The chill of December brought unexpected delights. The sun rises over the towering mountainsmore slowly now. The warm sunrays pass through the dark green forest and onto the student’s beautiful faces well after eight. Beautifully colored scarves, hats, and blankets bundle the students as they eat breakfast andengage in early morning discussions, clutching their steaming milk tea to keep warm. Though the mornings and evenings are quiet cold, the afternoons continue to bring blue skies, warm temperatures, and an impressive snow draped Himalaya backdrop.
This month the students, staff and teachers were treated to two Saturday morning class presentations. Nyima Class presented an array of perspectives, knowledge, facts, and Tibetan culture in the most passionate manner, exuding confidence and wisdom. Presentations included discussions on the benefits of wind power, the life and learnings of Aristotle, the complete digestive system, including tips to assist your digestive system, and the complete history of ES Tibet. Those in attendance also heard a moving perspective and plea from a tree, and convincingand touching dialogue from the school’s mascot,Sury, the eldest dog.
Dawa’s Saturday morning class presentation offered a heated debate on the existence of ghosts. The panel included a fair and wise judge, two parapsychologists, and two Buddhist scientists! The audience also partook in the discussion as a jury, asking difficult questions and
making personal comments. The debate could have continued far into the afternoon, but the pending weekly house cleaning and laundry which had to be complete before heading off for the weekend holiday was a motivator to conclude the debate with an open verdict.
We celebrated the second Saturday and December’s full moon with a Momo Party. Momo’s are a Tibetan dish which includes a delightful few hours of preparation. Rolled flour dough is formed into pockets and stuffed with vegetables and spices or meat. They are served either fried or steamed and are quite filling. It was a delicious feast! Then it was time for each person to sing a song to the group. We heard a multitude of traditional Tibetan songs sung in wonderfully beautiful voices. For a couple of hours we sang, played games, and enjoyed a roomful of laughter and smiles. Students and staff of ES Tibet know how to have a good time! A wonderful full moon celebration indeed!
Though, ES Tibet is not all fun and games! This month, each class has properly undertaken a Mock exam in preparation for the March PET and FCE exam. Students handled the stress and test anxiety with grace and the results were something to celebrate. To ease the tension after these mock exams, there were lively volleyball and basketball matches as well as a wonderful Friday night tea and peanut party!
During the winter solstice, His Holiness the Dali Lama will be offering teachings here in Mecleodganj. The teachers took a day off to attend his teachings. This is an exciting time, as the 10 day teaching on the Kalachakrafrom His Holiness the Dali Lama in Bodhgaya, India is just around the corner. This is an annual event which hundreds of thousands of people will attend, including our students. Some students have family coming into the country to attend the event which they have not seen in years!The excitement is palpable as the end of the term nears. Life at ES Tibet is as rich and teeming with life and love as always!
