India Pilgrimage 04.09.2010

My first day of volunteering in Rongpa café is exciting and fun. I sweep and mop the floor meticulously. Also, I met some new friends and squeeze 2kg of lime into 1litre of lime juice for lemonade. There is also this book I saw in the second hand book shelf, Old path white cloud by Thich Nhat Hanh that I wanted to get.

After my volunteer work, I return to my guesthouse to have a rest. That’s where the knock on my door startled me. It’s a big surprise! Heidi and Tenzin are at the doorway. I miss Heidi! She is such a gentle, kind and thoughtful friend I’ve met last year in Delhi airport. I’ve such sensitive and in depth dharma conversation with John and her. It’s like a sweet reunion this year! I also bring her to stiches of Tibet to tailor-make Chupa for the last day of teaching.

We went to the nearby, 1-2 café, catching up on the past and the present. I showed her what’s new in Dharamshala and establish her local mobile communication with the world. She brought me to an amazing Thangka shop which sells the finest and detailed painting. I’m tempted to get a Thangka myself but after careful consideration, there is no way I could hang the Thangka in my small and overcrowded bookroom (not bedroom). I give the thought a miss, hopefully I can bring more friends to this shop to purchase good deservingly Thangka masterpieces.

India Pilgrimage 03.09.2010

I bumped into Luna when she is on her way to Ngympal monastery for circumambulation. I suggested that she circumambulate around the temple instead as it is more scenic. Last year, John and Heidi recommended me to take this route. We rolled the prayer wheels along the way and I told her a little about Buddhism and how life in Singapore is.

After we completed the circumambulation, we part our ways, as today is her last day and last time she’ll be in Dharamshala. She would like to spend some time alone in the temple to reflect her travelling experience but we promise to meet up later in Rongpa café, a café whom support the Tibetan refugees’ initiatives.

On my way to Rongpa cafe, I dropped by a shop to get a prayer beads and a hand phone pouch. The India shop owner is very inquisitive about my life; maybe I shouldn’t been so chatty. He asked about my solitary life and my interest on Buddhism and how some of his Christian relatives want to convert him. I told him human beings have that innate weakness of depending on a higher and supreme figure for salvation. It’s the easiest way to believe in the higher authority so we don’t have to rely on our own ability for our problems in our life. Our aloneness intimidates us. True happiness should come inside of you and not externally. External happiness can only last for a while and you’ll have to keep pursuing like a bottomless hole.

Last year, I came across Rongpa café and was inspired by their effort for supporting the Tibetan refugees. Thus, this year, I wanted to stay in Dharamshala longer to volunteer in this cafe as a shop assistant or barista. I found out from the Korean volunteers in Rongpa Café that they do require shop assistant in the morning. Without hesitation, I sell myself to the manager and got the job :) she told me to report at 8.30 am the next morning. I’m elated.

I met Luna back in the Rongpa café. We went in search of a monk whom she had taught English for 2 days. Knowing I’ll be a good successor to continue her volunteer work but sadly we can’t locate him and the rain is pouring. We then went to a Korean café as she is missing her hometown food. The Kimchi hot & spicy soup noodle is such a great comfort in this cold and wet weather. After some discussion and contemplation, I decided to drop the idea of visiting Nepal, Lumphini and Kamandthu as my visa is not able for reentry unless there is a 2 months interval. It’s disappointing but life goes on without considering your feelings. On the other hand, maybe changing the route meant for a greater purpose. I made a choice to visit Sanchi and Ajanta as a substitute.

India Pilgrimage - Dharamshala

Days in Dharamshala is slow, real slow and weather is cooling. I’m usually quite decisive and since I’m a vegetarian, there is not a lot of variety to choose from the menu. However, it takes 12 mins for me to decide what I want to eat, and another 23 mins for the café to prepare my food. Food are done in near perfection and when ordered. I would also easily savage my food in less than 10 mins but the ambience and the whole environment allows me to take it slow. So, I’m slow, I take every minute to observe myself and in relationship with the world and my food. That’s what I mean by slow, mindfully yet enriching…

India Pilgrimage 02.09.2010

It’s a fantastic surprise! Along the way to my guesthouse, I bumped into Millie and Gel, the 2 lovely ladies who rent their Bangkok apartment to me. It’s great to see familiar faces early in the morning.

