Here we are in Sarnath

pictures: Yes, there are deer in Deer Park;
Stupa at Sarnath from a distance


(updated Jan 7th in Bodgaya)
Here we are in Sarnath, the site of Lord Buddha's first teaching; the first turning of the wheel of dharma. Rinpoche taught us sitting on the grass literally in the shadow of the stupa that sits over the site. As Rinpoche taught, several Tibetans noticed the robes and came over and listened. When we took refuge right there on the grass with half prostrations, several Asian men who were circumnambulating the stupa left the path and walked around us in respect so as not to walk between us and the stupa as we were prostrating. Rinpoche explained the circumstances of Lord Buddha's first teaching. After attaining enlightenment, Lord Buddha walked all the way to Sarnath - to Deer Park. It is a long ways to walk. He found the 5 mendicants who were his previous companions, and they saw that he was no longer emaciated. At first they made fun of him, calling him "fat", but then they saw that he had 'qualities' and they sat on the grass and listened to him teach. Rinpoche told us of the visions he saw (as Lord Buddha sat to teach, he saw a vision interior. There were 1000 gold thrones. He circumnambulated 3 of them and then sat on the 4th. On the interior, Brahma offered him a 1000 spoke golden wheel. Indra and other worldly gods requested him to turn the wheel of dharma in order to benefit all sentient beings. So much light went out from his body that it lighted the 3000 worlds.) and what they meant (Lord Buddha is the 3rd Buddha of the 1000 Buddhas that will teach in this world system.) I wish I had more time on this slow computer to put in detail. Perhaps when we arrive in Bodgaya tomorrow I will find another location and come back and edit this with detail of the teaching.

Rinpoche then commented on the 4 Noble Truths that Lord Buddha taught:

• Suffering exists (confusion and imbalance is obvious. They came from an original dysfunction.),
  
• Suffering has causes (Confusion and imbalance talks to itself and produces even more imbalance and confusion) ;
  
• The causes can be removed (perfection is possible. The original confusion can be cleared away. One can return to purity and be completely free of dysfunction);
• The method of removing the causes (the noble 8-fold path: Right: speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration, attitude, and view).
  

She gave a more western slant to the teaching because we are almost all westerners (with the exception of John, who is Indian).

Again bringing in the idea of personality - our confusion and suffering will end with the healing of our personality. We are suffering from our personality - sitting in its strategies. Don't look at yourself; don't lean on your personality. (Look at Inner Guru instead.) When we release our grip on personality and let it heal - (authors comment: or rather let Inner Guru do his/her work with us.) Then you will finally be you. Our practice is an old, high practice. Doing it is the way to heal the personality. If you are feeling upset, disrespected, incapable - then do your practice.

We are in a nice hotel here. I even sent down my laundry to have it washed. The bed is actually soft and does not bottom out. Sheer luxury for a pilgrimage. Tomorrow we are back to guest houses and a simpler daily schedule. We walk everywhere with our malas doing mantra. I am amazed at the deference with which I am treated by many of the Indian people. They see my robes; they see my silvering hair; and they assume something. I am not sure what exactly - but I am treated like a holy woman - even though I am clearly American. What is a holy woman? How would you define it? What makes one holy? More things to think about. I'd better do LOTS of practice to live up to that.

may there be a rain of dharma