone who hits the first target. Surprisingly he took away the prize as shown below. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Mg1jn04I3oNmHcPDt9g2tSVahEB4GbMIGXgNr36s-WmyBLRFjz6g7r9LOIdImcHfTPZr2h7yUkbUdLVdX7YY7saumoZXZnfMO2_goI3Ea0pNadgtBfWxsIP3lGDUTQ1dXMzogoXUl8Y/s2048/IMG_20211120_100904-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="2048" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Mg1jn04I3oNmHcPDt9g2tSVahEB4GbMIGXgNr36s-WmyBLRFjz6g7r9LOIdImcHfTPZr2h7yUkbUdLVdX7YY7saumoZXZnfMO2_goI3Ea0pNadgtBfWxsIP3lGDUTQ1dXMzogoXUl8Y/w400-h221/IMG_20211120_100904-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I placed the cash after his hit. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyB0Ezw4ohXqYqHJwnbztpG9-bUicQ0jieksEkxy-uq0Ss7gf38oOMGU8hjEZY0WXVxlYsUY0gh3bSH8UaPeexSl_oRXBhUDII6Oojq0UDYOA0HnabOeOe09Ad0YPisk_VKhzf75MXcQ/s2048/IMG_20211120_101515-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="2048" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyB0Ezw4ohXqYqHJwnbztpG9-bUicQ0jieksEkxy-uq0Ss7gf38oOMGU8hjEZY0WXVxlYsUY0gh3bSH8UaPeexSl_oRXBhUDII6Oojq0UDYOA0HnabOeOe09Ad0YPisk_VKhzf75MXcQ/w400-h259/IMG_20211120_101515-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jurmey hails from a remote part of eastern Bhutan. He was appointed a games captain during primary school but he didn't pursue any games seriously.<br />He was playing football with heart full of joyfulness. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaanizXQWsl_yN-LKFGcy5iZbMynLaLC2qr4aeJMmy1uaRpLgsIoYbzTZO_ZLrs9QCnc7yZtKoh3O5htD3ZXdq3nfPeANM27G6NEJKsU6l_nK7ZClSQRGPp5T8JmdEb9Uq70Z7tnt_xY/s2048/IMG_20211120_101747-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1810" data-original-width="2048" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaanizXQWsl_yN-LKFGcy5iZbMynLaLC2qr4aeJMmy1uaRpLgsIoYbzTZO_ZLrs9QCnc7yZtKoh3O5htD3ZXdq3nfPeANM27G6NEJKsU6l_nK7ZClSQRGPp5T8JmdEb9Uq70Z7tnt_xY/w400-h354/IMG_20211120_101747-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here's a coach as many would tease if you do not play any games. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTNDAcjH1KC8MdiVzGSgze_o5BI28TGllJ6VLFlrnyenrvQls9qxDGmcfhKBTTzFSgw8EDuITW9PU9-hzbSNYB1dvpaolYafuUjynfzuFdIiYrI2J24JUJNALKr-tJ4meJwl97OxnHnA/s1968/IMG_20211120_123434-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1781" data-original-width="1968" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTNDAcjH1KC8MdiVzGSgze_o5BI28TGllJ6VLFlrnyenrvQls9qxDGmcfhKBTTzFSgw8EDuITW9PU9-hzbSNYB1dvpaolYafuUjynfzuFdIiYrI2J24JUJNALKr-tJ4meJwl97OxnHnA/w400-h363/IMG_20211120_123434-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These guys tasted chicken curry. And sorry I forgot to mention that the chicken had to be cooked here since it was auspicious day yesterday. So meat shops were closed. They bought today and cooked while rest of the edible items were cooked from the monastery. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Nv8x9bp3QCAA8Woz4mdN6ijqQeZvtrzZWqqk_enOCNoxecxN_785zbeZszekEfZgPbJoMhszddCZ15e-hZl0d_rxLCZNA0FLKlzaaX8h-tI15I5AeSTulbTncA42ojaLXCmHgCYo1Cw/s2578/IMG_20211120_124359-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Nv8x9bp3QCAA8Woz4mdN6ijqQeZvtrzZWqqk_enOCNoxecxN_785zbeZszekEfZgPbJoMhszddCZ15e-hZl0d_rxLCZNA0FLKlzaaX8h-tI15I5AeSTulbTncA42ojaLXCmHgCYo1Cw/w400-h189/IMG_20211120_124359-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch break. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">After lunch break I returned to monastery. Many of them remained behind with their games program. It was a day spent meaningfully. </p>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-91669517259201999702021-10-25T14:39:00.004+06:002022-01-06T20:50:49.987+06:00Saving In A Clay Pot<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZm4VBBMIgxXQfXA-wCh63u7PeXHUXcWec3cSxrDf7Z2i_84RMno9un4S3AYKCqxQdJq_PepmD_ltIijPqBm_OJyeYgpRdqdXZmtx1-L6MuSHLV6uyxIhyGpuur99qpLInhQU6jC0tbeA/s2578/IMG_20211023_071231-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZm4VBBMIgxXQfXA-wCh63u7PeXHUXcWec3cSxrDf7Z2i_84RMno9un4S3AYKCqxQdJq_PepmD_ltIijPqBm_OJyeYgpRdqdXZmtx1-L6MuSHLV6uyxIhyGpuur99qpLInhQU6jC0tbeA/s320/IMG_20211023_071231-01.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I gave her name Dzambala (in Tibetan accent) supposed to be Jhambhala (in Sanskrit.) It means the god of wealth. <br /><br />May this become like a wish-fulfiling tree. Bringing best for every sentient beings! </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I won't be surprise to see monks, especially small monks, carrying cash almost crumpled in his little palm and asking edible items from the shop. This little one’s doesn't know the value of cash — at least not beyond shops. He'll buy everything in one go. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">This casual attitude towards cash has made me think twice but I lagged ideas to help ourselves. Though I saw Money Saving Clay Pot and even used once (but without success) it was one of posts in a Facebook that reminded me. Thereafter I bought one each for my roomie and myself. Unfortunately he had to break the pot in two days and never attempted again. For me, I have tried hard to save the little cash, even sacrificing some of my important things. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">By the way, my intention is to save only low cash notes that we receive during recitation of sutras and while chanting mantras. Usually many of us ignorantly pass such notes from one hand to another without valuing. Now I've a place to store and buy a statute of Manjushri after few years. I am sure many of us, be it monks or not, we can still learn to save for the better cause. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I being a product of business school will always have a guilt for hoarding cash. Back then we were trained to invest and save cash in order to multiply its usage in the economy. There are many other reasons, researched and evident based, about why one should not keep cash at home. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">As I wanted to share about the clay money pot I have also thought of best usages that one can make out of it. It is taboo to talk about materials once you've taken a path of spirituality — that's what most of us think which I feel is wrong — sorry to say but that's right. Of course there are certain exceptions for the practitioners to remain isolate and keep away from the bustling place. Having said that, I am not encouraging any aspiring and strict practitioners to do what I say. Honestly I am here to share, and I did, yes share only, about my little habit of saving a cash.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-62454123012312240042021-09-16T21:01:00.005+06:002021-09-16T21:02:24.066+06:00Sunday Getaway at Kurjey: circumambulating 108<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">It is not a new trend to see many people walking around statute, monastery and stupa unless you're a known buddhists (excuse the pun). As a Buddhist we believe in walking round the sacred monument as it bestows unlimited merit. I can relate the story of a wild boar who unknowingly circumambulated stupa when chased by a pack of wild dogs and was born in the higher realm. Suffice it to say when an animal without intention could be born to higher realm there's hardly any room to express what awaits for rest of us who wishes wellness for every sentient beings in our daily prayer. If there's profit from dharma, even with iota of an effort, why not invest droplets of dharma water to make the big ocean?