Nov 042017
 
The day begins with a walk from SINI to the Stupa. The Chatra (umbrella) and the Buddha, as well as Buddha's words are all carried with reverence and respect to the ceremony.

The day begins with a walk from SINI to the Stupa. The Chatra (umbrella) and the Buddha, as well as Buddha’s words, are all carried with reverence and respect to the ceremony.

Day one in Sarnath was spent chanting the Dhammachakka Sutra in the shadow of the Damekh Stupa, where it is thought Buddha delivered his second sermon.

Walking through the town of Sarnath to the Stupa

Walking through the town of Sarnath to the Stupa

On day one we were very separate groups all divided by language with only the common thread of any group that has just been thrust together.

Lay people carrying the words of Buddha

Lay people carrying the words of Buddha

The morning opened with a gathering in the courtyard of Sarnath International Nyingma Institute for a walk to the Stupa. The monks gather, wrap the words of Buddha in golden cloth and carry them to the site proceeded by the umbrella, another sign of the Buddha.

The Dharma Wheel, the words of Buddha and much more

The Dharma Wheel, the words of Buddha and much more

The site is decorated with the Wheel of Dharma, or the Wheel of Knowledge, flowers, especially the lotus; a symbol of Buddha, water (a typical Tibetan offering) and then the statue of Buddha and the holy texts.

Tipitaka Chanting

Lunch is graciously provided for all the monks and lay people by the local Buddhist community

Lunch is graciously provided for all the monks and lay people by the local Buddhist community

The Chanting covers the entire day, with a break for lunch. There were over 500 monks and lay people at the event for the day, a feat for all involved to carry off not just the crowd at the site, but lunch and tea as well.

dsc_3784The evening ended with a Dharma talk explaining the Buddhist Monk’s summer retreat. It was given in English as best the students could, with a constant pressing by the moderator to ask questions at the break of each speaker. It was difficult for me to understand the whole lecture due to the heavy accent and language difficulty, but it was fascinating to sit in a room and learn a small amount of information.  I can not imagine how difficult it was for the monks that have very little English, but that is all part of this experience.

The monks in attendance

A few of the monks in attendance

Monks and lay people, my camera lens was not big enough to capture all of the attendees, this is just one third.

Monks and lay people, my camera lens was not big enough to capture all of the attendees, this is just one third.

The nuns of the group

Nuns also participate in the chanting

As the began to set the green parrots, known throughout India, began to cover the Stupa

As the sun began to set the green parrots, known throughout India, began to cover the Stupa

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The Buddhist flags, and the young man charged with their care.

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I am not sure I will ever get used to monks on cellphones