It is hard to believe that two years’ worth of preparation, and a then a year of hard work on tour is all over. After sleeping, eating and dreaming about the tour, hoping and praying it would all go successfully; after worrying, and working nonstop for the time we were on tour, it is interesting now to look back at it all in retrospect.

The whole thing would never, of course, have been possible but for all the hundreds of people who put immense amounts of work into it in advance, during and even after the actual tour itself was over. On behalf of the tour group, we have many people to thank and to acknowledge for all their efforts, some of which may have gone unnoticed.

First of all, thanks goes to the office staff and senior monks of the monastery, who supported us and worked so hard to get the tour group ready to go. At the same time the monks in India were working hard to get ready to go, there were people at work in both the USA and Canada to prepare for our coming. Jennifer Harris took on the massive duties of main coordinator for the USA segment of the tour this year, at the same time working a fulltime job of her own. Laurel Antti and her family were the very fist Canadian coordinators, and how they put together four months of events with no base of contacts I still don’t know!

We also have a HUGE thank you to all the local coordinators and their volunteers, helpers, families for each city or town we visited. You are too many to write here, and we hesitate to do so for fear of leaving someone out, but we, and you, know who you are! One of the most wonderful things about the tour was finding that we remembered each place we had been by the people…. Not like tourists, who leave with impressions of buildings and sightseeing adventures…. We left with memories of the kind, kind people who became our friends and family in each place we stayed. Coordinators, host families, volunteers, the people who cooked for us, helped drive us around, people who helped us medically, people who literally put their regular lives on hold while we were there. We’ll never forget any of you. Sounds trite, but it was often a topic of conversation while we were sitting in the van (yet again!!) en route to the next stop, just how overwhelming it was, the kindness and hospitality we had been shown by people we had never met in our lives.

It was an honour to meet all of you, and an even bigger honour to do so as representatives of Gomang monastery and its monks. However tired we got, or how hard the work was, we just remembered what an amazing opportunity we had, a once in a lifetime opportunity, to do something that would directly benefit literally thousands of people.

Just a few dollars buys so much more in that part of the world. Especially since there are so many new arrivals to the monastery each year, the money made by the tours is an essential part to keeping the monastery going, enabling the monks to keep both their religion and culture alive.

We accomplished everything we set out to do and more…the art exhibits and workshops, new to the tours, were amazingly successful better even than we had hoped. Our six months in the US was great, wonderful to meet all the coordinators and friends who had helped previous tours, and now sacrificed their time and energy to helping us.  The tour going to Canada was also a first, and thanks to all the coordinators and volunteers who worked to put together a busy four months from scratch! Another thing we really loved was that several groups of Students for Free Tibet were so active in helping us, and knowing that several new groups began as a result of our visit. That really put the “icing on the cake” so to speak!

THANKS again to everyone, and once more, to the monks of Drepung Gomang Monastery, for allowing all of you--and all of us on the tour--a chance to make a bit of happiness in the world!

Since the last newsletter was published in April, much has happened at the monastery. This notebook gives you an idea of what events have gone on at Gomang since that time.

Summer Rain Retreat
The Summer Rain Retreat began on 9th August, the 15th day of the 6th Tibetan month, and continued for a month and a half. Yarney (the "Summer Promises") is a time for monks to reflect and meditate on their vows. During this time, the monks aren't allowed to leave the monastery, apart from instances of necessity. They may not cut grass as this kills thousands of tiny insects. This practice began in Tibet since there in the summer months many bugs appeared as opposed to the cold winter months. Here in tropical south India, there is, of course, no shortage of insects year round, but the custom continues. Originally in Tibet, Yarney lasted for three months, but this was later changed to the present month and a half.

On the first day, the monks make prostrations to one of the senior monks, vowing to abide by the Yarney promises for the 45 days. (Special allowances are made for illness or important work.) At the end of the Summer Rain Retreat is Gaiea , the "Monks' Festival," which is, in a sense, a flinging open of the doors again, allowing the moks their freedom after the restriction of Yarney. During Gaiea. they are allowed play games and watch moves--forbidden for the rest of the year, with the exception of Losar (Tibetan New Year).

World Cup Fever
Football, (soccer) fever also gripped this small settlement. Monks are not allowed to watch World Cup on TV, but some sneak out to get a glimpse of the match.  If anyone is caught then they will get kitchen duty. Most of the young monks love to watch the FIFA World Cup. So the discipline masters decided to show the final FIFA match between Italy and France live on the Wall. Monks with their mattress came forward to watch the match and enjoyed watching the world's  most popular and watched game.

New Disciplinarian
Geshe Tsultrim Gyaltsen of Gungru khangtsen was elected as the new discipline master. The term of discipline master is of one year.  He has full responsibilities and authority regarding the discipline of the monastery.
 

Portrait of a Monsastery's Discipline with His Assistants

HHDL Birthday Celebration
On 6th July, His Holiness’s birthday was celebrated. People of this settlement gathered at community hall where His Holiness’s Representative and other dignitaries shared with the people the special occasion of the day. Special cultural dance by monks of Loseling monastery was staged. Around 3.30 pm, a football match was played between camps. Besides the weather, every thing went well. In the monastery, during the evening hours, films about His Holiness teachings were shown on the white washed walls.

Shrine to His Holiness--Decorated with Prayer Flags & Katas

Monks at a Settlement Football (Soccer) Match

Sagwa Dawa
People on 11th June, Sunday celebrated Sagwa Dawa, one of the most important festivals, signifying three stages of Lord Buddha’s life. Monks, nuns, local people flocked the monasteries and temples to get blessing from spiritual teachers and lighting butter lamps. Sagwa Dawa is the special fourth month has special significance for the followers of Buddha as all the three stages (Birth, Enlightenment and Nirvana) of his life are witnessed in this period known as Saka Dawa. On this day, devotees lit lamps, candles and incense sticks before a huge statue of Lord Buddha. They also do pious deeds and distribute food and alms to beggars.