</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwWCq8yDgHAGG0XkTadBAEj9D8qHEpa46_KprpVvKxWZYabJYQjXwdgSJbcVoKZ32ZGpw4qtIbW7zDUS9oviI7GsX00lKUCLBTJ31iT_Y03XSYSvqfiNr1-0ahUOI3sE7C1dgC4SvvPY/s1920/wx_camera_1631416633880-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="1920" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwWCq8yDgHAGG0XkTadBAEj9D8qHEpa46_KprpVvKxWZYabJYQjXwdgSJbcVoKZ32ZGpw4qtIbW7zDUS9oviI7GsX00lKUCLBTJ31iT_Y03XSYSvqfiNr1-0ahUOI3sE7C1dgC4SvvPY/w400-h185/wx_camera_1631416633880-01.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Kurjey Lhakhang <br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">On Sunday I decided to go Kurjey Lhakhang for the likely reason with Jurmey which took us one-hour to complete ten rounds. So far we had completed thirty of hundred and eight under the scorching sun. Though tired of walking around the monastery it was a satisfying day for us, memorably the pain of walking fast. Do not blame me if you think that I'm too judgemental but I feel guilty for seeing a monk in Kurjey chasing dogs using catapult, it was more than what Jurmey and I made fun of mange dog's graok. It was completely, unhesitantly saying, hypocrite and ill manner to even think let alone act. I confess myself before you all for the unnecessary downfall dharma practitioners like us have created. I've been through double-edged consequences many times, this is hard to avoid, yet I repent me of all I did. </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIRKJez3Q_WreeRlB0MLec3dJXydNFBeiyy8hWVz8p4lIB8vKGUk7kjwFyNIREufq_6YwpmxPwz6Vmr0PJA0Hmj73P4_Jg_HUcF-W9F1YzYSZd3daaf1mJ1R-TAde8DSvtHzVnfPUFAs/s2578/IMG_20210912_130823-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2578" data-original-width="1220" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIRKJez3Q_WreeRlB0MLec3dJXydNFBeiyy8hWVz8p4lIB8vKGUk7kjwFyNIREufq_6YwpmxPwz6Vmr0PJA0Hmj73P4_Jg_HUcF-W9F1YzYSZd3daaf1mJ1R-TAde8DSvtHzVnfPUFAs/w189-h400/IMG_20210912_130823-01.jpeg" width="189" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">He isn't such a glutton. Only a pose. </span></td></tr></tbody></table></blockquote><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0Igr1LTu1vICh5RZ9ywo3XmUxPEJ5pGN25sieTCWDXIWEwAs4qR9RqUSrE1Bghd7xZAPvt7OYjypes01IBW8991VM9M8_tbRick2EXvV3HfIVraFsLGDmctei5tgxLfhNwWx-3sxJr0/s2578/IMG_20210912_130857-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2578" data-original-width="1220" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0Igr1LTu1vICh5RZ9ywo3XmUxPEJ5pGN25sieTCWDXIWEwAs4qR9RqUSrE1Bghd7xZAPvt7OYjypes01IBW8991VM9M8_tbRick2EXvV3HfIVraFsLGDmctei5tgxLfhNwWx-3sxJr0/w189-h400/IMG_20210912_130857-01.jpeg" width="189" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Munching carrot.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Apart from accumulating non-conceptual wisdom there's also physical health benefits, experts have praised walking as the best way to burn calories and a good exercise as it doesn't demand physical strength. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7qwt5gqbjr7E6uWfb4KWY38eiGq_R1fdzVdeENd5143T8Nzj5CD2932sYqPd25or7FcJtcVR-tNnqoJw9ag70HOVkEDAOShnWxW-Khl_6J7u-JVo_fiVqJ1P8_ga0IQX0vD_IULezU8/s2578/IMG_20210912_105732-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7qwt5gqbjr7E6uWfb4KWY38eiGq_R1fdzVdeENd5143T8Nzj5CD2932sYqPd25or7FcJtcVR-tNnqoJw9ag70HOVkEDAOShnWxW-Khl_6J7u-JVo_fiVqJ1P8_ga0IQX0vD_IULezU8/w400-h189/IMG_20210912_105732-01.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Keeping a track of every round with the help of pebbles. </span></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></blockquote><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I’ve heard from a fellow bhutanese's who promise to make at least hundred and eight rounds at Drakarpo in Paro once in their lifetime. Many knows the benefits: both mental and physical, if I'm not wrong, this place was blessed by the great Guru Rinpoche. I have always wanted to visit in the near future; it's only that my procrastination pushed it away. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Kurjey is one of the oldest and most sacred historical evidence to the outside world. It dates back to 8th century when Padmasambhava came from India upon the request of chief Sindhu Raja to settle a dispute with the local deity. His visit became crucial moments in the history of Mon Yul—the dark place. Had it not been Sindhu Raja and local deity, Bhutan might not have been Bhutan. Hence this, I believe, was a special connection in brining the doctrine of Shakyamuni to a place initially known for producing cannibal demons. Later, many Buddhist scholars and saints visited this place as per the prophecies and kept the legacy without disruption. Even these days, there are devotees as far as America, China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Nepal etc who gladly spends handsome amount only to get a glimpse of Kurjey. If this is the case, Bhutanese traveling outside for pilgrimage's should keep wits about themselves. Are we not rich spiritually? </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFj2Grd0Ltzca3SrCYDD0_DmUQ0XHN0IjKv1Sy91U-mAmQbBaP60flGMcc31hUwPdhUqpqPVZXHJ3nhglIO3dPHIoArA09ubfxIs6C-moyOppHshcg1NvTsv05QVgj1dYWoFJ2lVPsCQ/s2578/IMG_20210912_105851-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFj2Grd0Ltzca3SrCYDD0_DmUQ0XHN0IjKv1Sy91U-mAmQbBaP60flGMcc31hUwPdhUqpqPVZXHJ3nhglIO3dPHIoArA09ubfxIs6C-moyOppHshcg1NvTsv05QVgj1dYWoFJ2lVPsCQ/w400-h189/IMG_20210912_105851-01.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Kurjey through my eyes. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Whenever I visit, I'm incredibly moved by the blissful energy of Kurjey, it will be a poignant reminder to read this diary and see the pictures when I've a more number of gray hair. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HFRVjluOCZa0ylq2S_XjEhyphenhyphenP6Sr-nhAq2eSy0sTsUBTB0YkW8M7H-_VH0OESF5iPCSc84DqoQ762obiGMLTjhYavWS4Rp6w6Cp9pxuIwSaaAPEzSmjmru9gLQVgCdtI3HonQd43Z2ps/s2578/IMG_20210912_114513-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HFRVjluOCZa0ylq2S_XjEhyphenhyphenP6Sr-nhAq2eSy0sTsUBTB0YkW8M7H-_VH0OESF5iPCSc84DqoQ762obiGMLTjhYavWS4Rp6w6Cp9pxuIwSaaAPEzSmjmru9gLQVgCdtI3HonQd43Z2ps/w400-h189/IMG_20210912_114513-01.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Pempa make sure to come Kurjey every weekend's. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-39509314930297813182021-02-14T23:10:00.058+06:002022-01-06T20:53:37.190+06:00New Year 2021 At Lhodrak Kharchu<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0uRvddBCenMSmB9sMJjKK6DaRKGvcus5geWIeZLPmRzo1zyXHmhy1bicklmn9PMB2e59DXync4Wtaju9n09Lfa6wO2Mo7a7mNDZAFssKwaHhDf4tFp7Q1fEumI8aUGPsK2e09iuTMIY/s720/FB_IMG_1613235162409.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0uRvddBCenMSmB9sMJjKK6DaRKGvcus5geWIeZLPmRzo1zyXHmhy1bicklmn9PMB2e59DXync4Wtaju9n09Lfa6wO2Mo7a7mNDZAFssKwaHhDf4tFp7Q1fEumI8aUGPsK2e09iuTMIY/w400-h266/FB_IMG_1613235162409.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iron Female Ox Year 2021</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">There are several days in a year which are remembered by us. I've no issues with
any of the days and I enjoy almost every day equally but sometimes, once in a
blue moon, it so happens that you do not want to forget some days for strong
reasons. And I’ve a reasons why I should pen these particular days.
