First Day in McLeod Ganj

We started off today to see the monastery, where His Holiness, the Dalai Lama lives. He has lived in McLeod Ganj since going into exile from Tibet in 1959 (after Chinese occupation and subsequent torture and killing of the Tibetan people). With many followers, he made the 25 day trek through the Himalayas to Nepal, then on to India where they gave him political asylum. Since then, thousands of Tibetans have followed in his footsteps to escape torture and imprisonment by China for their beliefs.
The monastery is a beautiful place, prayer flags leading up to it and inside different areas of worship. In the courtyard, the monks were doing debate (in which they end each point with a slap of their hand and a stomp of their feet).

We wondered around the complex for some time. A monk approached us at one point and asked where we were from, etc. He invited us to his home, within the monastery, and made us some tea. He had a simple two-room apt, books in the side of one room and a mattress on the floor. He talked about his life, where he was from in Tibet and showed pictures of his family and teachings. He’s been living in McLeod Ganj for the last 10 years, also making the long 25 day trek through the mountains to Nepal at the young age of 18. He explained that it was the only way, since he had no passport (and would not receive one from China), the only option was the long trek to Nepal. He hasn’t seen his family in over 10 years but said he plans on going back in 6 years (after his teachings are finished) to see his family and homeland again. Sadly, he explained that he will be put in prison for 2 years when he returns to Tibet but it will be worth it to see his family again.

He told us that the Dalai Lama would be coming back to the monastery on Saturday and teaching on the 9th so we plan on staying in McLeod Ganj at least until then. He gave us a book to read and asked if we would like to come back tomorrow at 5:30, he would have his translator then and could teach us some basic Buddhist philosophy; even offering to make us a Tibetan meal. We agreed of course and said our goodbyes. After leaving the monastery we took a long walk around the complex, a beautiful path with prayer wheels and prayer flags, rocks with prayers inscribed and monks doing their daily kora.

Outside of the temple there are markets and restaurants, you have a general feeling of being in Tibet rather than India and the people are so warm, welcoming and always smiling. This seems an easy place to sink into, we have plans to take a meditation course, some yoga classes and do some volunteer work such as teaching English and basic computer skills. The long days journey for us get here now seems so menial compared to what most have gone through to reach this special place.