The paths lined with hundreds of students, the smiling faces in all directions reminding me of just how lucky we are to be here in this present moment, a powerful surge of joy was in the air, hanging over everything like a warm blanket of good vibes. Karmapa’s welcome was overwhelming as per usual, to the chanting of Welcome! Welcome! from everyone within a mile radius, flags and banners on every surface, colored wreaths of golden flowers and incense smoke filled the air. The outrageous power of his presence always inspiring and full of life, regardless of the venue he is always a walking symbol of virtue and commanding heart. Even with the hundreds of villagers and students surrounding him in all directions, the pushing and shoving that has all but become the calling card of his arrival, his face a peaceful and calm image of true buddha nature, unfazed in the least by any of it. So on this sun filled and slightly misty morning we were all treated to dancing and singing, performances of art and celebration, as SABA had also organized a massive donation of blankets for the villagers, and shoes for all the students; putting even larger smiles on all their gleaming faces. The children I come across while we travel have always lit my heart with a glow of joy, for they carry on them such incredible humility and simple profound happiness, even in the poorest of poor places, clothes tattered, faces filthy, yet smiling these unbelievable smiles back at you that stay with you forever. Even in the huge and endless crowds, all the families are together, the young ones clutching their mother’s arms for support, the eyes carry such depth looking back at me through my lens. They have such wonderfully colorful souls, deeply accessible, and they have reached into me and rattled something loose.
I for one was having a pretty rough morning, too much nonsense going on inside my head to try and relate, and yet, seeing this in front of me, surrounding me, in all directions, even with the chaos and mind numbing intensity that is the swaying crowd of several hundred desperate and needy people, it gives one plenty to be happy and grateful about. Just being here is a great blessing, and there isn’t a moment to lose or miss as it all flies by in a rush of raw splendor. After the lighting of butter lamps, the cutting of cake, giving out hundreds of blankets and shoes, and blessing every single person present, Karmapa helped to plant new trees on the property to bring back the green and sense of hope for this wonderful school in the Gaya out-lands. What a wonderful symbol, of rebirth, starting over, and giving back to the land. To plant trees, planted by Karmapa’s own hands no less, bringing a sense of hope and fulfillment to these kids who work so hard with so little, and somehow find ways to inspire us all with their open hearts that seem to give endlessly with nothing held back.
Posted for: The Kagyu Monlam
