a land of Tibet

We're resting at the caves of Dzong Kumbum not far from the Drak chu. What a place to rest beautiful one! We've made our way past the ruins of the Chusi nunnery , then climbed over the Shinje Rolpe Podrang , a cliff of white limestone to finally arrive beneath it's opening which is covered with relief carvings. It's entrance is thirty meters, ninety eight feet high and over a hundred feet deep! From there five labyrinth tunnels reach into the mountain darkness each of them associated with great Padmasambhava and Yeshe Tsogyel. Yeshe Tsogyel was actually born in Sewalung which from the description in our Footprint Tibet handbook must not be far from Drakda. Not far to the east is Drak Yangdzong with its three magical caves with a sandalwood ladder, hidden lands,nectar producing rock and paintings. All of the Drakyl caves are limestone and are filled with wondrous forms that represent various deities. Not far to the south is Ngadrak, a monastery along with Pema Dzong, yet another hilltop fortress. In the Drakda village is the lake of Tsogyel Latso a place of great shamanic power for it is the talismanic lake for Yeshe Tsogyel herself and a place where the past and the future can be seen in it's reflection! Dratang, on the opposite side of the Brahmaputra was a monastery begun by Drapa Ngonshe. He was another Terton, a treasure finder who discovered the Four Medical Tantras which are the basis of the entire Tibetan medical system that has sustained many in this land where survival can be difficult. I'm not entirely sure what a tantra is, or how it compares exactly with a sutra. I think it is more a visualization or energy exercise for the mind as opposed to the sutras which are verses using logic to guide the mind. There's much more here but two as one we'll add to the notes later beautiful one as it's a bit late!


	Through My Eyes * We're resting at the caves of Dzong Kumbum not far from the Drak chu. What a place to rest beautiful one! We've made our way past the ruins of the Chusi nunnery , then climbed over the Shinje Rolpe Podrang , a cliff of white limestone to finally arrive beneath it's opening which is covered with relief carvings. It's entrance is thirty meters, ninety eight feet high and over a hundred feet deep! From there five labyrinth tunnels reach into the mountain darkness each of them associated with great Padmasambhava and Yeshe Tsogyel. Yeshe Tsogyel was actually born in Sewalung which from the description in our Footprint Tibet handbook must not be far from Drakda. Not far to the east is Drak Yangdzong with its three magical caves with a sandalwood ladder, hidden lands,nectar producing rock and paintings. All of the Drakyl caves are limestone and are filled with wondrous forms that represent various deities. Not far to the south is Ngadrak, a monastery along with Pema Dzong, yet another hilltop fortress. In the Drakda village is the lake of Tsogyel Latso a place of great shamanic power for it is the talismanic lake for Yeshe Tsogyel herself and a place where the past and the future can be seen in it's reflection! Dratang, on the opposite side of the Brahmaputra was a monastery begun by Drapa Ngonshe. He was another Terton, a treasure finder who discovered the Four Medical Tantras which are the basis of the entire Tibetan medical system that has sustained many in this land where survival can be difficult. I'm not entirely sure what a tantra is, or how it compares exactly with a sutra. I think it is more a visualization or energy exercise for the mind as opposed to the sutras which are verses using logic to guide the mind. There's much more here but two as one we'll add to the notes later beautiful one as it's a bit late! * courtesy of A Luminous Diamond (Bright) Crystal Show productions. The information for the sketches is courtesy of the Footprint Tibet handbook by Gyurme Dorje. ( please click here to return to my spinning for you!)