Class Picnic 2021

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. 

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. 

So today as I was listening to a new (not really new) Bhutanese song in tshanglakha, Nan gha dengay, 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. 

Many believes in memory and I too remember my bygone days while in the process of making some new memories. 

Here are some pictures from the spot. 

About to reach our spot

Playing football and in the back is khuru

Playing Khuru.
I bet a sum of cash Nu.100/- to anyone who hits the first target. Surprisingly he took away the prize as shown below. 

I placed the cash after his hit. 

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.
He was playing football with heart full of joyfulness. 

And here's a coach as many would tease if you do not play any games. 

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. 

Lunch break. 

After lunch break I returned to monastery. Many of them remained behind with their games program. It was a day spent meaningfully. 

Saving In A Clay Pot

I gave her name Dzambala (in Tibetan accent) supposed to be Jhambhala (in Sanskrit.) It means the god of wealth.

May this become like a wish-fulfiling tree. Bringing best for every sentient beings! 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

Sunday Getaway at Kurjey: circumambulating 108

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?

Kurjey Lhakhang 

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. 

He isn't such a glutton. Only a pose. 

Munching carrot.

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. 

Keeping a track of every round with the help of pebbles. 

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. 

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? 

Kurjey through my eyes. 

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. 

Pempa make sure to come Kurjey every weekend's. 

New Year 2021 At Lhodrak Kharchu

Iron Female Ox Year 2021

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. 

Auspicious Soup

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. 

Source: Tibetan Dictionary.

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. 

Losar Day

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. 

Flour blessing 

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. 

In one of the websites, (https://samyeinstitute.org/sangha-updates/losar-tibetan-new-year/) 'This shower of tsampa increases the prosperity, health, and happiness of sentient beings. It also raises ‘wind horse,’ or luck,  bringing forth auspicious circumstances.'

Pictures

I did not carry phone in the morning hours therefore first four pictures are copyright reserve of Kharchu Editorial Committee page in Facebook. 

Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche Giving Blessing.

Devotees.

Monks and devotees in queue offering Tashi Delek to H.H.

Tshok.

Sumptuous Lunch.

Splendid Dining.

Monks dancing on Ko-Ka-Lay-Ko song. 

Serving Zaw.

Hot tea served.

Monks showering flour at private residence.

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. 

Spirituality And Lockdown 2.0

Linking Family Tree

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. 

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 Passu Diary's 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 Family Echo. 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.

It is quite interesting to know about Lama Sangay Wangdi who happened to be a maternal uncle of my maternal grandfather Dawa Chojey. 

https://kuenselonline.com/a-brief-history-of-yongla-goenpa-and-its-successive-lams/

Great Grandmother's family tree.

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. 

If you're bored amid lockdown, take this as a game and trace your family's tree. 

Once Again At Tharpaling Monastery

Group Photo

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. 

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. (What is the literal meaning of Tharpaling?) 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. 

Therefore our class made a trip. This trip went so well that I instantly felt like blogging. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

We have taken an oath to improve, we aren't improved. 

Every time I go to Tharpaling, I pray and wish to return again. 

Some of the photos from the trip

Performing Feast

Offering Feast Song

Lunch

Returning After A Feast Offering

Feast