Losar which translates into New Year is one of the most remarkable event's I've
ever noticed. This year is Iron Female Ox Year according to calendar of Tibetan
buddhism. Let's hope this new year brings peace and prosperity unlike its
precedent. In our monastery, led my Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche, the day got
its real essence of calling it as Losar and I couldn't hold back but share with
you guys those moments through this digital diary of mine. Hope you'll enjoy
reading, at least I expect that way. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">Auspicious Soup</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">By the way this is not first day of
the new year but people will begin from this day itself by drinking auspicious
soup since it is the last day of the old year. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC10iPgXy8YxlmpUH99bFkYpk_8UuD5kKl1D8nbZsJ3jf-PpzYAhWR2WrB97NsIAc1nOg2R5njz1TIIInJAro_2y7P_weFzwD19kwgl5WlOJbZyBZmOLWv-gsvvKxa_5W7wd_tkBjIopg/s1264/Screenshot_20210213-211543_TibetanDictionary.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC10iPgXy8YxlmpUH99bFkYpk_8UuD5kKl1D8nbZsJ3jf-PpzYAhWR2WrB97NsIAc1nOg2R5njz1TIIInJAro_2y7P_weFzwD19kwgl5WlOJbZyBZmOLWv-gsvvKxa_5W7wd_tkBjIopg/w364-h640/Screenshot_20210213-211543_TibetanDictionary.jpg" width="364" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Source: Tibetan Dictionary.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I went to try what kind of omens
I've for the new year. Honestly I couldn't identify symbolic object neither
asked anyone. I don't know if it got dissolved into dumpling? As per the symbolic objects I was in neither of them. I'm optimistic and consider it as a good omen only. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">Losar Day</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It falls on the very first day of a new year. In our
monastery, monks woke up early in the morning, performed Mipham Rinpoche's liturgical method for
invoking the blessings of Shakyamuni Buddha, tara practice, three roots ritual
and petition-offering to dharma protectors. His holiness also
bestowed life empowerment of one of the Maha Siddhis Thangthong Gyalpo who
explicitly got empowered at the celestial palace of Guru Rinpoche in Zangdo Pelri. H.H. briefed us how Drupthob lived 125 years after that. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="font-family: times;">Flour blessing </b></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: times;">Last day or third day of a new year celebration is remembered for flour blessing. After performing lhasang (incense offering) some senior monks gathers at the courtyard and recite common chant and then toss flour in the open air. All the participants end up covering themselves with flour. Some goes to other places throwing flour at acquaintance and even at strangers. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: times;">In one of the websites, (<a href="goog_366511565">h</a></span><a href="ttps://samyeinstitute.org/sangha-updates/losar-tibetan-new-year/">ttps://samyeinstitute.org/sangha-updates/losar-tibetan-new-year/</a>) 'This shower of tsampa increases the prosperity, health, and happiness of sentient beings. It also raises ‘wind horse,’ or luck, bringing forth auspicious circumstances.'</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span style="font-family: times;">Pictures</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I did not carry phone in the morning hours therefore first four pictures are copyright reserve of Kharchu Editorial Committee page in Facebook. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJKSJKrswN0-BqxdZSBsOgh3ZAR8NZMhkwmeOxg9ii5Me-cw6E_gJnrVquk-b8jaRtUbPQWtQGbVYgS_cuT_gppqU6UeqdhVqQ0uS9mqJ2cqLzJU0Q7khcrEZ6_jw9sMxFrhY_swONhA/s720/FB_IMG_1613235238237.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJKSJKrswN0-BqxdZSBsOgh3ZAR8NZMhkwmeOxg9ii5Me-cw6E_gJnrVquk-b8jaRtUbPQWtQGbVYgS_cuT_gppqU6UeqdhVqQ0uS9mqJ2cqLzJU0Q7khcrEZ6_jw9sMxFrhY_swONhA/w400-h266/FB_IMG_1613235238237.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche Giving Blessing.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PWvsDc9FUe-DmP-Fo2r-cEVLnfVrEfmzAsN1AON48NV8N0cHEgd4kOl3AoOC7QwzBb-fcJmB3e2mHnSbTeOVL-MNGRc5wRSDEo43kTPm9UZLuMy-s9nfwGNXrmK7Ram2vmDaLRGnnvs/s720/FB_IMG_1613235176927.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PWvsDc9FUe-DmP-Fo2r-cEVLnfVrEfmzAsN1AON48NV8N0cHEgd4kOl3AoOC7QwzBb-fcJmB3e2mHnSbTeOVL-MNGRc5wRSDEo43kTPm9UZLuMy-s9nfwGNXrmK7Ram2vmDaLRGnnvs/w400-h266/FB_IMG_1613235176927.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Devotees.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB3uhpk6Hv4PZV40xmLrUH9Wacs7gehApfky156EE_WC880sbhDidk4kdm5OHJP0E5aUHfuYGdZEyF8aOypFp5wWxMashqRa6Stl_AQdkL6TI07DdsbRh6duL4sPiB7qq2rLGLT_hDGg/s720/FB_IMG_1613235212703.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB3uhpk6Hv4PZV40xmLrUH9Wacs7gehApfky156EE_WC880sbhDidk4kdm5OHJP0E5aUHfuYGdZEyF8aOypFp5wWxMashqRa6Stl_AQdkL6TI07DdsbRh6duL4sPiB7qq2rLGLT_hDGg/w400-h266/FB_IMG_1613235212703.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Monks and devotees in queue offering Tashi Delek to H.H.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2l88_gjBShu5suWLABJ07Wh1avx3I_hnndCV9uDokbgajxTqy9RsWIDXgxk3lvOSvoqTdcijRIbRvQpqwZ6gxhgB9RyTEKvjbmH35qtY387knCPI0wNIn65c9zlFqOsVB-Q3MLNV2nA/s720/FB_IMG_1613235382027.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2l88_gjBShu5suWLABJ07Wh1avx3I_hnndCV9uDokbgajxTqy9RsWIDXgxk3lvOSvoqTdcijRIbRvQpqwZ6gxhgB9RyTEKvjbmH35qtY387knCPI0wNIn65c9zlFqOsVB-Q3MLNV2nA/w400-h266/FB_IMG_1613235382027.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Tshok.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBM_hdM9Xp3ruk6v5n1aii53zcUPjVcmNl65_0eBk_MsZvu04rFjGP3RAZWTOukbFiPOUjqaeOWEJvSHOeYBepFd7MFIFWBCsbAvnM10xJjvOOxKP-rEp5C3OYNlbrmF3fMVEG3EqHMg/s2578/20210212_124059_mfnr-01.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBM_hdM9Xp3ruk6v5n1aii53zcUPjVcmNl65_0eBk_MsZvu04rFjGP3RAZWTOukbFiPOUjqaeOWEJvSHOeYBepFd7MFIFWBCsbAvnM10xJjvOOxKP-rEp5C3OYNlbrmF3fMVEG3EqHMg/w400-h189/20210212_124059_mfnr-01.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Sumptuous Lunch.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehgPpwlQQamhU2k3iCPbGXPJssESJRauOcny_t4NyBk0Yl8zpCvL68m2WpwxTYvq4Aewt7jTEZzV8hagPot9UYcE3sZyU1EGqZfHfBJK85yX3f5SU4WfWl0fQdMkEIQ3FcuAgOPcIOIg/s2578/20210212_133042-01.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehgPpwlQQamhU2k3iCPbGXPJssESJRauOcny_t4NyBk0Yl8zpCvL68m2WpwxTYvq4Aewt7jTEZzV8hagPot9UYcE3sZyU1EGqZfHfBJK85yX3f5SU4WfWl0fQdMkEIQ3FcuAgOPcIOIg/w400-h189/20210212_133042-01.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Splendid Dining.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrpY_EeVX9GtveiL0zBQ3cLJYz3Lae5pZ5lCE_4m7fSrqzRK4ejC25xNUQke2AGBpjVoAuIX3OjD14nyoLXu88YMz7vmfia3-_CFzJb8rX7uShvxmpl-eTQbGx6chbRr65sa2nW_LpvA/s2578/20210212_133751-01.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrpY_EeVX9GtveiL0zBQ3cLJYz3Lae5pZ5lCE_4m7fSrqzRK4ejC25xNUQke2AGBpjVoAuIX3OjD14nyoLXu88YMz7vmfia3-_CFzJb8rX7uShvxmpl-eTQbGx6chbRr65sa2nW_LpvA/w400-h189/20210212_133751-01.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Monks dancing on Ko-Ka-Lay-Ko song. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2NTQSDMykDC4xc8E8ZqatN_nVs7TolIsnYa8EuV0e4pkOSh_8eXlY6Lqfo2QicwyHk9JnVi7qFrHbjZfFXNJo3MI1dlb8nhmLx3uQjJiADbwi0TH3bqKmvz-1Mfz85vecNE4usc-9rM/s2578/20210212_134647_mfnr-01.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2NTQSDMykDC4xc8E8ZqatN_nVs7TolIsnYa8EuV0e4pkOSh_8eXlY6Lqfo2QicwyHk9JnVi7qFrHbjZfFXNJo3MI1dlb8nhmLx3uQjJiADbwi0TH3bqKmvz-1Mfz85vecNE4usc-9rM/w400-h189/20210212_134647_mfnr-01.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Serving Zaw.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNDOgcFHOa7zEvQqk8teClRR9fKR-aNH-gsfWWw_cbNWmGH8baaY8CGGGvPtS5FjfjrkL5RzYLeW4cfYaK2dTI98xZyPn69myzPw52zlysEsW0JTrgiltpg-yMozc-b4f6-8Ced9dfOo/s4160/20210212_134927-01.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4160" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNDOgcFHOa7zEvQqk8teClRR9fKR-aNH-gsfWWw_cbNWmGH8baaY8CGGGvPtS5FjfjrkL5RzYLeW4cfYaK2dTI98xZyPn69myzPw52zlysEsW0JTrgiltpg-yMozc-b4f6-8Ced9dfOo/w400-h189/20210212_134927-01.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Hot tea served.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></div><div><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></div><div><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></div><div><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></div><div><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></div><div><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #282828; outline: none; text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw7eLPdgGEkGT_f2SEus081EDtt1azG3_iiSAEd50wr3NoqsoB3P1BDo9BtlerpnXWSI1XCULJG11x6YGFewQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVBDGhsYkSNyjsGKl4_JtCYZ1z7CJ9lXbmdv570pat2uS7FGBl2WYEZF74sDsmNQ41ce7YxA620RDleINPnTiybk0MptUgtiOv09lJjet0zLI9zBiZwZo3XYgDDi6IpYxZLXKOUpdoKg/s2578/20210214_135939-01.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVBDGhsYkSNyjsGKl4_JtCYZ1z7CJ9lXbmdv570pat2uS7FGBl2WYEZF74sDsmNQ41ce7YxA620RDleINPnTiybk0MptUgtiOv09lJjet0zLI9zBiZwZo3XYgDDi6IpYxZLXKOUpdoKg/w400-h189/20210214_135939-01.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Monks showering flour at private residence.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMBfG3a1dQHwFEJRWS90-O2Fh88MdrmX9ICrbm-hi7AwJnsBA571anVd8fvUUmsJuI5HwiYKhyphenhyphenu8DFjDKMCC9u26fovknzbyf9r6j7O6o3dZIGoexOhxrf5z1fzxZlwec7JBo478vfow/s2576/20210214_140405-01.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="2576" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMBfG3a1dQHwFEJRWS90-O2Fh88MdrmX9ICrbm-hi7AwJnsBA571anVd8fvUUmsJuI5HwiYKhyphenhyphenu8DFjDKMCC9u26fovknzbyf9r6j7O6o3dZIGoexOhxrf5z1fzxZlwec7JBo478vfow/w400-h190/20210214_140405-01.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Jurmey and I escaped from monastery but we couldn't as they've managed to cover private residences. We were returning monastery after having lunch at my elder brother's house and fortunately or unfortunately those monks were on round throwing flour at anybody. I could hardly run away from, in my estimation, ten of them. They didn't spare us let alone householders. Of course it's blessings, to be precise. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><b><br /></b></div></div>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-58519273627396994942021-01-13T09:38:00.005+06:002022-01-10T21:50:10.284+06:00Spirituality And Lockdown 2.0<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: courier;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUJfzERQ1lsHWNvodlDTVaDpBQxS0F7c8kuGp5Fhi5PvYuv6tbKjZFWCrW2xTrtrxxzqcQbuaiE_hdUcUj-XUg1ALXHu9OBZdFwsh1jGjjdsvdTF8F3zTadSU-1BppeU6fiXvAAkgqOE/s2578/20210102_121806.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUJfzERQ1lsHWNvodlDTVaDpBQxS0F7c8kuGp5Fhi5PvYuv6tbKjZFWCrW2xTrtrxxzqcQbuaiE_hdUcUj-XUg1ALXHu9OBZdFwsh1jGjjdsvdTF8F3zTadSU-1BppeU6fiXvAAkgqOE/w400-h189/20210102_121806.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butter Lamp</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I don't think I'll have to say this since it has been circulating in social network for the past few years. However let me highlight so that it relates to what I'm going to say. According to the translated version of <i>Pema Kathang</i> which, of course, is the (auto-) biography of Guru Rinpoche, there you'll get to see some of the prophecies too. One of the prophecies that the great Guru clairvoyantly pointed was on how sangha or dharma practitioners in the future would act. What we’re going through should not be a surprise as it has been seen by the buddha of three times, (past, present and future). I'm mentioning this in order to avoid unnecessary badmouthing amongst ourselves—fellow humans. Bad actions will breed only bad results, let's be aware of this. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjPDTQtu63PQbv7-hgkgSOCoTGkXTobW2bmyx64T9q5QhOKvlNuzLte9qSU5ZazToZzneB9h0x_wJE5Wy3FUXxYQG9e-V28leMjyFTrzTBdGOWjXsRRUuCTO4c4b8dvgS2LXJ-TRAJwI/s1135/20210113_092130.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjPDTQtu63PQbv7-hgkgSOCoTGkXTobW2bmyx64T9q5QhOKvlNuzLte9qSU5ZazToZzneB9h0x_wJE5Wy3FUXxYQG9e-V28leMjyFTrzTBdGOWjXsRRUuCTO4c4b8dvgS2LXJ-TRAJwI/w254-h400/20210113_092130.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sur and Water offering</td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Coming to the point, some of you might think but I wasn't trying to cover up in the paragraph thereof by mentioning some irrelevant prophecies of what future would look like for us—dharma holders. Indeed I was trying to show evidence otherwise it is really hard to make people believe especially when everything is done in black and white, nowadays. Having said that let me point out my own fault; waking up after the sun rise, not eating foods on time, craving for worldly things—modern technology, dreaming beyond cloister, hardly contemplating, blah blah blah the list can go on and on. It is shame that I can even disclose my own fault proudly. Honestly I do have other features which make more materialistic and less monk.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlRLeV_jBOA1FtSifA9L43PNwh2yT1HRgRZ_tiYOzWjA8de7sUFmgtkabPJUzY_RomO-nR1-OtBgMjZ34J9JVjC88Fb2EERo-hobEx9DsaqA6onYhfzG512HpauInlHjbMIk7Grnailg/s4160/20210112_173850.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4160" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlRLeV_jBOA1FtSifA9L43PNwh2yT1HRgRZ_tiYOzWjA8de7sUFmgtkabPJUzY_RomO-nR1-OtBgMjZ34J9JVjC88Fb2EERo-hobEx9DsaqA6onYhfzG512HpauInlHjbMIk7Grnailg/w400-h189/20210112_173850.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kharchu Monastery </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Our Rinpoche has been always generous about his monks and sentient beings in general. To avert this pandemic, lately Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche issued a notice in his own handwritten paper clearly stating that monk’s will have to chant one hundred thousand (100,000) mantra of Guru Rinpoche and seven lines prayer. Apparently, irrespective of the monastic status, monks are busy even this year's winter holiday. Of course monks do not have holidays—literally saying. <br /><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">After the second lockdown in the nation it became quite different for me. Maybe a chance to repent? Our exams got over and I know what freedom means when you do not have to study. Most of us had plan for the winter vacation. Should I say a blessing in disguise? I would have gone somewhere and spent my days meaningless but now I'm doing something better than what I would have done in otherwise situation. Apart from this, every morning I get to hear a sound of dharma which usually do not happen even in monastery as everybody expects (there're factors why one will hardly see or hear ritualistic-liturgy in <i>Shedra</i> and, if I've to but I won't, I’ll take another paragraph to make some of you believe.) In the evening there's an offering of <i>sur</i> (burnt offering) which can nourish the bardo consciousness as well as hungry ghosts. While some are chanting mantras there are other health conscious circumambulating the monastery.