Friends of Amida - Spiritual Networking -
Sahishnu's new temple!
Yesterday we went to Ambedkar Colony, where we taught a class of about 20 kids, at Mudan Mohan's, with a few adults floating around in the background. We had a very active class, with lots of songs and jumping about, backed up with worksheets. The whole experience was made much easier thanks to Shiv Lal (our rikshaw driver) and, when we started the Buddhist studies, he rushed in to join us, and even the grandpa joined in and had a go on the singing bowl.
After class had ended, Mudan reappeared, with the headmaster and a teacher from the local Buddhist school, who took us to a pre-wedding feast, where we were royally fed (I love teaching in India!). We were then taken to a new temple that's under construction, and shown around. It had a room for sleeping, a shrine room (with a standing Buddha blessing Angulimala...Sahishnu's favourite Buddhist story), and library space, as well as a large outside area that could be used for classes/larger services/weddings etc. When Sahishnu asked who the resident monk would be, there were some amused smiles, and she was told there would be no monk, it was all for her. That was a really moving experience, even for me...not just because the temple had been built for the use of Amida, but because the people had used their own funds for the project (rather than expecting us to provide it, which would be the case with many such projects).
I may not be Amida school, or even yet a Buddhist, but I felt so honoured even to be a small part of this project. What Sahishnu's doing is so appreciated, and a real help to the communities we serve. Though I've still only been here a short time, I love India more every day that passes.
After class had ended, Mudan reappeared, with the headmaster and a teacher from the local Buddhist school, who took us to a pre-wedding feast, where we were royally fed (I love teaching in India!). We were then taken to a new temple that's under construction, and shown around. It had a room for sleeping, a shrine room (with a standing Buddha blessing Angulimala...Sahishnu's favourite Buddhist story), and library space, as well as a large outside area that could be used for classes/larger services/weddings etc. When Sahishnu asked who the resident monk would be, there were some amused smiles, and she was told there would be no monk, it was all for her. That was a really moving experience, even for me...not just because the temple had been built for the use of Amida, but because the people had used their own funds for the project (rather than expecting us to provide it, which would be the case with many such projects).
I may not be Amida school, or even yet a Buddhist, but I felt so honoured even to be a small part of this project. What Sahishnu's doing is so appreciated, and a real help to the communities we serve. Though I've still only been here a short time, I love India more every day that passes.
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Comment by Sophie Mason on November 21, 2009 at 2:32pm - This is fantastic! I'm so happy to read about your fantastic successes this year :D
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Comment by Modgala Duguid on November 10, 2009 at 8:35pm - thanks for the great photos...love modgala
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Comment by Modgala Duguid on November 9, 2009 at 12:11pm
- Hi dan, it sounds like you are having a wonderful introduction to India, Buddhism and our Indian Amida people. thanks for painting these lovely pictures of whast is happening. Love modgala
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