Today I went back to see my brother Ugyen for the last time..He will be leaving to go to Bhutan for a few years... maybe more... to work in a small developing monastery..He just graduated with his graduate degree yesterday in Tibetan language and teaching...I am so proud of him...He invited me for the day to celebrate with him before he leave to Bhutan..So I jumped on a bus and headed out to Kushnalagar bus station and than take a rikshaw to Bylakuppe so see my brother..By the way the bus ride is 60R and the rikshaw is 30R..That's under two american bucks for a 2 hour ride..so awesome..
I arrived and right away Ugyen greated me with a huge smile and hug...than we went off to the dorms so he could show me his degree...He can speak 5 languages..Bhutanese, Tibetan, Hindi, Kanada, and English..all fluently..so smart..He will began his PHD over the next few years while teaching at his monastery in Bhutan..He will travel once a year to do exams in Bylakuppe..He was number 4 in a class of 668 monks..So smart..
I took him to lunch in camp one and we had noodles and Pepsi..They are great together..Not together like mixed...I mean the perfect drink with the perfect food...We than went to the park and walked around for awhile..There is a park named Deer Park in Kushnalagar where the Tibetans go to do laundry and swim..It is so nice..There are deer at the park and you can feed them cucumbers and scratch their heads...It is perfect..
The sad thing is the local Muslims will beat up the monks and take their cell phones and steal their money..Ugyen was telling me of some stories where there have been monks found dead in the river that have been beaten and robbed...It was so sad to hear this...The monks will travel in pairs now and you very rarely see them alone walking on the street..I pray for his safety always and all the monks safety there in Bylakuppe...The Tibetans are kind and loving people...I am so humbled by their giving souls..
Ugyen and I went to the monastery and walked through the prayer wheels and he showed me how to pray while turning the wheels...you go clock wise and every time you turn a wheel and pray it releases your prayer and the prayers before yours...It is so beautiful..There are 1080 prayer wheels and it takes about an hour to walk through and turn them all...The view along the path is so beautiful and the time is almost not even time..It just stops..
We went back to the dorm and talked a little before I had to go..One of his brother monks who studies Tibetan Yoga came in to visit me...His name is Kelzang..We actually moved all of the beds out of the way and practiced sun salutations for about an hour...He did a great job but kept holding his breath...In Tibetan Yoga they hold their breath...In Ashtanga yoga it is about the breath and the flow...There was a little difference...I told him of my teacher Johnna at home in NC..I will take her to meet him next year...I think we will have a good yoga practice the group of us...Johnna..If you can get this guy to breath...I owe you dinner..hahaha...We had the best time..It was so perfect..
Ugyen and I walked a while and than he took me to the bus station in Kushalnagar...I said my good bye and he hugged me and smilled and we parted..He asked me to come spend a month or two in Bhutan next year...I said yes...I can't wait...I want to see where my brother comes from and his family and parents and the lives he is changing..
We have talked everday on the phone since he left...Everytime I feel I miss him he calls me..It is so funny..If I think about my brother Ugyen...He calls in the next second..He is now home in Bhutan with his family for a few days before he leaves to his new monastery..I am grateful for his safe journey...
Peace and love my brother..
Tashi Delek...
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