|
Out side
Rain was pouring
Inside the Gompa (monastery), prayer was pouring peace in minds.
The Rimpose (head priest), was leading the prayer and everyone present was immersed in the Manthra “Om Mani Padme hoom”… The lady lamas as in maroon thadse were chanting other Tibetan manthras also.
I am in Dharma Durg Gompa in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. This small monastery is designed for women priests and it is called Anee Gompa. In the nearby hillock we can see so many Anee Gompas and all of them are controlled by the Tawang Gompa , one of the oldest monasteries of Asia. It is at a height of 11,000 ft and situated in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The Tawang monastery was established by Monpa Lama, Lodre Gyalso in 1643-47.
Women lamas are not allowed to stay inside the Tawang Gompa. They have to stay in Anee Gompas. We can see women lamas of all ages in Anee Gompas. With shaved heads they are attired in the maroon coloured traditional religious dress, the thadses. It is very difficult to distinguish a lady lame from a male lama, all of them look alike.
Most of the lady lamas are offered by their parents to the monastery to dedicate their lives to Lord Buddha. Inside the Gompa, they do not have personal life or preferences. The monastery takes their responsibility. They follow a strict daily routine and all of them are submerged in their religious responsibilities. The wake up bell rings at 3 a.m., the day filled with prayer sessions, classes, etc. The Anees told me that they are happy to be here and that their life was comfortable.
“Our parents sent us to the monastery at the age of three or four. We become habituated with the schedules. We spend our lives here with the hope and aim to work like the Dalai Lama for mankind and a better world”.
The atmosphere is meditative and soothens the mind. If one is interested in cleansing in the inner self, that is also possible here.
by K.A. BEENA
|
