Yes, that unpacking -- the interesting part. Mindfully unpacking, though, can lessen the amount of re-packing, I've discovered on many road trips, metaphorical and otherwise.
There's nothing much to report this morning (the second day of pilgrimage) as no stupas are in sight yet. We're looking forward to seeing the first one late tomorrow when we arrive at Kagyu Thubten Choling in upstate New York.
However, in the car yesterday, I discovered that my friend didn't realize the main reason for this pilgrimage -- simply to let American Buddhists in on places they can visit on pilgrimage in their own country. One isn't necessarily obliged to travel to Asia to take off on a legitimate Buddhist pilgrimage practice.
Buddhist pilgrimages began with disciples visiting places that were important in the Buddha's life -- his birthplace, Lumbini; where he attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya; where his first teaching took place in Sarnath, India, at the Deer Park. The first stupas, built as reliquaries for the Buddha's relics that were divided up between 8 different groups of his followers, would also be places for pilgrims to visit. And, wherever a stupa is built, holding sacred relics of enlightened masters along with consecrated tsatsa and other substances, it becomes imbued with like 'energy', if you will. And there we have an authentic place of practice and an authentic place of pilgrimage.
If you go down south you could visit the Amitabha stupa on Pueblo Road in Sedona, Arizona. There is also a non-traditional looking stupa at Garchen Institute in Chino Valley, Arizona. Have a safe trip.
and Unpacking (metaphorically speaking) Endlessly unpacking...
ReplyDeleteSafe travels!
ReplyDeleteYes, that unpacking -- the interesting part. Mindfully unpacking, though, can lessen the amount of re-packing, I've discovered on many road trips, metaphorical and otherwise.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing much to report this morning (the second day of pilgrimage) as no stupas are in sight yet. We're looking forward to seeing the first one late tomorrow when we arrive at Kagyu Thubten Choling in upstate New York.
However, in the car yesterday, I discovered that my friend didn't realize the main reason for this pilgrimage -- simply to let American Buddhists in on places they can visit on pilgrimage in their own country. One isn't necessarily obliged to travel to Asia to take off on a legitimate Buddhist pilgrimage practice.
Buddhist pilgrimages began with disciples visiting places that were important in the Buddha's life -- his birthplace, Lumbini; where he attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya; where his first teaching took place in Sarnath, India, at the Deer Park. The first stupas, built as reliquaries for the Buddha's relics that were divided up between 8 different groups of his followers, would also be places for pilgrims to visit. And, wherever a stupa is built, holding sacred relics of enlightened masters along with consecrated tsatsa and other substances, it becomes imbued with like 'energy', if you will. And there we have an authentic place of practice and an authentic place of pilgrimage.
Now...breakfast and back on the road.
Signing out in Dharma, LKC
Lama,
ReplyDeleteIf you go down south you could visit the Amitabha stupa on Pueblo Road in Sedona, Arizona. There is also a non-traditional looking stupa at Garchen Institute in Chino Valley, Arizona. Have a safe trip.
Lama Chotso,
ReplyDeleteThat reply is worth a post!
Safe travels and looking forward to more updates.