It’s freezing (and snowy) here in New England! But it’s good to be home from my fruitful pilgrimage to India & Nepal last month.

1. Holiday Blessings
It’s freezing (and snowy)
here in New England! But it’s
good to be home from my
fruitful pilgrimage to India &
Nepal last month. I happily
sat beneath the Bodhi Tree
every day, and watched it
grow while the leaves
occasionally fell—and
hordes of pilgrims and
tourists passed around and
through it all—the head
monks of Buddhist countries
and the homeless and
beggars of Bihar, the poorest
state in India…

2. on The Champs Elysees of Buddhist pilgrimage places. I was so impressed by the HH the
17th Karmapa in person, in his room at the Tergar Monastery, which Mingyur Tulku built
for him in Bodhgaya. He is very powerful and all grown up now. There are metal detectors
and outer walls guarding the Bodhi Tree and Stupa now, tho it still feels pretty much the
same beneath the Tree and also inside the Mahabodhi Stupa temple. India is a wonderful,
mysterious, magical country filled with a plethora of people and customs. I felt honored to
be there but even more fortunate to return to my homeland.
There’s so much inequality and poverty in the world, and I just saw a great deal of it in
Mumbai, at the Daravi slum, which some call the largest and worst in the world. One sixth
of the world still experiences hunger every day, and that is a truly terrible way to live. The
need is great everywhere, including in our own country. In this season of giving, we should
all take a moment to contribute generously to those less fortunate than us, and be generous
in all aspects of life; our time, patience and tolerance of others, simple acts of kindness,
share a smile or hold a door, be mindful of others’ needs, and if you can, share monetarily
too. No gift is too small.
“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will
not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
With love and holiday blessings,
To more details regarding the Lama Surya Das, visit here at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lama-surya-das/