Well, my stuff has a new home, and Mooj and Nita have a new home, but Brother Konchog is still a badarchin (Mongolian for itinerant lama) due to persistent water problems, such as its tendency to freeze solid on Mongolian winter nights, and days for that matter. Everyone swears this will be resolved early this week. Good thing. It looks like the bottom's about to fall out of the already low temps.
Luckily, a good pal of Erka's runs a local hotel where there ain't nothin' happening this time of year save a handful of Chinese traders. He was happy to house a homeless monk for a little while. It's called the Dream Hotel (the marketing slogan of which should be, methinks, "To sleep, perchance, at Dream") where I get morning hots and a cot, plus peculiar cable TV. Christian's gonna hate me for saying this, but I didn't think there was anything worse than French pop music until I saw Russian music videos. Woof. I am, however, learning a lot from the BBC and the National Geographic Channel. Like that the world's an extremely inhospitable place where mortal danger lurks around virtually every corner. But very photogenic.
Anyway, while I may be lost in my Dream, my cherished Shakyamuni Buddha statue, given to me in 1991 by HH Penor Rinpoche and which travels with me everywhere, has also acquired a new home. This lovely carved altar piece, adorned with hephalumps and dragons, was a surprise gift from Sharavdorj and Erka for my new apartment. It really touched me deeply and I chose today, the full moon day, to install it and spend a few hours in its reflection, offering extensive auspicious prayers. Now this is my kinda creche:
personal altars are so beautiful, maybe all altars are beautiful. Glad to hear about the female students and the funding. And happy trails to you! From unimaginably cold to hot, stay healthy brother.
Posted by: ibu in Iowa | December 23, 2007 at 07:39 AM
Russian pop music - something about it brings to mind an SNL skit. We were treated to it by every cabbie we met in Ukraine. They really love the stuff. The deep voiced Russian gutterals to a pop tune are an odd combination, but then I guess Israeli pop probably sounds equally odd to strangers.
Posted by: Zendette | December 23, 2007 at 02:42 PM
"there was anything worse than French pop music" wait.. when you hear autralian pop music....
Posted by: everybody | December 24, 2007 at 06:06 AM
Pop music is the hamburger of music: once in a while, it is delicious!
On a very serious note: you haven't heard Korean pop music nowadays...
Posted by: Christian | December 24, 2007 at 09:31 AM
Love the altar. Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Palzang | December 24, 2007 at 11:19 AM
Hello Konchog!
I knew you will have to unveil yourself as badarchin one day! :-) I claimed you are one a long time ago remember?
I have excelent news: looks like I will spend last 2 days of 2007 and first day of 2008 on, watch this- buddhist retreat in Karma Ratna Dargye Ling, Hungary, and hopefully, I will meet Lama Chopel, the leader of Hungarian buddhist community. Lama Chopel was in Mongolia this summer visiting Gandan Tegchen Ling in UB and Tovkhon Khiid, legendary workshop of Zanabazar.
Altar is just spectacular. Stay well Konchog!
Posted by: Vedran | December 24, 2007 at 03:52 PM