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg7i9NwGwaN-bIqhvdGtf3RKgBMutGrKpEJyA2bgeXhJSqO9cbxFVM6eSS7Wv_D8sBE6FVhaoKQB6NWEbtLnjPw05JHe2QWQu5PjQyHiQT2ex5PCa7QCofrbJA0zSAE0mbFQimx2essU/s1197/FB_IMG_1610080468187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg7i9NwGwaN-bIqhvdGtf3RKgBMutGrKpEJyA2bgeXhJSqO9cbxFVM6eSS7Wv_D8sBE6FVhaoKQB6NWEbtLnjPw05JHe2QWQu5PjQyHiQT2ex5PCa7QCofrbJA0zSAE0mbFQimx2essU/w240-h400/FB_IMG_1610080468187.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: courier;"><br />I hope we will hav</span><span style="font-family: courier;">e a better days soon—I pray! </span></p>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-64485564979867844102021-01-03T23:08:00.001+06:002021-01-08T20:37:15.333+06:00Linking Family Tree<p style="text-align: justify;">I still remember my mother telling us how our generation would forget our ancestors and that she expected one of us to keep records. Alone, she would have written down a long list of names of her old parents and relatives, but only, if she was literated. I felt what she meant but I was not equipped at that time. Ever since I've always wanted to keep a records of our family's tree. On the contrary it was not going to be easy for me to keep lists of hundreds of people. I felt the need for right technology. I even tried browsing on Google but I failed. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">In 2015, one of my uncles, Pema Dendup, showed me a copy of several A4 sized papers in which he has recorded a history of our forefathers. He wanted me to proceed with digital recordings. I paid less heed to what he has done but I wanted to take those papers help. I was looking for a better way. I knew there would be better way to sort out messy stuff but I wasn't sure how to do until I came across <a href="https://www.passudiary.com/2020/12/drawing-my-family-tree-during-lockdown.html?m=1" target="_blank">Passu Diary's</a> post few days ago. Going through the post I felt an immediate urge to dig out my family tree. And that's how it happened with a free software called <a href="https://www.familyecho.com/#" target="_blank">Family Echo</a>. So far I traced 79 people and they are all from mother's side. I have sent an invitation to cousins so that they can add their own lines of information. This tracing can continue.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It is quite interesting to know about Lama Sangay Wangdi who happened to be a maternal uncle of my maternal grandfather Dawa Chojey. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsT88YbVs19dI44u79DChXErgRn_xZdm4kuGK8eee8M0G9ye1A7FUik4eNnCsGOya6EOIFKV-1twyijCzEN53pJBCFraHsEmC0ANdhJgcrHjgFHqJadDckt8dt10hgk6froRoxBvA9dlU/s813/Screenshot_20210103-140310_Chrome.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="704" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsT88YbVs19dI44u79DChXErgRn_xZdm4kuGK8eee8M0G9ye1A7FUik4eNnCsGOya6EOIFKV-1twyijCzEN53pJBCFraHsEmC0ANdhJgcrHjgFHqJadDckt8dt10hgk6froRoxBvA9dlU/w346-h400/Screenshot_20210103-140310_Chrome.jpg" width="346" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://kuenselonline.com/a-brief-history-of-yongla-goenpa-and-its-successive-lams/">https://kuenselonline.com/a-brief-history-of-yongla-goenpa-and-its-successive-lams/</a><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv09UlpYUWNLGOB48dkcp7amGA_zxSb1XhgQvJczcI6K-vykn-_M8sZPf_8-vg_f9_TwTbyfqR2PuVWtrVq121IOFPBzXEI8LHv6uW_FQlJUHbDNL6aWA1q37q7d1CYyvOkl07JnR_8rA/s720/20210103_222852.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="720" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv09UlpYUWNLGOB48dkcp7amGA_zxSb1XhgQvJczcI6K-vykn-_M8sZPf_8-vg_f9_TwTbyfqR2PuVWtrVq121IOFPBzXEI8LHv6uW_FQlJUHbDNL6aWA1q37q7d1CYyvOkl07JnR_8rA/w640-h298/20210103_222852.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Grandmother's family tree.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was done with the help of an aunt who lives in Samtse. We consider her with the much information than rest of the family but when I asked her, it was not evident enough so I had to skip some of them but I'll keep on validating. Sadly I couldn't trace before great grand parent and I doubt whether I can go far from where I'm stuck. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you're bored amid lockdown, take this as a game and trace your family's tree. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-71291835323890798742020-11-30T08:38:00.004+06:002020-12-05T22:40:04.556+06:00Once Again At Tharpaling Monastery<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEm9PPQm9DsJ-vWy26gM0JykatvUIMB6sSH_LyhZgX-yz7zrx85zl0QFHEmzT1OWVV47cWppcPO17TJwUOnftJ41IQ5AASzoX6abT3rU2imN2KDrmuRY-tmOr-t_Ld-Xt6YAs1g18diLM/w400-h300/mmexport1606661311162-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group Photo</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I would have never known sacredness of Tharpaling if I had not chosen my present path. I'm saying this to repent for not visiting during my school days when I had an ample of time. Now I'm so busy that I can't even remember most of my daily chores. This sounds quite funny but it is true. Hardly I can manage time for myself to treat Tharpaling's inscrutable energy. Neither can I express nor can you describe being around this place. Honestly, I can only recommend you to visit, once in your life, to taste what people gets when they go back from here. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The place was initially blessed by Guru Rinpoche, later, prophetically, the number of interest of Buddhist priests visiting this place became a prominent both within and outside of country, especially Tibetans. One such figure that I fervently believe is The Great Longchen Rabjam who spent almost a decade’s time into exile. For me the synonym of Tharpaling is Longchenpa. <a href="https://rtwangchukreverse.blogspot.com/2019/10/chudra-nyekor-kikiphu-hike.html?m=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">(What is the literal meaning of Tharpaling?)</a> What Longchenpa has achieved in his life is beyond sky and the earth. I, vehemently, say that we as a Buddhist owe this great practitioner in many aspects. There is no doubt that I beseech him like any other buddha's of three times. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Therefore our class made a trip. This trip went so well that I instantly felt like blogging. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'll be forever indebted to certain group of people for their sponsorship without them this trip would have been nothing more than a plan. They’ll remain in our daily prayers. Some great masters of the past and present always said and says how lay practitioners can accumulate merits: patronage is one such kind of an act. It takes immeasurable amount of time to ripe one's acts & I just can't imagine when we might have started for this particular moment. It also requires perfect cause and condition to mesh together in order to ripe the fruits. Of course every moment of life flows in that cycle but most of the moments that we experience are not which allow us to do dharma. I've no other choice but to embrace and cherish a wonderful moment like this. