Bodh Gaya - 9th Week, End of Classes

Namaste mere dosts,

Yesterday, classes ended, and today we begin the Independent Study period. Everyone flocked out of Bodh Gaya on last night on late night trains from Gaya to Dharamsala, Sikkim, Calcutta, Rishikesh and flights to Burma and Thailand. I'm one of the few people left in Bodh Gaya because my friend Alex and I will be staying to do solitary retreat at a local retreat center. After retreat, I head off to Dharamsala to interview Tibetan Buddhists and do library research for my project on Tonglen, or "taking and receiving," meditation.

I've recently receded into finals mode rushing around, paper writing, test cramming, luggage packing habits, so I look forward to retreat. It's been years since I've been as social as I have over the past 10 weeks, despite being in a monastic environment. Communal meals, classes, meetings, events, rooming, and the like have occupied my time completely -- mostly for the better. I've made likely lifelong friends with students and professors both, and have cherished their conversation, care, and criticism for me. I feel so blessed to have had this chance to appreciate the talents, insights, and kindness of others. So much wisdom and compassion leaks out of them daily! That said, privacy should serve me well at this point. Time to settle my body and mind and to concentrate and investigate what's truly important.

I don't think I've really taken time to describe what the Mahabodhi temple is like, and it warrants so much attention. Pictures can be found through the link below of this remarkable and deeply powerful site. Frankly, it's quite unsettling every time I visit. The very subtle, but intense, environment of practice pushes me to consider my own presence for the sake of others. On my recent visits, the stupa has been particularly bustling. Pilgrims Hindu and Buddhist - monks, nuns, and lay - from India, Burma, Thailand, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Tibet, Bhutan and other major Buddhist countries can be found circumambulating (walking around the temple in circles), prostrating (mostly Tibetans, who might do full body prostrations all day long), chanting, singing, reciting mantra, or meditating. Visually, the temple site and it's gardens are extremely well-cared for, in contrast to the rest of Bodh Gaya which typically isn't privileged to outside donation. It's also breath-taking to see the see of orange, yellow, burgundy, gray, and pink robes of the different traditions and cultures. Westerners are rare, but they can be found too.

Meditating there is a real joy. It's much different than sitting anywhere else. Some might say it's being surrounded by such inspiring, devoted practitioners, which is certainly true. But, I also wouldn't hesitate to ascribe a deep spiritual presence to the place that settles, yet challenges the mind.

Well, thanks to everyone whose been commenting on my posts and maintaining contact. I treasure your words, even if they're brief. And apologies for spelling errors and the like. I don't take the time to edit because of scarce internet time. My dad is apparently turning them into Zen koans. Feel free to do that if you can.