Trip to Nama Buddha Temple
Posted by Kevin Smith | Labels: Nepal, panorama, pictures, sightseeing, temple | Posted On Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 11:35 PM
Dr. Cardona had been planning to take the group of new volunteers to Nama Buddha Temple, outside of Dhulikhel, which is about an hour away. Each time we'd plan to go it would start raining and we would have to postpone it again. On Tuesday we decided that we would go even though it was sprinkling at the hospital when we were getting ready to leave. We had a full car with Anna coming straight from teaching, Fernando, Sonia, and Madeline Cardona, the new surgeon Dr. Carlyle and Laura Welch and Jessica and I.
Just like all of our other car trips we experienced the excitement of watching big dump trucks full of supplies and overfilled busses weaving all over the road avoiding potholes and pedestrians. The country side is beautiful and we stopped to enjoy some new views. It was still raining but we could see sunshine on the mountain that was our destination.
We left the paved road and started to climb through forests with people hiking in the mud around us. The usual houses with shops on the ground floor opened up right onto the road. The chickens, dogs, and goats loped out of our path as we approached. A car full of Americans is evidently a curiosity because everyone seemed to stare at us as we went by. After about 45 minutes we caught a glimpse of the temple through the clouds.
The temple was impressive. Unfortunately they wouldn't allow pictures in the most impressive section; inside where the monks study and worship. There were about 10-15 painters working on hand painting the walls. They had been working for about 6 months and it was very clear that the walls are going to be highly detailed and colorful. My estimate based on their progress so far is that it will take 2-3 years total to finish all of the walls. They should be amazing when they are done.
Panorama from the temple balcony
Back outside we continued walking around the complex. They have a "retreat center" where monks spend an entire year never leaving a small building and balcony. It amazes me that people can have the discipline to live with other people in such a small area. Even more amazing when we were told that none of them take baths while they are staying there. I could never do that.
Two sides of the temple were lines with prayer wheels. To quote wikipedia every time you spin one of the wheels "it helps wisdom, compassion and [enlightenment] arise [you]". They are really fascinating and it was interesting to see both young and old monks spinning them as they walked by.
Of course we couldn't hope to escape the rain for too long. The monks started to urge us to hurry saying "big rain" and they weren't joking. Thankfully we had brought umbrellas or in my case, a rain jacket. We were still rushing through the rain to the car as the clouds rolled in and engulfed the entire temple.
To top off the trip we were rewarded with our FIRST view of the Himalayas since we've been here. After descending from the temple the clouds parted and the mountains soared over the hills that we have been admiring since we arrived. Truly a breathtaking view and one that we are hoping to see more often as the monsoon season passes.
Having fun on the road to Dhulikel
Just like all of our other car trips we experienced the excitement of watching big dump trucks full of supplies and overfilled busses weaving all over the road avoiding potholes and pedestrians. The country side is beautiful and we stopped to enjoy some new views. It was still raining but we could see sunshine on the mountain that was our destination.
Clouds above and below
We left the paved road and started to climb through forests with people hiking in the mud around us. The usual houses with shops on the ground floor opened up right onto the road. The chickens, dogs, and goats loped out of our path as we approached. A car full of Americans is evidently a curiosity because everyone seemed to stare at us as we went by. After about 45 minutes we caught a glimpse of the temple through the clouds.
Nama Buddha Temple peeking through the clouds
The temple was impressive. Unfortunately they wouldn't allow pictures in the most impressive section; inside where the monks study and worship. There were about 10-15 painters working on hand painting the walls. They had been working for about 6 months and it was very clear that the walls are going to be highly detailed and colorful. My estimate based on their progress so far is that it will take 2-3 years total to finish all of the walls. They should be amazing when they are done.
Jessica standing at the end of a long row of prayer wheels
Panorama from the temple balcony
Monk reading on the roof with prayer flags strung near dormitory
Back outside we continued walking around the complex. They have a "retreat center" where monks spend an entire year never leaving a small building and balcony. It amazes me that people can have the discipline to live with other people in such a small area. Even more amazing when we were told that none of them take baths while they are staying there. I could never do that.
The best shot I could get of the vibrant temple roof
Jessica and Anna avoiding puddles while admiring the temple
Two sides of the temple were lines with prayer wheels. To quote wikipedia every time you spin one of the wheels "it helps wisdom, compassion and [enlightenment] arise [you]". They are really fascinating and it was interesting to see both young and old monks spinning them as they walked by.
Every time monks walk by they rotate some of the prayer wheels
You can see the prayer written on the wheel
Of course we couldn't hope to escape the rain for too long. The monks started to urge us to hurry saying "big rain" and they weren't joking. Thankfully we had brought umbrellas or in my case, a rain jacket. We were still rushing through the rain to the car as the clouds rolled in and engulfed the entire temple.
The rain had all of us including the monks heading for cover
To top off the trip we were rewarded with our FIRST view of the Himalayas since we've been here. After descending from the temple the clouds parted and the mountains soared over the hills that we have been admiring since we arrived. Truly a breathtaking view and one that we are hoping to see more often as the monsoon season passes.
The mighty Himalayas at last
I'm enjoying reading about your adventures! I hope you're getting that 2nd dental chair set up and are able to do some dentistry! Blessings to you both!