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Young maroon-robed attendees perform hand gestures while seated in a sunlit room with painted walls — Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — December 2014 — On the way to Monlam — photograph by Tokpa Korlo
A young maroon-robed child looks toward the camera among seated companions — Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — December 2014 — On the way to Monlam — photograph by Tokpa Korlo
Several young attendees sit together in maroon robes with visitors behind them — Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — December 2014 — On the way to Monlam — photograph by Tokpa Korlo
Close portrait of a young maroon-robed attendee against a painted wall — Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — December 2014 — On the way to Monlam — photograph by Tokpa Korlo
Two young maroon-robed attendees pose side by side before a mural — Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — December 2014 — On the way to Monlam — photograph by Tokpa Korlo

"The Young Monks" Bodh Gaya India, Monlam 2013.

BODH GAYA, BIHAR, INDIA · DECEMBER 12, 2014

On the way to Monlam

After a full 24 hours of travel, crossing borders and time zones to finally arrive back in India I am filled with a sense of coming home - this place is truly a remarkable blend of wild energy, color, sounds and culture you simply don't find anywhere else on the planet. No matter how long I have been gone, I am always happy to return, knowing full well that it will be an intense roller coaster for me as always, and I will leave with stories and memories, and hopefully a few photos to share from the journey.

Tomorrow morning we fly to Bodh Gaya and Monlam will soon begin. I have already had the chance to reconnect with so many people that I have missed these past months, we are truly a wild and crazy dharma family that is always seeming to come out of the woodwork to greet each other no matter where we are in the world.

One of my favorite parts of Monlam is all the monks and lamas coming together from all over the world, the sea of robes flowing through the streets, the amazing glowing faces, especially the young monks - they have such vibrant faces full of humor and a sense of calm that makes me wonder how they can possess such grace and humility at such a young age.Tomorrow we’re off to Gaya, with its streets and monasteries full of color and light, energy and sounds, and for one week the tiny town will be transformed, literally exploding with travelers all coming together to share in the excitement.
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