Sarnath: We belong here

Have you been to one of the holy places in this world, where it was so beautiful, so wonderful that you wanted to capture the place, the people, the faces in photographs so that you would never forget? Have you seen a holy meditator so inspiring that you quietly crept up close and took a photo with your camera, flash turned off so as not to disturb him or her? Have you seen the procession of monks and nuns or the great gurus and couldn't resist capturing the wisdom, serenity and peace in their faces?

In Sarnath we became those people. We entered the temple and walked to the front to pay respects to the main Buddha image. As we arrived, the monks opened the special gate that separated the altar area from the general public. There was no question, no hesitation, no anything except instant welcome to the holy place. We did formal greetings to the Buddhas and circumnabulation (Kora) around the statue, which the monks told us contained the holy relics of the buddhas.

And then we went to the Stupa, where we did more Kora and listened to Rinpoche turn the great wheel of Dharma. All along the way, people caught sight of us in passing, and then thoughtfully raised their cameras to capture a meaningful moment as we passed. I was not fully aware of this phenomena until later, after reflecting on the day in general in my meditation.

I realized that we are not visitors to these placs, we belong here. And the tourists know it. We are truly pilgrims.