As the final day of preparations here comes to a close the entire Monastery is covered in rich color, brocade and flowers, flags and banners in all directions, and beautiful painted decorations of the auspicious signs lining the pathway for Karmapa’s arrival in the morning. The whole place is alive with life, laughter, a bit of chaos induced mayhem and excitement as well, as everyone is hurrying to finalize the last of the last minute details.
The wait is finally over, the day has come, and the world seems to be joining in from all around us in bated anticipation to celebrate and come together as one united family for this momentous occasion. An event worth the wait indeed, it seems like only yesterday that I was asked to come and yet this past summer seems like it began eons ago, in a distant life almost unimaginable at the moment. I am so honored to be here, so pleased and grateful for the opportunity, my work in times such as these is a true pleasure and joy. Hard to describe, though as I arrive I am yet again surrounded by such amazing and wonderful people, many of which I have spent the better half of my last two years together as we journey from place to place, event to event, voyaging across the world in an intense and wonderful Dharmic circus-like adventure that has truly changed my life. I treasure these days of preparation, the calm before the storm, spending time with those I care about when I might actually have a spare moment or two to spend cavorting in childish laughter, hugs, head bumps and handshakes, and silly jokes to pass the time. Usually I have too much to do, not enough time to do it in, and these sweet precious moments are really sacred to me when I can simply walk around and greet people like a normal human being. That being said, there really is so much to see, so many incredible sights that I simply must take it all in while I have the chance. So, for the last day, camera in hand, I venture out in one last attempt to find some of the rich beauty that makes this place all the more special, makes it what it is, the Great Monastery of Nala.
The colors here are beyond imagination, beneath that deep blue sky of Nepal lies this amazing structure covered from head to toe, inch by inch, in tremendous and brilliant color. Red beams meeting teal blue lines, golden statues and cool clean sleet marble, somehow all mixing together in a glorious combination that would make even an art lover green with jealousy, no pun intended. Inside the walls are full of epic and beautiful paintings and murals becoming even more amazing each day as there is always something new to discover in the finer details. At the top floor, the very highest point of the whole complex, sits a Green Tara shrine room that I hadn’t even seen yet. Covering the walls are 108 White Taras, incredibly done in glimmering pearl white porcelain. Surrounding the main shrine are twenty one larger Green Taras, each one a perfect example of beauty and detail. Sitting in the center is the masterpiece, a much larger Tara, life size, peering into the hall with her peaceful open eyes, and glowing in the wondrously lighted wooden framework that is her home. The statue takes my breath away, it is so powerfully serene, like a brilliant jade pearl, luminous and extravagant, cast in a surrounding warm and almost exotic red glow. The whole room has this magic kinetic energy, deeply moving yet soft and graceful - it made such a lasting and profound impression on me. She, with her gaze of love and protection, of power and subtlety, her majestic gaze of green Jade.
Tomorrow morning bright and early Karmapa will arrive, the event will begin, and with all the fanfare and celebration that is due we are all sure to have an amazing experience, a blessed and virtuous day, and another wonderful moment with Karmapa and our entire united Dharma family. Here comes yet another Dharma event for the history books, they seem to just keep on coming and coming. Who could ask for anything more?
Dhagpo Sheydrub Ling
