Tso Pema Monastery, 51 min (21.0 km) via Una - Jahu - Nerchowk Rd
Rewalsar/Tso Pema (Tibetan: Tsopema where Tso means lake and Pema means lotus) is an amazing town built up around Lake Rewalsar in Himachal Pradesh.
The famous Rawalsar lake ('Tso Pema' to Tibetans) is associated with Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche), who is recognized as a second Buddha.
One version of a legend has it that the king of Mandi had Padmasambhava burnt alive after rumours that the Guru had attempted to teach his daughter the Dharma, which was not accepted then.
The pyre burned for a full week, with great clouds of black smoke arising from it, but after a week, a lake appeared at the spot where he was burnt and Padmasambhava manifested himself as a 16-year-old boy from within a lotus in the middle of the lake. The king, repenting his actions, married his daughter with Padmasambhava. It was from Tso Pema that Padmasambhava went to Tibet to spread Vajrayana Buddhism.The Tsechu fair was held in Rawalsar in 2004 to commemorate the birthday of Padmasambhava.
The fair was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama and was attended by Urgyen Trinley Dorje Karmapa along with 50,000 other Buddhist pilgrims.The fair was held after a gap of 12 years.
Rawalsar came to be known as a sacred place for Buddhists and two monasteries — the Drikung Kadyud Gompa and Tso-Pema Ogyen Heru-kai Nyingmapa Gompa are located here.
Studying and practicing Buddhism in caves in the hills above Tso Pema is still prevalent. At present, the caves are a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from all over the world, and many disciples of Padmasambhava live in small huts and ancillary caves around the main caves, living and practicing there for their entire lives.
In Mandi, the closest city to Rewalsar, the King’s family now runs the King’s Palace as a hotel. There is also a museum commemorating Mandarava there.There is a huge (37.5 m. or 123 ft.) new statue of Padmasmabhava that was consecrated, blessed and inaugurated by H.H the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet on the 1st of April 2012.
Take a (kora) - Walk around the lake Locals of every stripe take walks around the lake – it is part exercise, part social interaction, part ritual.Most go clockwise around the lake – with the lake always to your right side. Sometimes you’ll notice the Sikhs going in the opposite direction.
Buddhist do three rounds, three times per day for a total of nine.You will often see Tibetan women picking up worms and insects to remove them from harms way. Many carry a mala, which they use to keep track of mantras which they chant as they walk around. People often chant OM MANI PADME HUM, the mantra of compassion, and OM AH HUM VAJRA GURU PADMA SIDDHI HUM, the mantra of Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche.
There is a path within the fence, though it has collapsed due to erosion from the rains, so at times you have to find a path through the high grasses on the side. Around the lake are also several pavilions where groups often have teachings, and people sit and talk, picnic, or pray.Turn prayer wheels All the monasteries and the small temple to Padmasabhava on the lake have prayer wheels.
Prayer wheels contain mantras printed on paper, and spinning the wheels send the blessings of the mantras out into the world to bless all sentient beings.Often they are in groups of 9, 27, or 108.
They are always spun in a clockwise direction.Spinning prayer wheels accumulates merit (the Buddhist terminology for doing good things that will benefit you in your next life), and you can, if you’re feeling generous, dedicate the merit you accumulate to all sentient beings, which multiplies the merit even more.
Feed the fish The fish in Tso Pema (Lotus Lake) are among the luckiest in the world. Tourists and locals spend Rs. 10 and feed them biscuits and crackers and puffed rice all day long.
They are well trained, so even the sound of the bell from the temple on the lake in the morning sends them into a frenzy of mouth opening competition to get the most morsels.
It is quite a spectacle, and good karma to feed the fish too.
Meditate in Mandarava’s Cave A hidden gem in Rewalsar is Mandarava’s cave.
Just as you pass Norbu’s Café on the lake side of the road, there is a sign on the next building pointing to the left.
Down that unassuming alley is a rock with OM MANI PADME HUM painted on it, and to the left, there is a notice board and a door. Knock on the door, and sometimes you will be rewarded by finding the nun who guards and lives in the cave in a receptive mood.
She will usher you in to the cave, and, depending on unknown and unseen forces, will allow you to stay for as long as you like or usher you back out quickly. Just sitting for a moment in the cave will give you a sense of Mandarava’s power and compassion – one person described it like receiving a warm hug from a loving and caring mother.