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Accompanied by Khenpo, few other seniors, patrons and some devotees, our class performed simple puja, essential tantric sacramental rite offering, inside Chodra Gompa. Our simple act was aimed to close session of the class which is done every year at this time. It was such a breathtaking moment for me to be in a holy place that too with a great purpose—service to sentient beings. Nearly two and half hours rite closed with a speech by our coordinator. We dispersed to visit holy sites after taking a lunch and a photo session. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This time I couldn't visit any site’s. One reason is because I want to visit whenever I get time and feel as if I'm visiting for the first time. So I leave some of the sacred sites to unfold in my next trip what is known in Buddhist terminology as predisposition (བག་ཆགས). This time I sat along with three others in a small temple and did a recitation of one of the sacred scriptures composed by Longchen Rabjam at Gangri Thoekar in Tibet. Temple was enlarged later in an exact place where Longchenpa has spent time composing several books. I could feel the energy of great master. It has a collection of statues and other sacred items. I was lost in the presence of Longchenpa and didn't bother to ask anything beyond. Such is the power of my master Longchenpa! We spent almost an hour. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was 3:00 PM when I looked into my cellphone time. Many of our friends were busy visiting holy sites. I told them to get ready as soon as possible. They agreed. Since there was enough time, we thought why not take a walk before all the friends have assembled. I informed our bus driver that four of us would be walking ahead on the road. We talked all kinds of nonsense, walked nearly two hours, it started to get cold, and yet bus was not coming from behind. We reached Uruk village, met cow herders returning home with their cattle, saw some villagers busily greeting us while repairing fence and finally we heard roar of a bus in the distant. Not to my surprise, heard our friends singing songs in the bus, it was pretty dark by then. We hopped in. I recollected past memories when they sang a song that doesn't have beginning and end. Isn't it a refreshing moment away from our strict monastic rules? Some people would badmouthed for such behaviors but monks aren't that way all the time. We do but once in a blue moon. We are a human too, as I say oftentimes.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>We have taken an oath to improve, we aren't improved. </i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Every time I go to Tharpaling, I pray and wish to return again. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Some of the photos from the trip</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8InhCC2eOev8r0KQfdvAzsECM51NjxNNfjX9Vn74EdZIubyIg34iMF1YzrPZ1OmjOkvu_MsJuFjUtraySTvEJZ6ZxVckO4dL9LpxCyqlC1rQBUzsTRI-ryZXo0_Kqcaxz5dnAjHyQnw/s2578/20201129_113735-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8InhCC2eOev8r0KQfdvAzsECM51NjxNNfjX9Vn74EdZIubyIg34iMF1YzrPZ1OmjOkvu_MsJuFjUtraySTvEJZ6ZxVckO4dL9LpxCyqlC1rQBUzsTRI-ryZXo0_Kqcaxz5dnAjHyQnw/w400-h189/20201129_113735-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Performing Feast</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwDdS_828g5YlnoIRrA2n5Fpj7bsa1z9fOU80hrRx3cCH7kRyqxt-Qo3d5nIMxL83HbBIusW26K4JWnGSjol9Yp-BMlRAizvvved_evy5xiDlcoLua2zQfCCovQow9QkA6dOd1ei7fyI/s2578/20201129_121500-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwDdS_828g5YlnoIRrA2n5Fpj7bsa1z9fOU80hrRx3cCH7kRyqxt-Qo3d5nIMxL83HbBIusW26K4JWnGSjol9Yp-BMlRAizvvved_evy5xiDlcoLua2zQfCCovQow9QkA6dOd1ei7fyI/w400-h189/20201129_121500-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Offering Feast Song</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchkQCnT5RMEpXdjLpPGZrVOf2MwmdekGQYvrXcjYa5z3kM2kx6i2zMT7IedkWsgwZNyUTVq01onUPJ1vldf7UjBIb1M4-MeTKm_78_se2UBr3o-unqFLHLFV-nqEkNZCGBN38YYNc03c/s2578/20201129_131705-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchkQCnT5RMEpXdjLpPGZrVOf2MwmdekGQYvrXcjYa5z3kM2kx6i2zMT7IedkWsgwZNyUTVq01onUPJ1vldf7UjBIb1M4-MeTKm_78_se2UBr3o-unqFLHLFV-nqEkNZCGBN38YYNc03c/w400-h189/20201129_131705-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UQqHXQQ-QfKR1RthcH4KMkt65Dwl7Mv-VErkpP9DGspsVAZc3QSxaCAUtu-Zjlr1iSkCyEpS80JBmAmYPm-IaVZr9r9PGcwrVBSOQ_cGyjVpsu_aRR8WIs7Ru4RpwN3e8dM_cyWeUhs/s2578/20201129_151043-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UQqHXQQ-QfKR1RthcH4KMkt65Dwl7Mv-VErkpP9DGspsVAZc3QSxaCAUtu-Zjlr1iSkCyEpS80JBmAmYPm-IaVZr9r9PGcwrVBSOQ_cGyjVpsu_aRR8WIs7Ru4RpwN3e8dM_cyWeUhs/w400-h189/20201129_151043-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Returning After A Feast Offering</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuT18vrOtzwxuMTIrsK-E4t7SAM1VTBfYN8AsYcOp4iDw4_5WSEc8l_TimGJVxfIVEIZBJ9Aohog5H00hhZ3p5AZDLZlJ5gfZlyv3wXN5MOrpDS5S2xYqsZDH9iOyAEcxTbvyPKvviKA/s2048/mmexport1606701852609-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuT18vrOtzwxuMTIrsK-E4t7SAM1VTBfYN8AsYcOp4iDw4_5WSEc8l_TimGJVxfIVEIZBJ9Aohog5H00hhZ3p5AZDLZlJ5gfZlyv3wXN5MOrpDS5S2xYqsZDH9iOyAEcxTbvyPKvviKA/w400-h300/mmexport1606701852609-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feast</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><br /></b></div>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-55384225223067037162020-11-21T22:01:00.003+06:002020-11-21T22:26:50.560+06:00My Neighbor Next Door<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zApvz4G1e9yuT3Lhlp7LUQZzK8e2adOLVFMvnaCXqtnoeOqItKMa9h_6xbMTe5iSmfv9AERJKUPRIdBXa0_c0pDmux8xWkRH-WaMUB0gpCQpdHy6KC1tHFAUlmsqGYBE71XEW2cuegg/s2578/20201121_183815_mfnr-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2578" data-original-width="1220" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zApvz4G1e9yuT3Lhlp7LUQZzK8e2adOLVFMvnaCXqtnoeOqItKMa9h_6xbMTe5iSmfv9AERJKUPRIdBXa0_c0pDmux8xWkRH-WaMUB0gpCQpdHy6KC1tHFAUlmsqGYBE71XEW2cuegg/s320/20201121_183815_mfnr-01.jpeg" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Friends, I haven't told you about a friend next to my room. I'll introduce you to this person that I think you'll like. It has been completely three years since we knew each other. The monks, not to mention only students, even seniors know him because he is such a hilarious guy. We call him Pemba which of course is his good name. </span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But frankly speaking, occasionally, this guy irritates me. I will share how he does this. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Every morning, Pemba would knock on my window's glass while I would be busy with my prayer. When I look at him, he would show me his weird facial expressions to amuse me. I would smile if my mood is good otherwise he would see me in a different way. He hardly gets exhausted to keep me entertained but I get fed up, sometimes, with him. When I show angered face, Pemba would pretend to vanish and reappear when he knows that I've restored into normalcy. Once again, I'll have to pretend to jump down the throat, to avoid him from my sight. I would giggle, then. This is how two of us greet.