On Sunday (May 20), we followed Kunchok to the Buddhist Temple in McLeod Ganj, to which the Dalai Lama's house was attached. We sat there enjoying the view and fervor of the Buddhist monks and nuns.
Tibetans are deeply religious people and it is not rare to see a Tibetan interrupt and resume his/her prayers around exchanges with others.
I enjoyed the peacefulness of the place and the Tibetans natural happiness! A simple "Tashi Delek!" (Tibetan salutation) would immediately illuminate their faces with the happiest smiles! Tibetans are of a peaceful and happy nature but also very shy. However, they love to laugh and have a great sense of humor: even with language barriers, they make jokes with gestures and a few words. It was amazing to realize how they would jump on every opportunity to laugh!
We turned the prayer rolls touring the Temple and passed through the kitchen smelling chai tea…
Outside stood a big board with pictures of Tibetans who sacrificed their life for Tibet's Independence.
Kunchok led us through a nice walk around the Temple, on a path on the mountainside. There, macaques, goats and cows were sharing the space with passers-by.
The colorful Buddhist prayer-flags were hanging here and there and a Buddhist shrine showed a plaque showed a painting of the Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Underneath, one could read the following words:
The Tibetans in general and especially the brave living and dead Tibetan heroes, unrelenting and not discouraged, continue to hold high the plag of Tibetan struggle for truth. Their accomplishments and determination shall be remembered and rejoiced in by the future generation of Tibetans.
We would like to remind all the Tibetans both in and outside Tibet, and those who respect universal human rights, truth and freedom that it is their duty to support the Tibetan cause. For the survival of peace in this world, and for the speedy solution to the Tibetan struggle, we sincerely pray from the depth of our heart."
Later on the path, another plaque holding a prayer reminds the passers-by of the Tibetan's concerns for the environment:
"A Prayer For All Sentient Beings
For the well-being of Mother Earth-- holder of all life forms; for all its inhabitants in general; and particularly to protect the endangered species from the brink of extinction, His Holiness the Dalai Lama issued a special appeal to all Tibetans to abstain from using the products of species facing extinction. Following His Holiness' appeal, Tibetans inside and in exile destroyed their highly-treasured possessions made from endangered species and pledged never to use them again. This selfless act by the Tibetan people is an important milestone in environmental protection-- worthy of admiration, remembrance and a source of inspiration for people the world over.
Remembering the countless endangered species that have died for us, we pray that all human beings be guided by the compassion of the Noble One to live harmoniously with Mother Nature."
July 6, 2007
Tesi Environmental Awareness Movement Priject Funded by Rowell Fund through the International Campaign for Tibet
As I passed my head above the hanging curtain of a little Temple on the path, I saw a monk praying, he smiled at me without interrupting his prayer and signed me to come sit with him. I hesitated, looking back and trying to warn someone form the group that I was about to enter the Temple but no one was in sight. I took off my shoes and entered. The monk lifted the burgundy cushion to have me sit on the low step. I sat and was enjoying his chanting but I heard Bryan calling my name… I tried to gesture some excuse for being so disruptive and the monk smiled at me again, still chanting.
I left the room and turned to look over the curtain again: the monk was already back in contemplation, I wanted to take a picture of this moment, of this smiling monk in this little red room lighted by the morning sun through small windows… Instead I memorized the instant and joined Bryan and the rest of the group.
After lunch, Kunchok agreed to take some of us for a hike to a waterfall. The day was really hot and we were worried about the traffic in the mountain: this weekend had seen a big cricket game in which Dharamsala was playing. The game had brought a loud crowd to McLeod Ganj which was still on the mountain road… But Kunchok was to take us to a different route and the walk was really enjoyable up to the village preceding the river side.
On the way, I was shocked by the number of women working on the construction fields carrying rocks on their head!
In the last village, we passed by a pool reserved to men. The women pool was supposedly hidden and covered and truly the men looks on our group were insisting and disturbing. But this was not the least of my surprise: from the path we could look down to the river. People were bathing and having fun all along the river up to the waterfall about 2 kilometers up. But as I shot pictures, I realized that the only people enjoying the refreshing water in this strong heat were the men!
The few women who were down in the river were putting no more than their feet into the water. Some were there watching the children holding an umbrella while the men of the family were having fun splashing and bathing in the natural pool formed along the river… Other women were cleaning and drying large carpets. In the meantime, men on the path were still giving us insisting looks.
We did not care to go up to the waterfall anymore. It was hot and I think everyone could feel something we couldn't get used to: the difference of treatment between men and women was always disturbing and so overwhelming that I couldn't enjoy the beauty of the landscape fully…
We headed back to McLeod Ganj…
and contemplated life from our balconies…
… Or on each other’s balcony…
