Leh is a place of Buddhism. The monks about whom I heard about since
long, I was looking forward to meet them and talk with if get a chance.
And I got a lot of instances.
On day-2 we went to meet Nuns at LNA (Ladakh’s Nun Association) where we met the uncommon female monks. These were women from tough backgrounds, who had given up all pleasures of world for a good life for their family. The head nun shared a lot of wisdom over a cup of tea, followed by our worldly queries. We were then invited for their chanting. I tried hard to focus during that hour long chanting, but I realized I wasn’t ready for it. The monotonous rhythm of the chant still plays in my head but I had numerous thoughts to distract me.
I should mention about Sangsena Guruji, the founder and head of Mahabodhi. Though I did not had a personal session with him, we did got a chance to listen to his thoughts during a meditation session. He gave us suggestion, what exactly we should take back from Ladakh! it was wisdom. As you seclude, disconnected from the world of coca-cola and pepsi (that's exactly what he said), it would be worth to know the ancient culture of this place, the peace that resides in people living in the remote pockets. And two things I made a note of when he talked, "Wisdom is the real wealth" and "Parents are your treasures. Whatever you are capable of doing today, it's because they spent sleepless nights to bring you up and gave you all values"
After we came back from Pangong, we went straight to Hemis monastery, the biggest of Ladakh. We had another chanting here, to well wish our journey ahead to Shingo (for electrification). Another attempt to focus here, it was a failure. But I then looked at the faces of the monks reciting the hymns. They were young guys like me or any other, given up all worldly attachments, to live a life of celibacy. It was hard to believe so I wanted to personally talk with one monk. I went and asked a monk, he was of my age and I asked him about their life, then a tough question “Do you not get lured into the life that people like us meet you and show you, wearing cool clothes, goggles, phones and tablet?” He kind of was surprised by my ask but he politely answered. “No, never. The monks have given up on all that long ago and they never get such thoughts.”
At Shingo, when we reached I met this very happy monk who came from Sku (2 hr trek away from shingo), to see electrification at Shingo. This is his life, he travels to villages around Sku to offer prayer at their Gompas (small monasteries).
Next
day he oversaw all the electrification and joined us for a glass of
fresh lime. He quickly recited a prayer before drinking it. When we
asked he mention he is grateful to god for this drink so he offered his
thanks. I learnt something from him that day!
That night he switched on the first lights of Shingo after offering some more grateful prayers. Later when we danced after the sips of Chhang offered by villagers, few were surprised to see the monk dancing with us (I wasn’t though as I learnt to be happy in every sense is a part of Buddism)
Then were the young monks at Mahabodhi, one of them just 6 years old.
On day-2 we went to meet Nuns at LNA (Ladakh’s Nun Association) where we met the uncommon female monks. These were women from tough backgrounds, who had given up all pleasures of world for a good life for their family. The head nun shared a lot of wisdom over a cup of tea, followed by our worldly queries. We were then invited for their chanting. I tried hard to focus during that hour long chanting, but I realized I wasn’t ready for it. The monotonous rhythm of the chant still plays in my head but I had numerous thoughts to distract me.
I should mention about Sangsena Guruji, the founder and head of Mahabodhi. Though I did not had a personal session with him, we did got a chance to listen to his thoughts during a meditation session. He gave us suggestion, what exactly we should take back from Ladakh! it was wisdom. As you seclude, disconnected from the world of coca-cola and pepsi (that's exactly what he said), it would be worth to know the ancient culture of this place, the peace that resides in people living in the remote pockets. And two things I made a note of when he talked, "Wisdom is the real wealth" and "Parents are your treasures. Whatever you are capable of doing today, it's because they spent sleepless nights to bring you up and gave you all values"
After we came back from Pangong, we went straight to Hemis monastery, the biggest of Ladakh. We had another chanting here, to well wish our journey ahead to Shingo (for electrification). Another attempt to focus here, it was a failure. But I then looked at the faces of the monks reciting the hymns. They were young guys like me or any other, given up all worldly attachments, to live a life of celibacy. It was hard to believe so I wanted to personally talk with one monk. I went and asked a monk, he was of my age and I asked him about their life, then a tough question “Do you not get lured into the life that people like us meet you and show you, wearing cool clothes, goggles, phones and tablet?” He kind of was surprised by my ask but he politely answered. “No, never. The monks have given up on all that long ago and they never get such thoughts.”
At Shingo, when we reached I met this very happy monk who came from Sku (2 hr trek away from shingo), to see electrification at Shingo. This is his life, he travels to villages around Sku to offer prayer at their Gompas (small monasteries).
 |
| The happy Monk of Shingo! |
That night he switched on the first lights of Shingo after offering some more grateful prayers. Later when we danced after the sips of Chhang offered by villagers, few were surprised to see the monk dancing with us (I wasn’t though as I learnt to be happy in every sense is a part of Buddism)
Then were the young monks at Mahabodhi, one of them just 6 years old.
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