Happy Losar

After having stayed in Holland for some time, I was very glad to arive once again in chaotic, beautiful, dirty and incredible India. Upon arrival in Delhi in Majnu Katilla, something like china town but then for Tibetans, I met an old friend. One of the Chokling monks was also packing to leave. It was quite ironic because he was leaving for europa and I was heading up to the mountain town of Bir where he came from. We contemplated exchanging visa's but probably the customs would have noticed so we didn't. It reminded me of this one documentary with Dzongsar Khyentse, where one monk quits his monkhood to become a dishwasher in Amerika, while a Taiwanese layperson decides to go to Dzongsar Shedra in Tibet.

I arrived just in time to join the anual Gutor ritual in which all the negativity of the old year is being thrown away. Then on the 1^st day of the new year Orgyan Tobgyal Rinpoche blessed all his monks including a following of lay people who came to receive his blessing.

For five days during lunch and diner there was a great banquet for everyone.

Although just like previous years some Tibetans do not celebrate Losar, Rinpoche mentioned in his talk that for us Vajrayana practitioners it's actually important and auspicious to have a great feast, or gaton in Tibetan. May all be auspicous for the coming year!

Monks waiting for Rinpoche to come for sang or smoke-offering practice at Tsering Jong.