Even though I can’t wait to get into the toilet and do my “big” business, I’m too excited not to meet and catch up with the girls. So once I checked in and put my backpack down, I rushed towards the café and meet them for breakfast. They told me that today is the Tibetan 50th year anniversary of democracy and the children from Tibetan Children Village are performing at Ngympal Temple. But before that I’ve to clear my bowels.

Just when surprises can’t surprise me anymore, I met Tenzin, the kind man whom booked my transport and accommodation for Dharamshala last year. We catch up shortly about our itineraries in Dharamshala.

My guesthouse KongPo is only 5mins to Ngympal Temple which is one of the reasons why I choose to stay there again. However, there is a misunderstanding on the date I’m supposed to check in and till to the late arrival. I’ve to pay for 2 nights that I didn’t stay. It’s a total of 1060Rps. Well, I’ve a feeling the next few weeks I’m going to eat grass. I try not to let this incident haunt my mind. We can’t control thing that are supposed to happen, right? Let’s take the entire adversaries with an open mind. Instead of Why me? Let’s asked Why NOT me?

After the performance of TCV in Ngympal temple, which by the way is culturally and visually stimulating. I went back to the guest house and wait for John’s arrival. He should be reaching by the mid day, it turns out nicely while I’m checking on the gate for his arrival; I heard his voice with familiarity. There he is, my roommate for the next 2 weeks. Last year, till to the extension of The DL teaching for the Taiwanese, almost every guesthouse and hotel is fully booked, John which I’ve met last year, kindly offer to share his room with me. Funny how fate coincides, this year I’m offering my room to him as KongPo is fully booked for the DL teaching.

I spend the remaining day, slowly, catching up with John, cafeing* and wandering on the streets. I bumped into Tenzin again. He asked if I want to join him for tea, I suggested RongPa café but it’s fully seated. So he brings me to bean café, an amazing modern furniturized café, we ordered Tibetan milk tea and chatted about dharma work and how he crosses over the mountains from Laksa to Dharamshala when he was 9. It’s truly sad but inspiring; the pursuit of freedom is librating.

We met a Korean girl, whom is looking for a seat on the balcony, since there is no seat vacant. We asked her to join us. She happily accepted our invite. She is a chatty and courageous backpacker; she visited the Iran, Afgan and the middle east by herself. Maybe one day, I’ll do the same.

*Cafeing – sitting in the café, one cafe after another.

India Pilgrimage 01.09.2010

I’ve about 6 hours to spare before my bus takes me to Dharamshala. I either can rush myself visiting some of the Delhi famous sight or chillax* in a café, wandering around MTK (Tibetan colony). I opt for the latter. Browsing the bookstores and discovering a few cafés, slowly before the bus take off.

Indians are never on time especially when the bus is not full or they are waiting for grandmother to give birth. They take every inches of space as an investment. If they can’t squeeze human, they’ll squeeze boxes of stuff and goods.

One good thing about taking the bus is the stops in between. You get to taste authentic local food. You might even come across 110Rp (S$3.80) vegetarian buffet in the middle of the night. Buffet is too much for me in the late hours so I choose Panner Parokola (Fried yogurt cheese) and a masala tea instead.

Finally, after 13 hours of bus ride where night turns into day and 15kg on my shoulder, I walked into my past, the familiar road to the KongPo guesthouse where I once stayed.

*chillax – Chill & Relax

India Pilgrimage 31.08.10

This year, I’ve travelled to Taiwan, a Mahayana Buddhist country), then to Thailand a Thevarada Buddhist country then last but not least, the final leg of my Buddhist pilgrimage, I’m flying to India, Dharamshala, a Vajrayana, Tibetan inspired Buddhist colony where the Dalai Lama reside.

I woke up at 6am in the morning. My mum and sister decided to accompany me on my first drop off of the trip. My sister drove me from Singapore, crossing over the custom, alighting in Larkin, Johore Bahru bus terminal.

I then begin to take the 4 hours bus ride to Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Jalia bus terminal. From there I made a change to the local train and reach KL Sentral. At the basement of the building, I took the daily operated Air Asia bus to LCCT.

