Kham
Lama Dudjom Dorjee and many of his students made a trip to Tibet in July and August 2004. The first leg of the trip was to Kham, far eastern Tibet, to attend the dedication of the stupa Lama la had built at the Monastery where he had his hair-cutting ceremony as a small child. Among the many other sites visited were the Tibetan Medical Institute in Xining, the towns of Jyekundo (aka Yushu and Cherku) and Dzato, Thrangu and Tenga Rinpoche Monasteries, the Gyanak Mani Complex (largest collection of mani stones in the world), the Kumbum Monastic Complex, and of course the Stupa site, accessible by four wheel drive on rugged road. The hospitality of Tacho Dorjee’s family was wonderful and we were made to feel like very honored and special guests. A most memorable of the trip was our time spent camping on a beautiful river in the nomad land with Lama Dorjee’s Aunt and her yak herd and black yak hair tent. We had the opportunity to purchase yaks and many of us did so! We also danced and sang with monks and relations, gathered mushrooms, and visited a sky burial site at Dzogchen Monastery.
Kailash
“The power of such a mountain is so great and yet so subtle that, without compulsion, people are drawn to it from near and far, as if by the force of some invisible magnet; and they will undergo untold hardships and privations in their inexplicable urge to approach and to worship the centre of this sacred power.”
Lama Anagarika Govinda, writing of Mt. Kailash in 'The Way of the White Clouds'
It was the most amazing and powerful adventure – difficult, rewarding, frightening, uplifting – a life-changing experience and wildly rich trip. Along the way we visited many small Tibetan towns (Latse, Saga, Paryang) and some wonderful large ones: Shigatse and Lhasa in particular were treasures. Lama Dudjom Dorjee was in wonderful physical shape and blew around the mountain like wind, stopping to see how we were and taking care of each of us. About 100 hours spent in 4-wheel drive vehicles on difficult roads. Planning started for the next trip to the mountain on the road back to Lhasa.
From Lama Dudjom Dorjee:
"I felt Mount Kailash was located in the center of the Earth - not just very high altitude but also very high attitude.
While we were going around Mount Kailash, it was amazing to witness the white and sharp tall mountain covered with the blue turquoise umbrella of the sky, and then few minutes later white thick cloud covers the tip of the mountain and changes the temperature rapidly. In the same way, our high altitude and high attitude changes rapidly.
I enjoyed watching the pilgrims walking evenly and steadily while they were reciting mantras and singing enlightened songs through out their circumnambulations; it gave me not only inspiration but also it gives me a sense of blessings of the Mount Kailash.
To go around Mount Kailash one time is so important for our individual life because it is the turning point; what I mean is it will remove negative karma and it will extend our life length. In other words, it will change everybody’s life to be different than before. Therefore it is very special.
We got an opportunity to practice our attitude, our motivation, and our physical strength and stamina. These are very special memories in our dream of life and I hope you all have good dreams. "
Photo Gallery
To view pictures of the trip check out these KTC member created sites: