Great Fortune and a Promising Future Ahead..

The positive energy of our village is impossible to ignore as the Lama left a very favorable impact on us and has inspired many to come out of their saddened ways following our previous hardship. During my strolls to and from the monastery everyday, I could not help but notice the considerable difference in morale especially in the square. Everyone’s faces are alight with happiness and hope and it is a refreshing sight to see the children playing without a care in the world once more.

While I hoped that he would grace us with his presence for a little while longer as it had felt as though he only just arrived when preparations began for his departure; it was still a very enjoyable and beneficial experience for the people of our humble village , including my mother and I. The Lama left us many protective amulets which the ritualists have been handing out over the last few days and generously donated funds to help the building of the printing press and the renovation of the library at the nunnery. Not only that , but he also awarded us for our aid in the neighboring village that recently suffered the naga illness by offering some financial support for the construction of the new medicine factory.

I am sure that everyone in the village would agree with me when I say that we all thoroughly enjoyed our time with our most venerable leader, especially when we were privileged to partake in the rituals that he led. Such a ritual was one to honor the Lord of Dance where we first had to prepare ourselves by performing certain acts to rid ourselves of malevolent or demonic spirits that threaten us to stray away from the Eight fold Path. Initially, I could not wait for the rituals to begin because I had never experienced the teachings of a Lama firsthand but I was surprised and quite frankly taken aback when I saw the Lama wield a dagger invested with great power of strength and goodness which is also called a phurba to symbolically liberate such terrorized spirits out of the illusion suffering and into relief. My mother was holding my hand tightly as she gazed at me knowingly during the ritual , signaling that she understood by shock but remain neutral as anything otherwise would be a great disrespect.

We were also privileged to listen to the Lama communicate Buddha’s teachings in such a refreshing way and I felt that my understanding and knowledge had expanded even more which will help me further in my quest for enlightenment moving forward. He emphasized the importance of not falling into the temptation of earthly attachments and desires as it is known that the concept of a self is only an illusion that we break free which signifies enlightenment. While it is extremely difficult ,We must detach ourselves from this concept as it is the cause of all our suffering and arrive at relief, we must wholeheartedly discard this notion, hence destroying the illusion.

The Lama’s visit was very fruitful to our village and with the negative energy expelled; I cannot help but notice the renewed sense of hope and happiness present. The new projects in the nunnery and medicine factory have kept many busy which I believe is a good thing as we can focus our energy on the positive and move away from past strife.

I almost forgot to mention something important! Silly me!! I was told that the Lama got to see my father’s renewed mural depicting the Wheel of Life during his tour of the Monastery. His reaction was very positive and when I told him of my father’s legacy, he smiled and offered a quick prayer in his honor and I could not thank him enough for bestowing such a great gift upon our family. I cannot wait to work on new projects to facilitate my journey of the Eight fold Path.

The village was somber to see him leave but the impact he left on all of us will be remembered for many years to come , especially the positive energy bestowed upon us. I , along with the village have a renewed sense of hope and motivation to our way of life and I cannot wait to progress further .