Poem
Even though my soul has been torn, here I am laughing.
Even though my very being is in fragments, I have somehow survived.
As long as there is one drop of blood in my body,
Until life’s last instant, I will always foster this love.
When I die I will be thinking of it – my education.
But now it is just a dream that cannot become reality.
If I was a flower, I would bloom, but I cannot for all of the thorns.
If my love was for anything else I could forget it.
I cannot forget my desire to learn, and the road is covered in thorns.
How can I laugh with my heart so filled with a love for learning?
How can I laugh?
--Santaki B.K. (translation by B. Ayers)
Assets
Today, a Nepali’s morality
Only considers possessions.
Respected porters, brothers –
Today, a Nepali’s identity
Has become selfish.
Respected porters, brothers –
We’re only here as long as our physical health is.
Of course, we will become wealthy and happy.
Respected porters, brothers –
If your soul is content and peaceful
Your creativity can build a Taj Mahal!
Respected porters, brothers –
Make your hardship into a possession.
Soak this earth with your sweat.
Make a storehouse for your sweat.
-- Nanda Raj Rai (translated by B. Ayers)
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Meal Gratitude
This food is the gift of the earth, the sky,
the sun and much hard work. May we live in a way that is worthy of this
food. May we transform our unskillful states of mind, especially ignorance, fear, lust, anger, sloth and delusion. May we eat only
foods that nourish us and prevent illness. May we accept this food for
the realization of the way of understanding and love.
- Mahayana Buddhist Blessing (paraphrased)
“If people knew the results of giving and sharing … Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared, if there were some being to receive their gift.” - Sakyamuni Buddha, Itivuttaka Sutta
- Mahayana Buddhist Blessing (paraphrased)
“If people knew the results of giving and sharing … Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared, if there were some being to receive their gift.” - Sakyamuni Buddha, Itivuttaka Sutta
Monday, November 17, 2014
Tyranny of Monsoon Leeches
Sanguivorous leeches thrive during wet conditions, vying for a
trekker’s 10 pints of blood. During the monsoon, they are abundant in
forests above 4000 feet (1200 m)…and the author once became attached to
one at over 12,000 ft (3700 m). These jawed, terrestrial parasites
(Gnatbobdellida of the suborder Hirudiniformes) are sensitive to light
and attracted to movement, warmth, and by-products of respiration.
Leeches can drop from vegetation or “crawl” in inch-worm fashion (by
using suckers at each end of the body) up from the ground as well as
attach from leaves or rocks. Leeches find hosts by detecting shadows,
mechanical stimuli of vibrations and heat as well as chemicals (carbon
dioxide and skin oils).
As ecto-parasites, they attach themselves by means of tiny teeth with sharp cutting edges. Although leeches feed off the blood of a host, bites usually go unnoticed because a concomitant anesthetic is released. They also disperse an anticoagulant (the peptide hirudin is in their saliva) to keep the prey’s blood flowing and eventually, will drop off once sated. This may take twenty to forty minutes or longer, in which time the leech can swell, bloated on the blood feast, many times in size.
A single feeding is enough to sustain a leech for several months and they burrow into the ground to survive long dry periods. Leeches are hermaphroditic and deposit eggs in a cocoon after copulation and exhibit advanced care of young not usually seen in the phylum Annelida. They also have modern day medical relevance and can be used during recovery in plastic and reconstructive surgery cases and are helpful in the drainage of pooled blood, especially to relieve venous congestion and maintain circulation.
To remove a leech in the wild, use the leading edge of a fingernail (or other flat object) scraped along the skin to dislodge the thinner, anterior end at the attachment site. Keep the wound clean. Other means of removal—such as pulling or using heat, salt, alcohol, or insect repellent—can cause the leech to release the contents of its stomach which contain bacteria and may infect the bite area. Jawed leeches are not known to be transmitters of disease, however, because of anticoagulants there might be considerable blood flow. Control the minute lesion with pressure, and watch for signs of infection later. Rarely, some people have an anaphylactic or other allergic reaction to leech bites, requiring serious medical attention.
If embarking on a monsoon trek, certain items of equipment are essential: a waterproof pack cover, sheets of plastic for porter loads, plastic bags for gear inside the pack, an umbrella, a hat with a brim, a walking stick, footwear with good traction and especially leech protection. The best preventive to bites is to cover the skin. However, leeches often find a way through clothing. Some insect repellents work when applied to boots, lower legs and exposed skin. “Anti-Leech Oil,” a potent elixir of five oils, is available in some pharmacies and shops in Kathmandu and at the Kathmandu Environmental Education Office (KEEP) in Kesar Mahal, Thamel. Other options include eucalyptus oil, lemon juice, or, in a pinch, smearing bath soap over dry skin. Leech-proof socks could be worn over regular socks. With preparation, a foray into the leech infested heights can be relatively terror free!
