Still deep in the Gobi, but you'd never know I was a cave-dweller there the last time I visited. I forgot a number of things, including a flashlight, so I dumped out of the monastery after two days so I could enjoy more than one candlepower after 7pm, a hot shower, and a room where people didn't burst in without knocking all day long. Milarepa is smiling ruefully and shaking his head in whichever pure land he currently resides.
I did have two slightly more serious reasons for hitching up the camel and coming into town. I heard that one of the boys we recently sent to India had become ill, perhaps seriously enough to merit a trip to the hospital. And while I'm doing OK without a translator, I couldn't work out the details of this and wanted to fire off an inquiring email to India. His name is Amgalan. Please keep him in your prayers.
Also, I wanted to be here for the arrival of Erka and Sharavdorj, expected momentarily, so we could coordinate tomorrow's symbolic offering of the Nyingma texts.
All that aside, I hope by now DODR has piqued your curiosity about Mongolia and its culture. If so, and you live anywhere within striking distance of the DC area, you want to block out some time this Saturday afternoon, Feb. 24, round up the chilluns, and make ready for a road trip. I'm thrilled to inform that Baasan Lama is in America and has agreed to preside over a special prayer and blessing event at KPC Maryland tagged to Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolian edition of Asian New Year. Baasan Lama, as long time readers may recall, is a genuine hero of Mongolian democracy. He was at the forefront of those peacefully agitating for the reforms of 1990, especially the reinstatement of religious freedom. He's also a wonderfully charismatic lama and sure to draw a large crowd of Mongol expats. This event will take place between 3-5pm (be prepared for "Mongolian Standard Time").
As if that's not enough for you Mongol culture hounds, KPC has just added a really wonderful surprise, an exhibition entitled "The Art of Mongolian Calligraphy," and reception for the artist, Jalair Dovdon Batbayar, to follow Basaan Lama's blessing. Now, I've been to Batbayar's gallery here in in UB. I'm crazy about calligraphy generally, but Batbayar's artistry is truly out of sight. Think I'm exaggerating (and, really, given my track record, who could blame you)? Dig this (the image to the left is the Mongolian word for "Spring" -- "Khavar" -- rendered as a crane). Batbayar and his work are currently touring the U.S. (possibly for the first time, tho I think some of his work was displayed at the National Geographic Museum last year) supported by the Embassy of Mongolia and the Friends of Mongolia. Regular DODR commenter Ariel is deeply involved in the latter, as well as this tour. My thanks to him for helping organizing this. Join him and all the other hipsters between 5-8pm on the 24th.
All of it's free, so just go!
Need directions to KPC and contact info and such-like? Your wish is my command.
good wishes to the ill young man.
and i'm jealous of anyone close enough to go. i don't think i can justify a quick trip to DC for just the exhibit, lol
Posted by: Minnie | February 21, 2007 at 07:55 AM
Wish I could be there too. Instead I'm stuck out in Sedona suffering under 70 deg weather and brilliant sunshine - samsara is such a drag! :)
Will put young Amgalan in the prayer book. Hope it's nothing serious.
BTW, the link to Batbayar's website doesn't seem to be working.
Posted by: Palzang | February 21, 2007 at 03:32 PM
The link is working now. Maybe their server was down when I first checked.
Posted by: Palzang | February 22, 2007 at 11:43 AM
I wish I'd read this post last week - I live just outside of DC and definitely could have gone!
And I recognize Batbayar's work from the National Geographic exibition last year - it's amazing.
Posted by: Sarah | February 26, 2007 at 10:05 AM