VALLEY OF THE CRANES TO THE MAD MONK:

 VALLEY OF THE CRANES TO THE MAD MONK:



 

After breakfast we returned to the Crane Center where we had a lecture by David. He spoke on a broad spectrum of topics. These emphasized the inter relatedness of geography and people. 

Then we drove to Lawana Pass where we were able to take some yak photos and shop with local vendors. Here we got some baby Yak fur scarfs. They are really soft. Then as a group we each had a length of prayer flags, these were tied together and we walked up the hill and placed it as one. 



Driving down the pass we stopped for lunch and then proceeded to Punakha. Here many of the shops, if not all, sell phalic items. 

 

This is an area where many come for a fertility blessing. 

It is also the home of The Mad Monk. The Mad Monk, Lama Drupe Kunley, was born in Tibet and became enlightened. He would use humorous songs and bawdy tales to further the teachings. He would shoot an arrow into the air and where it landed is where he taught. He was a ladies man and his conquests are well known. 



We made a walk to his temple where we met with the Master. We enjoyed tea and a very open Q&A session with him. One might say it was enlightening. We then went into the main temple where we were blessed with very special items. These items were the property of The Mad Monk himself. These sacred items were kept in a safe and not readily removed for visitors. Then we were also blessed with a bow and arrow symbolic of The Mad Monk. 

This experience was amazingly special. This is truly a spiritual journey we are on. 

We used this ancient mini Stupa Mold we used to make our individual Stupas. The Master will be taking them to the temple for blessing.



On the way to our hotel we learned we are the first to ever experience such a visit.

Drinks and dinner and then bed.