Here are some pictures of two towns I visited with the lamas for two puja ceremonies for people who had died. They were beautiful ceremonies and I was lucky to participate in them. They combine humor, grief, dancing, and chanting and an incredible sense of community and love. The ceremonies are meant to help the deceased to pass to a better life.


Me lighting candles at the town of Puma



Tibetan horns for the puja

In a beautiful rammed earth kitchen

at Puma village

Decorations and oblations at Najar

Awesome looking old guys at Najar

They are Gurung people who are famous for their fierce

fighting that repelled the nations takover by the East Indian

Trading company in the 18th century. Very wonderful people!

I have lived in a bhuddist monastery for the last month and a half teaching english and math and in turn being taught about everything else. Now I have 15 little brothers! It is marvelous!



The head Guru's Son doing a traditional dance
in a small town of Najar (Nazaray)

The head Guru at the Monastery in Besishahar

His name is Gurungi, his family lived at the monastery

with the other 15 monks. He was very kind and loving.

One of my little brothers Funchyo lama and his girlfriend
he hooked up with in Najar.

Another brother Chultem Lama in lama dress at Najar


One of my dearest little brothers, Wang di lama polishing
brass candle holders for a big puja (prayer) ceremony.