At The Rumtek Monastery Poem by RAJ NANDY
At The Rumtek Monastery
AT THE RUMTEK MONASTERY
In the state of Sikkim, on my way to Gangtok, -
the capital city,
Nestled amongst the picturesque landscape
in the northen hills,
I found the famous Rumtek Monastery!
On entering the open courtyard, which lay bathed
in the mellowed winter's sun;
Where cool breeze kept blowing from the hills,
With multi-colored prayer flags all fluttering,
Against the backdropp of an azure blue sky;
I saw rows of prayer wheels all standing still!
Waiting for the incantations from the faithful
devotees,
To turn them round, while seeking to be freed, -
From that eternal cycle of life and re-birth,
Having taken birth on this earth!
At the far end of the big central prayer hall
located above,
Sat the Golden Buddha, the Enlightened One!
Symbol of eternal goodwill and love!
Meditating in silence in peaceful serenity,
Our hearts and minds were touced by the all-
pervading spirit of tranquility!
The monks in silence moved their prayer beads,
Clad in their saffron coloured robes;
As the joss-sticks turned to incense smoke,
Their tonsured heads lowered at Buddha's feet!
In quest of the righteous path and to find, -
I too knelt in prayer before the holy shrine!
Suffering and pain are two inseparable twins,
Which from the very beginning, to our lives
does cling!
Treading the eight-fold path of righteousness
can only bring, -
An end to all our pain and suffering!
While kneeling before the Enlightened One,
I felt that I had been suddenly transformed,
Into some nameless mendicant, with a begging
bowl in hand!
Seeking not the wealth and pleasures of this earth,
But only the Lord's divine blessings, -
With freedom from the clutches of pain,
suffering, and re-birth!
- Raj Nandy
New Delhi
22 Apr 08
(I had the good fortune of paying my obeisance
at the Rumtek in 1998, before coming to Delhi)
Suffering and pain are two inseparable twins, which from the very beginning, to our lives does cling! And this made Gautam seek the truth thus enlightening mankind…no pleasure is equal to gaining this freedom of spirit…. Your poem does enlighten us on the spiritual aspect…. The nature is engrossing…
It is a beautiful poem. The description of the Rumtek Monastery is very nice. The spiritual atmosphere is well felt. The desire to submit to that Spirit is well expressed. Over all, a very very nice poem.10
Reading this poem itself is a pleasant experience. I felt the bliss! I found writing this kind of descriptive poems very difficult; without sacrificing some amount of poetic form and symmetry. But You have done a great work here...I an really thankful to you for guiding me to this poem.........10
This is a poetic pilgrimage all I can say I find Rumtek Monsastery and golden budha so near me.. You have painted in words so beautifully the landscape and the amazing phase of calmness.. This is a brilliant write from you and thank you for sharing this great poem. 10 + Rema
first of all let me compiment you for giving such a graphic portrait of the spiritual aura, in a budhist monastry. it reminded of my own experience when i visited Nepal. i was really transported to Rumtek. Budhist philosophy is of interest to me and when in turmoil, it helps me center myself. thanks for sharing Raj.
Thank you Raj for inviting me to read this poem. I absolutely enjoyed it. You have so well brought out the ethos of the place which makes it even more attractive for me than before. This is one place I have heard and read a lot about and hope to be able to see it one day. You have had a great experience and have done justice in your description of it. You made me feel like I was in Rumtek. A very gripping and refreshing piece. Thanks once again. Take care
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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5/5/2024 3:03:00 AM # 1.0.0.1119
Your evocative writing carries with it the peace of the event, I enjoyed reading it, thank you.