Kathmandu is a fascinating city. We had only a brief time to be there but we managed to make all the important connections.
Land of Many Blessings
The Boudha Stupa is one of the most amazing monuments in the world.
A recent cleanup committee decided that the multiple prayer flags hung on every post were not esthetic. It gave a very different feeling, so white and so clean.
Pabitra is our dear friend who lives with her family right in front of the stupa. She arranged for a hotel for us and guided us everywhere we needed to go.
A special bonus was the presence of her oldest daughter, Pooja. Pooja studies in Darjeeling, she is always in the top three of her class.
Outside my window, this timeless scene surrounded by buildings.
And from the roof, our friends the snow mountains.
One of my reasons for going to Kathmandu was to see Fatima. Fatima is a Tibetan Muslim trained in China as an acupuncturist. She is very good
Kutira took us to visit with her Tibetan family. The son in the upper middle is a graphic artist and has been working on their latest album cover.
We had just arrived when we were met by the Kopan nuns. We were all very happy with this encounter.
The next day we went to pay our respects to Lama Lhundrup and visit the holy stupa of Kopan
It is very precious
A small crew were freshening the paint, no wonder it looked so sparkling
Andrea came to meet us the next day and escort us to Tara Abbey
Thrangu Rinpoche established this nunnery and keeps a close eye on the progress of the nuns.
It is a marvelous establishment, the prayer hall will be finished at the end of this year
The Shedra, school for higher education, is in full swing. Nuns can focus on Sutric or Tantric practices, a marvelous opportunity for the women
Andrea has been teaching the Mandala Dance of Tara to this group for three years and they arranged to perform for us.
Andrea had choreographed the praises.
After the performance I gave a talk about how they are connected to dancing women all over the world. The two in green were the singers.
Gloria, in the center, is an old acquaintance of mine. She fund raises for the nunnery.
Robin and I spent the night and the next day I taught the entry into the mandala. Andrea offered live music with these two nuns.
Inside the Prayer Hall the Buddha was shrouded, awaiting the consecrations
The nuns really love to dance.
Then they hastened to the prayer room to do a Tara Puja.
Karma Dechen agreed to be our Tara Dhatu representative.
After the teaching Andrea invited Robin to hop aboard and visit her house.
Andrea lives on Swayambu hill, also known as the place of the monkeys
Pabitra has taken in a number of children to help educate them. Through Tara Dhatu we provide sponsorship for their school fees.
Many of our Dharma Emporium items are purchased for us by Pabitra and that helps feed and educate the children.
We took the gang to the zoo. This animal was out and about ready to be petted
The children did everything together
Then we took them to a restaurant
The momos were great.
She has been with Pabitra for some years and will soon graduate. Pabitra has found her a job already.
The next day Robin, Pabitra, Pooja and Andrea went to Parping to see the self-arising Tara.
This depiction of Tara is coming right out of the rock
Up the hill it is a tradition to hang prayer flags.
On the way home they stopped by Vishnu’s Pool, this crystal spring water is thought to bring good fortune
I stayed in Boudha and wandered over to the Chini Lama’s new temple.
Guru Rinpoche
The previous Chini Lama. This line of adepts cured the king and they were granted property and privileges around the stupa.
The paintings were marvelous. Kathmandu is famous for it’s Nagas
And what would the dharma be with out the dancing skeletons of death and impermanence.
