In Search of Shangri-La (part 2)
by Lily Pietryka

The Song Zan Lin Temple
	Song Zan Lin Temple

One the way back from the Prairie, we stopped at Song Zan Lin Temple. It is a Tibetan Buddhist temple fashioned after the famous Budala Temple in Lahsa Tibet. It is not nearly as big and grand, but nevertheless beautiful and intriguing, especially the monks’ dorms next to the temple. From afar, it looks like a colorful oil painting from Europe.

When I first got there, the monks were in a service. I walked in: it was dark inside, with a heavy incense smell and the smell of yak milk. There was no electric light, only a few burning yak butter lamps giving off faint light, which gives the temple a mysterious atmosphere.

Just a few minutes after I entered the temple, the service was over. The monks flocked out like a herd of sheep letting loose. I was startled by the sudden eruption of stir and had to step aside to let them out. I saw then they were of all ages--from 6 and 7 year olds to teenagers to older monks. In old times, children did not go to school. They became monks at a young age and came to the temple for their form of education.

I walked around the temple and was blessed by a Lama. I knelt before him on a mat and he blessed me by putting holy water on my head. I looked up at his face afterwards. It looked extraordinarily serene and peaceful. I was amazed, since a look like that has to come from the power within.

When I got outside, I saw that they were playing in the open area outside and were making a lot of noise and having a lot of fun. There was a newscast doing an interview with the monks, (see the reporters in red jacket and blue jeans). There is this excitement in the air and the monks were laughing and frolicking. I was touched to see this much life in front of this ancient temple.

Monks of Song Zan Lin Temple	Where the monks live

Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism

When I went to Tibet for the first time last April, what struck me was not only the high altitude, the breath-taking views of snow-capped mountains and colorful temples, it was the people.

Tibetan people are healthy and beautiful. They have chiseled facial features and sun- kissed skin radiating health and vitality. And most of all, they are the happiest and purest people that I have known. And I know it has a lot to do with their strong religious belief and simple way of life.

Unlike the traditional Buddhist teaching, Tibetan Buddhism is not dogmatic. It is natural and easy to emulate because it makes sense. It is a little like Tao. It is all about simple truth. Simple, therefore easy to understand; true, therefore powerful.

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