I can only speak for myself, but in these types of situations the opportunity to practice and pay attention to your mind as it wanders to and fro along the edge of alertness and sanity is plentiful.
Spending time here in Delhi during the summer months whilst participating in such an emotional event demands a rigorous and determined approach, as we all come together to bid farewell and pay homage to Rinpoche’s life and vast activities, we are not without a final teaching or two on impermanence and discomfort. This isn’t to say that the space is disagreeable, quite the opposite in fact. There is great, resounding joy in this space. The great hall is full of the sound of chanting and tibetan ceremonial instruments. The air full of the smell of butter tea, incense and the heat and sweat of several hundred people as they join together in practice. While today we were treated to a much cooler day outside than in previous days, the heat inside the gompa continues. Preparing for the sand mandala offering requires many skilled hands, the utmost patience, traditional techniques and a lot of preparation. Being able to see this take place from the beginning, as all the lines are carefully laid out and drawn, I feel truly privileged to be allowed inside as the crowds of onlookers and students were asked to leave. Attempting to take up as little space as possible, to be a fly on the wall as the great masters do their work, a most ancient and wondrous piece of artwork was being created before my eyes.
Yesterday was a very intense day for many, with emotions flying all around us - while sharing a cup of tea in the afternoon I was treated to many a story of tears and sadness brought on by the relics and the event itself. Myself - I didn’t sleep a wink during a very restless night, my heart and mind a whirlwind of activity that I simply wasn’t able to bring to rest. Taking that into consideration, and these past few weeks spent on the bleeding edge flying around on sun blasted truck tops in Nepal, this event comes at heavy time for me and a chance to rest beforehand has been impossible. Being once again so close to the remains of Rinpoche, to be in Karmapa’s powerful presence for long periods of time while he conducts and leads us all in the most important of pujas and practices, I am sure to not be the only one who is feeling the heaviness and the wear and tear of the space we are all sharing. But in this space there is also a great sense of lightness and power. Amidst the throng of drums, as the bells and chanting continue throughout the day I realize that these moments, as tough as they are, will not be coming around again and the simple fact is that those of us here are incredibly lucky. The blessings of being in this place, to participate in an event not only of great importance but one for the history books as well, is a great treat and not to be discarded lightly. From heaviness comes purification, and we are all being treated to a great dose of this as the day wears on. Feelings of joy and wanting to fly mix with fatigue and tears, a roller coaster of emotions are taking place as we all come together in the great hall. My heart is full of joy on seeing so many come from all directions, to join in the ceremony, this celebration, this fond goodbye has brought us all together again.
A large red board has been prepared, and it is here that the skilled hands will construct and create the sand mandala offering. Many lines are carefully drawn as the form begins to take shape, watching each line come to the next I begin to recognize the symbols and form. It is much more complicated and beautiful than I had imagined, the symmetry unbelievable. Each line is perfectly matched to its partner, for a lover of design and balance - the technique is truly awesome, and the patience required remarkable. Karmapa himself lays the first lines of sand as the puja comes to a close, laying down a small line of each color to start a process that will no doubt take all through the night and much of tomorrow. While I am watching this all take place I find myself thinking of Rinpoche, it is because of him that we are all gathered here and it feels once again strangely planned and intended. Pushing my buttons, and my limits was a much adored and treasured pastime for Rinpoche, he always had a great deal of fun watching me squirm and wriggle. I never really spent a great deal of time with him, there are so many that knew him much better than I, but it feels somehow like he has put me once again in the hot seat just to see what I will do. I’m sure this is only my mind talking here, but for me it rings true. Well Rinpoche: no matter how hot it gets, no matter how uncomfortable or tired I am, I’m not moving a muscle, Im staying here. This amazing place full of amazing people and all the world’s dharma family coming together, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else or happier than with what I am doing now. I will take any opportunity you give me to work on my mind and my faults. All the purification and fun from our dharma gatherings; we are just so lucky to have the opportunity to suffer this way together. What could we possibly enjoy more than to be together during moments such as these? What binds us keeps us strong, what divides us can be conquered if we stay together. Through our unity we will overcome the sadness and loss, and what remains will last many a lifetime. As the mandala begins to take shape so do we. As the mandala’s lines connect with each other so do we. As Karmapa leads us in a most difficult time we are brought closer to him, and forever united under the great flying banner of the dharma.
