Well, I've finished day four of classes in the summer intensive in Tibetan language at Rangjung Yeshe Institute. Actually, we started last Thursday with orientation during which students in the beginning Tibetan program also had alphabet classes. As of last Friday, I'm also living with a Tibetan host family. It's me, the mom named Drolkar and two brothers, Tenzin and Kunga who are both in their 20's. I have to say, they're all better Buddhists than me as they do a lot more khora (circumambulations) around the Boudhanath stupa. Drolkar came home the other day with sores on her knees from doing prostrations as she did khora. Thus far, I've been a lot more tired than usual from trying to speak Tibetan all the time, but I do sit and practice for a while before breakfast and sometimes in the evening as well. When I get settled, I'll get back to practicing more.
I just realized that I haven't yet taken a picture with my host family. I'll try to do that soon.
As for my classes, things are going well. I have a grammar class at 8:00, then we all meet one-on-one with Tibetan language partners (all native speakers) for an hour before a review class. Lunch is at 11:30, then from 1:00 to 2:00 we have a second hour with the language partners. We switch partners each time for variety. I must have learned more Tibetan over the last few months than I thought as I was able to have a fairly detailed conversation with my partner this afternoon, though I spoke slower than a turtle runs. There's hope for me yet!
In other news, the Rev. Danny Fisher posted about HH the Dalai Lamas' wish for his successor to be elected democratically rather than chosen in the traditional manner. Read the entry here. He links to the Reuters article as well.
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