MosheR Loc: New York City

As I write this, I haven’t posted anything in about two months. I explained then that I was taking a little hiatus, and I did so and am still doing it. But having some free time, I decided that it was a good opportunity to send in a little something, as I do miss publishing on this forum and hearing from my buddies who are interested in the kinds of off the beaten path shots I like to submit. So here goes.

In a post a few months ago I asked how many of you knew anything about Bhutan. Now I ask the same question about Sikkim: How many of you heard of it? To try to explain, it is a state within India that is not quite considered to be a state within India. Does that make sense? We were there twice. Once in 2003 and again in 2017. And both times we had to obtain separate visa papers in order to visit this area. Not only that, we had to make certain that we did so AFTER we obtained our India visas so they (India) would not know that we were also going to Sikkim. Don’t ask.

Sikkim is not regarded as a full fledged country by the United Nations, although many “country counters” consider it to be such. Rather, as I just feebly tried to explain, it is a “state” in northeastern India, and it also happens to have a significant Tibetan community … which is the main reason we even visited, although the non Tibetan parts of Sikkim are certainly interesting enough. The presence of Tibetans in Sikkim can be traced back to the Tibetan diaspora that began in the late 1950s when Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama, fled Tibet following the Chinese occupation. Many Tibetan refugees settled in various parts of India and Sikkim.

In Sikkim, as well as India, you can find Tibetan settlements and communities where refugees have established homes, monasteries, and businesses. These communities contribute to the cultural diversity of Sikkim, and Tibetan festivals, traditions, and cuisine are often celebrated and embraced in the region.

Rumtek Monastery, located near Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is one of the prominent Tibetan Buddhist monasteries there and is a significant center for Tibetan culture and religion. Overall, the Tibetan community has become an integral part of the social fabric of Sikkim.

Every morning, the monks of Rumtek would gather in the courtyard. Clad in saffron robes, their heads shaved, and faces serene, they formed a solemn line that stretched like a nearly scarlet river through the peaceful surroundings.

The tradition of lining up to beg for food was a humble practice that had been carried on for centuries. It was a reminder of the monks' dependence on the generosity of the local community, fostering humility and gratitude within their hearts.

The head monk, venerable Thera Sumedha, leads the procession. With an alms bowl in hand, he moved gracefully along the line, whispering words of encouragement and reminding his fellow monks of the importance of their daily ritual.

As the sun ascends higher, the villagers from nearby hamlets gather and show respect for the monks and the teachings they embody. They prepared bowls of rice, vegetables, and fruits, carefully placing them into the alms bowls held out by the monks. The exchange is silent but profound, a sacred connection between the givers and the receivers.

The act of begging for food serves as a powerful lesson in detachment and interconnectedness. The monks accept whatever offerings come their way with equanimity, recognizing the impermanence of material possessions and the transient nature of life.
Once the alms bowls were filled, the monks return to the monastery, their footsteps softly echoing on the roadway in harmony with the rustling leaves and distant chants. The food collected would sustain them for the day, fueling both their bodies and their spiritual endeavors.

As the sun sets over Rumtek Monastery, a sense of gratitude envelopes the monks. The daily ritual of begging for food is not just a means of sustenance; it is a sacred dance of humility, a continuous reminder of the interconnectedness of all beings and the beauty that unfolds when a community comes together in the spirit of compassion.

I feel real lucky to have been able to witness this transaction, and to have seen it twice.

For the sake of continuity in this set of posts, I had to mix up the photos I took in 2003 with those from 2017. Although I did as much post processing on the older 3mp photos as I possibly could, they are not nearly up to the standard of the ones I took on the second trip with my much less primitive 20mp camera. The older cam also couldn’t handle the monastery’s dark interiors very well, so I opted not to post most of those here. Why spoil a not so bad thing?

Rumtek's exterior. This, and the next several posts, were all taken back in 2003 with my 3mp Minolta. Not too bad outside, but terrible in the dark.


A closer view.


One of the entrances. At least when we were there, Buddhist temples in Sikkim needed security.


The "working" side of the temple, where the kitchens, laundry, and other functions of life are located.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

NMGal Loc: NE NM

A colorful, interesting building.

MosheR Loc: New York City

It was quite beautiful.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Wonderful architectural and narrative start, Mel.

MosheR Loc: New York City

The architecture is all theirs, Mike, but I'm happy to take the credit.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

I think these shots of the beautiful architecture are great!. Very interesting story to go with them.

tramsey Loc: Texas

How was the beautiful building built if they were just poor Monks?

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Utterly spectacular structures beautifully depicted in your usual eye catching, unforgettable way ❤️❤️🥇❤️❤️

MosheR Loc: New York City

All the photos in this set were taken back in 2003 with my 3mp Minolta. The temples are beautiful and the light was great, so they didn't come out too bad. Thanks for the good words.

Mel

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Exquisite as usual Mel, I think that you were a Monk in another life.

MosheR Loc: New York City

In my case, maybe a rabbi.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Perhaps, but the spirituality is still there.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Very vibrant color Mel, well done.

Don

MosheR Loc: New York City

The color was there, Don. Thanks, but I just aimed and pressed the shutter button.