Bodhgaya

Christmas Dinner

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at Root Institute

Photo 45

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Behind Root Institute. It was nice to see cranes and hear crickets. The crickets here are interesting looking, like the magpies, they're black and grey.

Photo 46

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Behind Root

Photo 47

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Another monastery-temple under construction

Photo 48

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From the dormitory at Root looking down on the temple

Photo 50

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Roof of Root Temple

Photo 51

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Flowers in December on the registration building. Flowers were all over.

Photo 52

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This must have been Lama Zopa's license plat in Santa Cruz in the '90s after Lama Osel, his guru Lama Yeshe's tulku (reincarnation) was recognized.

Photo 53

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Khadro-la arrived at Root just as I was about to leave! Something keep me waiting around there the afternoon, but I didn't know what. Lama Zopa was expiated to arrive later, but I had to go. I saw him in McLeod Ganj last week and talked to him briefly at His Holiness's teachings. Khadro-la is one of His Holiness's personal oracles. She is a recognized incarnate dakini, and emanation of Yeshe Tsogyal, one of the consorts of Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava. A very special woman indeed. His Holiness used to interview new Tibetan refugees (that came in small groups). He interviewed the last batch of 1,200 last month that were awarded visas by the Chinese government to come to India. I'm told they can wait years for this, and are awarded them randomly and individually. So one member of a family me receive one only. Due to His Holiness's incessant schedule, Khadro-la now debriefs new refugees for His Holiness.

Photo 57

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outside Root Insitute

Photo 58

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outside Root Institute

Photo 59

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Entrance to Root Institute

Photo 60

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Laotian (Myanmar) Buddhist monastery "learning centre."

Photo 61

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Adjacent tent city

Thai Temple

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The official royal Thai Temple was one of the most breathtaking things in Bodhgaya, after the Mahabodhi Stupa and giant Japanese statue of Shakyamuni Buddha.