Dharamsala, India – The Dalai Lama’s Home Away From Home
Dharamsala is a special place. It can be felt while you’re here. Maybe it’s because the multicultural Indian community lives in harmony with the Tibetan community, maybe it’s the calming effect of the Himalayas, I don’t know. But after Delhi, this was tranquility at its finest.
I’ll be talking specifically about McLeodganj, the upper part of Dharamsala where the Dalai Lama lives. At 1750m/5750ft, the November air kicked my butt. It was by far the coldest place I’ve been on my trip, with daytime highs around 10C/50F and nighttime lows 0C/32F. There is generally no indoor heating and my $2.70/night room certainly didn’t have heating.
Still, this is the home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile. The place isn’t overtly Tibetan/Buddhist, but a nice harmony exists between the Indian and Tibetan population (at least it seems so).
The Tibetans I met spoke English very, very well. Many told me that it’s because international volunteers often come and teach English in their schools. That, combined with tourists and a preference for speaking to the Indians in English instead of Hindi leaves them very proficient in English.
The Dalai Lama
This is the main attraction here. While I was here, he was in Southern India teaching. When The Dalai Lama is here the city is full of pilgrims and learners. You can learn more about the Dalai Lama here.
From the pictures I’ve seen of Potala Palace, the actual home of the Dalai Lama in Lhasa, Tibet, his accommodation here is incomparable. It’s very simple and plain, quite frankly. See for yourself below.
The temple itself is also the simplest temple I’ve seen in the Buddhist world. It’s downright simple, though I suppose if you believe that the Dalai Lama is god, as Tibetans do, then you don’t really need a fancy place that might overshadow or steal the thunder of the god within the four walls.
Pictures aren’t allowed inside, but even shoulder to shoulder I doubt more than 150 people could fit inside the temple. There is seating outside the temple and when the Dalai Lama speaks or gives teachings, he is simulcast on FM radio in English.
Inside the temple there was a rather large statue of Green Tara. I found it great that a woman’s statue was in there, but strange that her large breasts were exposed when the temple is always full of celibate men.
While I was there I saw many offerings people have made. In Thai temples I often found fruit, though I also saw whole baby pigs and fish as well. In any case, offerings are symbolic. Here it was no different, but the offerings were just.. weird. I don’t know how else to explain it. For so many people this is such a holy place, yet you’d find Tropicana orange juice or Marie cookies. It just seemed odd.
The prayer wheels around the complex feature the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum. As I’ve mentioned, I truly love this chant and you can listen to it here if you want. Below the prayer wheels and more pictures around the complex.
Conclusion
I’m not sure what else I can say. Dharamsala just felt great and I realized I really do like being in Buddhist environments. I also realized that Tibetan women are phenomenally attractive.
Dharamsala was a wonderful respite from the chaos of Delhi. My respect for India increased greatly as well, for it has given a safe haven to this community that has truly lost its freedom and way of life in its homeland. If you aren’t familiar with the story of the Tibetans, I recommend you read about it or at least watch a movie like Kundun. But basically the Chinese took over Tibet in 1959 and have worked hard to eliminate all traces of Tibetan culture and religion ever since (essentially the story of Native Americans playing out before our eyes).
It’s hard to recall such a large community’s pleas for help going so largely ignored in recent memory, being taken over by communists no less. But as Heinrich Harrer’s last line in the 1996 epilogue to his amazing book Seven Years in Tibet, says, “Though vocal support for Tibetan freedom is growing throughout the world, materialistic aims in most countries are given preference over human rights.
On that note, some other pictures from Dharamsala.
Love the painted designs on the pavement that show in a couple of your shots. Is it paint or chalk – do you have more info on those Amazing works?
Hi Maria!
Yes, it’s called Rangoli. I helped create one for Diwali as you can see here.
Lovely post Adam! As a place for long term dharma study and engagement, how do you think it compares with Lumbini, Bouda (outside Kathmandu – not sure you went there), or Bodh Gaya (not sure if you went there either).
I loved the picture of the horse parking lot and of course the poster about the true meaning of life! Thanks for your part in spreading this message 🙂
Hi Owen, thanks. I think it’s just different. In Bouda I do remember seeing some foreign monks. Still, you’re in the city of Kathmandu. Lumini is pretty isolated and the monasteries there belong to different countries. I don’t think you can study at them, but I may be wrong. Bodh Gaya I haven’t been to yet. Maybe next month. I’d say Dharamsala is the best to study at since it offers a town, four seasons, and tranquility. Just my opinion though! 🙂 Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post about a truly amazing guy I met in Dharamsala.
Thank you Adam! I value your opinion highly 🙂
And I’m looking forward to your post about the amazing guy you met!
I love your post with lots of pics. just gained an online friend lives in Dharamsala and i wanted to know how the village look like 🙂
btw I just noticed that one of the picture “May peace Prevail On Earth” just above the Tibetan one, it is in Japanese not Chinese.
Great! Thanks for the correction as well!
TIBET IS A FREE COUNTRY FOR YOUR KIND INFO.
Stjll verrsаtile like otһer Swiss Army knives.