Touch the Ganesh Between the Dhabas and Momo Shops on the left side of the street as you go from Kora Café toward the Nyingma Gompa, up a short flight of stairs is a well kept painted carving of Ganesh.
Locals take off their shoes before touching their head to connect with Ganesh’s spirit and receive his blessing.
Respect the Cow and Tree Near the Hindu temple is a sacred tree, where devotees light candles on special days, and Hindus bow and touch their head to the platform surrounding this tree for blessings. Around the corner, there are two statues of cows, and also likely to be some live cows as well. All are treated with reverence and respect.
Go to the local pujas Most of the monasteries do not mind if you walk into the temple while they are doing puja – as long as you are respectful and quiet, it is even welcome.Sometimes there is space along the sides so that you can sit to listen and watch the puja as well. On ceremony days – the 10th, 15th, 25th, and 30th of the lunar calendar, there is often tsok – offerings to deities and enlightened masters of the lineage. They will often give tsok to visitors or have a bin where you may help yourself. Tsok is to be treated with respect – it is thought of as food that was offered to deities, so should be eaten mindfully, and never thrown away if it can be helped. If you cannot eat it for some reason, you can give it to a beggar or feed it to the fish.
Climb to Padmasambhava’s cave If you enjoy a challenging walk, definitely do the climb to Padmasambhava’s Cave. It is arduous, but it is very quiet and, during monsoon season, the rushing water of the waterfalls serenades you as you climb up. The path begins behind the statue. Instead of going up into the statue, continue up the stairs along the side of the statue. They curve around the back and come up on a road. Across the road, some stairs continue upward. Keep following the stairs – for the most part, the path is pretty obvious, often it is alongside or even in the river that cascades down during monsoon, or is a dry bed of stones after monsoon season. The locals will always point you in the right direction if you look lost.Two hours Trekking to Naina Devi temple is an enjoyable experience.
On way there are many Buddhist caves and lakes.
If the climb seems too daunting then you can take the easy option and jump on a bus all the way up to the caves and Naina Devi Temple above. The bus ride takes about half an hour and departs from from the Rewalsar bus stand.
There are not many things that you can buy in Rewalsar that are impossible to find elsewhere, but if you have been looking for certain things and they sell them at the monastery stores, it is nice to support the monasteries and buy here. They generally have good quality items at reasonable prices, so there is no need to bargain, as everything is at a fixed price. Emaho cafe a nice selection of incense, oils, soaps, and notebooks, as well as some traditional Tibetan clothing that is well-made of good quality cotton.
The Nyingma Gompa sells blessed colored strings, a nice gift for a group of friends or colleagues, and the juniper incense that is used in the big smoky incense burners that they use to “cleanse” the temples and other buildings. It is a very traditional formulation, and while it may be available in other places, it is only Rs 30 for a small bag if you wanted to try it yourself.
The shops in the Tibetan side of town – just past Mandarava's cave, sell a selection of decent quality Tibetan items - anything from bells and dorjes, singing bowls, clothing, kataks and other Tibetan trinkets. A couple of shops sell Kullu shawls and scarves.Just past the Tibetan block of shops you enter the Hindu Temple area. If you are looking for a good book to read try the Guru's Feet Coffee Shop next to the Shiva Temple, they have a nice selection and you can pick up some Indian handicrafts and gifts there as well.
Though the lake holds high spirits throughout the year.
The Sisu fair held in late February/early march, and the festival of Baisakhi are important events at Rewalsar.
If lucky the lake can be seen wearing the white snow blanket during the winters.Most people come for a day or two and are not sure what to do when they are here. But you may find that the atmosphere, energy, and holy sites entice you into staying a few days longer.
It is a great place to let go of the tensions of traveling, connect with a sense quiet inside as well as outside, and discover something new about India, about yourself, about what’s really real in the world.
The magical sounds of OM MANI PADME HUM and turning the prayer wheels in the monasteries is surely going to give you mental peace and heal your wounds. The Buddhist monks can be seen learning the dharma and insightful teachings of the Buddha.Cycling:You can hire bicycles at economical rates and roam around the lake and the Himalayas testing your muscular power.Eat:Almost all the variety of dishes are available in the restaurants or dhabas here in Rewalsar. The popularities are the Tibetan momos, thukpa and chowmien which one can get in both veg and non veg. The aroma is sure to leave your mouth-watering.
