Nova Scotia, Part IIWe left Meat Cove and drove to the eastern shore of Cape Breton to find Gampo Abbey, a Tibetan Buddhist community and retreat. We arrived on a Saturday, not knowing that they're only open to visitors Monday through Friday, but we looked around this beautiful, peaceful place and walked The Path of Enlightenment. Thanks to Susan for the tip on Gampo Abbey.
On the path, we came upon these two young monks, blowing their horns into the wind. I wonder of the specific purpose of this. I so loved getting a glimpse of this ritual but I tried to keep my distance.
I hope you enjoyed the walk
Fantastic. And peaceful. And varied. I want to go to Novia Scotia (she whined....)
ReplyDeleteI did, and I'm still trying to figure out why they call it "meat" cove.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the very nice compliment!(and the visit)
Beautiful! I have a photographer friend who spent a year near Daramsala, India at the Tibetan Children's Village and put together a photo exhibit. Your photos are reminiscent of a couple of his, maybe just in the feeling they exude.
ReplyDeleteDCup: I thought while I was there that it would a great place for a women bloggers retreat but I'm sure none of us could afford to go to NS and pay for the retreat. But Meat Cove has cheap cabins and that would perfect! I can dream, can't I? :-)
ReplyDeleteKenju: The best answer we could get to that question came from the fellow who runs the campground and cabins: he thinks it's because the native Americans once relied on the area for hunting. ??
Suzy: I'm glad you liked the photos. May I add your blog to my list? :-)
I would love to visit this place. It looks beautiful. As a Christian, I adore Buddhism and could happily sit down with some monks for some meditation and horn blowing. Very cool.
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ReplyDeleteIt's on my list to try to find out more about the meaning of that ritual.
Your new blog is so cool. I had such a great time there today, I can't tell you.
A timely blog for me. A few days ago I bought a book on the Tibetan culture and Buddism. Visited a Tibetan shop here and found it awesome
ReplyDeleteA lovely, peaceful walk. I know so little bout Buddhism. Would like to learn more.
ReplyDeleteI recently ordered a used copy of How To Practice: The Way To A Meaningful Life. I too want to learn more. It feels to me like anyone, regardless of faith, can benefit from the Dalai Lama's experiences.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I must go there - now!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this, thank you!
Very beautiful photos, and that glimpse of the horn blowing... It's always fascinating to get a hint of a larger meaning, like a scrap of paper with just a few tantalizing words on it, or a song in a foreign language when you recognize just a few phrases.
ReplyDeletejust wonderful. thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you got to go there and the photos are very evocative. The trumpets are powerful Tantric ritual instruments made from human bones. Not only do they remind Tibetan Buddhists of the transience of life but but also point the way to transcendence. This almost jocund familiarity with death is one of the first challenges a westerner faces when encountering Tibetan Buddhism. “Your thigh-bones would make marvellous trumpets”, he’d exclaimed, “Would you like to leave them to our monastery?”
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