It was actually quite beautiful; robes glistening as they danced over the water soaked pavement, smoke and incense billowing about, bouncing off the headlights casting shadow and vivid textures all over everything. The sound of drums and trumpets mixing with sirens, horns and excited yelling echoing down the path like some sort of modern mystic fairy tale. Only in India do we see sights such as these. It all lasted only a few minutes, but as always, being in the presence of Karmapa is outrageously powerful. And he, as always, poised and regal as ever, graciously walking calmly through the rain without a moments hesitation or rush. The picture of dignity. Even in these subtle moments he is The Karmapa as powerful as I’ve ever seen him. Welcome back to Kalimpong, the 3rd Parinirvana of Shamar Rinpoche is about to begin.
