We arrived safely, obviously,
The Absolutely Beautiful peaceful place we are staying is called the Phunsok Phodrang , there are two palaces This is the Phunsok palace and then there is the Drolma Palace or Phodrang. Traditionally there would be palaces in Tibet with a head Lama and family living there.
THis absoulutely is a palace and our head lama H. H. Jigdal Dagchen Sakya and family stay here whenever they can, but one primary role of the palace is to house, school and take care of young boys who are either orphaned or their parents are too poor to take care of them. So the parents ask if they can come here to be educated as monks'
( having at least one son become a monk was/is Tibetan tradiion as well).
So anyway yes we are staying in a palace with marble floors and a marble staircase tall ceilings beautiful peaceful grounds and even swimming pool.( it's actually empty, too dangerous for the little monks no shallow end) there are many footsteps on the marble floors from little monks running in and out going from prayers, to studies, to tea and outside.
( having at least one son become a monk was/is Tibetan tradiion as well).
So anyway yes we are staying in a palace with marble floors and a marble staircase tall ceilings beautiful peaceful grounds and even swimming pool.( it's actually empty, too dangerous for the little monks no shallow end) there are many footsteps on the marble floors from little monks running in and out going from prayers, to studies, to tea and outside.
Larry, Colin and I are staying here because we wanted to be able to help H.H.Jigdral Dagchen Sakya and H.E Dagmo Jamyang Sakya his wife to help out with the wonderful things they are doing here by doing handyman/women work whatever is needed while we are here for Pilgrimage. But as it turns we are recieving so much more then we could ever give.
The head Monk who is the administrator here (Jamyang) is helping us with all the logistics getting us to and from where we need to go to get set up here phone, Ingie food etc. (Tibetans call us Ingies. ) Dagmo la has also Told/warned friends in Nepal to be on the lookout for three Ingies who don't have any idea what they are doing. Also Lekshey la another monk and friend will be in Kathmandu to help us so we definately have training wheelsfor this trip!!!!
The head Monk who is the administrator here (Jamyang) is helping us with all the logistics getting us to and from where we need to go to get set up here phone, Ingie food etc. (Tibetans call us Ingies. ) Dagmo la has also Told/warned friends in Nepal to be on the lookout for three Ingies who don't have any idea what they are doing. Also Lekshey la another monk and friend will be in Kathmandu to help us so we definately have training wheelsfor this trip!!!!
When Dagmola leaves we will miss here greatly and we are a litte nervous but we will not be alone we will be sharing living space with Jamyang, the head monk here, Two teachers for the young monks Lunrick and Trinley ( I think) three Lamas Abaya Rinpoche, grandson to Dagchen Rinpoche and his root teacher Kusang Gyatso and Tulku, Abaya rinpoche's chinese language instructor and then an Ingie monk from Wales named Damien who helps Abaya Rinpoche with english studies etc.( very funny guy!!) The chemsitry between the three is awesome we are truly enjoying their company so i think things will be very good. and there is a wonderful cook Penba and his wife Tsering And last but not least 20 little monks ranging in age from 7 to 17. Ok bye now, Love Teresa, Larry and Colin