As ecto-parasites, they attach themselves by means of tiny teeth with sharp cutting edges. Although leeches feed off the blood of a host, bites usually go unnoticed because a concomitant anesthetic is released. They also disperse an anticoagulant (the peptide hirudin is in their saliva) to keep the prey’s blood flowing and eventually, will drop off once sated. This may take twenty to forty minutes or longer, in which time the leech can swell, bloated on the blood feast, many times in size.
A single feeding is enough to sustain a leech for several months and they burrow into the ground to survive long dry periods. Leeches are hermaphroditic and deposit eggs in a cocoon after copulation and exhibit advanced care of young not usually seen in the phylum Annelida. They also have modern day medical relevance and can be used during recovery in plastic and reconstructive surgery cases and are helpful in the drainage of pooled blood, especially to relieve venous congestion and maintain circulation.
To remove a leech in the wild, use the leading edge of a fingernail (or other flat object) scraped along the skin to dislodge the thinner, anterior end at the attachment site. Keep the wound clean. Other means of removal—such as pulling or using heat, salt, alcohol, or insect repellent—can cause the leech to release the contents of its stomach which contain bacteria and may infect the bite area. Jawed leeches are not known to be transmitters of disease, however, because of anticoagulants there might be considerable blood flow. Control the minute lesion with pressure, and watch for signs of infection later. Rarely, some people have an anaphylactic or other allergic reaction to leech bites, requiring serious medical attention.
If embarking on a monsoon trek, certain items of equipment are essential: a waterproof pack cover, sheets of plastic for porter loads, plastic bags for gear inside the pack, an umbrella, a hat with a brim, a walking stick, footwear with good traction and especially leech protection. The best preventive to bites is to cover the skin. However, leeches often find a way through clothing. Some insect repellents work when applied to boots, lower legs and exposed skin. “Anti-Leech Oil,” a potent elixir of five oils, is available in some pharmacies and shops in Kathmandu and at the Kathmandu Environmental Education Office (KEEP) in Kesar Mahal, Thamel. Other options include eucalyptus oil, lemon juice, or, in a pinch, smearing bath soap over dry skin. Leech-proof socks could be worn over regular socks. With preparation, a foray into the leech infested heights can be relatively terror free!
Climate Change vs. the Mighty Himalaya
The earth’s thermostat seems to have lost its bearings and the Himalayan region has seen disruption in critical monsoon timings and a marked retreat of glaciers.
There are nearly 3000 glaciers and 1500 glacial lakes in Nepal above 11,480 ft (3500 m). It is predicted that a 4°C rise in the global average temperature, which is within some projections for the end of this century, would eliminate these glaciers. According to the Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), the temperature in Nepal’s Himalaya may be increasing by an average of 0.04° Celsius per year.
Imja
Glacier in the Everest Region of Nepal is considered to be one of the
fastest-retreating Himalayan glaciers at approximately 243 feet (74 m)
per year, and the decline is attributed to solar warming. Imja Tsho Lake
has increased in size alarmingly over the last half century from mere
melt ponds in the 1950s to a lake of nearly 0.38 square mile (1 km²), or
247.11 acres, with an estimated volume of 47 million cubic yards (35
million m³) of water and rising. Its moraine of rock and ice is
considered unstable and a threat for a glacial lake outburst flood
(GLOF).
If extensive, a GLOF could result in severe wreckage downstream. A 2002 report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the UN Environment Program puts twenty of Nepal’s glacial lakes at risk for a GLOF, and Imja Tsho is considered the worst danger. According to Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), there have been more than fourteen GLOFs in Nepal. The most recent in the Everest Region was recorded in September 1998, which caused flooding on the Inkhu Khola. Other floods in that area include ones that damaged parts of the village of Ghat in 1985 and Pangboche in 1979. In May 2012, a massive landslide near Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Peak) in the Annapurna Region caused flooding on the Seti River and dozens of people perished.
Climate change is making its mark on mountaineering, too, “Climbing is becoming more and more dangerous because glaciers and snow are melting and rock is appearing and avalanches are more frequent. The impact is visible in the high Himalaya,” Ang Tshering Sherpa, President, Nepal Mountaineering Association.
There are nearly 3000 glaciers and 1500 glacial lakes in Nepal above 11,480 ft (3500 m). It is predicted that a 4°C rise in the global average temperature, which is within some projections for the end of this century, would eliminate these glaciers. According to the Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), the temperature in Nepal’s Himalaya may be increasing by an average of 0.04° Celsius per year.
