Jokhang Square.
The holy path around the Jokhang Monastery and Temple. Note the prostrated pilgrim.
The monks gathering place inside the temple.
The vacant Dalai Lama throne.
Devotees taking a breaking from the clockwise touring.
Lots and lots of monks.
On route to the monastery.
Sera Monastery.
A very friendly and happy man.
Debating monks.
About to deliver the clap.
The magnificent Potala Palace lit up at night. Great for wedding photos.
Thursday, May 10th.
After breakfast we walked a couple of
blocks to the Jokhang Square. This is a very holy place for Tibetan Buddhists. There
is a large open square where people can gather and hang out, and then there is
a square block of shops that the faithful walk in a clockwise direction once or
more. A few of them prostrate themselves in the street while reciting verse. It
was a fascinating place to people watch and see the different cultural groups
of Tibetans. The square leads to the Jokhang Temple and Monastery. Tibetans, in general, consider this temple as the most
sacred and important temple in Tibet. We watched as many people prostrated
themselves outside the temple praying to the god to make sick family members
well. If the person does get well, then they bring gifts and donations to the
god. We were allowed to take photos inside the courtyard where all the monks
would gather but not inside the actual temple where there are the usual
collection of colourful Buddhist statues and works of art. We toured several of
the smaller temples inside but not the main one with the large golden Buddha
statue because there was a large line of Tibetans trying to get in to see it.
We saw it from outside. Then we went up on the roof for a few views. At that
point BK gave us two hours of free
time. Rob and I stayed and walked
around the square some more taking photos of people before walking back to the
hotel.
We left for the Sera Monastery about 1:30.
We took four taxis. The monastery is a large complex with about 300 monks who
live and learn there. Every day they have an outdoor debate where they come out
into the courtyard in twos. One monk sits on a cushion and the other stands in
front of him and asks him questions as a form of review from recent learnings.
If the answer is correct the standing monk will make an exaggerated clap, if it
is wrong the clap will have the top hand reversed so that the back of that hand
hits the palm of the other. We watched that for about a half hour and even
though we could not understand a word of the activity it was very interesting
to watch. I met Goran there again. For some unknown reason they let people take
photos and videos with cellphones but not cameras. Thankfully Rob had his phone
and gave me his photos.
Then we took a local public bus back to
the hotel for a couple of hours rest. Some people went shopping but Rob and I
(and a few others) took advantage of the break to have a nap. We are all still
feeling the effects of the altitude, with headaches and weariness.
We me up again in the lobby at 7:30 and
went out for dinner at the Tashi 1 restaurant, where most of us had a vegetable
soup and fried yak meat mo-mos. I spilled my soup down my leg and into my
sandal as soon as I got it. Thankfully the waitress gave me another one.
After dinner I walked back to the Potala
Palace to see it lit up again at night, this time with my camera. I also saw a
newly wed couple posing for photos in front of the palace. Then I walked back
and got ready for bed.
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