Losar Tashi Delek!

Losar Tashi Delek,

The Buddha in the photo is Maitreya, the future Buddha of Universal Love, seems like a nice image to start off the Tibetan New Year with.  Some of you may not know this, but the Tibetan calendar is based on the lunar cycle, so the New Year just began Feb. 9, 2016/Tibetan year 2143.

Life here at Thosamling is moving along in winter's way, which is often a steady 55 degrees indoors and out.  Yesterday we caught a nice break of clear skies, sunshine, 74 degrees to go out and deliver our Losar baskets to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's residence, the abbot of Namgyal Monastery (HHDL's Temple in McLeod Ganj0, Jhado Rinpoche (abbout of Guyto Tantric Monastery, His Holiness the Karmapa's main residence) and another lovely Geshe La who is head of the Tibetan Library and Institute of Buddhist Philosophy.  So much fun to go around offering lovely baskets full of fruit, nuts, incense, and offer Khatags to everyone.  I also requested to take the novice vows eventually leading to full getsulma vows from the abbout of HHDL's monastery yesterday.  It seems that the first step, the Rabjung, or novice vows may happen in March.  

I have the robes, but not the haircut yet.  I posted a photo on FB that appears like it is all shaved but it is just pulled back for now.  Patience is definitely a virtue and in the meantime, there is plenty to occupy life: organic gardens, sign painting for the Nunnery, prayer flags to be taken down and switched out, daily karma yoga jobs, lots of study and prayer, Tibetan language class starts next week, 4 hours a day.  I have to learn all the prayers in Tibetan, including the entire Heart Sutra, before the full ordination.  So, not shortage on things to keep me busy.  And each morning, we are in the temple by 5:50AM until 7:00AM for morning meditation and prayer.    Sunday we have off, and we had a little break for Losar on the early morning commitment.  

Thank you all for your love, prayers, support and spiritual friendship along this pathless path.  I plan to come back to the US this November for a month's visit.  Until then, you are all tucked warmly in my heart!

All my love