If extensive, a GLOF could result in severe wreckage downstream. A 2002 report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the UN Environment Program puts twenty of Nepal’s glacial lakes at risk for a GLOF, and Imja Tsho is considered the worst danger. According to Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), there have been more than fourteen GLOFs in Nepal. The most recent in the Everest Region was recorded in September 1998, which caused flooding on the Inkhu Khola. Other floods in that area include ones that damaged parts of the village of Ghat in 1985 and Pangboche in 1979. In May 2012, a massive landslide near Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Peak) in the Annapurna Region caused flooding on the Seti River and dozens of people perished.
Climate change is making its mark on mountaineering, too, “Climbing is becoming more and more dangerous because glaciers and snow are melting and rock is appearing and avalanches are more frequent. The impact is visible in the high Himalaya,” Ang Tshering Sherpa, President, Nepal Mountaineering Association.
Renewal/Extension of Nepal Visa
NEW information about visa renewal/extension while in Nepal:The
immigration offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara no longer accept on-site
handwritten applications for visa extensions. Applications for
renewal/extension need to be filled out ONLINE....although machines for
doing so are available at the immigration offices for this, lines to use
the machines will be long and wait times extensive. Better to fill out
an application online before visiting the immigration office to renew
(extend) your visa.
Make an application online and bring a print out
of it and photocopy of passport, photocopy of current visa and a
passport photo. Follow this link to get started:
Yoga Guides
"Arise! Awake! Do not stop until the goal is reached!" --Swami Vivekananda
1. The Hanuman Chalisa is a Hindu devotional hymn dedicated to Hanuman, praising him as a hero of the Ramayana (an epic Sanskrit saga).
It has been said that anyone who recites the Hanuman Chalisa 100 times (or for 100 days) will invoke Hanuman’s divine intervention and be released from everyday troubles and life's burdens and eventually find Supreme Bliss. Lord Shiva himself is believed to have affirmed this and that anyone who recites the Hanuman Chalisa can achieve greatness. (Kindle edition)
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2. Yoga Synthesis by Swami Sivananda (Kindle edition)
“Sri Sankara, Jesus, and Buddha were all masters of Yoga Synthesis. Sri Aurobindo, Mahatma Gandhi, Sadhu Vasvani, and more were all practicing the Supreme Yoga, the Yoga of Synthesis.
May you all tread the path of Truth. May you all attain perfection and integral development through the practice of Yoga Synthesis!
Logical chopping, clever hair splitting arguments, intellectual gymnastics and word jugglery will not help you in attaining Self-Realisation. You must harmoniously develop your head, heart and hand through the practice of the Yoga of Synthesis. Then only you will attain perfection and integral development. “ –Swami Sivananda
1. The Hanuman Chalisa is a Hindu devotional hymn dedicated to Hanuman, praising him as a hero of the Ramayana (an epic Sanskrit saga).
It has been said that anyone who recites the Hanuman Chalisa 100 times (or for 100 days) will invoke Hanuman’s divine intervention and be released from everyday troubles and life's burdens and eventually find Supreme Bliss. Lord Shiva himself is believed to have affirmed this and that anyone who recites the Hanuman Chalisa can achieve greatness. (Kindle edition)
2. Yoga Synthesis by Swami Sivananda (Kindle edition)
“Sri Sankara, Jesus, and Buddha were all masters of Yoga Synthesis. Sri Aurobindo, Mahatma Gandhi, Sadhu Vasvani, and more were all practicing the Supreme Yoga, the Yoga of Synthesis.
May you all tread the path of Truth. May you all attain perfection and integral development through the practice of Yoga Synthesis!
Logical chopping, clever hair splitting arguments, intellectual gymnastics and word jugglery will not help you in attaining Self-Realisation. You must harmoniously develop your head, heart and hand through the practice of the Yoga of Synthesis. Then only you will attain perfection and integral development. “ –Swami Sivananda
Caste Stratification
There
was a time when caste was not designated by birth. Social assignment
was according to tendencies and talents a person developed over time and
through choice and predilection. People
were then grouped according to a path that had been personally
preferred and selected. However, that era is far in the past and the
hierarchy of caste has long since been determined by a person’s family
pedigree.
Caste protocol was codified as law in Nepal in the Muluki Ain of 1854. Although this law has been repealed, it still influences behavior and is the basis for prejudice and discrimination on the basis of social order. Caste and ethnicity determines one's standing and powers within the social order.
