Meeting the Rinpoche

Today was the last day of the 3 day festival known as a Tsechu. It is a series of dances that tell stories of the creation of the country. The dances add to the culture of this unique country by reinforcing the beliefs. Well, on the last day, at the Dzong, the monks reveal a Thongka. It is a 3 or 4 story oil painting on cloth that tells the story of Guru Rimpoche, the founder of Bhutan. It also reinforces the teachings of the Buddha. Because the Thongka is extremely sacred, it is unrolled around 4 a.m. and then rolled up before the first light of the day can touch it.

Two friends of mine decided that we would venture out and attempt to catch sight of this sacred painting. We got up at 4 a.m. and were dressed (in formal attire) and leaving at 4:45. By 5:00 we were at the Dzong. We kept thinking aloud how early we must be because there were few people around. We crossed the bridge pictured here. Do you see all the people?
When we reached the entrance to the Dzong, a friendly guard stopped us and asked us where we were going. He told us that the Dzong did not open until 6:00 at which time we would be free to claim our spot to watch the day's activities. We explained to him that we were here to view the Thongka. He told us that we must be mistaken, that there would be no Thongka. We attempted to explain to him in our limited Dzongkha that we had come for the Thongka. He radioed into the Dzong, and we clearly understood that there would be no Thongka. Being disappointed, we decided to roam Thimphu prior to sunrise.

Since the King will be getting married next week, Thimphu is ready to celebrate. This picture is the Dzong at night. It is usually lit but not to this extreme. Every government building and many privately owned buildings are decorated.
My friends Sara and Louis, both from Singapore on one of the hills above Thimphu.


Sunrise sitting on the front porch of Sara's house watching the sun light illuminate the mountains across the valley.


So, life here in Bhutan is interesting to say the least. Strange and unique things just seem to happen here if you learn to go with the flow. The Bhutanese perspective is one that is frustrating and exciting at the same time. Take for instance this long weekend. A friend of mine wanted to have a monk perform a prayer for her. She was hesitant about asking because she is unfamiliar with monks. (Not that I am any genius, but I have taken this opportunity to learn as many things as possible, including things of a religious nature.) So, she asked another friend of mine who said no problem. Well, Friday morning we went to the monk's apartment only to find out that he is not just an ordinary monk but a Kempo and a Rinpoche here in Bhutan having been exiled from Tibet. He is a wonderful person with a great sense of humor. Today, we went back for a very special prayer and then my friend invited Rinpoche to come sometime to perform a blessing of the house. He said, what about now. So, he came, performed the small puja and that is how I spent part of my long weekend. Oh, yea, and I did many other things too, but this was by far the best and most interesting.


Me, Rinpoche and Minashi, who by the way has a Ph.D. in Tibetology. She published her dissertation in book form and the forward was written by the Dalai Lama himself!
Kempo Rinpoche Kencho Yoezer. The term Kempo is an indication of his educational level. Rinpoche means that he is recognized as a reincarnate.

So the trip to Haa yesterday was fun. We had to cross over the highest pass in Bhutan in order to get to Haa. When we arrived, it was cold, raining and starting to snow. Needless to say, we did not stay up there any longer than we had too. It was miserable. For all of you that need to convert meters into feet, it is just over 13,000 ft. Don't feel bad, I had to use the converter on my mobile to figure out how high it was!
This picture gives you some kind of indication of the terrain here. It is a very small country, but if you attempt to travel, it takes days and days. When the guide books say there are very few straight stretches of road, they are not kidding. Now can you see why?

This is looking down into a valley. The terraced areas are rice patties. Subsequently, that is why I eat rice 3 times a day!


The lady in the blue jacket is a friend of mine. She tried to light a fire to keep warm, but it did not work very well. The other woman was just trying to stay warm also.
Cold and freezing!!!!!!!!

Coming down into Paro town as the sun set.
If you have not heard, the King is getting married next week. Therefore, the town of Thimphu is all abuzz getting ready for the event. This is the Thimphu Dzong. Normally it is not lit like this.