September 11th, 2008

So here I am again, in much less than a week. We actually aren’t leaving until tomorrow… and I’ve had a few cool experiences since then I wanted to share before our take off to the north.
For our Buddhist studies course we have been talking with the monks about the basic ideas of Buddhism. IT has been quite the experience! There are many, many good things about Buddhism that I think everyone should learn. I am a big advocate of the world’s religions. Any religion that teaches people to do good and be better people is a great asset to mankind. I love all religions that preach to be good, regardless of anything else. Buddhism encourages this to the max. The Dalai Lama has said if you are a Muslim be the best Muslim you can, if you are Christian be the best Christian you can. They only hope that you can take whatever good you can find in Buddhism and use it to make your worship and beliefs stronger. Their techniques of meditation and the encouragement of learning to control your thoughts and mind are awesome. Any human being, religious or not can benefit from it.

It was also great discussing our different religions together. Although I don’t think any of us are going to “convert” each other to the other’s ideas, there was a mutual respect during the sharing of ideas. Just because in the end we don’t’ leave the conversation thinking and feeling exactly the same doesn’t mean that one of us is wrong. It doesn’t mean we can’t respect each other’s beliefs. What an experience it is to have two people share their differing beliefs and leave the conversation with a deep respect for them and what they are trying to do.

They are also just good people, trying to hard to do good in the world. These people have hooked us up in so many ways. When we told them we were heading up to Dharamsala they got out their contacts, told us of places to stay, looked up numbers and addresses… all because that is what they do. They help people in any way they can. We had mentioned to a friend who works in a shop. He asked how we are getting the tickets for the train and said there is a Tibetan travel agency he knows, called them and set everything up with them. Can you believe that? They are constantly looking out for how they can help others, and completely without return. Every time we have tried to buy someone lunch or done something to try to show them reciprocity they tell us no, please. We do this because we want to, not because we want something in return. Marc told us he’d experienced this before in India in his previous trip. They tried to pay someone for all the help he gave- which was days. But he refused, saying you are my friend, I do this because you are my friend. I am not doing this for pay, but because you are my friend. How I wish we could all learn to do this! What a better place the world would be… They not only say it, but mean it as well.

Also, today is September 11th, and as an American how can writing that day down not stir some thoughts. Particulalry for those of us out of the country. I won’t get to watch the news and hear some of the remembrance specials going on today (and if any of you want to share what you hear, see, etc. about those, please do ). But being away from the States makes any American grateful for their homeland. That is not to say that America does not have its problems- for it surely does. And being out here makes you realize some of the materialistic, selfish things of American society, as I jsut stated in the previous paragraph.

But at the same time, how can you not be grateful for some things? For a land advanced in many ways much further than much of the world. This is not a cocky statement in the least- travel to a third world country and you will realize just how much we have. INdia is beautiful in many ways, but also way dirty and disgusting in others. I've seen more garbage and disgusting things in the streets... For a land of order and relative peace. An example, the police system. Ok, American cops are far from perfect- but for the most part you can count on them to do their job. Here… not even close. Lol corruption is rampant. I’ll elaborate later… We have it, but not at all like this… For a land where we do feel safe (at least as much as one can in this crazy world). There are bombings in India all the time... For a land where we are free to make what we want of our lives. A young child in the ghetto can rise up and make something great of his life. Here, it really is virtually impossible with the class system. Honest and truthfully, it really is. SO although America is not perfect, we really are a blessed people, and leaving the country makes you realize that more than I think anything else will. But we have so much to be grateful for, so much to live for. So my Sept. 11th wish is not that we see America without her faults- see her with her faults and be grateful we have what we have. Here’s to hoping we take advantage of that!