Buddha Bubba is back from the dead and ready to tour....how bout some breakfast first. Yes, Dutch did say only a few others were in the hotel. No buffet Bocahita order as much as you want off the menu.
TIBET TIDBITS
Bordered on three sides by some of the world's highest mountain ranges-a mere 14 million years old- the Himalayas, the Karakoram and the Kuln- with over 70 peaks reaching elevations of 23,000 ft including the MOUNT EVEREST-the world's highest at 29,029 ft. Hello thin air-as Bocahita huffs and puffs around town. Hence why Tibet has remained in relative isolation. Sheltered first by its inaccessibility and then, in the age of air travel, by Chinese occupation, the "Roof of the World" has recently opened to foreign visitors. Tibet's reputation as a unique theocratic culture- based on Buddhism but also influenced by an older shamanistic faith called Bon. In 1950, China marched into Tibet and annexed the country. The population is 2.8 million strong today. Lhasa has been the capital since the 7th century.
Bocahita heard about their POLANDRY (the practice of having more than one husband at a time) and thought hell to the no. And one is not ENOUGH?Polyandry is a form of polygamy whereby a woman has several husbands. In Tibet those husbands are often brothers, which is why it is most commonly called "Fraternal Polyandry". Concern over the delicate question of which children are fathered by which brother falls on the wife alone. She may or may not say who the father is because she does not wish to create conflict in the family; she may also be unsure who the biological father is.
Historically, the social system compelled marriage within a social class.
Initially, when the People's Republic of China annexed Tibet, political systems in many regions of Tibet remained unchanged. Then starting between 1959 and 1960 political reforms changed the land ownership and taxation systems.[1] Professor Melvyn Goldstein believed this had a direct impact on Tibet's traditional marriage system. With the change of the social stratification as a result of land ownership and taxation systems, the du-jung and the mi-bo lower classes were the first to avoid the intramarriages that characterized the older society.
However, as part of its population control measures, the Chinese government later forbade polygamous marriage altogether under family law. Even though it is currently illegal, after collective farming was phased out and the farmed land reverted in the form of long-term leases to individual families, polyandry in Tibet is de facto the norm in rural areas. Ayia yia yia.
POTALA PALACE-
HOLY PALACE IN THE SNOW LAND
Yes Bocahita is quite the Tibetan Fashionista-yes the lime green socks says it all. The Dali Lama's splendid but oh so very empty seat at the Potala Palace. Built on Lhasa's highest point-Marpo Hill- 13 stories high with over a thousand rooms. Yup, the former home of the Dali Lama. Today it is a "museum" and serves as a reminder of Tibet's devoutly religious culture. The current structure was built in 1645 (white section) and 1693 (red section).
Come on HAPPY FEET- YOU CAN DO IT barked Bubs. Built on Lhasa's highest point, Marpo Hill, the Potala Palace is the greatest monumental structure in Tibet. Over a thousand rooms to keep clean surviving as the center for both spiritual and temporal power. Since the Dali Lama escaped to India in 1959 major political and religious ceremonies are still held here. Along with a few other tourists and several pilgrims we had the run of the place. The "central government" did major repairs in 1989 and 1994.
HOLY PALACE IN THE SNOW LAND
Yes Bocahita is quite the Tibetan Fashionista-yes the lime green socks says it all. The Dali Lama's splendid but oh so very empty seat at the Potala Palace. Built on Lhasa's highest point-Marpo Hill- 13 stories high with over a thousand rooms. Yup, the former home of the Dali Lama. Today it is a "museum" and serves as a reminder of Tibet's devoutly religious culture. The current structure was built in 1645 (white section) and 1693 (red section).
As the Pilgrim stares at Bocahita's oh so glowing socks....must be some American ritual.
Boca Boca Boca try to keep up only a million more steps to climb...only 2309 more to go....
Pilgrim's chora (circle the Pol) and then climb the steps to worship and prepare for the New Year.
