(page under construction)
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE
BUDDHA
In the presence of a wise man, one man said, "Ask not
for whom the bell tolls: it tolls for thee." The wise man arose from
his meditation and drily remarked, "Just because the bell rings doesn't
mean it's for you."
In December 2000 there was a remarkable pilgrimage through
India and Nepal conducted under the auspices of Western Oregon University
that included twenty-two students, two professors, a tour guide/translator,
and ten people at random (including me). We went all over the place
for two weeks; some of us got sick, some of us became illuminated; some
of us already knew what they were going to find and the rest just wanted
to go home. But despite the chaos and bouncing buses all of us felt
at some point the undeniable magic that makes India unforgettable.
Initial temple sites
- scanned artwork
- descriptive quotes
Delhi architecture (Agra sidetrip)
/(aside: description
of potential corruption and why it doesn't help to bring a camera)
Bodh Gaya
- barefoot trek up mountainside
- Mahakala Temple/Cave
- "the difference between whiskey and wine"
Root institute
- free dinner at the Polio Clinic
- community outreach and links to donation sites
(comic relief:)
- "You have no SHOOTZ!!!"
- "Following the wrong guides" (from M. temple)
- "Just because the bell rings doesn't mean it's
for you"
- "Open bar in Lumbini"