Dorje Druk

5.India

Around midnight they all arrived in Dharmasala. Panzer was extremely jet lagged and shuffled a bit through the terminal. "How far is the monastery?" he asked yawning. "About an hour outside the city in the hills. Be happy we aren't in Tibet where you would have altitude sickness." Rangwang replied also yawning much like how a dog yawns. A van greeted them outside the terminal and they rode in silence to the monastery. Most of the monks were sleeping save for the abbot, who greeted them with butter tea. Panzer bowed and accepted the tea, gulping it down. "Oh wow this is pretty good tea. What's in it?". The abbot replied "Black tea, salt and churned yak butter". Panzer replied "Well that is some good tea. Do you have anymore in the kettle?". The abbot chuckles and refilled his cup. "Well done you two, you brought him here and he liked the tea. First and foremost, get yourselves some sleep and then see me after morning chanting. Rangwang, he will room with you as you will be responsible for him. Sleep well. " The abbot left for his room and the three went to their rooms. They were small and only contained two beds, a shrine and a small dresser drawer. The two fell asleep instantly.

The next morning around six the bells woke them for morning chanting. Panzer groaned as Ranwang got up and changed into new robes. "Come on. do you have to change near me and also why do we have to wake up?" Panzer whined. "First, turn around. Second, it's part of monastic life" Rangwang replied as he finished putting his robes on. Panzer groaned, changed and shuffled down to the temple. Already the temple was nearly filled with monks and some locals from the surrounding villages. They took their places near the front with the remaining monks and started with giving offerings to the Buddhas and gods. Panzer was struggling with the Tibetan and eventually gave up trying to follow along. He took to quietly watching the monks chant various blessings and looking at the artwork that adorned the walls and the ceiling of the temple. After what seemed to be an eternity the monks silently filed in to the dining area. Rangwang whispered to Panzer "We eat our meals in silence. It's part of our training". Panzer nodded silently. When he was served his breakfast of tea, porridge, bread and what looked like pancakes. He tried the pancake looking dish and really liked it. The tea was the usual butter tea, which he gulped down. The silence in the dining area was a bit deafening but was also welcome being his house was usually noisy. He finished his breakfast and waited for Rangwang to finish his. When they were done they had time to kill so they walked about the monastery grounds, getting some stares from monks and the laity. "I guess no one here is used to a dragon huh?" he asked. "No, dragons are incredibly rare here but I did see some when I was in Bhutan for a year. Dragons are very common there." Rangwang replied. They walked around in silence for a bit until Rangwang broke the silence with a question "So..What do you think so far?". Panzer replied "It's different but is peaceful". 

As they made their way around a courtyard the abbot met them. "Rangwang, he needs to take his vows this afternoon and you will be his lama. Because he does not know any Tibetan you need to tell him what to say. That is all". He left them alone. Panzer looked confused "Umm I don't speak Tibetan. What did he say?". Rangwang replied "You are taking temporary vows and I am going to be in charge of you. I will tell you what to say this afternoon at the ordination". Panzer looked shocked and shouted "WHAT!? YOUR MAKING ME INTO A MONK!? I'M A CHRISTIAN!" Rangwang laughed and said "Oh relax, only for when you are here. We are not asking you to stop believing in Jesus. Consider it like adapting to the culture". Panzer sighed and asked "Does this mean I will always be a monk?". "No, well if you want to pursue full ordination or even as a lay monk that can be arranged but only at your request." Rangwang replied. Panzer shook his head and they made their way back to their room. "You will wear the white of a novice then you will wear the maroon robes a day after taking ordination. Usually you would be a novice for a month or so but because of the situation this will be changed." Rangwang said taking his measurements for the robes. "Right, just stay here and maybe meditate or pray for a bit" Rangwang said leaving Panzer in the room. Panzer thought of what to do. He took to saying the Lord's Prayer and whatever was said at morning chanting.