yes, I decided to count again for a few days…
After a short hike up a hill, we made a stop at one of the monasteries. Boys start their training to become monks as young as 5. Which means obviously that parental or social pressure weighs heavily into the choice. Even prior to modern housing where the whole family lived in one room, I don’t know that anyone at age five can really make a life long decision – even death isn’t clearly understood till a few years later. Anyway, the boys are referred to as monks from the beginning. A boy or young man who opts out somewhere along the line is called a returned monk which just may be a bit pejorative.
In this more enlightened era, although there is obviously state supported religion (Buddhism), the holidays, festivals and roles of the monks are integrated into the daily life of most. The boys not only learn the scripts, prayers, musical required instruments, today they are also taught their own language, English and usually a trade (self-sufficiency is nothing to frowned on).
Just a few pictures from the Chime Lhakhang –
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- the boys practicing their two hours a day
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- the temple
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- flags in the wind
We passed through one of the small villages on our walk – through rice fields and past vegetable patches
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- going down to the village
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- one of the fields flooded
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- vegetables now – rice when the monsoons come
and then of course – there is phallus phun – on the side of houses for luck and fertility.
part of the day included a visit to a local woman’s house. A widow for the last 20+ years, she rents out part, gets a portion from another working her fields and hosts groups coming through for “tea” which had something to do with butter and hot wheat wine…..
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- our hostess
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- a bedroom during the day
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- the “stairs to get to the living area
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- and the “tea” being fixed
Following lunch, our final stop was at Sangchen Dorji Lhundrup Choeling Buddhist College which was established five years ago by the recently retired IV King who just happens to live across the street high on the hill.
The retired kings home
Unlike with the boys, the age of entry here is much higher and a personal choice. I did mention this is a monastery for nuns didn’t I?
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- the young nuns at work moving rocks
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- completed stulpas with new going in between
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- the temple
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- the routine of removing shoes prior to entry
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- lovely decorated windows
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- stulpa in various style
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- stulpa in the Nepalese style
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- and yet another style
On the trip home we viewed from across the river the historic fortress which burned several years ago. The temple has been restored in traditional style and reconstruction on the rest of the compound is underway
the restored Temple portion
the rest of the compound yet to be redone
