Context
Before I head on to my much interesting story, let me get in clear with some context . It was back in the rural village of Chozo, Khecheopalri, Sikkim, on March 23rd,2016. And it was the day of one of the most pristine ceremonies of the Buddhist people, Bomchu. The ceremony is about sharing and celebrating the books and the knowledge of Lord Buddha’s teachings. Buddhist monks, carry those books on their head, take a walk in the streets and us, the commoners are meant to take blessings from them. But something pretty unique happened that day, which makes this story very special.
The Planning
On March 22nd, me and my family, and my fellow hitch hiker friends Georgy Andreev and Svenja Anina Ohlen ( from Russia and Germany respectively ) were told about the ceremony and to take the Monks blessings by our local host Latup. We were a bit shocked, as we’re Hindu, and they both are Christian, and we all thought we might somehow offend their culture. But to our much surprise, our host told us not to worry and to be ready for tomorrow.
The Harmony
So on the next morning we dressed up, took our camera and headed on to our nearest monastery. We had never seen a Buddhist ceremony in our lives, and our host repeatedly telling us how even touching those books is considered lucky made us even more excited. We reached the monastery, only to be realized that we were the only non-local people standing there. We became extremely uncomfortable, as we were too scared not to do anything that offends the locals and the enlightened Monks. An elderly Monk saw us, and quickly understood what we felt inside. He called us, and along with other monks, handed over one of their pious books to each one of us and asked nicely to crowd in the crowd of the monks and bless every people we meet in the road!
Being Part of the Pristine Ceremony
We not only touched those sacred books, but literally carried them on our heads, blessing others. The tourists, jaw dropped, stopped by us to witness this wonderful harmony, clicking pictures and videos all along. We went on blessing every locals and tourists on the streets, and the welcoming gesture of the locals made things beyond beautiful for us. They were simply overjoyed, and were all gathered to see a Russian dude, a German girl and a Hindu Brahmin family to carry their sacred books along with the enlightened Monks. The monks loved their reaction too, as we marched on and on, and with every step we reached closer to Buddha.
Conclusion
We live in a world, where being selfish is called being practical, and being unkind is street smart. The Monks, or the villagers could’ve easily shooed us away, carrying on with their thousand years old nominal legacy. But when I look back, I realize that by welcoming us with such an wondrous gesture, they did actually carried the legacy of Lord Buddha’s teachings, spreading child like happiness for a day all over Chozo 🙂♥️
Great story. We have had wonderful experiences in Buddhist areas. They’re lovely people and their beliefs are so inviting.
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Absolutely! The beliefs and culture is truly amazing! I love Buddhism too, this Sikkim becoming my fav place to visit ♥️
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You should also go to Spiti and Ledakh in India and Bhutan if you can.
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A beautiful story of kindness, love and inclusion with lovely images 🙂
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Thank you! It means a lot to me 🙂🙏♥️
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Lovely story, and the pictures of the temple are beautiful.
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Thanks for reading this out, much love ❤️🙏
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What a wonderful experience and honor! So much color there! Thank you for sharing this.
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Thank you so much! It’s always life in Sikkim, my fav place to stay in 😍❤️
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What a great story and what beautiful village and culture. I am very drawn to Buddhism and relate much with their way of life. Thank you for sharing this.
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Me too! Their way of life is mind boggling! Buddhism is more than a religion, it’s a way of life ♥️
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It is and because of it, it is welcoming to other religions. Like you said it’s a way of life. ❤️
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☮️ love is being in touch with you’re inner soul. Lovely gracious harmony
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Thanks for reading my staff out!
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Keep writing please 🌞
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I’ll, keep supporting, thanks 🙂♥️
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Great experience. I have had similar experiences in Nepal, as an Englishman who married a Nepali I was welcomed into family, caste, and Buddhism. I have had 50 years of such welcome and generosity. 🙏🙏🙏
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Wow! Amazing life experience! I also have crush on some Sikkimese and Nepali girls 😝😝
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We were students together in the 1960s and now married for 47 years. Great fun together!
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Wow… Onwards happily towards half century. You had a great life no doubt! Can I get to know more about your life if you’re ok with it? Mail me anytime if you want 🤗♥️
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Read the page link Two Doctors from the menu on our blog
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this is so good
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Such a great story! Thank you for sharing your experience
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Thanks for reading my stuff avidly. Really means a lot to me 🙂🙏 ♥️
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You are welcome xxx
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This is a very heartwarming read.I especially like your concluding thoughts.
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Thanks for reading so avidly! Much love 🙂❤️
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Such a lovely journey!
Thank for sharing 🙂
Good luck!
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Thank you for reading!
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Very nice article, great pics and a very good read.
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Thanks a lot for your avid reading!? Much love❤️🤗
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Kindness and acceptance. What a lovely post. Many years ago I stayed in a Buddhist monastery in Western China. I was there with a group of botanists and we were looking at plants on a holy mountain near the monastery. The monks were so welcoming to us.It is a happy memory for me. Thanks for this post it took me back to that time.
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beautiful story. and beautiful pics as well. i wish we had a similar ceremony like your Bomchu here in my country. but since there is none, i will try to spread God’s kindness in other Bomchu-ish ways. Thank you for the great experience, Soumyadeb!
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Great initiative! Which country do you live in?
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i come from the Philippines. you can read more about it in my travel blogs in cbholganza.com
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Lovely story. I have had lots of contact with Buddhists and Buddhism in S.E. Asia and have always felt blessed that they accepted me so easily. I hope you got some benefit from your contact with the monks, I am sure I always did although being a ‘mere female’ I had to stand well apart from them, my husband being the one to hold any sacred icon or medal and me only allowed to touch him! Who cares. The Lord Buddha looks after us all.
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Actually, not touching someone from another gender is also a part of monk/nun hood. You can’t even take things directly from people of other sex. It’s somehow strange but very well happens. I was also barred from entering inside a nun’s monastery.
Anyways, Buddhism in S E Asia like Myanmar or Thailand is a bit different from Buddhism in Tibet. You should visit Sikkim/Bhutan for that experience too!
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