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Published: February 13th 2009
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We started our journey early leaving at 6 am from Varanassi and heading to gaya by train and then taxi to Bodhgaya. WE had made arrangements for a cousin to meet us at gaya and take Taxi to the Root Institute in Bodhgaya. He did not meet us as planned, train was late, time difference in our planning and my cell phone not working. Kept cutting out while trying to find out where he was.
Meanwhile we are bombarded by hoards of folks wanting to take us by rickshaw and taxi, ect . Saying Nahi ( No) trying to make a cell call that was not working amidst chaos was stressing for me. Annya did great, firmly holding a position while I searched for better reception. It all turned out o'k. They showed, got a taxi and found root institute.
It is truly a little Oasis in India. Will be sending on pic soon. It is run by Tibetan Buddhist and acts as a retreat site and a local clinic. Locals arrive at 9 am and are treated by a Dr. and volunteer nurses and anyone who would help.
Within minutes of arriving the volunteer who was checking
us in asked whay are occupations were. It is part of the check in process at root. When I told here she said that there is a Tibetan Nun who was really sick and was asking for an acupunturist. I ended up treating here later that day.
She had lost about 80 % of her hearing from a sinus infections she was suffering from. After one treatment, 50 % improved, after two 90 % improved. She continued on her Pilgrimage after the second treatment. She said I was a gift from Buddha. She asked for an acupunturist at 9 am, I checked in at 11:30 and treated her by 2 pm. She said that is how Buddha works. If you really need something, it will manefest.
After 2 days I treated another guest for a severe migraine, at the request of the center. Could have treated more if we stayed longer.
Well, after treating the Nun, a group was heading into town to a buddhist temple that was showing relics of the Buddha. Annya was recovering from the train ride and decided to rest. I went along with a group who walked the two miles to the
Temple. It was great exercise.
We had to wait in line at the Temple and formed two lines, one to the right and one to the left. Wewaited about one hr with hundreds of people gathering in line. Many tibetans in monks robes pushed there way into line. Nuns and priests. I was waiting and Marcu from Italy, one of the guys waiting with me starts being a policeman of who gets into line. He gets everyone to squease together like sardines and yells when anyone tries to cut in line.
Meanwhile there are real police who are trying to keep order. I soon as they turn there head somebody tries to sneak in line. In one way it was a hoot, in another, very frustrating. They are all waiting in line to see a relic of the Buddha. 95 % were monks and nuns. Disapointing to see them act out like they did.
When the police let the gate open even a little to let folks in the courtyard of the temple, hundreds rushed the gates trying to get in. The police used big wooden sticks to beat and push back the crowed.
I wanted to
leave. Stuck it out and I am glad I did. A strange reaction came over me. Once within the courtyard I could feel heat in my chest. It felt like an opening was taking place in my whole chest. The feeling was hollow and vast. Soon it was like I had know chest at all, just a vast whole were it used to be.
As I was within a few feet of the relics I noticed my face was filled with tears. I came within inches of the relics, had one of the monks bless a white prayer cloth given to me as I was in line. The cloth then was passed over the relics as well. I then was moved out of line, filled with tears and a sense of Joy and Happiness.
It was hard to move. So I folded up on the floor and just did nothing. After awhile I was able to move and left the Temple to gather with the group from Root. Kiri, a young woman travelling alone from Ireland looked at me and handed me a Tissue. She asked if I was o'k and I could not talk. I just noded
o'k and blew my nose.
Ended up taking a auto richshaw back to root with the Lady with gave me the prayer cloth. Quite the experience.
Turns out this was the last night to see this . The relics are touring thru Asia and only were here for three days. I was fortunate to have the expereince.
Next Blog - At the Boddhi Tree.
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Jitendra Agrawal
non-member comment
Relics visit and teary eyes!
I have tears in my eyes reading this event and experiencing same as you did Richard from 12000 miles away. The relics visit and description is tremendous....Jitendra ( JP)... Frustations of India are gems...such as on your arrival in BodhGaya. Keep the faith, India has a way to captivate you. No wonder Annya did well dealing with that stress.