Red Fort

While entering the fort, I was stopped by the security to check my bag, As he is Singh wearing a turban, I find it amusing when he notice the scarf around my head looks like a turban too and complimenting nice turban! Then, rush all the young children visiting the fort with their teachers like a school outing, asking to take a picture with me. For a moment, I really thought that I'm a Bollywood star ;) This happens for quite a few times inside the fort.

The Red Fort (Lal Qila) is one of Delhi's top tourist sights. A brilliant red sandstone fort built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (who also built Taj Mahal) as his ruling palace. Completed in 1648, the years since have not treated the buildings kindly: the rooms have long since been stripped of all objects, the marble inlays are long gone and quite a few buildings are off limits. Still, the scale remains imposing and the gardens are kept lush and green even in midwinter.

New Delhi

After a long 13 hours bus trip from Dharamshala, I check into the Potala hotel that I booked when I first reach Manuju Latika with TBC.

I took a shower and went to bed immediately. I woke up around 11am, had my breakfast, not knowing how to begin the day. I asked the reception for the map of Delhi. Thankfully, the map distruibuted for the tourist in the airport recommend a few places to go. I circled a few places; Red Fort, Bhai Lotus temple, Iskcon temple & Japathu market is my Itinerary for the day. I asked a few travel agencies and the price for booking a taxi that can show me around in Delhi for 8 hours cost 800 Rupees. A decent price that I can afford, since there is nothing left to do in Manuju Latika the whole day.

I started my tour in noon with my driver.My driver told me there is no parking in Red fort thus he suggested I took a rickshaw. The idea of someone cycling me is tortuous. I can't help but to think that I might be too fat on a rickshaw but my driver sure think otherwise. Riding the rickshaw on an heavy traffic road is exhilarating! I even saw a number of students taking the rickshaws to school! It's such an adventure!

Delhi isn't as bad as some of us have think. Yes, the traffic is heavily polluted and Poverty is visible. If you spend time to do some research, you should able to enjoy even on the roadside.

One thing that annoys me is my driver keep insisting me to visit one of the local handicraft shop which I have absolutely no interest. Finally, my reluntancy won over his determination thus no partonizng is done ;)

22/10/09 (Thursday) Dharamshala

Today is the last day of the DL teaching. After packing the items that need to be blessed for every group, we were in the hall waiting for the initiation. It is an initiation of Bodhisattva Manjusri.

We were told no meat, egg or garlic to be consumed before the initiation. DL instructed us to visualize the Bodhisattva Manjusri and contemplate on loving kindness or compassion for the sentient beings. I am not too sure if it’s me or the initiation truly works but my tears just flow incessantly when I fixed my thought on the sorrows and sufferings of all sentient beings are facing.

The end of initiation is truly reviving. It feels like your purpose of living for others is stronger. Also, it’s inspiring to see you’re not alone. Instantaneously, DL started the Q&A session. Some of my questions handed by me is not answered but nonetheless there are questions similar to mine I can draw conclusion.

Lastly, the moment all students have been highly anticipated for has come, photo-taking session with the DL. Surprisingly, everyone including the Singaporeans are graciously in order.

Sadly, it’s time for me to go. I was so reluctant to leave this peaceful town. I could live here for months but nothing is permanence. What is born must demise. What comes must go... Same goes for the Delhi bus I'm taking tonight.

Read here for more information about initiation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empowerment_(Tibetan_Buddhism)

20/10/09 (Tuesday) Dharamshala

There is no time for breakfast but I manage to get few muffins and a cup of tea along the way to the monastery.

As it’s the first day of the teaching, I worn the Tibetian costume, chupa I’ve bought from SOT to class. Just when I thought everything will get together smoothly, I actually forgot to bring my FM receiver for tuning into the English translation of DL teachings. As most of the DL teaching is in Tibetan.

When I was searching frantically in my bag, Alvin, friend I’ve known from Yfellowship, came to me and asked if I was waving to him and signaling to come over. I told him no and I forgot to bring my FM receiver from my guest house. Surprisingly, he explains why he was meant to come by as he got extra 2 sets of FM receivers. It turns out to be such a beautiful mistaken gesture!