Once I reach the LCCT, KL airport, while waiting for check in, I realize my mobile has no auto roaming signal. Some of you can’t live without a mobile phone but how about auto roaming? I called Singtel to resume my auto roaming because they have automatically terminated it while upgrading my plan. Miserably, they have forgotten my phone number. At times, my heart will be quite happy about not receiving any nuisance or work calls, but there is a certain kind of peace of not knowing who call or missed. However, my mum is not going to be too happy about it. How am I supposed to call home whenever I reached a new destination? Running around looking for overseas calling centre is not fun.

The journey from KL to Delhi takes 41/2 hours. Can you imagine I’ve already spend 15 hours just by reaching, Delhi, India Gandhi airport? Funny enough, when I arrive in Delhi, it still looks like it is late afternoon even though my time shows 8.30pm in the evening. The traffic jam in the city is atrocious and the taxi I took from the Gandhi airport broke down on the way to Manju ka Tila. I’ve to transfer from the Taxi to an Auto (tuk tuk). By the time, I arrive at the MTK (Tibetan colony), it’s already 9.45pm and 12.30am (midnight in Singapore). Too late to catch the bus to Dharamshala, I stay a night in Potala palace, which I’ve previously stayed, but this time the condition of the room is so different, it’s hot with a stench of long un-vacant smell, perhaps it’s located next to the generator. Furthermore, the electricity was cut off in the middle of the night.

I can’t help but to think of last year, with good fortune, I bumped into the organizer of the Dalai Lama’s teaching tour, the committees of Tibetan Buddhist Centre. With that, my journey was smoothly paved all the way from low land to high land. My accommodation and transport was nicely arranged so that I was not at all feeling like a tourist but rather hosted by the locals. This year, however, perhaps my good karma had exhausted, or the idea of flying to Kuala Lumpur to Delhi is not sluggish enough to begin with, I’ve got a feeling; the “best” has yet to come. Whatever happens, nothing compare to the obstacles Buddha had gone through before enlightenment. This might be one of the toughest journey I’ve ever endeavor. I’ve sheer determination I’m going to complete this entire pilgrimage.

India Pilgrimage - Excess Baggage

I'm packing again. It feels like I always am.

I’m so used to packing and unpacking, that somehow I know how to fit my whole life into a bag. Stuffs that I know are sufficed for me. Then, it strikes you that you can actually live without a whole lot of “wants” and survive with only what you need. Excess baggage don’t seem to occur at the check in counter but perhaps our whole life, we’ve been accumulating a lot of baggage along this destination called life. I suppose I should be grateful for a life that lets me run footloose, but instead of continuously accruing unwanted “wants”, how about collecting all the adventures, good or bad experiences and store them in a luggage where you don’t have to see them at a corner collecting dust…

Ahram boy - 30/07

When I ask myself in retrospect—and with regard to my own experience after spending 3weeks in the temple, what have I gain or miss, there are nothing to gain or misses, the experience is rewarding and will certainly take me further into my self-cultivation. There is always a right time and a right place for everything you need to experience.

I’ve grown accustomed and comfortable to the unexpected and the poor living condition is reminding me how to appreciate more in life. Travelling allows me to be another person, a person who goes with the flow, take things as it comes with an open mind.

I left the Suvarnabhumi airport with excess baggage in my heart…

Ahram boy - 29/07 Thur

Finally, the 2 chanting that I enamored is now burned into a CD in mp3 format. Thanks to the monk working in the Radio station, Phra Monghul. He passed it to me in time before I leave the temple tomorrow.

Khun Paul certainly reminds me of my grandfather whom I’ve lost to diabetes. It’s nostalgic to shop in the wet market with him and carrying his purchases just like what I’ve done together with my grandfather. My grandfather is a photographer. Even though I’ve never seen much of his work, I’m sure my creativity comes from him and not my father. I’m glad in this trip I met Khun Paul, a kind and responsible man, setting good role models for his student. Grateful I’ve his company this few weeks; he is always so helpful and considerate.

Funny that Khun Paul gives the class an interesting test for them, it is to converse in English and express their feelings on my departure. It is so attractive, seeing how everyone keeps wanting me to stay. I blush every time when the students say they love me. I guess they haven’t figure out the meaning of love and like.