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You won't believe me what kind of stories Pemba has and that I heard some of them from him. Although I can narrate all I won't for some reason. Those that I'm going to share are highlights of his life, so far. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pemba lost his mother at a very young age and was brought up by his father and elder siblings. His father got married to another woman and left, yet never missed affection under his elder sister's care. But mother is mother only. Nothing can replace her. You and I know that. Nevertheless he was sent to school though he was slower than rest of the mates. I was told by Pemba that he had to repeat each grades. Friends of his age left him and he had to cope with another batches. Of course he would easily cope up. His life took a different direction one day and that has changed a lot. He was traveling between Zhemgang and Gelephu in his cousin’s car. Upon regaining consciousness, he found himself in the bed and had a pain when he tried to move. So he asked sister, only to know from her that he had survived an accident two weeks back. He could tell me not more than that. Because he could recollect not beyond this. The luck has turned in a different form, I say, because it was that indelible incident which pushed him to spiritual path. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was not easy for him, especially when he had to study and do examinations in the monastic school too. Once, Pemba, just like any other monk, was assembled in the examination hall. He got dismissed from exam hall. He was laughing hysterically when he shared me how his teacher whipped him on that day. Why? You know, his shaky hands didn't allow him to write properly. Instead wrote a word and filled the space that was provided to accommodate whole monastery name. This infuriated his teacher. Logically I do not see fault with Pemba but that's how life is. Unfair! There should have been better options for him. Is written exam only an option? </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">His story doesn't end here. Pemba enrolled to study in higher Buddhist studies which means he will have to face exam for next ten years. He will have to pass the grades in order to complete in time and it was obvious he won't make through such. However, he tried, he failed every attempted examinations for two consecutive years. Since examination is not ultimate aim of Buddhist studies, he was granted under special consideration and exempted from most feared challenge of his life. Today, he goes to the class regularly and receives oral transmission but I find him holding pen, mostly scribbling. He even goes to practice jaling-Tibetan Trumpet. If you cannot enjoy the fruit of success in this life, you've next life. He believes in this. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To me, to you, to some of us, such kind of life will be harder. The way my neighbour handle his life is awe-inspiring. I see him living life in such a way that sometimes, I feel, his stories are meant to boost when I get low. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-8013160657004732602020-10-18T09:43:00.003+06:002020-10-18T09:43:48.856+06:00Living With Fear<p>I do not remember when was the first time a fear has pinched me but learning philosophies to greater heights makes me to believe that fear was already in me from a time immemorial. It is quite crazy but then that's the fact. Needless to say, you and I've experienced fear in some point of our life. Isn't it? It is the fear of getting something, losing something, departing from dear one's, meeting unknowns, so on and on. Despite going through such kind of unpleasant feeling, we have lived our life, at least I consider that way and adjusted in every situations. Considering the fact, it is fear that shaped us and pushed us to arena of fearlessness. Maybe maybe not, as you read the lines on fear, your adrenaline rush gets activated for a valid reason that in one point of life you went through FEAR. Sharing your old memories gives you strength to face fear. Don't have to believe me. Go on and give a try. </p><p>What's my biggest fear in life? Ask yourself. </p><p>If truth be told, there was never a time in my life without fear, to make a long story short, at this moment, my fear is; are my sentences arranged correctly, what will others think if I write this way, am I justifying the meaning of fear as per other people's beliefs. Actually these thoughts keeps me going forward. Are the thoughts, which strikes me time and again, necessary? Not all thoughts are necessary but remember they're all part of journey. There is only one thing and that is to move with thoughts--thoughts of fear! </p><p>Let me share an incident in my life that I have never forgotten till date. On the first day of my school, more than two decades passed, I wept like any pampered child would do. But I do not find any specific reasons on why I silently erupted into crying the very moment when I saw mother at a little distances away from me. It surely was a fear but what kind of fear? Right after assembly got over, I ran off to my mother and burst out into a louder cry. She patted at my back with a consoling touch and that I'll have learn to face fear in life. Those soothing touch from mothers' are the best remedy to heal any kind of wounds. Later I realised that mother's love isn't spoken often and that they can touch you even when they gaze. As of now, this is my oldest known incident which I can relate.</p>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-76500374319712877812020-07-26T21:34:00.007+06:002020-08-04T14:28:29.109+06:00Simple Hot Stone Bath<div style="text-align: justify;"><span></span>What if I told you that we went for hot stone bath today? Normally this kind of bath are taken in winter and rarely one will come across a situation like ours. Any ways, ours was another unprepared plan and also for the fact that it is a month of sundays and I didn't want to waste it doing regular chores. It was also last night that I felt like bathing in a traditional way—which not only cleanse physical dirt but inner too. In brief, it cleanses diseases, so, many in the past had used this for that purpose. And I couldn't stop myself from believing as I've to go through such pains which needed immediate cure too.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRs_xhZeHdXy4lkrlkDltUQnGIKbepppMZtwOkirZxy2RpNpVEtJ_PKeKxn4n9kDdNO3UulnqPLR-soM51gyeeTmCZ3Z6wamztfSC_fMU1qahyphenhyphenzcvSSw9vuiJHXBPe54WJ-wDnPP1twVM/s4160/20200726_083830.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRs_xhZeHdXy4lkrlkDltUQnGIKbepppMZtwOkirZxy2RpNpVEtJ_PKeKxn4n9kDdNO3UulnqPLR-soM51gyeeTmCZ3Z6wamztfSC_fMU1qahyphenhyphenzcvSSw9vuiJHXBPe54WJ-wDnPP1twVM/w469-h625/20200726_083830.jpg" width="469" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stupa on the way</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But Today, in the early morning, I never thought we would manage to go since the weather was unfavorable. Slowly it became clear to me that today is the day. Of course I should not be too quick to judge weather as it is known for unpredictable from time immemorial. However, three of us decided to go to a stream below the monastery where <i>Gelongma Palmo</i> is believed to have spent sometimes doing meditation. I was told earlier by friends about the <i>menchu</i>, I saw some monks going there for the same reason and frankly speaking, I was waiting for the right moment to knock. Glad to have done it today. Wow!