It’s been years since the passing of Shamar Rinpoche, eleven to be exact, but I still remember like yesterday the winding roads and endless lines of people gathered along the sides to pay homage to his Kudung as it passed by. The Road to Kalimpong.
Here we are, heading there again, this time a visit with His Holiness Karmapa, and I am greeted with the same joy and immensely deep impressions of just how much he means to the people here. Going back to his home, the gardens and little yellow house that bring back floods of memories for me, I can’t even imagine what it must mean to him. Crowds at the airport, lines of monks and locals adorn the roads, flowers, incense and smokey juniper fill the air, bowed heads and cries of devotion pervade. It’s really something special- I know I say that a lot- but this one is truly dear.
We’re here for a few events, for one the monks are performing a very extensive Long Life Puja for his Holiness, a multi day affair I promise to show more of as we continue on. A long overdue graduation ceremony for the Khenpos, and an Empowerment to come on Sunday to top off what has already been a flush and rapid fire few days for me. I would expect nothing less, and wish for the same. I feel at home here, many faces I know have now aged a decade or more since we first met. I love it here, and the Shedra monks that make it so. Back again, many times over. I’ll always love the road to Kalimpong.
www.karmapa.org/karmapa-visits-kalimpong/
