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=0=| After lunch we walked to pretty much the far end of the Tibetan Camp where they had two shrines. There are four main lineages or sects of Tibetan Buddhists. The shrine here is on the right and is for the Gelug lineage (according to Chuck's recollection) which is led by the Dalai Lama while the shrine on the left (below) is for the Kagyu lineage which is led by the Karmapa. To further complicate matters, there are now two incarnations of the Karmapa with different abbots and monasteries recognizing each, dividing the Kagyu sect into two sects. This can cause problems for students who fear that the lineage is not true as they wonder how there can be two true reincarnations of the Karmapa and what if the selection of their group is wrong. |
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| I am not bothered by that, as any distinction between individuals is false. We exist as separate individuals only temporarily and, according to my beliefs, our true state is that of unity. We are like waves on the ocean which don't really exist (there is no clear boundary between waves which are actually just pertubations of the ocean). A single wave can separate and become two, likewise two waves can combine and become one. In the same sense I see no problem with there being two incarnations of the Karmapa now. Both seem to be true incarnations and we are blessed with two great spiritual teachers. |
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| Here is Chuck just after he started the prayer wheel at the entrance of the Kagyu shrine (and behind him) spinning. We went in and meditated for a fedw minutes as the monks recited prayers. The other problem with having two recognized Karmapas is that monks pretty much need to go with the monastery they are staying at and can no longer easily visit monasteries which have recognized the other Karmapa, which is sad. This particular shrine resolved that problem as there are pictures of both incarnations of the Karmapa (so all monks are welcome I presume). |
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| Just outside that end of the Tibetan Camp, there is a pedestrian bridge (above and here) across the highway. We used it to get to one of Mother Teresa Homes (below). Also above is the view of the Tibetan Camp from the other side of the highway. From the distance it doesn't look quite as cramped and chaotic. |
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| After entering the facility, there was an entrance just to our left which we went through (here) which took us straight into the dormitory section. Quite spartan but functional and clean. There were a few men and volunteers there, but they said the nuns were in prayer then in the white chapel, below. |
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| While the nuns were praying, a couple were walking by and one was able to show us around. Beyond the dormitory section were the latrines and showers (straight through) and kitchen area (to the right). We went to the left where there was a porch area with one to two dozen men, almost all mentally retarded. She mentioned that there were other facilities for women. They was also construction on a larger facility (below). |
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| Beyond the porch area there was a large garden area with some vegetables planted. The men helped with the garden as they were able. |
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This page was last updated on March 22, 2012.
