What's been happening lately........

Sometimes we like to do kora around His Holiness Dalai Lama's temple. Basically by walking around the place clockwise you create merit (like good karma or energy) because of all the holy objects inside. The more you can generate good thoughts when doing this the better. Also, it is very beautiful with lots of trees, colourful prayer flags (below) and prayer wheels.

Some of the many prayer flags around HHDL palace.

This very special statue is hardly ever on display in His Holiness Dalai Lama's temple. It only comes out on SakaDawa (May 31st - special Buddhist day when the historical Buddhist was born, attained enlightenment and manifested dying). This statue is of Chenrezig (Buddha of Compassion) is said to have manifested of its own accord - i.e. it was not created by anyone.

I find it to be extremely life like with an amazing presence, so wise and loving....

This is me standing next to a gigantic pot that they use at the temple to cook food for all the monks and nuns when they come for teachings. Or maybe this is the pot that they make chai in.... Everyone is offered chai during the teachings (provided you BYO cup). Sometimes they offer Tibetan tea which is completely gross - it is milk with tea leaves dipped in for about half a second (really weak) and then rancid butter is mixed in..... yum..

This is Corey, Free and Rob - three Aussie blokes - waiting for their sushi to arrive at the Japanese restaurant.

It was such a clear night with an excellent view of the beautiful mountains surrounding McLeod Ganj.

This is part of the Tushita crew just before Venerable Namdrol left for Nepal (she is the nun second from the left at the back). She is totally amazing, inspirational and one of my heros. Her aim is to do 600 Nyung Nays, which is a extremely difficult fasting retreat. She has already done 144!!!!!

Next to her on the left is Sonam (cook), and the right is Corey (Aussie jazz guy), Old Lama Gupa (a very special monk that lives at Tushita), Ollie (the new office walla), Tashi (librarian), below Pieta (manager), me, Sabine (Spiritual Program Coordinator), Chunno (cook) and Rob. In front is Dawa, Kalu and Chogu.

Rob and I posing with the mantra machine - the rumbling cement mixer. Gotta love the way they paint flowers on the heavy machinery over here!!! A country where guys hold hands all the time and wear skin tight pink t-shirts with Britney Spears on them - not at all afraid of their feminine side, which I think is really cool.

Pieta, Maya and Rob hanging out in the office.

This man cracked a HUGE rock with a mallet, a few well placed metal stakes and a life time of knowledge of where to hit rocks to make them break.

These are my English students, Venerable Sopa and Tashi. They kinda look the same in this photo but they are not related....

This is Lama Yeshe's stupa during a light offering on SakaDawa. This stupa houses some of the relics of Lama Yeshe. Relics are pearl like substances that remain after the cremation of holy beings. They are an indication of the spiritual attainments of great mediators. It was a beautiful peaceful night and a great way to end an amazing day.