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MonasteriesApr 8, 2009
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The next day we visited 2 monasteries, the Norbulinka and Sera monastery. Both are located on the outskirts of Lhasa, so the monks have more privacy and "more quiet" as our guide says. She tried all day to explain the roots of Tibetan Buddhism but frankly its so complicated, that there is no way to grasp it in one day. They worship 1000's of Buddhas,and they are all interwoven with political figures, kings, & historic figures - not to mention they also worship futBuddhasdhas that have not even been named yet. At any rate, it was a fun day wandering around the monasteries looking at all the golbuddhaudha statues in the multiple temples,walkbetweeneeen clouds of incense and the sweet smell of yak butter candles. Yak butter candles are king of cool, apparently it's special butter, that some people make at home or else buy from the temple. They scoop spoons full on butter into giant metal cauldrons containing 10-20 lit candle wicks, at each of their favorites Buddhas. Or, some people show up with thermoses of hot, already melted butter and pour that in too. The Buddha displays are sometimes loaded down and almobscuredered with smbillsbils of money or Katas (like white scarves) that people have left in the exchange for a wish. Sometimes we saw the monks themselves, meditating or chanting scripture, sometimes beating a drum or clangcymbalsbols. In all, a very peaceful day wandering around some great,and really old,architecture.
