Another full day

This day has been so full I'll do it in 2 parts.

It started out with Ngawang coming to my door early this morning and asking if I was ready to go and see the Abbott. Of course wasn't so I had to scramble to get my camera gear together. Seeing the Abbot is a very big deal and for Ngawang it was to receive his

blessing as a new geshe. The Abbot live in a room on top of the main temple. It is a

very sparse room. Little furniture except for the low bed on which he sits when greeting people. I went in first to set up the camera. Rinpoche gave me a very kind and patient smile as I set up. He then had me summon Ngawang and one of the other new Geshe's that were waiting. Ngawang came in prostrated and made several offerings. Rinpoche complimented him on

his answers during the debate saying that they were very difficult questions and that he answered them very well.

As we were leaving Ngawang explained about me and the next thing you know I'm making a katag offering and receiving a blessing. The Abbot thanked me for my kindness through the years in helping support the monastery. It's a bit embarrassing because I don't feel that I have done that much.

Ngawang spent the rest of the day receiving visitors who all brought a katag and a donation. By the end of the day there must have been 500 katags. If I remember I'll come back and

add to this to explain the process. This cafe is full of monks since this is their holiday.

Ok. I'm back. Did you miss me>
I met a boy today who was about 12 years old. He had just arrrived here a few days ago. He lived in Lhasa. His parents went out and protested during the olympics. This boy came home from school one day and his parents were gone. The Chinese had taken them and put them in jail. There is no telling if or when they will be released so he escaped out of Tibet to Nepal and was eventually sent here.

This place is full of stories like his. One old monk at house #2 spent 12 years in a chinese prison. He has agreed to be interviewed so prepare yourself for a very difficult story to hear.

Big Love

Bilbo