I was asked to direct the various group to the teaching halls. The first day is quite chaotic and groups have no ideas where to go. I put on my best smile so as to lessen their confusion. Now I know being an air steward is not easy. Even so, everything is in order and awaiting the DL to arrive.

There is such a huge responses outside when he’s about to enter the hall. The excitement builds up from the exterior to the interior. When he steps into the hall, most people including me are grasping for air. The first time seeing Dalai Lama is amazing. I nearly scream as if I’m witnessing superstar on stage only he is more saintly and serene. What’s more amazing, is that DL decided to do his teaching in English and for certain part of his teaching that is not familiar in English, he’ll teach in Tibetan. He even says his English is terrible with a self-depreciating humor.

After lunch, I was brief together with Clarence and Ying Ying on the route and etiquette of holding the incense clearing the way for the Dalai Lama to the teaching hall. We have to go through a tight security check and thorough body search is needed. I feel like no one has touched me that “meticulously”. For the DL sake, I guess I’m willing to be desecrated.

While we’re waiting in the office for the DL to come, my mind flashes back to the movie, 7 years in Tibet I’ve watched in the past. The idea of how his life was once featured in the big screen now come face to face in person is awe-inspiring. At last, we saw him walking down from the slope. I greeted him and wish him long life for delivering Dharma. He thanks me and I almost melt in front of him. He is such a humble and sincere person. When chatting with almost anyone, he shows his appreciation and gratitude. He regards everyone like his family. That impression is certainly going to last in my memory for a long time.

Soon after the first day of teaching, I reflect my experience with Ching Wi in Rogpa café. We chatted about how we should approach our life to Dharma work and of course a trip to the Buddhist book store is necessary to finish off the day beautifully…

21/10/09 (Wednesday) Dharamshala

This morning, John asked me to pass my prayer beads to him for DL blessing. Making sure I’ve everything ready for the teaching. I put everything in a small envelop labeled with my name. I hope the prayer bead that is blessed by the Holiness will be in great benefits for my mum chanting.

Interestingly, everyday, after the first part of DL teachings, I’ve to rush to the toilet and clear my bowels. It’s weird as it continues throughout the 3 days of teaching. My Dharma brothers and sister say it’s detoxifying! Receiving the good and passing out the bad! ;) Maybe because of my toilet habits, I was asked to take care of cleaning the toilet.

Fortunately, there are volunteers from Hong Kong and TCC temple taking up these highly dignified duties that makes my job easier and rewarding. I’ve never seen anyone cleaning the toilet with such strong fervor. It’s like clearing-up their defilements from their minds. A great Kudos to them!

As I’ll be leaving the next day to Delhi to catch my flight so in between my break from the teaching, I went to get a few small gifts as a token of my appreciation to everyone I’ve met from TBC. During the night, I took some time to thank everyone personally and sincerely. It’s grateful to know how there are ways or gifts to express your gratitude from your heart. I count my good merits for acquainted with this magnificent group of friends…

19/10/09 (Monday) Dharamshala

I continue to work on pasting the posters on the walls I could find along the road to disseminate the information.

Since it’s the first day which is briefing for the teaching tour, time is tight. Immediately after putting up the posters, I continue to assist the team on the logistic and administrative work. I was asked to pack the study kits for the participants in groups. It’s very hectic as the briefing will be starting soon in the next 2 hours. The tote bag, shoe bag, 4 noble truths textbook, prayer text and information kit was packed into groups of 15. A young Lama offers his help which I find it the sweetest as children is seldom a doer but a taker. I appreciate it deeply.

Thankfully, I have got time to meet up with Ching Wi, whom strongly encourages me to come for the teaching. I receive the news from her that one of my friend Rita, mum just passed away. It saddens me as I wasn’t able to attend the funeral. Nonetheless, CW suggested since we are here, we can make donations to the temple on behalf of her mum. I donated 1000 rupees considering that as the “white gold” for her mum’s funeral.

The briefing ends and a meeting were called concerning the preparation for tomorrow. All of us have to report at 7am and I was appointed as one of the incense holder tomorrow afternoon. It’s so exhilarating! That means I got to see the Dalai Lama up close and personal. It’s truly a blessing for me!

