Buddha Dordenma, or the Buddha Point of Thimphu, is a glistening temple atop a mountain, complemented by the scenic view of tall trees and blue skies. Every drive to and from the Royal Thimphu College was an opportunity to admire the structure from afar. My curiosity ached to see what the monument would be like, up-close. Fortunately, the itinerary allotted us a substantial time to sightsee and soak-in the atmosphere of this remote location. Given how it was our first day of activities (sans jetlag) everyone was bustling with excitement. Between posing for aesthetic pictures and filming our reactions, I was in a state of constant awe. Then we entered the temple and I couldn’t believe how beautiful the interior was; vibrant hues of every color in tandem with the sublime sculptures of religious figures greeted me. I was both mesmerized and intimidated. My initial lack of context made me apprehensive because of how fundamentally different this manifestation of religion was compared to the familiar ambience of Catholic churches I am used. In the midst of my contemplation, I noticed our guides prostrating themselves in a foreign fashion. I asked what it represented to which their response was that it signified a demonstration of respect to the Monarch and the Lama, the latter being a central spiritual guide in Vajrayana Buddhism. I was pleased to learn that anyone could prostrate in this way, so I followed in suit. What happened next is a mystery even to me but the best way to describe it is that my mind, for once, felt empty. I wasn’t worrying about my grades or thinking about the footage for our upcoming documentary. I was just one of the many people who came to the temple and prayed. As I walked down the (admittedly difficult) stretch of stairs to our bus, I found myself smiling at the thought that maybe one day nothing can “hold me back” from achieving what I want to.
Trina S
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