Like stepping into an ancient kingdom of forgotten beauty, it is so much larger than I had expected, the great towers and pillars stretching out into the skies above, and so full of color and life it’s staggering to try and take it all in.
It reminds me of seeing old photos from Tibet, with their giant monolith monasteries cascading as far as the eye can see, in the traditional Tibetan colors, there is no shortage of things to explore. I pass my first day here simply walking around, gazing at all the details as the temple, with its wall to ceiling paintings and mandalas adorning every surface are quite simply the most beautiful I have ever seen. They are simply incredible, the color and detail, they seem to come to life before my eyes. Huge, ornate and bursting with color, even the Mahakala room with its pitch black walls - the characters depicted there seeming to pop out in more than three dimensions, alive and breathing. I have seen my fair share of Gompas around the world, and I mean this in all sincerity, this one is quite possibly the most ornate and beautiful I have seen yet. I am overwhelmed; for a visual palette such as this it is nothing less than the greatest eye candy one could hope to experience. Stealing the grand prize is the enormous thousand armed Chenrezig on the back wall, of which there are two identical copies at each of Buddha’s sides, watching over the entire Lakahang with their endless compassion and gleaming jewel encrusted crowns pilling to the heavens. The whole place is just incredible, and after many possible chances to come, all falling apart at the last minute, I am overjoyed to finally be here and witness the majesty of this environment. The energy is calm, soothing, quiet and tranquil, despite the fury of activity that surrounds me in all directions as the preparations for Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje's imminent arrival just days away are almost complete and in full swing. Smiles, screeches of glee and contentment, many many Tashi Deleks and Namastes, I am once again overwhelmed by everything and everyone. They are all glowing, in the truest sense of the word. This wondrous place is long overdue for its grand opening, we have all been waiting a long time for this, and finally, finally, the time has come.
The monks that live here are no less incredible than the surroundings. My welcome here was of great warmth and genuine joy, as I was greeted by so many smiling faces, in so many shapes and sizes as the age range here is enormous. There are quite a few little ones, those little ones that seem to follow me around all day, excitedly giggling as the tattooed guy with the camera is in a state of non-stop laughter as they all squish and wriggle all over the place, trying desperately to get into every single photo. Their eyes are sparkling with life. Quite literally, their energy and joy comes directly into my heart and I am so touched to see how joyful they are, not to mention extremely well behaved - working tirelessly all day long in the preparations along with their elder kin and dharma brothers and sisters. These smiles, on every face I see are brighter than the warming sun overhead, breaking through the grey and gloom both inside and out. They bring out such genuine joy in me as I am once again invited to share in their private lives, their community and sangha, this special closely tied knot of a family I have yet again the pleasure to witness firsthand. Each time I come to a new place it’s like coming home, I somehow feel like I’ve been here before, more than that - as if I am finally where I am supposed to be. For someone living out of only a suitcase and camera bag full time - this is a great place to call home. Despite the rainy morning everyone is outside in matching Nala raincoats of vibrant orange and red, scrubbing away at the floors, or the walls, painting, cleaning, everyone is involved. There are many more that have come just to help. Anis and monks from neighboring monasteries, truckloads from Rumtek and Kalimpong have already arrived; it’s the coming together of our giant dharma family once again as everyone is excited in preparation for the big day when this incredible place will finally get its time in the spotlight. And so, it will begin, in just a few short days the event will take place. I can’t imagine a place, with a Rinpoche as wonderful as Maniwa Lama Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche is, and a monastery built to such grandiose and incredible qualities depassing description as this one, to be more worthy of such celebration, such joy, and such pomp and circumstance in their honor. For Dhagpo Sheydrub Ling, the time has finally come, everyone has already started to arrive, and so it will soon begin.