Spending time here in Delhi during the summer months whilst participating in such an emotional event demands a rigorous and determined approach, as we all come together to bid farewell and pay homage to Rinpoche’s life and vast activities, we are not without a final teaching or two on impermanence and discomfort. This isn’t to say that the space is disagreeable, quite the opposite in fact. There is great, resounding joy in this space. The great hall is full of the sound of chanting and tibetan ceremonial instruments. The air full of the smell of butter tea, incense and the heat and sweat of several hundred people as they join together in practice. While today we were treated to a much cooler day outside than in previous days, the heat inside the gompa continues. Preparing for the sand mandala offering requires many skilled hands, the utmost patience, traditional techniques and a lot of preparation. Being able to see this take place from the beginning, as all the lines are carefully laid out and drawn, I feel truly privileged to be allowed inside as the crowds of onlookers and students were asked to leave. Attempting to take up as little space as possible, to be a fly on the wall as the great masters do their work, a most ancient and wondrous piece of artwork was being created before my eyes.
Yesterday was a very intense day for many, with emotions flying all around us - while sharing a cup of tea in the afternoon I was treated to many a story of tears and sadness brought on by the relics and the event itself. Myself - I didn’t sleep a wink during a very restless night, my heart and mind a whirlwind of activity that I simply wasn’t able to bring to rest. Taking that into consideration, and these past few weeks spent on the bleeding edge flying around on sun blasted truck tops in Nepal, this event comes at heavy time for me and a chance to rest beforehand has been impossible. Being once again so close to the remains of Rinpoche, to be in Karmapa’s powerful presence for long periods of time while he conducts and leads us all in the most important of pujas and practices, I am sure to not be the only one who is feeling the heaviness and the wear and tear of the space we are all sharing. But in this space there is also a great sense of lightness and power. Amidst the throng of drums, as the bells and chanting continue throughout the day I realize that these moments, as tough as they are, will not be coming around again and the simple fact is that those of us here are incredibly lucky. The blessings of being in this place, to participate in an event not only of great importance but one for the history books as well, is a great treat and not to be discarded lightly. From heaviness comes purification, and we are all being treated to a great dose of this as the day wears on. Feelings of joy and wanting to fly mix with fatigue and tears, a roller coaster of emotions are taking place as we all come together in the great hall. My heart is full of joy on seeing so many come from all directions, to join in the ceremony, this celebration, this fond goodbye has brought us all together again.
A large red board has been prepared, and it is here that the skilled hands will construct and create the sand mandala offering. Many lines are carefully drawn as the form begins to take shape, watching each line come to the next I begin to recognize the symbols and form. It is much more complicated and beautiful than I had imagined, the symmetry unbelievable. Each line is perfectly matched to its partner, for a lover of design and balance - the technique is truly awesome, and the patience required remarkable. Karmapa himself lays the first lines of sand as the puja comes to a close, laying down a small line of each color to start a process that will no doubt take all through the night and much of tomorrow. While I am watching this all take place I find myself thinking of Rinpoche, it is because of him that we are all gathered here and it feels once again strangely planned and intended. Pushing my buttons, and my limits was a much adored and treasured pastime for Rinpoche, he always had a great deal of fun watching me squirm and wriggle. I never really spent a great deal of time with him, there are so many that knew him much better than I, but it feels somehow like he has put me once again in the hot seat just to see what I will do. I’m sure this is only my mind talking here, but for me it rings true. Well Rinpoche: no matter how hot it gets, no matter how uncomfortable or tired I am, I’m not moving a muscle, Im staying here. This amazing place full of amazing people and all the world’s dharma family coming together, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else or happier than with what I am doing now. I will take any opportunity you give me to work on my mind and my faults. All the purification and fun from our dharma gatherings; we are just so lucky to have the opportunity to suffer this way together. What could we possibly enjoy more than to be together during moments such as these? What binds us keeps us strong, what divides us can be conquered if we stay together. Through our unity we will overcome the sadness and loss, and what remains will last many a lifetime. As the mandala begins to take shape so do we. As the mandala’s lines connect with each other so do we. As Karmapa leads us in a most difficult time we are brought closer to him, and forever united under the great flying banner of the dharma.