After a long day of work, we all are exhausted. So John suggested we have dinner at an Indian restaurant, Asokha. He proposes Malai Koftar and I strongly caution you, it’s addictive! Exclusively if you dipped it in with Japati. I could eat at least five Japatis with one bowl of Malai Koftar. It’s divine!

Funny thing is for the past few days, having meals with my new found friends is like a competition, rushing for who get to pay for the bills first. When it comes to that, they are surely the master of settling the bills. Some can even pretend to go to the loo just to pay for the meal. Fortunately or unfortunately for me, I’m quite dumb at it so most of the time they beat me first. That meal is what I needed after a hard day’s work!

17/10/09 (Sunday) Dharamshala

The weather in Dharamshala is icy for me, particularly in the early morning when I take my shower; sometimes I go without shower for 2 days. Of course, I do use an anti-bacterial wipes to clean my body.

As usual, I met John and Heidi for breakfast. This time we went to Namgyal monastery café for breakfast. Food wasn’t that good but the ambience compensated it. We met some girls volunteering in the local newspaper as translator. I admire that fervor in any kind of volunteer work. Making a voice heard is important as any sort of charitable work. It’s the creation of awareness that makes us less ignorance. Same goes for Buddha’s teaching, the idea is to liberate us out of samsara.

Soon we heard children singing in harmony outside the cafe, a few beautiful girls wearing their traditional costume singing and performing. They are truly professional and entertaining. It's like we're invited to a concert. How artistic!

After the breakfast, we did the circumambulation around the temple. The road is scenic and you’ll see colorful engraved stones of Om mani padme hum and flags along the way. Later, I was assigned to make photocopies and paste the poster throughout the small town on free vegetarian lunch provided during the Dalai Lama teaching.

I was invited to a dinner together with the co-organizer from Hong Kong in Chonor hotel, Dinner is simply delightful. It’s wonderful to sit with a group of interesting people from all walks of life discussing passionately about dharma work. What an enjoyable night!

Dharamshala point of view

In Dharamshala, you can indulge in shopping for a good cause. While it’s easy to accumulate good merits, let’s don’t forget not to overbuy and not knowing how to fully utilize our purchases when we get home. Also, Tibetans are one of the nicest people I’ve ever come across so please leave your brutal bargaining skill to someone. Moreover, the price they offer is extremely low-priced.

Here are some of my best recommendations;

Stitches of Tibet

SOT initiative offers women living in exile the goal to become self-reliant and have control over their own lives. The Stitches of Tibet provide training to unskilled and economically disadvantaged Tibetan women, many of whom escaped from Tibet where educational and employment opportunities for women are minimal.

You can tailor-made a traditional Tibetan costume for souvenir or sponsor a SOT student.

http://www.tibetanwomen.org/projects/sot/

Rogpa Café and shop

Rogpa: Tibetan for trusted friends and assistant

Rogpa is a nonprofit shop dedicated to preserving Tibetan culture and empowering low-income Tibetan refugees to become self-sufficient. ROGPA has an interconnected ideology "where one gets help and another gets the chance to help', stemming from the ideal of a self-sufficient Tibetan community, that is not over dependent upon outside assistance to preserve Tibetan culture and identity.

How you can help;

You can patronize the café for scrumptious munchies or a invigorating ginger honey lemon tea.

Work as a volunteer at the Rogpa Café or Baby Care Centre (Minimum 15 days)

Donate your unwanted clothing or sellable items to Rogpa shop. (Hint: No one likes to use old, dirty and rugged items, use your own discretion)

http://www.tibetrogpa.org/home.php

Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) Handicraft centre

"The children are the seeds of future Tibet."

The proceeds from the sale of the handicraft go towards the educational fund of Tibetan refugee children. From hand phone pouches, bags, mala to exquisite Buddha sculptures. This shops offer a wide variety of merchandise which you shouldn’t leave the shop without purchasing.

http://www.tcv.org.in/

16/10/09 (Friday) Dharamshala

I arrived Dharashalam early in the morning, not knowing Jinpa and Geshe Nirmal is already waiting for me at the bus terminal for 2 hours. Geshe Nirmal hires a “luggage carrier” and nicely walks me to my guest house, Yellow. which unfortunately looks very shabby. The better rooms are on the higher level and till to the high demand of the Taiwanese coming for the Dalai Lama teaching. Most accommodation is fully booked. Nonetheless, I’m still grateful to have a room. I took a cold (freezing) shower before heading straight to the bed.

