July 20th

The temple that we visit belonged to a much-loved Rinpoche who died in a car accident a few years ago. While he was alive, the temple thrived, filled with monks and well tended. Tashi tells us that upon his death, the government tried to take control of the temple, but that many people, including Tashi’s mother, went to the government day after day requesting that the temple be kept by the Tibetans. Although the government finally relented, the temple doors are closed and the monks must live outside in tents. Many of the statues are still intact and the surrounding area is a lovely park with Chinese music playing loudly and hundreds of people lying on blankets and drinking beer.


Jeffrey with the Medicine Buddha