Rewalsar/Tso Pema (Tibetan: Tsopema where Tso means lake and Pema means lotus) is an amazing town built up around Lake Rewalsar in Himachal Pradesh.
The famous Rawalsar lake ('Tso Pema' to Tibetans) is associated with Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche), who is recognized as a second Buddha.
One version of a legend has it that the king of Mandi had Padmasambhava burnt alive after rumours that the Guru had attempted to teach his daughter the Dharma, which was not accepted then.
The pyre burned for a full week, with great clouds of black smoke arising from it, but after a week, a lake appeared at the spot where he was burnt and Padmasambhava manifested himself as a 16-year-old boy from within a lotus in the middle of the lake. The king, repenting his actions, married his daughter with Padmasambhava. It was from Tso Pema that Padmasambhava went to Tibet to spread Vajrayana Buddhism.The Tsechu fair was held in Rawalsar in 2004 to commemorate the birthday of Padmasambhava.
The fair was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama and was attended by Urgyen Trinley Dorje Karmapa along with 50,000 other Buddhist pilgrims.The fair was held after a gap of 12 years.
Rawalsar came to be known as a sacred place for Buddhists and two monasteries — the Drikung Kadyud Gompa and Tso-Pema Ogyen Heru-kai Nyingmapa Gompa are located here.
Studying and practicing Buddhism in caves in the hills above Tso Pema is still prevalent. At present, the caves are a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from all over the world, and many disciples of Padmasambhava live in small huts and ancillary caves around the main caves, living and practicing there for their entire lives.
In Mandi, the closest city to Rewalsar, the King’s family now runs the King’s Palace as a hotel. There is also a museum commemorating Mandarava there.There is a huge (37.5 m. or 123 ft.) new statue of Padmasmabhava that was consecrated, blessed and inaugurated by H.H the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet on the 1st of April 2012.
Take a (kora) - Walk around the lake Locals of every stripe take walks around the lake – it is part exercise, part social interaction, part ritual.Most go clockwise around the lake – with the lake always to your right side. Sometimes you’ll notice the Sikhs going in the opposite direction.
Buddhist do three rounds, three times per day for a total of nine.You will often see Tibetan women picking up worms and insects to remove them from harms way. Many carry a mala, which they use to keep track of mantras which they chant as they walk around. People often chant OM MANI PADME HUM, the mantra of compassion, and OM AH HUM VAJRA GURU PADMA SIDDHI HUM, the mantra of Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche.
There is a path within the fence, though it has collapsed due to erosion from the rains, so at times you have to find a path through the high grasses on the side. Around the lake are also several pavilions where groups often have teachings, and people sit and talk, picnic, or pray.Turn prayer wheels All the monasteries and the small temple to Padmasabhava on the lake have prayer wheels.
Prayer wheels contain mantras printed on paper, and spinning the wheels send the blessings of the mantras out into the world to bless all sentient beings.Often they are in groups of 9, 27, or 108.
They are always spun in a clockwise direction.Spinning prayer wheels accumulates merit (the Buddhist terminology for doing good things that will benefit you in your next life), and you can, if you’re feeling generous, dedicate the merit you accumulate to all sentient beings, which multiplies the merit even more.
Feed the fish The fish in Tso Pema (Lotus Lake) are among the luckiest in the world. Tourists and locals spend Rs. 10 and feed them biscuits and crackers and puffed rice all day long.
They are well trained, so even the sound of the bell from the temple on the lake in the morning sends them into a frenzy of mouth opening competition to get the most morsels.
It is quite a spectacle, and good karma to feed the fish too.
Meditate in Mandarava’s Cave A hidden gem in Rewalsar is Mandarava’s cave.
Just as you pass Norbu’s Café on the lake side of the road, there is a sign on the next building pointing to the left.
Down that unassuming alley is a rock with OM MANI PADME HUM painted on it, and to the left, there is a notice board and a door. Knock on the door, and sometimes you will be rewarded by finding the nun who guards and lives in the cave in a receptive mood.
She will usher you in to the cave, and, depending on unknown and unseen forces, will allow you to stay for as long as you like or usher you back out quickly. Just sitting for a moment in the cave will give you a sense of Mandarava’s power and compassion – one person described it like receiving a warm hug from a loving and caring mother.