I woke up in the middle of the afternoon; the cold weather is afflicting me, I rather accustom to hot than cold weather. Thankfully, I’ve got my coat and scarf. There is a nice bakery near my guest house which I find it endearing, simple yet full of aroma. It satisfies my stomach for a while as I've been sleeping for the whole day. I then try to find my way to Shambala Hotel where Wayne and Geshe Nirmal stays. Thankfully, I bumped into John and Hedi as it's getting late and I'm still not able to locate the hotel. I then follow them to meet Cheng San and Wayne for dinner. Food is fantastic, we chatted about Buddhism, dharma work and our path towards self cultivation...

17/10/09 (Saturday) Dharamshala

I met John and Heidi for breakfast at a café, coffee talk, near to the monastery. You can get Tibetan butter milk tea anywhere in Dharamshala but I choose the Tibetan herbal tea and an omelet for my morning wake-up call.

After breakfast, we went for sight-seeing and some retail therapy. There are many stalls along the long stretch of temple road all the way to the bus terminal. I especially wanted to get something for my mum so when I chance upon the mala (prayer beads), I know that will be the perfect gift. It’s something spiritually for her self-cultivation.

Somehow or rather, I got myself involved in the team organizing the Dalai Lama teaching tour. I’m really grateful for their hospitability. The least I can do is to render my services when needed. After inserting the passes for the participants, we decided to go for late dinner.

As it’s the Diwali (Depavali), festival of lights in India. We are all swarmed by the children playing fire crackers. It reminds me of Chinese New Year celebration where everything is in loud bang!

Why 108 on a mala?

A Japa mala' or mala (Sanskrit:माला; mālā, meaning garland is a set of beads commonly used by Buddhists, usually made from 108 beads, though other numbers, usually divisible by 9, are also used. Malas are used for keeping count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra. Malas are typically made with 19, 21, 27, 54 or 108 beads.

In traditional Buddhist thought, people are said to have 108 afflictions or klesas. There are six senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and consciousness) multiplied by three reactions (positive, negative, or indifference) making 18 "feelings." Each of these feelings can be either "attached to pleasure or detached from pleasure" making 36 "passions", each of which may be manifested in the past, present, or future. All the combinations of all these things make a total of 108, which are represented by the beads.

In addition, practitioners of Vajrayana Buddhism, use the number 108 for a different purpose. After reciting 100 mantras, eight extra mantras are done to compensate for any errors

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japa_Mala

15/10/09 (Thursday) Dharamshala

I arrived in New Delhi early in the morning around 5.30am. While I was waiting in front of the Health Check counter, a Caucasian which I later know as John left his immigration form at the counter so I call him to pick up his form. I soon realize he is wearing the Buddhist prayer beads on his hand with a group of Singaporeans. I decided to strike a conversation and see if they are also going to the Dalai Lama’s teaching. He immediately says Yes and a Lama in front of me ask if I would like to join them to Dharamshala.

Without hesitation, I nearly want to say it out loud, YES but knowing it will scare off some people so I restrain myself. It turns out they are the Southeast Asia Dalai Lama Teaching tour organizer team, Tibetan Buddhist Centre heading to Tibetan refugees settlement, Manuju La Tika for half a day in the hotel before taking the flight to Dharamshala. We got our breakfast at the nearby restaurant. Geshe Nirmal suggests I try the Tibetan butter milk tea which I love it. It's salty yet flavourful. While eating my banana pancake, I can't help feeling grateful that I've met such kind and thoughtful group of people. 

It’s like the devas are watching over me. Before I get a chance to drink the contaminated water and get sick like what most of the Indian Travelers are telling me. I’ve met the Bodhisattvas that save me from the turmoil. You see before coming to India, everyone builds up that anxiety that it’s unhygienic, dangerous and rough, making sure that I’m surely either sick half the time from diarrhea or mugged by robbers.

Thus, Jinpa, the chairman of TBC making sure I arrive safely in Dharamshala, made all the transport and accommodation arrangement that seem so effortless for me.