Word

Bipeds were also involved in Monday’s Shambhala Shindig in the Gobi, including some of my most favorite. Hovering near the top of the list is Ts. Sharavdorj, one of two Members of Parliament who represent the Dornogov province in Mongolia's Ikh Khural. Religion wasn’t much a part of Sharavdorj’s life until the year 2000 when Altangerel approached him to help him extricate Khamar’s renowned Statue of 10,000 Knives from the clutches of both the Mongol Bank and the National Treasury. Working to bring that exquisite Padmsambhava image back to its proper place seemed to ripen some powerful, long-dormant seeds in Sharavdorj’s mind, and he’s been drinking in the Buddha’s teaching in long, blissful draughts ever since.

It was he who stunned me last year with the offer to sponsor, along with his family, the entire first printing of the Nyingma scriptures, under the sole condition that it be offered to Khamar Monastery. Needless to say, Monday was a big day for him, and the two of us together. Happily for a newly-minted shutterbug like me, Sharavdorj knows how to dress for an occasion and I caught him looking smashing in his rose-brass deel, traditional boots, and Stetson (his friend in sky blue looks pretty awesome too):

He and I were both invited to address the assembly. With a little prep from me, he eloquently described the history and contents of the six collections that comprise the 262 volumes. According to our plan, I took a different tack, explaining the significance of texts above all representations of the Buddha in this world, quoting from scriptures that say that the Buddhist texts were in essence no different from the Buddha himself. Thus, on that day, we were in fact welcoming the Buddha himself to Khamar and should treat what was being offered accordingly. Also offering a short speech was Jan Felgentreu, representing the Tilopa Center (link in German only). He explained that at Sharavdorj’s prompting he had acquired three full sets of the Kangyur (collected words of the Buddha) and Tengyur (collection of authoritative commentaries on the Kangyur’s contents), one of which was offered that day. He also shared the important detail that he had been careful to order these texts from Tibetans in Tibet (he drove all the way there to get them himself and make sure!), and not opportunistic Chinese sources. Good for you, Jan.

The deeply devoted Gobi people, however, needed little prompting to honor the occasion. After the texts got placed on two tables flanking a small altar tent…

… and the lamas settled in under a colorful tent for a full day of auspicious chanting, the gathering lined up to pay their respects to the Buddha’s enlightened words. A few took the time to touch the silk flaps on each and every volume, sometimes slipping in a small offering:

Some, especially the old folks who relish these days of freedom, made the gestures for offering their body, speech and mind and taking refuge in the Dharma:

Most touched their heads to the stacks, indicating their recognition that the texts’ teachings for developing unsurpassed wisdom and compassion were higher than their concerns for this life alone, this temporary body moved around by ego concepts. In the first picture we see Tungalag, the teacher for Khamar’s small children, lucky little guys; in the second a woman carefully touches her baby’s head to the texts, so sweet in so many ways; and in the third, the governor of the Delgerekh soum, with whom I became acquainted over hot camel yoghurt (Who said ‘yuck’?! Man, you haven’t lived…) during this past Tsagaan Sar new year’s festivities, approached the texts with such humility and devotion that I was moved to tears as I took the shot:

I was also really pleased to see so many nuns present. This beautiful group, from FPMT’s Dolma Ling, was also quite international. Besides Mongolia, they also represent India, Nepal, Tibet, and France:

Ani Kunze, looking like a rock star (in fact, we’ll talk about her new CD pretty soon!), shares a moment with Darisuren while perusing our new Mongolian translation of the Shower of Blessings Guru Yoga practice next to a display of Green Tara:

In the afternoon, to add a little liveliness, the locals staged a horse race. Since these are always distance races, and the horses are smaller than what we usually see in the West, children are always the riders. I didn’t see the race itself, but afterward the top five were ushered into Shambhala to be lavishly honored. I’d never actually witnessed these traditions. After an older man sings elaborate praises for the qualities of the both the winning horse and its rider, bowls of the fermented mare’s milk (one more 'yuck' and you're going to your room) called airag are offered. But before drinking, these are trickled as ablution on the honored horses’ backs! This is a country that takes horses very, very seriously. Doubt it? Dig the look on the man's face watching the airag being drizzled:

Due to horrendous backlighting, I didn’t get a good shot of the winning boy (who looked maybe six years old), but I was frankly more captivated with the rider who came in fifth. You see this look of dignified self-possession so often in Mongolian children (though rarely so gaily wrapped!):

But sometimes it gives way to an adorable combination of weariness and love for his four-legged friend:

And last, but far, far from least, I finally got a shot of Enkhjargal’s mama, the angel on a motorbike who offered me a sweet, rich jar of hot camel milk from her own herd when I was on retreat last November. Look how she cradles our beloved Guru Rinpoche, the image of whom I had just offered her as a blessing for her ger. May uncountable compassionate manifestations of his enlightened intention arise to illuminate every corner of every universe everywhere!

Comments

[Ryan]

Congratulations on this, dear Cuzzin. You have accomplished amazing things during your stay in Mongolia. Really. I am so proud of you.

[Kay in Albuquerque]

People like me, who will probably not ever be there personally, visit Mongolia through you. The electronic magic has happened again; I met the people and felt the wind and honored the texts and listened to the chanting. You have let me come to Shambhala. Blessings.

[Jenn]

How wonderful that you were there to see it all. I was a little afraid that your lama would send you somewhere else before the texts arrived. So happy for you and everyone else involved!

[Bolor]

It's an auspicious event of incredible magnitude. Thank you on behalf of all my countrymen.

[sarah]

I love that kid. And his little horse, too!

[Leamur]

Deepest congratulations and best wishes to you and the folks present and to all the people of Mongolia for this wonderful event.

The camels there look much better-tempered than the ones in Egypt. They're all fluffy and sweet-looking! There is nothing remotely cuddly about an Arabian camel, poor things...

[Haroldo Castro]

Konchog, as always a new great story! You are such a good writer! Also, nice shots: the kids reminded me a provincial Naadam... Congratulations for the new publication! All the Best, Haroldo