Well, I have to leave and hopefully, I’ll be back again…

Ahram boy - 28/07 Wed

I went to Wat Pah Nanachat with Khun Paul and his wife. It is a famous forest meditation temple with western monks from all over the world. We brought along some food as offering to the monks. The temple is truly organized. Every food the lay people contribute is neatly arranged and serves to the monks. It’s like an International buffet style. After the monks had taken their breakfast, we then begin to have ours. Breakfast is simply delectable. The surrounding is serene and conducive. I can see myself in this place for advance mediation.

Ahram Boy - 27/07 Tue

I was invited to the radio station again to talk about the Asalha Puja. It’s to commemorate the Buddha’s first sermon in the Deer Park in Benares and the founding of the Buddhist sangha. In Thailand, Asalha Puja is a government holiday. It takes place in July, on the full moon of the eighth lunar month. Thus, we talk about the Buddha’s first teaching, four noble truths. How, it’s so simple but yet difficult to achieve.

We talk about the nature of suffering, how ignorance created self or I and without our senses, there’ll be no me. It’s like when you sleep, when your five senses is not receptive, where are you? You exist only when your five senses starts to react with the environment, forming perceptions, ideas and clinging and attaching to it. It’s not easy to explain and difficult to comprehend but when you sit down quietly and notice how your mind and emotions arises and subjected to your senses, then you’ve a deeper understanding of sunyata (emptiness).

Ahram boy - 26/07 Mon

Khun Paul drives me to Wat Nong Bua,. It is the only temple that has a rectangular Chedi, which is an imitation of Chedi Buddhakhaya of India. There are a lot of people on the streets, celebrating the candle festival, Buddhist Lent. I however seem to be repulsed by the tremendous crowd; I went to Thung Si Muang park to get some gifts for the novice monks (instant noddles, Mama), Khun Paul, his wife and Khun Ork (Hankerchiefs) and develop a photo of Luang Por digitally I’ve shot.

Ahram boy - 25/07 Sun

I’m a little disappointed by the monk’s behavior, not just the poor dharma knowledge but their conduct. Yesterday, I saw a novice monk shooting a bird with a slingshot. I’m upset but more upset when the senior monk stood by and does nothing. I’m convinced that renunciation is in your heart and not by what you wear and the ceremony you undergoes. Whatever sins or evil someone has done is purely his own doing as he’ll be facing his own consequences. I’m no angel, I kill ants accidentally but for me, I’ll reflect it as a reminder of how killing is detrimental and a precept that we all should follow mindfully.

On my part, being judgmental and critical is a great defilement too, I must let go all my preconceive ideas and my opinions, see things as it is and watch myself, my ego, reactions and emotions carefully. I can’t possibly make everyone follow exactly what I wish to be, clinging to my “noble” thoughts can only make me suffer even more.

Ahram Boy - 24/07 Sat

I keep remembering this date as it’s one of my dear friend, Joseph, whom passed away 8 years ago. Happy Birthday, wherever you are!

I went to nearby Thung Si Muang Park, knowing that today is a rest day for me. For the past weekend, I’ve been sleeping over at the villages, so it’s good for me to explore Ubon, since Khao Pansa is coming and I’m sure there’s a lot happening in the park.

The food & fashion stalls all setting up their tent in the park, welcoming all the local and foreign tourists. It really is a big deal in Ubon, there is even an opencCandle sculptures exhibition. During this period, 3 months, Thai people are advised to refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol. It’s a time for self cultivation and observing all the precepts.

Ahram Boy - 23/07 Fri

I now know why the early morning alms offering is so contemplative and calm, it’s because I’m bare foot, imagine when you’re mindful at each step that you take, hopefully not to step into sharp or dirty objects, your mind becomes more aware.

The morning class, I’ve taught is incredible sweet, knowing I’ll be leaving next Friday, there present me a token of appreciation. It’s a photo framed with an elephant giving thanks to the Thai King. The learning experience is mutual, they taught me patient and enriching my temple boy experience. Grateful and thankful! I’ll miss all of them.

There is even a boy whom confesses his love to me :)

Ahram Boy - 21/07 Wed

The early morning alms offering are very contemplative. It’s like every morning I’m clearing up my mind, the same as I’ll clear my bowels  I decided to have a different approach this morning, whoever offers food, I’ll personifies and dedicate my metta (loving-kindness) to them. It feels really good, like a kind of purification, except not with water but with your sincere thoughts.

