solstice full moon buddhafields

gaya is only a few kilometres from bodhgaya,
the most holy of holies for those who enjoy
the middle way of the buddha..
a cutting from the very bodhi tree is strongly rooted
and grows quite large in the courtyard
of the mahabodhi temple..now a world heritage site.
the grounds are full of pilgrims
from every buddhist tradition..
there are dozens of prostrating boards
for those who are doing 100,000 bows
to the awakened pristine awareness!
offerings of butter lamps and small bowls of marigolds
decorate the walls and stupas..
with strands of marigolds draped everywhere!
as the sun heats up, the fragrance blossoms..
we are all blessed with the saffron medicine.

the 17th karmarpa is from the kagyu tradition
of tibetan buddhism; the sangha is holding the 25th kagyu monlam..
prayers from 6 am to eventide..
teachings on milarepa's 100,000 songs..
~mahamudra transmission~
akshobya pujas and prayers..
tea and rolls are served every day to thousands of pilgrims..
lotus flowers adorn the greenery..

i am staying at the daijokyo guest house
away from the maddening crowd..
praise be!
the guest master is the kind, generous
kiran lama..
he reminds me of sallie ..
(tho' he is younger than i )
her gracious way when she ran the nantucket inn..

he is making christmas cakes..
~i get a piece on christmas day~
and every full moon he makes rice pudding
in honor of the buddha's enlightenment..
a young girl offered the buddha rice and milk,
2550 years ago, to give him the strength to wake up!
kiran lama-la's recipe is known throughout bodhgaya
because of the subtle flavors..raisons..cashews..
guess what i had for breakfast?