Touch the Ganesh Between the Dhabas and Momo Shops on the left side of the street as you go from Kora Café toward the Nyingma Gompa, up a short flight of stairs is a well kept painted carving of Ganesh.
Locals take off their shoes before touching their head to connect with Ganesh’s spirit and receive his blessing.
Respect the Cow and Tree Near the Hindu temple is a sacred tree, where devotees light candles on special days, and Hindus bow and touch their head to the platform surrounding this tree for blessings. Around the corner, there are two statues of cows, and also likely to be some live cows as well. All are treated with reverence and respect.
Go to the local pujas Most of the monasteries do not mind if you walk into the temple while they are doing puja – as long as you are respectful and quiet, it is even welcome.Sometimes there is space along the sides so that you can sit to listen and watch the puja as well. On ceremony days – the 10th, 15th, 25th, and 30th of the lunar calendar, there is often tsok – offerings to deities and enlightened masters of the lineage. They will often give tsok to visitors or have a bin where you may help yourself. Tsok is to be treated with respect – it is thought of as food that was offered to deities, so should be eaten mindfully, and never thrown away if it can be helped. If you cannot eat it for some reason, you can give it to a beggar or feed it to the fish.
Climb to Padmasambhava’s cave If you enjoy a challenging walk, definitely do the climb to Padmasambhava’s Cave. It is arduous, but it is very quiet and, during monsoon season, the rushing water of the waterfalls serenades you as you climb up. The path begins behind the statue. Instead of going up into the statue, continue up the stairs along the side of the statue. They curve around the back and come up on a road. Across the road, some stairs continue upward. Keep following the stairs – for the most part, the path is pretty obvious, often it is alongside or even in the river that cascades down during monsoon, or is a dry bed of stones after monsoon season. The locals will always point you in the right direction if you look lost.Two hours Trekking to Naina Devi temple is an enjoyable experience.
On way there are many Buddhist caves and lakes.
If the climb seems too daunting then you can take the easy option and jump on a bus all the way up to the caves and Naina Devi Temple above. The bus ride takes about half an hour and departs from from the Rewalsar bus stand.
There are not many things that you can buy in Rewalsar that are impossible to find elsewhere, but if you have been looking for certain things and they sell them at the monastery stores, it is nice to support the monasteries and buy here. They generally have good quality items at reasonable prices, so there is no need to bargain, as everything is at a fixed price. Emaho cafe a nice selection of incense, oils, soaps, and notebooks, as well as some traditional Tibetan clothing that is well-made of good quality cotton.
The Nyingma Gompa sells blessed colored strings, a nice gift for a group of friends or colleagues, and the juniper incense that is used in the big smoky incense burners that they use to “cleanse” the temples and other buildings. It is a very traditional formulation, and while it may be available in other places, it is only Rs 30 for a small bag if you wanted to try it yourself.
The shops in the Tibetan side of town – just past Mandarava's cave, sell a selection of decent quality Tibetan items - anything from bells and dorjes, singing bowls, clothing, kataks and other Tibetan trinkets. A couple of shops sell Kullu shawls and scarves.Just past the Tibetan block of shops you enter the Hindu Temple area. If you are looking for a good book to read try the Guru's Feet Coffee Shop next to the Shiva Temple, they have a nice selection and you can pick up some Indian handicrafts and gifts there as well.
Though the lake holds high spirits throughout the year.
The Sisu fair held in late February/early march, and the festival of Baisakhi are important events at Rewalsar.
If lucky the lake can be seen wearing the white snow blanket during the winters.Most people come for a day or two and are not sure what to do when they are here. But you may find that the atmosphere, energy, and holy sites entice you into staying a few days longer.
It is a great place to let go of the tensions of traveling, connect with a sense quiet inside as well as outside, and discover something new about India, about yourself, about what’s really real in the world.
The magical sounds of OM MANI PADME HUM and turning the prayer wheels in the monasteries is surely going to give you mental peace and heal your wounds. The Buddhist monks can be seen learning the dharma and insightful teachings of the Buddha.Cycling:You can hire bicycles at economical rates and roam around the lake and the Himalayas testing your muscular power.Eat:Almost all the variety of dishes are available in the restaurants or dhabas here in Rewalsar. The popularities are the Tibetan momos, thukpa and chowmien which one can get in both veg and non veg. The aroma is sure to leave your mouth-watering.
No comments:
Post a Comment