Noreen and I were on a mission! To pick up Lopon Damchoe from the Palyul
Ohio Center in Ohio! The Center was in Richfield to be exact, on the
outskirts of Cleveland. My friend Ely has regaled me about stories of Cleveland
where she grew up so I felt a familiarity of association. It was definitely a
calmer and quieter place than the pace of the Washington DC area near where I
am living.
Not only was it great to get on the road
with Noreen, it was a great opportunity to re-connect with Lopon who I had
first met in India at Namdröling at our mother monastery in India.
Lopon is a title given to graduates of a nine year rigorous Buddhist study program. Lopon Damchoe (whose English name is Heather) is a Canadian Buddhist Nun a and the first-ever Western graduate of the Ngagyur
Nyingma Nunnery Institute at Namdröling Monastery. Here is a picture of her
teaching at the Palyul Ohio Center.
What was also great about Ohio was
connecting with other members of our larger Palyul community - and being able to visit their beautiful Temple. Here are a few pictures of the the Temple.
Thank you Palyul Ohio . You made us feel so welcome. And a special thanks to
Ani Ginger and Ling Ni. And uber driving buddy Noreeeeeeeen!
And here's us all together just before we get in the car to return to Kunzang Palyul Chöling in Maryland with Lopon. Thanks for the teachings you gave Lopon - and the chocolate you offered!
