Tashi Choling Center for Buddhist Studies

Aloha Everyone,

Some of you may be familiar with the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism: His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. We were quite surprised to find out that the Tashi Choling Center for Buddhist Studies was located just a few hours from our campsite.  The center is a place for a spiritual refuge and place to study Tibetan Buddhism. 

It took us two hours each way or 120 miles round trip on narrow, zigzag mountain road to visit this remote and isolated place. Through a heavy fog, we drove 14 miles on a gravel road encountering wild turkeys and a deer along the way. Suddenly when we turned to Nepal Road, we found ourselves in a large valley with Tibetan Temple Prayer Flags welcoming us into the temple ground.

I had telephoned ahead and obtained permission to walk around the temple ground. However J.J. and I did not see single person as we wandered around.  It was a bit strange to be the only ones there, yet very uplifting to be on a site where they chant sacred mantras and sit for meditation.

Tibetan Temple Flags are one of the sacred symbols celebrating creation and the path to enlightenment.

Sacred prayer wheels are filled with millions of copies of the sacred mantras.

Temple garden

We had several interesting animal encounters today. A llama was standing in the middle of the temple field looking aloof and detached. He looked at us with disdain.

Driving through a heavy fog, 4 female turkeys ran across the road.

We also saw a deer by the road side, but too shy to be photographed.  And J.J. had to shoo away a curious squirrel from Honu's warm engine.

Overall, today was a wonderful and spiritual day.

Aloha -- Cathi