Budha Under The Seven Headed Naga..

From Wat Pho, Bangkok. Legend has it that, when Lord Budha, on the sixth week after enlightenment was meditating, a fierce storm brewed up and sensing this the King of serpents, known in Hindu scriptures as Lord Vasuki and in Budhist scriptures as Musilinda, came out and raised Lord on his coils and spread his hood to protect Budha from the lashing rains. It is stated that, the rains lasted seven whole days, yet unaware of this the Lord went on meditating undisturbed. 

SS;1/25, f/7.1, ISO : 100, FL : 46MM, NIKOR 18-55 MM
Wat Pho, Bangkok.

July 29th, The World Tiger Day

July 29th has been observed as the World Tiger day. This majestic species, which was once about 3lakhs odds in numbers have now dwindled to around to a meager 3200 odds and just about a 1000 of them in India, owing to mass scale poaching and habitat losses. 

"Unless, you do your bit in conserving me and my pals, tomorrow for your children, the image of Tigers would be that of the masqueraders and imposters"

A Golden Reflection

Reflection in the Bird Bath. Reflection of a Prayer Wheel Kinda erection on the cymatium of the Golden Temple.

SS: 1/200, f/5.6, ISO: 500, FL:105, NIKOR 18-105 MM.

Dhih Ji Itar Chose Can..This Is The way It Is..

  Namdroling Monastery is the hub of Tibetan monks in exile and is a centre of Palyul Lineage of Nyngma School of Tibetan Budhism. Its just about 4 kMs from Kusalnagar, the border point of Coorg and Mysore districts of Karnataka State.Every time I go to Kusalnagar, ( which is about once in a month or so)  I make it a point to visit the Monastery too.Its an abode of peace and tranquility and gives you a certain energy. You get lovely Budhist artifacts and curios at the society shops there. This is the place where 5000 odd monks and nuns practice the pure upholding of the teachings of Budha at the Ngagyur Nyngma Instititute or "Shedra". ( Any links to "Kshetra", as in 'a temple of learning'?)

By being kind of regular, have some awareness about some of the rituals and practices here. But was intrigued and clueless about one activity in particular; the Mock slapping, clapping and intense taunting the disciples indulge in group of pairs.It was a chance interaction with a monk that gave some insights into this strange ritual and the importance in their way of learning the sutras and tantras in depth.
                                      As part of the traditional curriculum, this one and a half hour ritual  starts by invoking Manjusri, the Celestial Patron of Wisdom. " Dhih Ji Itar Chos Can which means, "This Is The Way It Is". The individual debate is known as "Tsoda" and the questioner who stands is called "Niklampa" and the defender sitting down is called " Damchawa".

After the invocation, the topic would be raised by the Niklampa and seek the counter thesis by Dhamchawa. The defender has three options namely
"Do" means I Agree, "Ta Madrup" means No reason and "Khyappa Majung" means the question or poser is not blending in.He has to answer them immediately or else, the Niklampa would clap his hand three times and say " Chir Chir Chir" aka why  why why. 

As the debates go on, both parties will try to gain the upper hand by posing strategic nuances like, say in normal parlance the lawyers do. Finally, if the defender no longer able to provide a proper counter, he will be forced to say Khyappa Majung for which the questioner victoriously will say " Tsawe Dhamcha Tsar" means, "the argument is finished". Sometimes it ends with victory to the defender when the questioner suddenly may not have enough reason to further ask anything to justify his topic. 

For the laymen witnessing the high wire event, it would come across as a form of physical aggression with clappings, and mock slappings, gestures that borders at taunting and ridiculing someone. The violent hand gestures like, circling the hand above the Dhamchewa's head three times and the shrill screaming of "Di Khor Sum" - These are three circles, would instill a fear of an imminent slug fest.

But nothing happens. Both would take it in their stride and see it as kind of a mental sport that actually sharpens the mind. I heard, sometimes, before the ritual ends, they actually change positions too. At the "Shedra", students are prepared for such small exercise of reasoning called "Rikchung" as part of their assessment.

  The corner stone of any learning is the ability to seek, receive, sharpen and reinforce the bits and seeds of wisdom streaming in one's way. In the Tibetan traditions of learning , Debates are used to test the knowledge, to condition the temperament and to actively seek interpretations of the doctrines and scriptures. May be it is such conditioning that actually helps these people in exile still go on despite the setbacks and sufferings. It may be how they still cling on to the beliefs of the three jewels of Budha, Dharma and Sangha incessantly and going on spreading the lights and prayers of peace everywhere.


   "Om Mani Padme Hum"




                                                                                                                                  

For Every Tight Rope Scenarios, How You Keep The Balance Is All That Matters..:)

Shot from Mysore Zoo.
SS:1/250, f/9, FL: 170, ISO: 400 NIKOR 70-300.

Basking Loner And A Prowling Rover..:)

Shot from Sanghumugham Beach, Trivandrum.

SS:1/250, f/8, ISO : 100, FL: 50 MM, NIKOR 18-105 MM

Reality In Ripples..

Shot from Coral Island, Pattaya.

SS: 1/160, f/18, ISO  :100, FL: 70 MM,  NIKOR 70-300

Soliloquy of a slut

They Come.
Of all kind,
Dark, fair, young and old
Bald, wrinkled, limp and lame
Some with nickels in pockets
To pay for what they get free at home
And some, at times with knives and rods to
Steal off a sinner's sweat and blood
While she lay mostly in morbid belch.

I used to dance when some demand and
Some made me sing too,
Even lullabies, often.

Honey, love, baby 
Slut , whore , bitch
Oh, thats them, names they call

They pet, fondle, caress and kiss
Kick, drag, bang,slit, slash and throw.
I die, countless deaths each day 
Yet come breathing again,
Ready for the next clutch of bills,
Thrust down the slit in the blouse.

Of all,
I still long for the Blind one.
The way he touched and felt,
Running his hand all over,
Searching, feeling, exploring
Kindling in me, the cinders of desire
Even I have long forgotten

His hands, played music on my beaten up body
Touching up chords of forgotten melodies.
And I gave in to him completely.
Like the healers of ancient times,
He touched my soul to come alive and sing again.

When it is all over, but 
I still wanted to go on,
Feeling my crooked and battered nose, he said
" Oh God, you are so beautiful"
I smiled and then cried.