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The School's Program
• The Curriculum • Further Education • People At The School Administration • Teachers • Staff
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Teachers' Tour to Lumbini, the Birth Place of Lord Buddha
Date: May 9, 2009. Along with the beginning of summer break of this year 2009, two auspicious incidents occurred at our school. The first was Mani Puja which would take 10 days and the second was the Teachers' Tour to Lumbini for which the teachers were very excited for the very day when our respected Supervisor Karma Tsering ( Mr. Jhabindra Subedi) gave a concept of visiting Lumbini during summer break. Lumbini and about it, for most of the teachers was just like a story because they had studied only in books but after they visited they came to know the reality and its historical, archaeological and religious importance as well. To begin with, the teachers had a special gathering on 28th May 09 to discuss about the plan for visit. As per the plan they were supposed to catch the bus arranged by Gela Karma Lekshay from different pick up point. Most of them got on the bus from near the school (Ramhiti Choak of Mahankal -Teenchuli road) . Some teachers like Mr. Bhattarai, Mr. Chet Narayan, Mr. Buddhiman and Kamala rode the bus from Chabhil and at last pick up point was Miss Reena from Balaju. After the last pick up near Swoyambhu two of our Lama teachers Gen Tenzin and Gen Nyima urged all the teachers to be silent and to co-operate with them because they were going to offer prayer and puja inside the bus chanting some mantras while the bus was moving on the way. The teachers joined their hand during the puja. The teachers' journey on the way to Lumbini up to a place called Malekhu was really unforgettable. Some slept, some were busy with camera, some felt like vomiting and some enjoyed conversation and music. At Malekhu the bus driver led the teachers to an attractive restaurant called Village View Resort at about 1:30 p.m. where the meal, services and hospitality were of the first rate. The teachers liked the meal very much. After the lunch at Malekhu the bus took us to a place called Daunney of Nawalparasi district where the teachers had tea, cold drinks and snacks. It was 5 p.m.
At about 6:30 p.m, the team reached the most awaited destination, the Lumbini. As the team reached at the gate of Lumbini Development Trust, Mr. Karma Tsering gave a call to Acharya Karma Sangpo who is the Vice Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust. After consulting with him the team was told to enter the Trust area by the bus. Little inside the gate i.e. about 2 km from the gate there was an office of the Trust. The team waited for Acharya staying inside the office because he was busy with his important official meeting. By the time Acharya Karma Sangpo arrived, one of the officers Mr. Sunil Dahal of the Trust gave an orientation of the place and the master plan of the Trust. When Acharya arrived he and the officer led the team to Mayadevi Temple, the actual birth place of Lord Buddha. Before entering the place the officer presented a briefing about the place in an interesting way. He said he had been working there for the past 27 years. After that all entered the temple, prayed, took snaps, offered Khatas and money at the Marker Stone. The ruins of the monastery, temple and the Ashoka Pillar were really interesting. All the team member felt really blessed to get such an opportunity to visit Lumbini.
After visiting Mayadevi temple the team went for the supper outside the gate of the Trust. There was a village-styled hotel where the services, hospitality and meals were all good. As per Acharya's instruction the group was to spend their night at Korean Monastery. The team occupied 3 rooms ; for gents teachers, lady teachers and the seniors. The climate of Lumbini was very hot consisting 40 degree of temperature. Although it was difficult to spend the night due to very hot, the teachers forgot all the difficulties as they were visiting a new place.
On the way, Chet Narayan got off the bus at Butwal as his family’s house was nearby and he planned to spend his summer holidays there. As he is a local, he’d been introducing different places as we drove along. Chet Narayan contributed more in conversation than any other. Running across the Narayani River, the bus took us to Kathmandu but at a place called Jogimara, on the banks of the Trisuli river, an accident had occurred. The scene was dangerous to all. Finally we got back to Kathmandu and all the teachers heaved a sigh of relief, refreshed and recharged in body and mind for the coming days. All enjoyed themselves and are very happy after the tour to Lumbini. They are, in fact, very grateful to the SMD school family. The SMD teachers are really grateful to Thrangu Rinpoche and to everyone else who made this pilgrimage possible, and to the seniors especially Urgyen Karma for photographs.
Reported by: Ambir Tamang with the consent of all other teachers. |