Last week, I gave the student an assignment. That’s to choose an English song and perform in front of the class. A question will be asked based on their understanding of the lyrics. It’s a sudden change of approach from the usual when they are so restless in the class. Group by group rehearsing in the class, It makes me wonder if they have used the same amount of interest into studying English, will the result be more spectacular?

After the chanting and mediation, I’ve to tutor one of the monk English, Phra Mon, he’s a smart alec student, it’s good to question but only if you’ve understand and counter check the teaching. He questions a lot and I’m not too sure if he’s trying to impress, certainly not to me. His basic is not strong yet he wants to demonstrate he knows everything.

Just when I’m about to shower and hoping to rest early, the old rusty toilet door knob which I accidentally slammed locked me inside the toilet. I realize it’s not possible to twirl it open from inside or outside the door. To make matter worse, the door knob has dropped and only left the middle stem of the knob. It’s so rusty that I could either died of rust infection or confinement in a squat toilet. Oh dear, I thought I’m going to suffocate at one point. I panic for about 3 seconds. Thank goodness, I’m a Buddhist and aware no anxiety will help you in this kind of situation. There is no one around in the temple, especially in the night, where no visitors are allowed. I reluctant to shout for help unless I’ve try all means to save myself. Fortunately, a monk nearby noticing the sound I made when struggling with the door knob attempt to open the door, however, it’s a one way thing, I’ve to twirl it from my side.

After struggling for about 10 minutes, that’s when the light bulb in my head blinks, I being to grab my towel and wrapped over what remains in the door knob and twist it open. Thank Buddha, the door strung wide open.

For once in my life, I’ve never dreamed of going to the toilet can be a phobia from now.

Ahram Boy - 20/07 Tue

I’m literally sleeping behind the Buddha. I even have to refrain myself from any dirty thoughts. It’s still a bit surreal waking up every morning to see Buddha descent from Tushita heaven. The room I sleep in has a wooden window craved with Buddha’s life story; fortunately, I’ve the story of Buddha's mother, Maya Deva, was reborn in Indra's heaven after she died. To repay her kindness, liberate her, and also to benefit the gods in the heaven, Buddha ascended to the heaven where he preached before the divine congregation, including his mother, for three months.

It kind of reminds me part of the reason why I’m taking this temple boyhood, is because to gain merit for my mother and perhaps all my mother from my past seven lifetimes.

I’ve a roommate, Khun Saw, he is diligent and hard working. He wakes up early to practices chanting and mediation. Sweeping the temple hall and never once I saw him complaining of anything. Even though he is of a certain age, he is only a beginner since March. Some monks told me he used to be a Thai Boxer.

Sometimes, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity of living in the temple, simple yet peaceful surrounding, calming my emotions and mind. Throughout my noviceship, leading a simple, quite life without hot shower, radio, TV and newspaper, not knowing what the world is happening. I also don’t have a mirror to remind myself who I am and attaching to my form, defending and answering to this body. There is a sense of freedom living day by day by the minute, not anticipating the future, not knowing what food will be on the table, and all I need is to focus on the impermanence. Everything rises will eventually come to an end.

Ahram Boy - 19/07 Mon

Ajahn Sakhun, one of the teachers I’ve met in the first village, Nong Lau has invited me to his school for a “farang” visit, basically, sharing with the students about life in Singapore. The students which I’ve met previously in Nong Lau are delighted to see me back in the village. It’s an enriching experience. I really like being a teacher. The children are so emancipating. They asked me for a volley ball game. The weather is hot but seeing how I can bring the children laughter makes me “jai yen” (cool hearted).

There is no banquet where you don’t leave the table eventually, we bid farewell and Ajahn Sakhun drives me back to Wat Thung Si Muang.

Ahram Boy - 18/07 Sun

Last night, it’s incredibly difficult to sleep, the dogs are howling and the roosters are crowing. They are like performing an orchestral except they have done a good job by waking everybody up in 2am.

The village goes through the same as the past 2 villages, candle lighting transference ceremony and the rice offering to the monk which in turn they share it with their fellow villagers.