The view that a person’s circumstances are pre-determined and ineluctable is cited as an impediment to development. In other words, because of a belief in pre-destiny, people might be more inclined to accept unfavorable circumstances rather than strive to improve them.
With regard to Hindu beliefs about reincarnation and caste, an individual who aspires to rebirth in a higher caste must live a proper life according to the social prescription of his or her present caste.
Caste protocol was codified as law in Nepal in the Muluki Ain of 1854. Although this law has been repealed, it still influences behavior and is the basis for prejudice and discrimination on the basis of social order. Caste and ethnicity determines one's standing and powers within the social order.
The view that a person’s circumstances are pre-determined and ineluctable is cited as an impediment to development. In other words, because of a belief in pre-destiny, people might be more inclined to accept unfavorable circumstances rather than strive to improve them.
With regard to Hindu beliefs about reincarnation and caste, an individual who aspires to rebirth in a higher caste must live a proper life according to the social prescription of his or her present caste.
Tashi Tagya (Ashtamanga) -- Eight Sacred Symbols
Known as tashi tagya in Tibetan and ashtamanga in
Sanskrit, these eight sacred designs are seen around Tibetan-origin
populations, including throughout the highland populations of Nepal.
They are commonly found on chorten, stupa and mani
stones and in paintings, textiles, ritual objects as well as
inscriptions at homes, monasteries, restaurants and shops and even on
tableware and everyday practical objects.
These revered symbols are considered signs of good fortune, protection and well-being. Each motif has different meanings that are open to interpretation and the following is a brief summary of the significance of each:
-Eternal Knot (represents unity of the cosmos and time’s endlessness as well as the union between wisdom and compassion, intention and action)
-Lotus (wholesome deeds rising from the coarse mud under murky waters to blossom in the clear light of day; represents the process from ignorance to enlightenment)
-Victory Banner (stands for the victory of wisdom over ignorance)
-Wheel of Dharma (represents the precious Buddhist teachings, especially the Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths)
-Vase (holds waters of eternity and jewels of enlightenment)
-Pair of Golden Fish (swimming freely without fear of drowning in the waters of Samsara -- worldly life)
-Umbrella (protection from negative influences and suffering)
-Conch Shell (heralds the Buddha’s teachings, signals group prayer time)
These revered symbols are considered signs of good fortune, protection and well-being. Each motif has different meanings that are open to interpretation and the following is a brief summary of the significance of each:
-Eternal Knot (represents unity of the cosmos and time’s endlessness as well as the union between wisdom and compassion, intention and action)
-Lotus (wholesome deeds rising from the coarse mud under murky waters to blossom in the clear light of day; represents the process from ignorance to enlightenment)
-Victory Banner (stands for the victory of wisdom over ignorance)
-Wheel of Dharma (represents the precious Buddhist teachings, especially the Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths)
-Vase (holds waters of eternity and jewels of enlightenment)
-Pair of Golden Fish (swimming freely without fear of drowning in the waters of Samsara -- worldly life)
-Umbrella (protection from negative influences and suffering)
-Conch Shell (heralds the Buddha’s teachings, signals group prayer time)
Buddhism in Nepal
Join a Buddhist meditation course in the land of Buddha’s birth (Siddhartha Gautam was born in Lumbini in Nepal's southern district of Rupandehi)!
A good choice for a first taste of meditation is the Vipassana Foundation. Regular courses are available on a donation basis. Their main office in Kathmandu with a basement meditation hall is just off Kantipath Road nearby Thamel. The retreat center, Dharma Singha, is on the outskirts of the valley to the north. The center is above a Hindu shrine known as Budhanilkantha and a memorial honoring the late Khaptad Baba. A large golden stupa inside the compound resembles Burma’s famous Schwedagon Pagoda. To find the main office in Kathmandu, follow Kantipath to the right (south) from Tridevi Marg. Within five minutes, there is a complex known as Jyoti Bhawan with both Honda and Hero Honda motorbike sales shops. The office is inside this complex toward the back and the meditation hall is below the office and evening one hour sits begin at 6 PM (5:30 PM in the winter). Courses are run by donation. Visit the Kathmandu Vipassana Centre site for more information. (The retreat center in Pokhara, Dharma Pokhara, is on the outskirts of the valley east, on the southern bank of Begnas Lake, about 18 km from the Lakeside area. Visit http://www.pokhara.dhamma.org/ for further information.)
The International Buddhist Meditation Center Offers also offers instruction in Vipassana meditation, and follows Mahasi Sayadaw style techniques. Room and board are provided (donation based). The center is away from Thamel, and it will take an extra effort to locate the site along the banks of Bagmati River across from Patan in Buddha Nagar, Sankhamul, Kathmandu. Phone 01-4784631 and 4782707 Email: agganyani@enet.com.np.
The Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Center (HBMC) has moved frequently in the last few years and currently, is on the top floor of the Himalayan Yoga Hotel in Thamel (Pokhara's satellite center is up from the north shores of the lake in the hills of an area known as Kahare -roughly 1 km from Hallan Chowk- and offers meditation, yoga, tai-chi, and reiki instruction and regular weekend retreats.)
HBMC also holds regular talks on meditation and Tibetan Buddhism, and is under the auspices of Kopan Monastery in Baudhnath and the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition.
There are many, majestic Tibetan monasteries near Baudhnath, and most schedule teachings by high lamas and rinpoches as well as standard classes on Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan language, too. The following institutions offer regular courses: the International Buddhist Academy, Rangjung Yeshe Institute, and Kopan Monastery.
Most monasteries in the Baudhnath area of Kathmandu and elsewhere open their doors to visitors. If you visit during daily prayer and chanting ceremonies, you are in for an otherworldly experience, as the sing-song rhythm of the chanting accompanied by bells, conch shell blasts, horns, drums, and cymbals leaves quite an impression. These group prayer ceremonies usually take place in the early morning or early evening. Please respect the setting and do not sit against pillars or on cushions unless invited to do so. You will want to obtain permission before taking photographs of the residents (some of the monks and nuns are quite camera-shy).
Cheers and enjoy your time!
Sidenote--if you are in Thailand and looking for meditation centers, then please try the following link for valuable background information on centers in listed by region of the country: http://www.dhammathai.org/e/meditation/page1.php
A good choice for a first taste of meditation is the Vipassana Foundation. Regular courses are available on a donation basis. Their main office in Kathmandu with a basement meditation hall is just off Kantipath Road nearby Thamel. The retreat center, Dharma Singha, is on the outskirts of the valley to the north. The center is above a Hindu shrine known as Budhanilkantha and a memorial honoring the late Khaptad Baba. A large golden stupa inside the compound resembles Burma’s famous Schwedagon Pagoda. To find the main office in Kathmandu, follow Kantipath to the right (south) from Tridevi Marg. Within five minutes, there is a complex known as Jyoti Bhawan with both Honda and Hero Honda motorbike sales shops. The office is inside this complex toward the back and the meditation hall is below the office and evening one hour sits begin at 6 PM (5:30 PM in the winter). Courses are run by donation. Visit the Kathmandu Vipassana Centre site for more information. (The retreat center in Pokhara, Dharma Pokhara, is on the outskirts of the valley east, on the southern bank of Begnas Lake, about 18 km from the Lakeside area. Visit http://www.pokhara.dhamma.org/ for further information.)
The International Buddhist Meditation Center Offers also offers instruction in Vipassana meditation, and follows Mahasi Sayadaw style techniques. Room and board are provided (donation based). The center is away from Thamel, and it will take an extra effort to locate the site along the banks of Bagmati River across from Patan in Buddha Nagar, Sankhamul, Kathmandu. Phone 01-4784631 and 4782707 Email: agganyani@enet.com.np.
The Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Center (HBMC) has moved frequently in the last few years and currently, is on the top floor of the Himalayan Yoga Hotel in Thamel (Pokhara's satellite center is up from the north shores of the lake in the hills of an area known as Kahare -roughly 1 km from Hallan Chowk- and offers meditation, yoga, tai-chi, and reiki instruction and regular weekend retreats.)
HBMC also holds regular talks on meditation and Tibetan Buddhism, and is under the auspices of Kopan Monastery in Baudhnath and the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition.
There are many, majestic Tibetan monasteries near Baudhnath, and most schedule teachings by high lamas and rinpoches as well as standard classes on Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan language, too. The following institutions offer regular courses: the International Buddhist Academy, Rangjung Yeshe Institute, and Kopan Monastery.
Most monasteries in the Baudhnath area of Kathmandu and elsewhere open their doors to visitors. If you visit during daily prayer and chanting ceremonies, you are in for an otherworldly experience, as the sing-song rhythm of the chanting accompanied by bells, conch shell blasts, horns, drums, and cymbals leaves quite an impression. These group prayer ceremonies usually take place in the early morning or early evening. Please respect the setting and do not sit against pillars or on cushions unless invited to do so. You will want to obtain permission before taking photographs of the residents (some of the monks and nuns are quite camera-shy).
Cheers and enjoy your time!
Sidenote--if you are in Thailand and looking for meditation centers, then please try the following link for valuable background information on centers in listed by region of the country: http://www.dhammathai.org/e/meditation/page1.php
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