It has rightly said for the reason known to all. We tend to take it for granted that our presence may not be important and if one can't make it, it won't make a difference. When the whole mass has that same notion, then the planned trip or the gathering never happens. There are many instances where a date is fixed and a venue & menus discussed. Many events got called-off OR get canceled due to unfavorable weather condition/somebody got sick and unable to attend it. So sometimes it is best that we put our planner away and get with the flow. Get going with the mass and experience the best part of Unplanned Trips. All in all, it was never intended for the mass to visit Bumthang when we were a bit late for offering Ku-Sung-Thug-Mendrel to His Holiness Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche at Tharpaling.
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| Group Photo with Truelku Rinpoche |
The journey to Tharpaling started early in the morning at 5:00AM from Dam Colony. A total of five cars with a total headcount of 19 elders and 8 children. The target for us is to reach the Dratshang by 8:00 AM as announced by the coordinator. We join the Langthel group led by Truelku Rinpoche to offer Ku-Sung-Thug-mendrel to Rinpoche. It is believed that by offering Ku-Sung-Thug-mendrel, we are offering our Body, Speech, and Mind so that you don't own anything to yourself. It basically intends an individual that there is no "I". All are bound to impermanence and one day or the other there is an end to this glorious world. The beautiful body that we care are all going to decay, the stunning voice will have to stop forever someday soon and the decisive mind will stop functioning one day. The offering of Ku-Sung-Thug-mendrel will bring in all the enlightenment blessings to all the sentient beings.
We started our journey with all the excitement in our hearts only to be made on time. Unfortunately, two members from our group couldn't make their presence due to Traffic Jam. There we didn't get time to discuss as to How? Where? When? when the line was made for the offering. By the time we made it in line, I can clearly have a view of Rinpoche right in front of me. I am having a glance of Rinpoche after 11 years and was delighted to have a blessing. I dedicate the blessings to all the beings for them to liberate from Samsara and make it to heaven.
Right after that, we have a brief gathering with Truelku Rinpoche where he thanked all the participants for making it and then we have a photo session with him.
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| Gentlemen |
We discussed amongst us and suggested, Why not visit Kurjay and Jampa Lhakhang? All are okay with the idea and we then and there headed towards Bumthang. At Chamkhar town, we stopped for a lunch where we have to divide into two groups since the numbers cannot be accommodated in a single Restuarant. After making ourselves comfortable we headed to Kurjey Lhakhang and got it very fortunate to have reached on time because the Kay-Nyar was about to leave for lunch. We paid our homage and drenched our throat with blessed water. The group then visited Jampa Lhakhang and received the blessings.
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| Ladies |
The crust of the trip came out to be too organized though nothing has been planned. Someone came out with a plan to stop at Ki-Ki-La to freshen up and the idea was acceptable to all the members. We then stopped at Ki-Ki-La and had a light refreshment.
I personally feel that the memories that we have created will remain forever imprinted in our hearts. Whenever we visit those lhakhangs and come by with the places we have stopped, we will remember the gatherings we had and will gently smile for a second recollecting and will whisper "it was a great unplanned trip to Bumthang".
I wholeheartedly want to thank all the members and wish for the same cooperation in the future.
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