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacL9LHZO2XeY_g9a6b1Prm8Yql6xh6Ig9zkR19Eo632HXpaK0c2ohPBZtvvvS6SZ-SVzkf6kwtL_v94C0YsGXbyA_flDnhXH_ktLo5cGCS6XIedH6Ww4M-DfnoT1dqNqpv_rELTZu-ZY/s4160/20200726_115855.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Stones being roasted" border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacL9LHZO2XeY_g9a6b1Prm8Yql6xh6Ig9zkR19Eo632HXpaK0c2ohPBZtvvvS6SZ-SVzkf6kwtL_v94C0YsGXbyA_flDnhXH_ktLo5cGCS6XIedH6Ww4M-DfnoT1dqNqpv_rELTZu-ZY/w625-h469/20200726_115855.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone's being roasted <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">For many, at least I assume, taking hot stone bath seems to be expensive. If you read how we did, you'll not only be surprised but also want to try it as the earliest. By the way, this was my first try. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Three basic things are, match box, knife (or axe if you prefer) and firewood. Rest we can adjust after reaching spot. But for us, we had to search firewood from nearby places and luckily we got enough to roast the stones. Otherwise it will be hard to get, especially dried logs in monsoon season. One of my friends had previous experiences and this eased us. He failed several attempts before making a fire as everything was wet. I washed tub while another one vanished into bushes to find extra firewood. It was also teamwork with mutual understanding that quickened our process. After roasting stones for more than 2hrs, I took the first chance to dip into tub and experience a wonderful medicinal bath I’ve ever tried. I was told that even lesser stones can easily heat the water in the tub if the stones are heated longer. It depends on stone's to heat the water. They've a direct proportion. Longer the stone heated means faster the chances of getting water hot. Adding artemisia plant make’s the bath aromatic one. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbjQPJlJ4UdyQvBhTE-dl-p7cE_ltF2oRj55_Yj5VDaFR0f6e8AXoy62GbMPQ6V5HSsZFJfI2D14AMHbTiPvPe3f6mkb-qi0RQ_iTKe6O_Ml01lu8evE6BuDbBfck2u0TkYFuTz0XVmQ/s2048/20200726_115759.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbjQPJlJ4UdyQvBhTE-dl-p7cE_ltF2oRj55_Yj5VDaFR0f6e8AXoy62GbMPQ6V5HSsZFJfI2D14AMHbTiPvPe3f6mkb-qi0RQ_iTKe6O_Ml01lu8evE6BuDbBfck2u0TkYFuTz0XVmQ/w625-h469/20200726_115759.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bath Tub</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We should have taken hot tea and snacks, I wished on that tub. None of us carried any eatable items. It was heavy breakfast that kept us strong till noon. Maybe that's why we were not concerned about not bringing edibles. I would prefer to carry next time. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After soaking for nearly an hour, I offered two friends who were waiting and were busy roasting stones. When I stepped out from the tub, as informed by a friend, giddiness caught me for few seconds. Could be a blessing in disguise? Because, usually, orally, religiously, I was told about such symptoms and it occur only when it works with your ailment. Maybe I heard it wrong. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mxSmf3s56_G8VD4Om7IQEMz2yleDkTHFFLFJYohwh6CJYSt3X-HT8Yru5KuRx8ywj8sIFI7PJMrIiTaHXmyoF1rj-aRZh3k-PIO1OabI5qZDtfqXMFVIiXBKzIV1bad70DOM40_wr-U/s2048/20200726_113744_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mxSmf3s56_G8VD4Om7IQEMz2yleDkTHFFLFJYohwh6CJYSt3X-HT8Yru5KuRx8ywj8sIFI7PJMrIiTaHXmyoF1rj-aRZh3k-PIO1OabI5qZDtfqXMFVIiXBKzIV1bad70DOM40_wr-U/w375-h500/20200726_113744_1.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing myself</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I pray this medicinal bath cures me in every sense. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally, we finished everything and took lunch around 2:00 PM at my brother's home. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319941161375264846.post-55426179785872231592020-07-07T20:32:00.000+06:002020-07-07T20:33:37.609+06:00Turning & Turning In The Widening Gyre Of Samsara<div style="text-align: justify;">In loving memory of the old me, let me share an information which might not have much sense. One of the most widely celebrated day in life, in my observation, is the day when one is born. Fortunately or unfortunately, I never had an exact birthday. For this reason I'm excluded from celebrating birthdays. My dear mother confirmed my birth day somewhere in fifth month of a <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4iw8zL7jxeHpA739Peb8LoV1wW4XcAx9WtmeJWiRlFNMk82_6leq_ncJaLuGjOAhaCtkkY9lv5of3ywQeSb8k6Crf0cyWUHmYdWID4XNpWq867LyQuRDlXXbha96kPXnqO1UE0uXu2A/s2048/20190526_185018-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4iw8zL7jxeHpA739Peb8LoV1wW4XcAx9WtmeJWiRlFNMk82_6leq_ncJaLuGjOAhaCtkkY9lv5of3ywQeSb8k6Crf0cyWUHmYdWID4XNpWq867LyQuRDlXXbha96kPXnqO1UE0uXu2A/s320/20190526_185018-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture is the imagery of samsara</td></tr></tbody></table>Tibetan calendar. Possibly it could be on first week of a July. Despite the fact of not having a recorded birthday, it never bothered me at all! I am a true believer of Brian Tracy’s, “It doesn't matter where you're coming from. All that matters is where you're going.” When someone teases me, I defend with wit and convince them that everyday is my birthday. However, there is one reason I found difficult to accept. Birthdays are one side of a truth. I've to develop an undiscriminating appetite to understand this fact. Let me disclose who I am today has a fear within me; the fear of death. The fruit of temporary achievement (living a materialistic life) didn't motivated me as much as fear has been a primary motivator. Fear has never held me back, indeed it has pushed me into a new environment. But death is not the sole culprit. It is birth which begins not only this unavoidable cycle but for everything we can experience in this world. Birth and death are inseparable. They're two sides of a coin. If so, why do I embrace birth? And why do I ignore death? Here too, I need a valid reason. I have an insatiable appetite for the eternal path and the possibility is seen although the track is obscure.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For the joy of human birth and the dreadfully felt fear for death, let me remind myself with the ticking of every second about the little time of life. It maybe a most cherished day but it is a day that adds fear in my chapter of life. Eventually and ultimately I can feel a happy birthday for I have lived these many days since score and seven years. I will continue to ponder the questions of birth and life and the cycle of living each day. And each year during the month of my birth I’ll look even more deeply into my thoughts of so many others who share the same questions, concerns and wonder at both sides of this coin called life on planet earth. The two sides coin of birth and death.</div>Jamyang Lodennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896881116475594085noreply@blogger.com0