Day 3 in Bodh Gaya and I just spend the morning walking a
circle before heading for the Bodhi Tree again. In I went around 1130 after a
late breakfast which was too filling so it was sort of a lunch as well.
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| Swamp Marsh in Bodh Gaya |
Same drill and this time there were large group of people in
the temple grounds, some in groups of whites sitting down in the form of
meditation following a few monks chanting in what I think is mandarin. It must
be either a Taiwanese or some Chinese side of group pilgrim tour. They were
pilgrim alright but I could not help noticing some of the DSLR laying on the
floor while they were in deep meditation.
Today there were a lot of monks. Some were meditating
sitting down and facing the tree, everyone faces the tree …. Does not matter
which side you are on but everyone faces the tree when in meditation. So some
was meditating while some were simply just chatting and some were walking round
and round the Mahabodhi temple.
I just watch the crowd around me in silence with a smile or
two sometimes. Two young indian boys in school uniform came and sat next to me,
which looks like school was out. It must be 12 or past noon. I don’t have a
sense of time since I checked my phone in the locker outside, there was no way
for me to know the time. The two boys finally found the courage to ask me where
I am from. I answer in as little words as I can for I was not in the mood to
hold a conversation. Supple silence and peace just watching.
One of the kid told me out of the blue, that if they sit
here no leaf will fall.
Why?
I sat here for 3 days here with my friend and no leaf has
fall for us to collect.
Do not think of leaf falling …. If you think of it, it won’t
fall.
The silence took over and soon I saw a single leaf fall to
the ground nearby where we were sitting. I notice a few eyes on the leaf …. But
they were too far to reach for it without breaching modesty. I nudge the boy
and although his eyes brighten at the sight you could see his shyness as he
meekly get up and approach to pick up the leaf. A big grin on his face and his
friends face as they pick up their first leaf in three days. They left a few
minutes later bidding me goodbye while I go back to a blank state of
observation.
Rain clouds was coming. I would see it from afar …. It was
only a matter of time I thought …. Maybe an hour … or less.
The chanting group ended and pack up to leave ….. Probably
for lunch …. More people come and go … in all that another leaf fall and I
picked it up…. I now had a leaf in hand twirling back and forth like a
meditation tempo only with me sitting like I am in a park with an imaginary
picnic basket next to me …. The masses coming and going all walking by all
looking up at the tree and I notice quite a few eyeing my twirling leaf ….. and
the first few drops of rain trickle down.
Most left one by one …. As I sit there and the crowd dwindle
to left only the prepared …. The few monks with umbrella and rain coats as the
sky erupts and a thunderstorm broke out. I sat there unmoving ….. watching as
the monks run from one fallen leaf to another, unchallenged by any tourist or
pilgrims. Some fell near me and I stayed still …. A pause in the monks steps as
he looks at me asking a silent permission if they could take the leaf near me
…. They pick it up and I sat there twirling my single leaf in hand smiling.
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| First Leave on the Left to the last on the Right |
A leaf falls to my lap …..
Looking at it I could not believe it was that easy. Dad
would go nuts when I tell him this ….. the challenge has been completed …. I
did not even think it would happen but it did …. All it took was to wait for a
thunderstorm to start …. When lots of leaf fall due to the start of a
thunderstorm that’s when it is best to fulfil a challenge such as this. Time to
go …. Cold shivers was starting to set in and a fully soak body for a single
leaf was worth it …. As I proceeded to leave I saw one small leaf floating by
on the over flowing waters on the flow …. One that the monks missed …. 3 leaf
on the second day …. How many hours did I stay there I wondered ….
Out of the temple ground and reclaimed my phone …. 2.5 hours
…. That’s all …. Headed back to the guesthouse and got myself dry before I fall
sick.
I went back that night again with three new friend from
Taiwan …. The first time I met them on the streets, I gave them direction to
the only 7-11 in town and recommended a good place to eat where it was cheap
and clean and
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| Stir Fry Potato and Naan |
delicious (It was next to the 7-11) ….
Going back there for
dinner They waves at me …. And I with my blur look was trying to figure out
where I met them …. He had to jog my memory and I joined him and his two
friends. We went back to the tree that night to see it in the night time ….. no
leaf drop at all the whole time we were there …. I guess the morning storm
shooked all the loose one out for that day.
A beautiful day in Bodh Gaya ….
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| Bodh Gaya - Community Field |
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