Linda: By Chance April 18

By Chance

So, while writing the previous post, I was suddenly overwhelmed by the thought that the time to walk around the temple and monastery was NOW.

It was mid-afternoon and I wandered down the little street, lined with vendors and a few cafes, that led to the compound which includes the residence of the Dalai Lama. It is positive and auspicious to go around the mountain in a clockwise manner. To go the opposite way is not auspicious, unfortunate, “bad”. The road forks, but the one to the left (clockwise) is small. It doesn’t seem right. So, I go right, thinking that the way around will fork to the left shortly. It didn’t take long to find out that I was, indeed, going the wrong way. What to do? I decided to continue around, find out where the beginning was, and then go back the right way.

About ¾’s of the way around (the wrong way around), there is a monastery, a lovely gompa, and a hill covered in prayer flags. I decided to go up to the gompa and take a few photographs before finishing the walk. A young Tibetan man introduced himself and explained some of the history of Tibetan Buddhism, of his particular sect, of the Dalai Lama, and other topics. In addition to one humorous incident that is best told in person, he also talked about what it is like in Tibet and the Dalai Lama’s comments on his next life. The Dalai Lama is a spiritual being of such stature that he chooses to return to earth to help human beings rather than go to Paradise. This is the ultimate goal of compassion in Buddhism, as exemplified by the Buddha and other teachers and sages of this tradition. Besides the Dalai Lama, who has a political function as well as a spiritual function, there is also the Panchen Lama, who has purely a spiritual function. These two lamas are responsible for determining who the successor, or next Dalai Lama/Panchen Lama will be. The present Panchen Lama was found in Tibet in the 1990’s. Once his presence was announced, the Chinese seized him. He has not been seen since. The present Dalai Lama has written that he has to be born in a place where he can fulfill his function. He has written, quite definitively, that he will not be born in Tibet. (I was also told that he thought he might be born as a woman, as this is the century of the woman – a highly controversial statement, as are other things that he has said.) It seems that part of the process is being recognized by the Tibetan people, who, of course, if they do recognize him, will be imprisoned, tortured, or killed. And he has told them that they should denounce him if it means saving their lives, for one is not accountable for what one says when threatened. Is this the last “real” Dalai Lama? An interesting question; a sign of the times.

At any rate, I was speaking with this young man and decided it was time to go, now. He came along as well (we went the correct way). As we came to the entrance to the monastery, I saw several people lined up on the side of the road. Ah! I knew. Everyone “knew”. Fifteen minutes later, cars began to come down from the monastery and residence. Sitting in the second car, three feet away, was the Dalai Lama, leaving for the US, smiling and blessing those who stood there. I must say, his smile and his presence are as sunny and heart warming as his photographs. Eye contact is made and I felt blessed by a ray of happiness.

Afterwards, I went into the temple briefly then walked home, in silence. All within was still. All within was at peace. All within was intensely awake. Walking on a river of light.

Eleanor comes in a few hours. It will be wonderful to see her.