What a year it has been - again. It seems as though our Grand Pause has been extended, and we’ve all had to learn to cope with another year of the world being upside down, locked down, and without a real sense of direction. Closed borders, separated families, and another year where the Monlam isn’t the grand assemblage of Dharma we all need it to be. I certainly miss you all. Our gatherings were one of the pinnacle points of my life’s joy, and my purpose as well. Checking back on my Facebook page I was surprised to see that the last post I published was in fact Monlam of last year, quite the gap, though many things have happened since then that are worth celebrating. Most noticeably, I am now a father! My son - yahoo indeed. He is the most amazing thing in the world, and being honest, I feel so blessed to be forced to stay home. Now I can spend every moment I can with our squishy, giggly little guy. Bearing witness to his daily growth, seeing how every few weeks there is a different set of eyes staring back at me when I wake up, each time more beautiful and aware. I could gush forever, but for everyone’s sake I digress.
Monlam is a chance for us all to come together, to pray together. Granted the last two years it wasn’t possible physically. Monlam remains the most wonderful opportunity to practice, make wishes and prayers, and reach out to our extended worldwide Dharma family as these times permit - digitally. I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to share this Monlam time with my Dharma family here in Prague again. Nala has always been family to me, and I can tell you they went through a lot to make Monlam happen again this year, (during another EU lockdown) and with the physical presence of Sabchu Rinpoche to guide it no less. Rinpoche, as always, is a joy to be around. He is funny, witty, accessible. He has a style of teaching that speaks incredibly well to the western mind. Deep, humorous, traditional, yet modern. I for one appreciate it very much, and I know that Nala does too. Having him here to guide the Monlam, now for its second year in a row, makes it that much more special, and that much closer to being under the tree again.
It has been quite the couple of weeks for me. We had five wonderful days of Monlam here in Prague with Sabchu Rinpoche. A few times Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche even joined for a few sessions to teach, all beamed out and streamed to the world. After that I was part of the streaming team bringing you the Monlam direct from Rumtek, another massive undertaking in its own right. A team of people in multiple locations, bringing video and sound from deep in Sikkim to everyone’s laptop all over the word - it’s amazing what technology can do to bridge the gap. Busy times indeed. That part certainly reminds me of Monlam in Bodh Gaya, all together under the tree - I never slept much there either!
I wish to thank Nala for doing all they did to make Monlam a reality for us here. And I wish to thank all those that helped to make the Rumtek Monlam a reality as well. I also wish to thank you all for participating, and joining the Monlam from where you were, and in what capacity you were able. And for being who you are, a part of our worldwide Dharma family. Dharma Family United. It is always a humbling experience to see how we all come together, physically or not. I miss seeing the smiling faces, sharing a cup of tea and spending time under the tree together, but for now I’ll take what I can get. Monlam is fro all of us, no matter if we are close by or separated by 1000 miles. We’re connected in spirit!
From my family to yours, and my heart to yours too, I wish you all the best. Be safe, healthy and happy. Tashi Sho!
Sabchu Rinpoché Nadační fond NALA
