The rest of the day

I took a quick trip into Kushilnagar with Geshe Pema Tsering and Jampa one of the monks who has been looking after the gaggle of injees that have been hanging about. The difference between the Tibetan communities is pretty vast. On my last trip Kushilnagar was not much more than a small town at a cross roads. It is now very grown up, very dirty and very loud. On of the guys had to stop in a health clinic to have his toe bandaged. You walk into what appears to be this dumpy shop and find the most modern of equipment. It all looks so out of place. The people are very friendly and want to hear about you why you are here etc. The shop keepers love to talk business. What kind of business do you have. What is the competition like and even how much money you make. Westerners are often taken aback by some of the questions, but it is all very normal here.

My ride into town was a motor rickshaw. I've had this driver several times. He is very nice. He bought his motor or autorickshaw for $2000. He makes enough to support his wife and to children. He has a great smile and really seems to be happy.

I became a bit outraged yesterday. I came across a beggar at the entrance to Sera. His fingers and toes were gone. He is a terrible reminder of the true suffering in the world. It is outrageous that there is still suffering like this. With people running around with bank accounts larger that many small nations there is no excuse for it. A little generosity goes a very long way. One of the Boston folks gave him 20rupees. My guess is that will feed him for at least week. 20 rupees is about 50cents.

So after my outrage of the afternoon I go in the evening and have dinner with another Rinpoche. He teaches at a Dharma center in San Fransisco. It was a generous meal with many mo-mo's. (They are kind of like a chinese dumpling) There were several dishes and I don't know what any of them are called besides delicious or in Tibetan shimbo-re. All the while I kept thinking of the man begging.

My first trip here in 1993 was an eye opening experience. It lead me to start the sponsorship program for Geshe la students. Which Venerable Tsun Ma (Sue Macy)in Boston took over and has done so much more with it than I had ever done. She deserves so much praise and thanks for all she has done for Geshe La's students. This trip has served as a reminder for all that needs to be done. S0, hold onto you wallets when you see me coming! Just kidding, maybe. I do hope that the videos that come out of this will raise enough to do some good. My video about Geshe la's life in Boston raised nearly $900 which every penny of it went to the new addition to house 2a to make room for more monks.

I think I am supposed to be somewhere right now, but I can't for the life of me remember where.

kang nangi ma re
it doesn't matter

Bilbo

by the by drop this into google earth and it will take you to the house I am staying in.12°25'1.22"N 75°57'1.84"E