Lovin the Buddha Babushka Annie...yes I think the path to spiritual enlightenment is right through those doors girlfriend.
yes, yes Boca made it to the top. Not a pretty site but made it.
Hey, where is that Chamber of Eternal Life they keep yapping about???
"The Blessing of Abundance Illumine in All Directions"......
A very different view than the Dalai Lama had....oh those commies. They really know how to take it to the next level....more on that later.
Pleep so enjoyed the Mount Everest brewski's!Buddha Bubba caught up on his reading with Annie...
Yes, Honey we could use these for our shirts....
Yak Dusters....I'll take 2!
NEXT STOP SERA MONASTERY
Founded in 1419 by disciples of the Gelugpatantric studies. Sera Monastery was famous for its warrior Monks. Once home to 5000 Monks today it is home to less than a couple of hundred Monks. Activity centers around it's 3 colleges.
BUDDHA BUDDIES....The Sera Monastery is dedicated to the Gelugpa or Yellow Hat Sect, a branch of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Tsong Khapa. Jamchen Chojey, one of Tsong Khapa's disciples built the monastery in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The monastery was named Sera which means wild rose in the Tibetan language, because the hill behind it was covered with wild roses in bloom when the monastery was built.
The monastery is magnificent and covers an area of 114,946 square meters (28 acres). Its main buildings are the Coqen Hall, Zhacang (college) and Kamcun (dormitory). Scriptures written in gold powder, fine statues, scent cloth and unparalleled murals can be found in these halls. Colorful debates on Buddhist doctrines are held here and these employ a style distinctive from those at Lhasa's other famous monasteries.
At the top of the path stands the open-air debating courtyard. The monks assemble here for debates and their ritualized gestures- clapping hands ad stamping when a point is made. Bocahita could teach them a thing or too about that clapping and stamping stuff...BUDDHISM SCRIPTURES DEBATING FUN...
The Gelugpa or Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism studies Buddhist doctrines using a step-by-step process. As a part of their study, lamas must participate in debates to further their comprehension and proceed to more advanced levels of study. The debating traditions in the Sera Monastery are unique among the three famous monasteries in Lhasa. Lamas usually have debates in the special debating field from 3 p.m., Monday to Friday. The debate usually lasts about one hour and a half. It may be conducted on Saturday occasionally because of the ritual ceremony at the same day. For the bad weather or religious holidays, the debate will be unavailable sometime in winter. In a battle of words, they supplement their efforts by using a variety of gestures including clapping their hands, pushing their partners for an answer, or plucking their prayer beads to win the virtue of the Buddha. For a clear view of this unique event, an early arrival is recommended.
Bocahita kept yelling out questions to the Monks but no one took the bate....she so wanted to show off her newly found Buddhist knowledge as she had just glanced at Buddhism For Dummies making her an expert of course.
Pleep got in the mix- passing himself off as a HOLY MONK-EY....
Bubba thought he was at a Buddhist Hoe Down and wondered if he had to take off his boots to join in....
DREPUNG MONASTERY
In it's heyday it was Tibet's richest monastery with 4 cottages and 10,000 monks- today there are between 500-600 monks. Follow the Pilgrims Annie and Bubba.
Come on Bocahita, you can do it!
Boca passed on more hill climbing and chatted it up with one of the monks.....sharing the meaning of life a la Bocahita with the poor guy. She queried him on the artful placement of a Thankgka and a Mandalas back in Boca Raton. And would you be able to ship them FedX?
NORBULINKA- the park for SUMMER PALACE FOR THE LAMA's
BACK AT THE ST. REGIS TO TOAST A MOST FASCINATING DAY....
Bocahita is in desperate need of that 2 hour massage after climbing and crawling all those holy steps. And may I quote Buddha Bubba- "Honey, I told you to do some serious exercising before this trip so you could easily handle those steps in this altitude....BLA BLA BLA BLA."
So wanting to hear the I told you so- Bocahita books it to the Spa. Will that little Tibetan Girl be able to handle the Bocahita?
