A monk's prostrations

After visiting the temple, I walked back into town and went for a coffee. There were lots of monks around, who all seemed to be shopping. They were weighed down with numerous bags and packages - apparently food and gifts. I don't know if this was normal, or special shopping because Losar, Tibetan New Year, celebrations start tomorrow.

Later, I decided to walk to the Tibetan Museum, 1.5 kilometres or a 25-minute walk away, according to Google maps. Again, I obviously went wrong because it took me longer than that! On the way, I passed a monk doing his prostrations on the side of the road. These are a profound Buddhist practice of bowing fully to the ground, symbolizing the surrender of ego, cultivation of humility, and deep respect for the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha). This ritual purifies negative karma involves full-body stretches, often repeated to accumulate merit.
Prostrations are used to slice through false pride, cultivate humility, and physically prepare the body and mind for meditation.

The monk I saw was practicing Gyangchag, a full prostration where the body is stretched out full length on the floor, arms extended. It involves touching hands to the crown, forehead, throat, and heart, representing the purification of body, speech, and mind before lying down, putting the hands together above the head as if in prayer, standing up, taking a single step forward, and repeating the whole process over and over again. He was making very slow progress down the hill. I took a very quick video, but felt like I was intruding on a very private act - even though he was doing it on a public road.

I eventually reached the museum, only to find it was shut! I had checked online. It said it would be closed from tomorrow for the holiday. However, the note on the door said it was closed today to get ready for the New Year closure! Only in India!! 😀.

Having done over 20,000 steps already today, there's no way I was going to attempt to walk back up the hill, so I messaged Ramesh and he came to get me 😊.

I managed to buy a small wholegrain seeded loaf and some sliced cheese today, so I had that for my meal tonight.Read more