Bodhgaya

It all started here some 2500 years ago, in Bodhgaya, underneath a tree. Prince Siddhartha was meditating and found enlightenment and so became Buddha. This is the birthplace of Buddhism.

An offspring of that same tree is still there, in the middle of the Mahabodhi temple. This is a place where the Dalai Lama spends a few months a year, where 45 Buddhist monasteries of different countries are, where thousands of monks walk around, meditate and chant.

Bodhgaya is a town in the state Bihar, which is the poorest state in India. And you can clearly see that.

The Mahabodhi temple is the most special temple i have ever seen. It is serene, peaceful, beautiful, wonderful, inspiring. You walk around and see all the monks doing their thing, hear the sound of bells and chants and smell the offerings and incense. The tree is amazing to see, I couldn't help feeling special walking past it..

But through the wall to the outside of the temple you see a lot of beggars sticking their hands through the gaps. And when you walk out of the temple, feeling all serene, you immediately get pulled at your sleeves by children and sellers. It is still hard to see the young children with knotted, lice infested hair, no shoes, rags as clothes begging for some food or money. It is not fair... And there we are, having to say no with a wallet filled with money in our bag.

We found an alternative, we buy cookies. Then you notice that really all they want is some attention, play and cuddle. They need to be kids.. And it is amazing to see the sad-begging faces of those beauties turn into big smiles. I sat on the ground for half an hour watching a DVD of the Dalai Lama with 3 kids on my lap, all cuddled up to me. Very sweet.

Yes, so a town of contrasts you could say.

We met 2 dear travelers friends. Robert, an American who we met in Puri. A professor in alternative religions. Very nice to talk to him and special that he invited us to have lunch with him in his monastery.

And Olly, who we spent Dunc's birthday with who we also had great chats, making us both think and aware of things in our life. Special guy, that Olly..

We heard one of the teachings of the spiritual leader of Tibet, Karmapa. Unfortunately we are leaving before His Holiness himself, the Dalai Lama arrives. That would have been truely special.

Can we all sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Duncan? He turned 43 yesterday. I tried to make it as special as I could for him, and I think he enjoyed his birthday. Streamers and balloons, presents and a cake.

Well, from this Holy place in India I wish everyone a beautiful snow filled Christmas with all your loved ones. Know that we are there in thought. And an advice for the new year; just be nice to one and other, it's not that hard.. Happy new-year!

Merry Christmas from incredible India,

Duncan and Ellen