Kalachakra, Bodhgaya, India: Part 1

Jan 3, 2011

I am sitting cross-legged in a sea of maroon robes, beneath the bodhi tree where Buddha got enlightened. All day, reverberations of Tibetan chanting filled the air - deep, guttural voices echoing from the hollows of monk bellies and bouncing sound waves off the tall Stupa Temple. I am fascinated by how India is alread working me, in a much different way than Nepal. India is a surprise around every corner, a lotus flower blossoming in the mud.

Walking clockwise around the Stupa Temple, squished on every side by monks, Tibetans, and Himalayan Buddhists of every type, I was surprised to feel no guilt as I walked by a line of beggars holding out empty metal bowls through the openings in the fence. I have decided to save myself the confusing pain and internal guilt of thinking, each time I see a beggar, "Should I help them? Or not?" I have not once given any money to them. It is much simpler that way.

I can see the humor in some of the beggar's dramatic performances, and sense the dark humor about how over the top some of them are. Mostly, I want to save myself the pain and confusion of trying to solve someone else's problems. Maybe I will do some volunteering with this population or donate to an organization that benefits their cause sometime later. (Or not - there is no feeling of pressure - it's only about doing what I truly want to do, not giving lip service to my idea of what a good person should be.

Yesterday I wantered around the numerous Buddhist temples from many countries: China, Japan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bhutan, Tibet. The Tibetan temple was my favorite. It reminded me most of the gompas that I saw in Helambu, Nepal. I parked myself there for over an hour to listen to the monks doing a puja (ritual & chanting). There is something so earth-shattering and heavenly about the hollow pounding of the two turquiose 4-foot wide drums, the lightning clashes of the cymbals, and the deep growl of the 8-foot long horns. Then the rhythm of the chanting again sometimes is punctuated by a light snapping of the fingers of clapping of the hands.

The Tibetan temple is ablaze with color inside and out. It is an artist's paradise. By the way, the Italians are not the only ones to have painted frescoes in their places of worship - the Buddhists give them a run for their money! After soaking in the atmosphere a while, I realized another benefit, besides sheer beauty, of painting the temple in such rich colors: energetic color resonance. It was as though I were sitting inside the heart of a color symphony. All the instruments blended togethewr in such a splendid way as to create an intricate harmony that I could never forget and coul barely pull my eyes away from.

Perhaps the sweetest feature of the Tibetan temple was the birds' nest inside one of the chandeliers. I kept noticing the birds arriving at that one particular place, and it took me a while to realize that it was because of the nest - their home!

I think I am beginning 2012 on a good foot (!). January 1, I was present for the Dalai Lama's introduction. The whole atmosphere reminded me of what it was like to hear Maharishi Mahesh Yogi speak. Many people listening intently, wise presence projecting light and knowledge, inspiration and insight awakening in the hearts and minds of the many tens of thousands who are listening. Kalachakra also reminds me of meditation courses I've taken in the past - deep and intense spiritual energies, compounded by the power of maybe 100,000 people's prayers, presence, and intention for world peace.

It is interesting that the days leading up to January 1 were annoyingly hot - everyone seemed to be a bit short tempered. On the other hand, on the first of the year, the start of the Dalai Lama's presence in Bodhgaya and the accompanying chanting & ceremonies, it rained a nice, cleansing rain. It was funny being under the festival tent, watching water droplets collect into puddles above me, and then come splashing down in rivulets and showers. No one was very dry after that teaching, but everyon'e temperhad cooled by about 100 degrees. I remember the synchronized feeling fo communal calm as we all streamed out of the tent and into the streets now disgusting with mud. No one seemed to care as the thousands of us coolly wandered back through the town.

The days are still cooler and more comfortable, with bits of rain here and there. Tomorrow is the first day of official Kalachakra teachings with His Holiness. Looking forward to tuning in! English translation will be broadcast via FM radio.

Blessings and Namaste,
Melissa