Tibetan Medicine and requests to the 21 Taras

We have been in Bodhgaya for some time now. Our time here is winding down. I will miss the mahabodhi temple and doing kora around the temple and bodhi tree.

Last evening a group of approx 200 Tibetan nuns performed Chod on the temple grounds. It was wonderful to be present as they all chanted together. Most of our group attended. Rinpoche came to observe part of it and then she did kora, blessed at least one pilgrim (one of this group) that I observed as they were meditating at the temple. I stayed longer and as I left at about 8 pm, was a little surprised to find her still in the environs. Just outside the temple is a Tibetan Medical clinic. A Tibetan doctor will consult with you, read your pulse and if indicated prescribe Tibetan medicine and let you know which foods to avoid (for the time being anyway). Rinpoche had had her pulse read and as we approached, she would say which of us she thought would benefit by consulting the Tibetan doctor. Many of our group have been fighting off a cold or other respiratory condition, and so many are now on a 1-2 week regimen of Tibetan treatments for upper respiratory conditions. I had my "appointment" and am on a 4-month regimen for the knee pain that makes it difficult to get up from sitting on the ground. It's not just middle age - it's treatable. And so I will experience Tibetan medicine as a patient for the first time. I am looking forward to this first-hand exposure to Tibetan medicine. It will expand my understanding of complementary medicine and medical systems around the world.

Yesterday we received the permission initiation for the 21 Tara practice. It is a group practice that is commonly used among Tibetan Buddhists when special requests are being made. Our first purpose for doing the practice as a group is to add the strength of our practice energy to our prayers for world peace. Today we met at the temple grounds, and in the same place where Chod as performed last night, we chanted prayers for world peace, followed by the homage to 21 Taras. As Rinpoche led us, she told us that we are doing this with a mind of service. To pray for world peace from this holy site, empowered by our energy as practitioners is beneficial.

may peace prevail on earth
and may there be a rain of dharma