McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala
After an amazing and through-provoking ten day "Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism" silent retreat, we have finally arrived in McLeod Ganj. Also called Upper Dharamsala, McLeod Ganj is the home of the Tibetan Government in Exile, as well as the largest Tibetan refugee population in India. Located at 7000 ft above sea level, the winter is already upon us, and sunny days are interspersed with days of chilly rain, low-hanging clouds and early sunsets.
We are very fortunate to be once again joined by our local coordinator Peter Sonam, an absolute dynamo with whom the amazing connections between our students and the local community lie. All of our students have moved in with their third and final home stay family of our trip, and will be active members of their new Tibetan families for the next two and half weeks.
Our time in McLeod Ganj is divided between daily Tibetan and/or Hindi classes, ISPs, volunteering with local NGOs, lectures by prominent community members, and visits to such important sites as the Tibetan Holocaust Museum, the Tibetan Parliament, and the Tibetan Institute for Performing Arts. Our students have a diverse array of ISPs, and have already jumped into their new schedule headfirst.
Independent Study Projects
Emily is studying Hindi, volunteering for the Tibetan Womens' Association, and practicing Hatha Yoga.
Nora is studying Tibetan, learning how to tailor and make traditional Tibetan clothes, and taking classes in Thangka painting.
Annie is studying Tibetan, practicing Hatha Yoga, continuing her study of Buddhist philosophy, and hopes to volunteer with Students for a Free Tibet.
Hannah is studying Tibetan AND advanced Hindi (!), and volunteering at Rogpa Creche - a nursery that provides free daycare for Tibetan children under three years of age.
Raul is studying Tibetan, continuing his volunteer work in local clinics and hospitals, and volunteering as an English conversation partner at Learning and Ideas for Tibet, a local NGO.
Andrew is studying Hindi, learning traditional Tibetan woodcarving, teaching a private English conversation class, and writing articles for a local English-language community newsletter.
Nate is studying Tibetan, learning classical Indian tabla (drums), and volunteering as an English conversation partner at Learning and Ideas for Tibet.
... and all of this in addition to our daily lecture schedule! We are continually impressed with the energy and dedication with which the students imbue their experience.
Expect more blogposts and photos in the upcoming days, now that we once again have plentiful and convenient internet access. Stories from the retreat to come!
Tashi delek,
Jackie Dennis
Program Director