Every story starts somewhere
...Even the long ones. For those who maybe new or have forgotten, about 3 months ago my Lamas asked me to come teach at this Monastery effectivly taking me out of a normal city with electricity, toilets, running water and most other things that I had become used to as a citizen in the civilized world. I jumped at the opprtunity for 2 reasons. The first was that the request came from my Lamas...those who have been kind to me beyond description, who have given me entrance into the vajrayana path, and who are my Gurus...I could go on and on about that. The second reason is that I came to China with a specific purpose...to learn tibetan and I thought this was a much better environment to do that in.
So now I'm on vacation, school's out for 2 months. It's really weird to be back here after the serenity of Gar Monastery, but I'll write about that later since I have so many other things to speak on now.
These first two pictures were taken pretty early on. In addition to teaching at Gar Rinpoche's school I have also had the privaledge to visit a few really remote villages which wouldn't have a school if it wasn't for Rinpoche. So we go and take pictures of the students for sponsors worldwide. This is an amazing opportunity because most of these places are so remote that you wouldn't find them or have a reason to go there if not for the reason already stated. These journeys have had a big impact on me and my desire to continue to help over here in whatever way I can...but more about that later.
That first two pictures above is in front of the Che Chu River in October; I had just left Xining. The picture to the left is above the Monastery where I live. We had visited the upper Monastery and the Shedra, which are both higher up the mountain than the buildings below with the school, the lower Monastery and most of the people's homes. The higher you go the more dharmic you get.
Most of the monks live in the upper Gonba, which is the word in tibetan for Monastery.
Did I mention that I study tibetan everyday, and that I am basically operating at a beginning conversational level? I find it amazing that this has occurred in such a short period of time. I really can't praise complete immersion in a language enough if you really want to learn it. Of course learning is a bit different than it would be in America...tibetan children learn by a lot of repitition. They don't start reading for a couple of years, you have to spell everything out. I think this is helping because I have noticed lately that it's getting easier for me to read the longer I spell. Tibetan is a crazy language too because there are several dialects, and sub-dialects within those! The written language is the only thing that is the same. I am learning 2 different dialects mixed together which is neat. Sometimes I have to remember who I'm talking to before I start talking!
These next 2 are on the "terrace" that's outside of my house. It's breathtakingly beautiful night and day, and I can't wait for it to be warm enough to sit out there for long periods and relax. I like to eat my breakfast out there and just enjoy the view and relax, although your hands get VERY cold at tht time of the morning.
As you can see there isn't a cloud in the sky many days...sometimes it's just too good to be true. Before the sun comes over the mountains, they look blue from the sky reflecting off of the snow.
This is the faculty of our school...they are really cool people, and we have a lot of fun together despite the fact that I only speak a little tibetan and they only speak a little english. The gentleman in the middle is my tibetan teacher, and we are in his home having lunch in this picture. I hardly ever cook because the teachers are nice enough to cook for me, and it's a good thing since they are much better cooks than I am.
These are my kids. I really love them. I feel like they are my own children, since that is something I don't have in this life. They are funny kids, and over time have come to accept me a bit more than at the beginning. I think I'm the "cool" teacher...I probably let them get away with more than the others and my teaching style is definetly not the same. We sing songs, play games, I want them to enjoy my class!! Of course sometimes it freaks them out, because this is not the standard chinese/tibetan educational method but I don't care.
We also play alot during their breaks...catch or the equivalent of chinese hackysack. This is something I practiced all through high school so they try to do all the tricks I still remember.
I know it's going to be really hard to leave them someday.
The next picture was taken high in the mountains on our way back from a village we went to. The last picture we took on the way back to civilization a few days ago.
And that's my first entry...obviously I have lots more to share. If you have anything you would specifically like to know please ask.
Happy new year everybody. May all beings have happiness and its cause in their lives. May all be free from suffuring and it's source in their lives. May they experience happiness free from grasping. May they rest in equanimity, free from attachment and aversion.
5 Comments:
Hey Man! Nice to see your back in civilization and can catch us all up a bit. Glad to see that your enjoying this adeventure and look forward to catching up. happy nEw Year to everyone.
Peace.
Wow! You look so different, I see the transformation has begun!
Hey, this was in my mailbox this morning, thought I would share it...
"The dharma that is taught and the dharma that is experienced are descriptions of how to live, how to use your life to wake you up rather than put you to sleep. And if you choose to spend the rest of your life trying to find out what awake means and what asleep means, I think you might attain enlightenment".
-Pema Chödrön, "Wisdom of No Escape"
Stay safe and rest easy, we are having a mild winter so far and you know that is easier on the old folks.
Joan
Dear Ngodrup,
Tra Shi Delek,
you fit right in with the scenery and the few pictures I was able to see. Wish I could see the view as you have, but that is what your pictures are for. Very beautiful and breathtaking!!!
kungaa
Happy New Year Jonathan, I'm glad you are "Back on your Blog." I love the pictures and reading about your adventures. We're having a great time with Ben here in DC. I'm sorry we haven't been able to connect via telephone.
Joan P.
Dear Jonathan,
Just amazing!!!! I really have no words for what I see and feel from these pictures. you are everything there. Photographer, teacher, student, humanitarian. No doubt you are inspiring many. I love you and am so proud to be your sister. oxoxoxoxox
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