Boudha, Katmandu (prayers for the dali lama)

(above is a man that was thrilled to have his pic taken. he was adorable! many of them are happy to have a picture taken because someone is documenting an important moment in their life.)

these are pics from the bodena we went to yesterday. for the last month, all of the important lamas from the area have gathered here and done punja's (blessings) for the dali lama since it is his unlucky year. we were lucky enough to catch the last day that they gathered to do this!
actually, it was really cool because i was able to meet the Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche the other night at the monastery and ask him a question. it was a really great moment because he is a very hard man to see. i was just lucky that i am staying at the kopan monastery while he happens to be there. above is the crowd of people who were following lama zopa as he left.

so you will see the word stupa a lot... it's essentially a place where buddhists walk clockwise around and pray. it is believed that they are very powerful places and that grant your wishes. it was packed full of people sending the dali lama their best.

this is the side of the stupa... taken from the highest level we could walk on.

view of buildings from up on stupa.

this is one of the statues that was on the stopa. here i am standing in front of the yellow building where the high lamas were gathered to do the puja blessing for the dali lama.
the nuns and monks were allowed on the first floor, and the lamas on the 2nd.