My flight to Dharmsala lands roughly, but safely. Yeah! Before talking about the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan presence, the main reason for my traveling to Dharamsala, I want to describe my initial impression of Westerners and Dharamsala, my two interesting conversations with Westerners, and a reminder that Westerners had made Dharamsala their own home. …

Continue reading 837. Traces of Westerners in Dharamsala

To be honest, I forget how I hear about the Tibetan Children’s Village. Regardless, I decided to stretch my legs and walk to the TCV. Since the Tibetan Children's Village is located only a mile outside the town, I say to myself "No problem. I'll love a fresh walk in the countryside." Well, the walk …

Continue reading 836. Walking to the Tibetan Children’s Village

Gyuto Tibetan Monastery While I enjoy wandering around a place by myself, I know that there are times a guide is indispensable. In Dharamsala, Dholdun is my guide. Born in China's Autonomous Region, he has lived in Dharamsala since his fleeing China in 2005. Although only a guide for three months, he is eager to …

Continue reading 835. Seeing Dharamsala and Tibetan Buddhists with Dholdun’s Help

What does one do at night in Haridwar? Of course, go to the Har Ki Pauri Aarti sunset ceremony! So, along with hundreds of others, I move toward the Ganga riverbanks. A word about Haridwar. Haridwar is important for a number of reasons. Approximately 130 miles north of Delhi, Gwami (sp?) drives me from Delhi to Haridwar, …

Continue reading 834. A Night at the Ganga: Haridwar’s Aarti Ceremony

I'm like others. I want to see something new; I want to return to a place of distant, cultural memory. I get to see for the first time Haridwar. In my reading, the "almost-Himalayan" town of Haridwar continually pops-up as one of India great pilgrimage sites. Sign me up for a visit, not a pilgrimage. …

Continue reading 833. New Sites: Haridwar and Rishikesh

Delhi has numerous Hindu religious communities. After my 1990 conversation with Professor Raymond Williams, I become familiar with the modern Swaminarayan branch of Vaishnava Hinduism. While the headquarters is in Gujarat (western India), the Delhi Temple complex describes itself as “the largest Mandir in the world.” It might well be! I reach the complex easily …

Continue reading 832. Delhi’s Swaminarayan Mandir and Complex

Nizamudin Shrine My flight to Delhi is uneventful this time. No falling luggage from overhead bins. No developing a chest cold which requires a doctor visiting my hotel room. Instead, a smooth flight. A welcome from Pravia my Delhi BnB host! Pravia offers me a welcome fruit juice, offers practical suggestions about my Delhi days, …

Continue reading 831. Glimpses of Delhi’s Religious Diversity

Gateway to India We reached Bombay (Mumbai). The seminar is ended. Besides last meals and conversations together, we are asked to work on our individual projects. I take time to reflect on my experiences, then, and now years later. An image captures my experiences in and of India. My first impression of India is that …

Continue reading 828. What about India? Remembering My First Visit

I’ve met Hindus. I’ve met Muslims. I’ve met Christians. I haven’t met a Buddhist.  My experience is not unique. Professor Raman reminds our seminar of Buddhism’s connections with India. Born in Lumbini (present day Nepal), Siddhartha Gautama lived his life in northern India during the 6th-5th BCE. Raised Hindu, Siddhartha rebelled against this life as …

Continue reading 826. Buddhist Traces

Varanasi Sunrise Behind Men in Boat I long to visit Varanasi. Einar, one of my college roommates, studied at Banaras Hindu University and returned to DePauw a changed man. During his 1896 world tour, Mark Twain wrote: “Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as …

Continue reading 823. Anger and Wonder in Varanasi