I interviewed Sonam for the video today. I find my vocabulary far short of what is needed to tell his story, the story of others who live here and that of the Tibetan people. Their spirit and faith is far beyond what we in the west understand. Sonam says he knew from the time he was a little boy that he wanted to be a monk. He even wore robes before taking vows. He knew that if he were to truly learn the Dharma he would have to escape from Tibet. There is no freedom of religion in Tibet! Yes, they have allowed some monasteries to be rebuilt but they do not allow the Tibetans to practice their religion freely. For you my Catholic friends imagine being told that you can not have a picture of the Pope. To have one you could be accused of being a separatist and jailed in horrid conditions indefinitely. Or being forced to recite that the teachings of Jesus are poison.
Sonam like so many others escaped from Tibet into Nepal and from there to India. It took him 2 maybe 3 months to get here. In one encounter with the Nepalese police one of his traveling companions was shot and killed. There are so many tragic stories like this. How do I tell them?
The wondrous side of all this is Sera Jey. It is a society of brothers, of fathers and sons, teachers and students, each looking after the other. The older taking care of the younger and as the years go by the younger look after the aged. There is a closeness and camaraderie, a shared purpose, a shared experience. The bonds run very deep and the commitment to the Dharma even deeper. The monastic society is obviously dominated by male energy. It is an energy dedicated to love and compassion for all beings. As you walk down the road and a friend comes up, puts his hand on your shoulder and walks with you sharing his story the bond deepens. It is not unusual to see monks walking hand in hand. We in the west have a hard time with this. We need to get over it. I can really understand how this bond works. I'm not sure how to put it into words just yet. As I sit here I wonder how a woman sees and understands it. Definitately something I'll have to explore.
Bilbo
2 comments:
When I spent two months at Sera Je, I was amazed at the tenderness of the monks towards the younger "mini" monks. I felt it was very much a female energy. In the west there is the myth that children need a mother to grow up into mentally healthy adults. But time at a monastery will quickly change that idea. Many of these monks come to the monastery at the age of 7 years old and are raised there entirely by men. The older monks are so loving and kind to the mini monks. It filled my heart with hope for this world. And one of my favorite things was to listen to the mini monks all shouting out the things they had memorized, with their high little voices all mingling together.
Peg Adams (aka Tenzin Choenyi)
I can see where it would feel like female energy. I like to think that male energy can be nurturing tender and loving, No matter what we label it, it is certainly wonderful to experience and like you it gives hope.
This particular little boy came here when he was 4. Much younger than what is the norm.
I hope that you are well. If you see ven Tsunma La (Sue Macy)from Boston please thank her for all of her kindness for me. House 2A would not be where it is if not for her efforts.
Bilbo
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