Mahabodhi Mahavihara Photos

Bodhi Tree 6AM
Maha Bodhi Maha Vihara at Dawn





Two Young Monks as seen by Deki

Friend of the Buddha

(Sung to the tune of 'Friend of the Devil' by the Grateful Dead (Ha! Ha!)

I lit out from Delhi I was trailed by twenty cows
didn't get to sleep that night
'til the Buddha showed me how

(chorus)Set out runnin' but I take my time
friend of the Buddha is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight
Just might get some sleep tonight

Ran into the Buddha, baby, he loaned me to the Sangha
spent the night in Varanasi
in a guest house by the Ganga

(chorus)

Ran down to the burning ghat
but the Buddha caught me there
taught me about impermanence
and he vanished in the air

(chorus)

(bridge) Got two reasons why I cry away each lonely night
first one is attachment
for it's my heart's delight
Second is aversion, baby, wild pig's on my trail
and if he catches up with me
I'll surely start to wail

Went to the stupa in Sarnath, baby, and the one in Bodhgaya, too
first turning of the wheel of Dharma
and the one where the Bodhi tree grew

(chorus)

(Apologies for all incorrect Buddhist references and to Deadheads everywhere... corrections, additions and backup vocals and instruments gladly accepted... e-mail me at 'rtnewt@pacbell.net' if you are interested in joining the Bodhgaya Blues Band...)

Dhanyava!

I just want to thank everyone for the marvelous posts they have made to the blog, and for the comments on my post. I am truly impressed by the thoughtfulness, insight and literary skills that all of you have brought to your entries. Overall I would say that everyone is truly bringing a spirit of pilgrimage to the blog, thus extending the amazing sense of caring, sharing and support that was experienced on the journey itself. I myself had an inordinate amount of difficulty trying to post (frustrating experiences with forgotten passwords and such, tending to severely test my own pilgrimage spirit), but I seem to be getting the hang of it now. So, may we continue and keep the spirit of the Sangha alive! I am truly looking forward to this as I am beginning to experience my 'ordinary' life in a whole new way.

Varanasi

Breathe the black, choking smoke

See the bodies burning and don't turn away

Feel the ash falling on your skin

For this will be your fate someday.