And Then There Were Nuns

Thanks, y'all. My buns are sufficiently bruised and bootmarked. You just don't let a monk wallow for a second, do you? Well, I love you, too. That's why, even though it's late, I can't let that mopey post just sulk there while I go to the Gobi. You deserve better.

So. After visiting the sewing group at Dolma Ling that is creating the cloth covers for our Nyingma text project (both the books and the covers should be done next week!), I poked my head into the nuns' temple. And, lo and behold, it was fulla nuns! Seems we'd stumbled in on the day reserved for Tara worship -- my kinda party! -- and they were deep into it. Being agreeable sorts, they let me snap some pics, a few of which I'll share with you here. I'm using a borrowed computer which does not have my usual quick 'n' dirty Microsoft photo program. Rather, I had to use PhotoShop for the first time. Very intimidating and I don't care for the results much. But you'll get the gist.

{just remembering a great pun in which someone coined a term for a Catholic sister: "nun of thee above"}

Here's their bodacious altar:

This ani from Kopan Monastery in Nepal served as the umset, or chant leader. She really has the vibe of a long-time, pure practitioner:

In this role she gets to make a lot of racket...

...and is graced to her left by Dolma Ling's oldest nun. This ani is 95. She took ordination at age 80! Hear that, Ma?

Here are the two of them together:

And, at the end of the row, the nunnery's young, aspiring Dizzy Gillespie on the conch shell:

Lovely, huh? We'll be talking a lot more about anis soon, just you wait. Stuff's a-brewin'.

Now for a prizeless contest. According to my stats program, DODR has received visits from folks in 99 countries so far this year (this fact alone seems pretty remarkable to me), exclusive of the US of A. So, which country do you think will be #100? To give you an idea of the latecomers, here are the last five: Mozambique, Palestine, El Salvador, Libya, and Bolivia. The more obscure your guess, the more likely you are to be the big weiner.

Update: Looks like #100 clicked in about three hours ago. I'll give you a major hint. The country starts with "C".

Comments

[Nancy O.]

Okay, put me in for Czechoslovakia. Hope you had a blessed weekend.

[Konchog]

Nope!

[Joy]

Perhaps that "C" country is Chuuk (Truk) Micronesia? Do they have Internet there???

[GKS]

Cameroon?

[Bolor]

Chad? Côte d'Ivoire?

[Konchog]

Joy, GKS, and Bolor: Excellent guesses all, but nope!

GKS: I'm especially glad you didn't say "Canada". I woulda hadda whop you when I see you next month. And that involves some risk when the whoppee is 6'7" and a martial arts expert.

[Carol in Honolulu]

How about Costa Rica? ... By the way, gorgeous Lantern Ceremony here on Memorial Day evening, with lanterns floated out into the Pacific displaying names of deceased family members and prayers for their peace and for world peace.

[Sarabaite]

Due to your proximity, I would have guessed "China" if it were not for the "obscure" comment. I'll go with "Croatia" as it's coem up in discussions in the past.

BTW, I'm not completely oblivious to the cringe you probably felt when I said "China."

As for the bruised buns, some temporary self-pity never hurt a soul who was honest about it, as you clearly were. It's sad when you see the same flaccid soul wallowing year after year, who, somehow, will not admit to the indulgence.
Example:
(setting: check-out counter at Ralph's)

Based on my best memory of a real event.
Note: My memory is far from impressive.

Bagger: I could use a break! My feet are killing me! Chelsea was supposed to break me, but she never came in.
Biddy Old Woman: Now, don't you complain! Two months ago you guys were striking, and now, at least you're working.

(Uncomfortable silence. All by-standers doubtlessly remember that the company screwed the employees on their benefits on the aforementioned strike)

Me, the nosiest bystander with a crusader complex:
Man, I complain whenever I darn well please, whether I have a good reason or not.

(nervous giggles)
Checker: Yeah, it's a free country still, isn't it?

Yep, a director I'll be someday.

[Palzang]

Chile?

[Bolor]

Last try - Congo

[Christian]

Let us sail to the islands!

Cape Verde?

(By the way, Czechoslovakia is no more a country since 1992.)

[Vedran]

It's so wonderful to see that Dolma Ling is making such progress, I remember first time when I read about the project, I was fascinated.

And the countrys... Columbia?
Central African Republic? Cameron? Chad? Cote d'Ivoire?
What is it?

[Tom Robertson]

oh oh! Columbia!

[Samaya]

What wonderful pictures...such strong, vibrant women!

And the 95 year old Ani-ordained at 80.....there's hope for me yet!

I had a liver biopsy yesterday. Lama Kunzang, aka Michael, read to me from "Perfect Qualities" during the waiting time. His writings are awesome, so direct and clear. Even though I feel like I have a volley ball in my gut this morning,I am in high spirits,awaiting the Saga Dawa ceremonies at the temple, and Jetsunma's tele-teachings.

What's brewing with the Anis? I'd like to help.

[SisLaura]

Chile or Colombia?

[KT]

Cambodia? Cyprus? CUBA???????????? (N.B.: Chuk is a state in the Federated States of Micronesia, not a country.) KT

[minnie]

cyprus

[Bea]

Delurking to yell good ol' CANADA!!

[Zendette]

Cuba

[Zendette]

Dang, KT got there before me. Ok, here's my next bet: Chechnya. Is that an independant country? Oh, no, it's still part of the Russian Federation, isn't it?

[Jim]

Ceylon

[Zendette]

Curacao?

[Karen]

Cyprus?

Christmas Island?

Comoros?

[Konchog]

KT's the Big Weiner!! She beat Minnie by two hours with "Cyprus," one citizen of which did indeed visit our strange neighborhood to represent the 100th country. Great guesses and glad you all had fun in my absence. Except, shame on you who said Croatia. Brother Vedran of that fine nation has been a long-time DODR denizen. Don't y'all recall that Floki is a Croatian name?

Had an awesome trip to the Gobi this time; story and pics up soon.

[Zendette]

Hi Konchog, fun quiz, we have to do it more often, like when we reach 108....

Not to make extra work for you, but I would absolutely love to see the list of countries from which your readership derives. Also, please tell me I'm not the only person from Israel who visits, 'cause I know we have a modest Tibetan Buddhist community here. I would, however, like to place a bet that the only Ukrainian visits were from me while I was there (February).

[Sarabaite]

My Gosh! My apologies to dear Vedran. I swear that I thought I was looking for a "C" country that had the MOST hits here. There's just no excuse for poor reading comprehension, but I hope he'll excuse the bad manners.

[Christian]

Cyprus is hardly "obscure", it is part of the European Union!

Anyway, ready for the 108th...

[Vedran]

It's fine Sarabaite, relax.

So it's Cyprus then! I would never guess! So why all those people are not leaving some comments. Order them to do so Konchog, they will listen to you! :}
I agree with Zendette it would be fun to do this more often.

[Ma]

I KNEW that sly comment about my future after 80 was coming, my clever son. I'm having a hard enough time trying to be a fairly good person, so don't push it! Your aged Ma