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Punjab, India
30° 0' N 74° 0' E
Jun 28, 2006 07:58
Distance 332km

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Farewell at Gyuto and Travelling Back to Delhi

Text written in: English

At dawn we were packed and ready for the long bus ride back to Delhi. "We have to pick up some people at Gyuto", Tashi Paljor told us. Although this was in the opposite direction, we were glad to have a final opportunity to see the monastery. The monastery grounds were silent almost empty. The mountains behind the main shrine room were shrouded in mist, adding to the peaceful atmosphere. We stood and looked up at this place where we had only some hours before been in His Holiness's presence. We sang and made aspirations and tried to fully appreciate the precious moments.

Then a figure appeared on the balcony. Could it be Karmapa? Pat, every ready with his recording equipment, focused and zoomed his camera. The image was distant but the figure was undoubtedly His Holiness. With hearts overwhelmed by gratitude we silently prayed and thanked Karmapa for this blessing. After a few minutes, the figure retreated and it was time for us to go. 

The trip back to Delhi was uneventful and obstacle free. We all had so much to ponder and consider. For many of us the long journey was an opportunity to catch up on sleep and to begin the process of understanding what the previous days' events would mean to us as individuals, as practitioners and as representatives of the NB sangha.

SANDRA: While several people told me stories about being in the presence of His Holiness, nothing prepared me for how it really is.  It's like stepping into an entirely different atmosphere or climatic condition.  Everything shifts. Perceptions, thoughts, considerations about the past and future, digestive disorders, likes, dislikes -- everything gets tossed around and re-prioritized. 

Rinpoche told us before leaving for India that we should do aspiration prayers in the presence of His Holiness.  There was no thinking about this, or any effort to remember this instruction -- it just happens - a continuously bubbling fountain of prayerful aspirations.

Rinpoche also instructed us that when we are in the presence of His Holiness to be aware that there is no place else to be.  Again there was no conscious remembrance of this instruction.  There is simply the brilliant awareness that there IS no other place to be.

When His Holiness sat quietly during His birthday observance, not speaking any words per se - there was so much activity coming from him, moving in all directions - at times like fierce lightening - at other times profoundly calm, and at all times luminous and radiant.

Traveling with other Nalandabodhi students was a mere reflection of the tangible joy, kindness, generosity, and care of The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, with his ever present hand above us, pulling us all up, connecting us with the living lineage.   Everyone on the journey was effortlessly caring for and supporting each other. Countless times I felt the blessing of bringing the entire sangha with us in our thoughts and aspirations.  Again, this blessing just seemed to erupt without any effort.  

May our brilliant teacher, his amazing sangha, and all beings be benefited!

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