We have all shared these past few days together, this Dharma family that reaches from near and far - for those at home and the daring souls who made the trip here to India to be here in person, it has been such a truly wonderful experience.
The days of puja were very strong, along with the heat and the intensity of the practice, bidding farewell to Shamar Rinpoche while celebrating his vast immeasurable activity and grandiose life, all mixed up in a grand event, one for the history books. We have all been through quite a bit together. With the presence of all our great Lamas and Rinpoches, with our lineage holders and our devoted practitioners - monastic and lay alike, I have been surrounded by the most wonderful people on the planet, and I cannot begin to fathom having spent these past few days in a better place, or with better folks surrounding me. Though the days have been long, though we have all had our hardships and difficulties along the way - we have been there for each other, we have grown together, and this is what is most important.
Today was the final day, the last moment, the unveiling of the mandala again as it has been concealed under brocade. The moment came when it was then simply brushed away, offered and then put into a jar, the sand to be kept safe as a very powerful and special memory. I can’t help but feel sad that it is over. I can’t help but feel as though we could do a few more days, gather up the drums and bells and start up the puja once more. It has become more like home here than I can remember anywhere else, the sound of the ceremonies still in my head, my mind full of chanting and puja as I drift off to sleep at night. These types of things are always over so quickly, each moment feels like it couldn’t possibly end, the heat is unbearable, we are hungry, tired, what have you - and then it’s gone. It’s over and we are left feeling as though we wish it might just continue just a little bit more. But today was the end, the grand finale, the magnum opus as the crescendo of the puja reached its climax and the roar of the chanting subsided into calm. The gompa we all called home for more hours than we spent at home a day will be empty soon, some will stick around and practice, stay a few extra days but soon enough it will be all quiet on the KIBI front, and that’s just how it goes.
I wish to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for all your support, for reading and commenting, and for sharing your own stories and opinions as well, this is what makes my life worth living. I feel so happy doing this, being here and somehow being able to share my feelings, some of them deeply personal with a large group of people, and having them come along for the ride. This is still new to me, this is still something that I am discovering as I go along, and you all have been such a great, make it grand support, and it is thanks to this, and you all that I can go on. This time has also been quite emotional for me, as many feelings about the passing of Shamar Rinpoche were brought to the surface. Many feelings passed perhaps unnoticed this past year, never being dealt with, and to be honest it has been truly helpful to be able to let them out finally and not keep them bottled up. Together we can heal some of these wounds, together we can feel secure and to let these thoughts have their time, and then gracefully let them pass into memory.
From here in KIBI to our fellow Dharma family members all over the world, lay and monastic, east and west, north and south, we have united here once again for a wonderful and powerful occasion, and it has been such a treat, a gift, a blessing, a family affair. I wish each and every one of you great continuation in your practice, may it be without obstacles - and may you always feel at home and welcome in this incredible family we have together - from wherever you are in the world we are always together in our hearts. And never forget that which is most important: we always have each other.
The days of puja were very strong, along with the heat and the intensity of the practice, bidding farewell to Shamar Rinpoche while celebrating his vast immeasurable activity and grandiose life, all mixed up in a grand event, one for the history books. We have all been through quite a bit together. With the presence of all our great Lamas and Rinpoches, with our lineage holders and our devoted practitioners - monastic and lay alike, I have been surrounded by the most wonderful people on the planet, and I cannot begin to fathom having spent these past few days in a better place, or with better folks surrounding me. Though the days have been long, though we have all had our hardships and difficulties along the way - we have been there for each other, we have grown together, and this is what is most important.
Today was the final day, the last moment, the unveiling of the mandala again as it has been concealed under brocade. The moment came when it was then simply brushed away, offered and then put into a jar, the sand to be kept safe as a very powerful and special memory. I can’t help but feel sad that it is over. I can’t help but feel as though we could do a few more days, gather up the drums and bells and start up the puja once more. It has become more like home here than I can remember anywhere else, the sound of the ceremonies still in my head, my mind full of chanting and puja as I drift off to sleep at night. These types of things are always over so quickly, each moment feels like it couldn’t possibly end, the heat is unbearable, we are hungry, tired, what have you - and then it’s gone. It’s over and we are left feeling as though we wish it might just continue just a little bit more. But today was the end, the grand finale, the magnum opus as the crescendo of the puja reached its climax and the roar of the chanting subsided into calm. The gompa we all called home for more hours than we spent at home a day will be empty soon, some will stick around and practice, stay a few extra days but soon enough it will be all quiet on the KIBI front, and that’s just how it goes.
I wish to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for all your support, for reading and commenting, and for sharing your own stories and opinions as well, this is what makes my life worth living. I feel so happy doing this, being here and somehow being able to share my feelings, some of them deeply personal with a large group of people, and having them come along for the ride. This is still new to me, this is still something that I am discovering as I go along, and you all have been such a great, make it grand support, and it is thanks to this, and you all that I can go on. This time has also been quite emotional for me, as many feelings about the passing of Shamar Rinpoche were brought to the surface. Many feelings passed perhaps unnoticed this past year, never being dealt with, and to be honest it has been truly helpful to be able to let them out finally and not keep them bottled up. Together we can heal some of these wounds, together we can feel secure and to let these thoughts have their time, and then gracefully let them pass into memory.
From here in KIBI to our fellow Dharma family members all over the world, lay and monastic, east and west, north and south, we have united here once again for a wonderful and powerful occasion, and it has been such a treat, a gift, a blessing, a family affair. I wish each and every one of you great continuation in your practice, may it be without obstacles - and may you always feel at home and welcome in this incredible family we have together - from wherever you are in the world we are always together in our hearts. And never forget that which is most important: we always have each other.
