Orientation.

People often ask, especially about my travels, if it was "like you expected". Because I don't like disappointment and also because things rarely turn out the way one expects,  I try my best not to anticipate things, especially when I travel. So I was a bit surprised that I had so many latent expectations surrounding orientation, which was both a drag and a delight. A drag because it consisted of a lot of long speeches - delivered very slowly by people for whom English is a second or third language, to an audiance whose English - in some cases - is rudimentary at best. A delight because the community here at IBC is shining and exuberant. I've never seen a group of people so eager, so openly kind, so fresh. Because I've been with Genla, we've had several dinners and discussions with top administration and the founder of IBC, and based on my extremely favorable impressions,  I expected a more professional orientation. My expectations were of course also colored by previous orientations in the States. However, what was lacking in organization and sophistication, was doubly made up for by the warmth and sincerity of community itself. 

The overwhelming majority of students here are monastics from South East Asia.  The South East Asian countries are known for observing the monastic vows very strictly, so I was a bit worried about how I'd be received as a woman. There was in fact a bit of a commotion during one of the ice-breaker games when we were all asked to hold hands (traditionally it's a breach of a monk's vows to touch a woman); many of the monastics (nuns and monks alike) were visibly disturbed, and some refused to play. The young monks who organized the games/orientation acknowledged the breach (not all monks are equally strict) and ritually resolved the infraction - presumably according to tradition - yet without due sensitivity to the women, who were asked to apologize for touching the monks.  Because the administration is open-minded and because the school is so clearly in its fledgling years, they encourage constructive feedback.  I am drafting a letter which I hope will encourage a more proactive consideration of the lay community, specifically lay women. I will say, however, that this community, rumored to be so conservative,  seems more open than other Asian Buddhist cultures in terms of their treatment and views of women. When I heard Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo (the first Western - born in Britain - ordained Tibetan nun who spent 12 years meditating in a cave in the Himalayas) speak this spring, she said the monastics, particularly in Asia, are supported primarily by woman. In fact, I believe the principle funder for IBC is a woman. The power we as women hold for change could not be more tangible, and I hope to be a tactful conduit for some much needed advancement of the role of women. 


On a lighter note, the last day of orientation (Saturday) was a field trip to various near-by temples. About 30 monks, 3 professors and the hand full of lay students piled into a large, top-heavy bus and made our way down the road, greedily munching on milk and cookies. Not long after we started our journey, some of the monks began chanting the Metta Sutra in Pali for our safe journey.  Here's an English translation:

This is what should be done

By those who are skilled in goodness,

And who know the path of peace:

Let them be able and upright,

Straightforward and gentle in speech.

Humble and not conceited,

Contented and easily satisfied.

Unburdended with duties and frugal in their ways.

Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful,

Not proud and demanding in nature.

Let them do not the slightest thing

That the wise would later reprove.

Wishing, in gladness and in safety,

May all beings be at ease.

Whatever living beings there may be;

Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,

The great or the mighty, medium, short or small,

The seen and the unseen,

Those living near and far away,

Those born and to-be-born –

May all beings be at ease!

Let none deceive another

Or despise any being in any state.

Let none through anger or ill-will

Wish harm upon another.

Even as a mother protects with her life

Her child, her only child,

So with a boundless heart

Should one cherish all living beings;

Radiating kindness over the entire world:

Spreading upward to the skies,

And downward to the depth;

Outward and unbounded,

Freed from hatred and ill-will.

Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down,

Free from drowsiness,

One should sustain this recollection.

This is said to be the sublime abiding.

By not holding to fixed views,

The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision,

Being freed from all sense desires,

Is not born again into this world.

The Chinese Sangha then chanted the Heart Sutra in Chinese. Genla, Kyle and I then chanted in Tibetan. It was a hauntingly beautiful way to begin a journey; and despite the various debacles of the first two days of orientation, I was once again reminded of how special IBC is.



The most amazing place we visited was Phimai, an astonishing 9th century temple. 

We also visited a Banyan tree that is 350 years old.  Banyan trees put down long tenacle-like roots from their branches. Over time, the roots slowly grow together, become woody and reach deep into the earth.  This ancient Banyan spans what seemed to me about 1/4 acre, and has lovely paths and alcoves with benches and tables. It's surrounded by water and little bridges. There's also a small shrine from where the delicate smell of incense floats through the branches, making it all the more magical. 

Today we continued our work in making a home (Kyle biked all over town  - with me perched on a little seat on the back - as we shopped for a desk). Tomorrow is the first day of classes . . .