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I was supposed to go to Miami for a short one day trip before Sikkim, but I simply could not board the plane because my health got worse, I was coughing like nobody's business. I guess I never had a good rest after Ladakh, it was busy business as usual. I am not complaining, but I am feeling very sorry for my godfather Felix who worked so hard to arrange the teaching programs in Miami and I was really looking forward to meeting some of the new friends there, unfortunately karma didn't ripen fully and doctor said I was unfit to travel that long journey and had to rest fully before going for my next programs. I was not even able to talk, the minute I talked, I coughed non-stopped. I was also worried that I could bring the flu and pass it to everyone as my "door gift" in Miami, that wouldn't be very nice, would it? If I ever have a chance to meet these beautiful people in Miami later this year, I will definitely try to fulfill whatever wishes they have in mind.
As usual, my karma did not allow me to rest fully, a few days after that, I had to be in Sikkim, an ancient Buddhist kingdom blessed by the Lotus-Born Guru. It is also called Drejong in Sikkimese. Pemba Tsering, the secretary of my monastery in Darjeeling really worked so hard to fulfill everyone's wishes, by doing that, he had fulfilled my wishes as well.
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The people are wonderful and very warm. There is a long list of people I would like to thank, such as the team of 8 girls who worked so hard to make this gathering happen, Shri TT Dorje and his wonderful and capable wife, the local Buddhist organisations, and the Khenpo who translated so perfectly my teaching into Nepalese language.
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When I am with people of different cultures and traditions, I really feel so appreciative of them for keeping their cultures nicely. Isn't it such a good thing to be able to see many different cultures and traditions in this world? If we keep seeing the same kind of culture everywhere we go in this world, then it would be quite boring, wouldn't it be? This is why I am always encouraging the people from different cultures to keep and nourish their very own cultures, this is so valuable and will keep them grounded, at least will remind them constantly of their roots and their histories.
In Sikkim, we didn't have that many people like Ladakh, maybe we only had 20% of Ladakh's crowd, since this was my first time teaching in Sikkim, but the warmth and the interest that the local devotees showed me were very encouraging. I was really moved. I always met some government workers, this handful of people made me very proud of them, because of their capabilities, I am quite confident that they will serve the local people and the people of this country at their best ability.
I shared with them about the importance of refuge and of putting Dharma into practice. Tengyur and Kangyur are meant to be studied and not just placed in the shrine for veneration. It's only when you understand the meaning of Dharma that you can put Dharma into practice, and it's only when you put Dharma into practice that you can eventually become FREE.
Right after that, I had a very successful gathering with so many people who are devoted to the Drukpa Lineage back in Druk Sangag Choeling Monastery in Darjeeling, next door to Sikkim. Even though I was not very well, I was able to give initiation and fulfill the people's wish there, especially the wish of Lama Sonam who is my representative in Taiwan. He was the one who sponsored the 100 million Amitabha mantra for his late mother and late brother.
As usual, I had a good feeling of these 300 over young monks who are very much dedicated in time and effort for giving service to the lineage and to their master.
Now we have to prepare for the First ADC and it was very nice to meet Satrul Rinpoche again day before yesterday, we spent the whole day talking and enjoying each other's company. He was very inspired by the way we established the Druk Amitabha Mountain here. He praised my skills of building and using the space for the utility purpose, I feel also quite happy that some people are appreciating what I did for the lineage and for the sake of other beings.
Our first ADC chairman, Khamtrul Rinpoche, just arrived a few days ago from Bhutan, trying his best to organise and prepare everything. Let us all wish him best of luck and best of health.
