I go to Rome
to see my father
who turns 96 in a few days
He’s prepared
determined
enthusiastic, with Sandra at his side
well fed
rested
and fit
They’re constantly on the move
He likes to read
and tea with the professor
I go for walks
along the Tiber
I light a candle to Sant' Antonio
and breakfast with the Walking Photographer
who teaches me the 28
Closer!
I try
though not like Eolo
then home
Ah, Rome
a blessed place!
I fly to Guwahati
on the banks of the Brahmaputra
then drive to Arunachal Pradesh
to meet our administrators
Jesus has blessed the area
as has Tibet
elders are pious
the young are chic
It’s a simple place
basics
His Holiness has visited
bestowing the Kalachakra initiation in 1983
I visit the home of my young student
And then we meet our donors
before the official
to receive a gift
Stamped!
Our escort leads us
to a hill top
where we celebrate
and then descend
taking all our things
to visit the temple we have been given
its altar
all have been kind
though firm
and then we say goodby
In the Indian state of Bihar
lies Bodhgaya
where the Buddha attained enlightenment
There are many Buddhas in Bodhgaya
and many people too
This is the tree the Buddha sat and meditated under
He then taught
We must study
and contemplate
to then meditate
we each practice in our own way
Some make offerings
others spin their MANI wheels
Someone must cook
and sweep
so we can make our way along our path
So many have hard times
a smile helps
however we must each work to cut through our ignorance
and arrive at enlightenment
so we can help those who cannot help themselves
A Thumbs Up for 2023!!!
Ps Rinpoche’s biography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is in Tibetan. There will eventually be an English translation.