Social Workers, Shopkeeps, and Dharma... Oh My!

Had an amazing talk with a Tibetan shopkeeper by the name of Yeshi Gyatso today. He's Drikung Kagyu, like myself, but we both agreed that when you get right down to it, Dharma is Dharma and any authentic lama should be listened to, no matter what lineage, school, or country he or she comes from. We also talked a bit about politics and history, and had quite a few laughs. Hopefully this trend will continue.

I bought a few books and he also gave me a couple gratis, one for the lama I took refuge with (a copy of his publication on the Essential Points of Buddhist Practice) and one for myself (Heartfelt Advice to Carry One Along the Path). Last night I bought a small prayer wheel and a couple little rings for my 8 year old sister, and a vajra & bell set for me from a Tibetan Nepali store, and resisted the urge to buy any of the beautiful rudra statues because I shouldn't lug something that heavy around my whole trip, but rather get something like that at the end.

Oh, and before I forget, when I went to have dinner last night at my hotel they were short on tables and I had to sit with someone. I wound up having some very interesting conversation with a woman from Venice, and we exchanged stories about how each of us had come to be on our current paths (her in social work and international business, having lived in India for 3 years now, and done her thesis in 2007 on Tibetan thangka paintings). I had chicken fried rice, she had momo. We exchanged personal info so that, in case I wound up in an emergency and in Mumbai, she could help. Through her I learned of an Italian university I might consider if the International Buddhist Academy's 2 year translator program in Nepal doesn't come through. Our next conversation should be in Tibetan :)

I have a bus ride at 6 p.m., and it's now 2:30. A few more hours and I'll be on my way to Dharamsala. It's a 12 hour ride, so I should be there by 6 a.m. tomorrow, and will definitely be taking my melatonin so I can sleep on the way there. Just wanted to post this short entry before I got ready to leave. Hope everyone is enjoying reading this. Thanks for all the "Likes" on Facebook, guys! :D

~ Jeff

I have arrived!

Ok, so this is the first blog of my adventure. Currently I'm in Majnu-ka-tilla, a little Tibetan village just outside of New Delhi proper. For those of you who're interested, here's the link to the hotel I'm staying at today.

http://hotels.lonelyplanet.com/india/delhi-r1973745/peace-house-p1019979/

Basically, I'll be updating this whenever I can to keep a journal of my experience. I'll link to my Flickr account so you guys can see the pictures I'm taking, and every now and then I'll be posting essays on here (so be warned!)

A big shout out to all of my Sangha friends back in Tally (Eric, Ron, Rachel, Richard, Becky, Craigie, Louise, etc), the Buddhist community in general, all of my friends who are also currently overseas (Guogu, Danny, Matt, Paula & Ralph), and of course my family. Thanks specifically to Dr. Erndl for letting me do a DIS on "Religion and Culture in Nepal," (who I'll be writing the essays for). This is an amazing opportunity, and I'm utterly grateful to all those who've helped me get here to fulfill a dream of mine.

I think I'm gonna try to do a word of the day on here to reinforce the vocabulary I pick up as I learn it. Today's entry is part of the URL of my blog, and is Tibetan:

Shingta (shing rta) - trailblazer, pioneer, helmsman; chariot, charioteer; champion; spiritual vehicle, guide, mainstay; 'opener of the way.'

Obviously lots of meanings that are applicable to my journey, this blog, and -- who knows -- maybe even me. (It also happens to be the name of my router at home). Basically, this is the vehicle I'll be using to contact the rest of the world during my travels, so it feels very apropos.

Alright, folks, that'll be good for the time being. Now I need to go eat and figure out the next step. Today, relaxing... Tomorrow, Dharamsala and hopefully a glimpse at His Holiness the Dalai Lama!

Tashi Delek!
~ Jeff
(Shantideva)