For a lot of elderly ladies this was a very special event - they waved, bowed and enjoyed seing so many monks and nons, and even laypeople, it was humbeling.
400+ TNH monks, nuns, order of interbeing, and lay people lined up and walked into the conference center. We were apparently entering quite early, just after the dignitaries.
This bird joined us for a while, insisting on sitting on this umbrella. Probably the singlemost photographed bird that day.
These guys started druming just as I walked up the stairs. Than you!
Mememe, First Lady, Second Lady ;-), Shan
Mememe, Buddha, Shan
Relaxing/smoking monk.
Dignitaries, monk with style.
Shang, Monk (who spoke Chinese), Mememe
Shang, Other Monk, Mememe. These monks were funny, one of them was trying to take picture using the other monk's mobile phone. When pushing the button he'd start lowering the camera and walk, not being aware of audible signs indicating that the picture was taken later.
These ladies were filling their bags.
How many desserts do you need lady? There was a lot of hoarding and taking food for whole tables going on. Wasn't so mindful. Unless you were at the table the food disappeared very fast.
Cakes for monks.
You'll notice the monk holding my hand. Friendly.
Here I was, in this pink sea of girls and guys. I was taking the photo with this monk, had my arm around his back. A lady behind me, took down my arm and held my hand... No kiss this time.
We talked a great deal about buddhism and practices of meditation. This guy had read up a lot of TNH books.
Monks and Nuns from the TNH Prajna Pagoda in the South Vietnam. They were here just to do the chanting.
Flower meditation.
The buddha on stage. Golden.
President Bush should be somewhere. Where is he?
Sweet as lotus flowers.
Now, now, these are the temple icons, not the other ones. Temples are marked with this sign on maps and often have the symbol outside.
Is this om?
There was a market outside. This was the most practical Buddhist booth. Not so popular. It's easier to be attached to beads, books. Practice we can do when we get home!
TNH monks, doing filming
Tea time!
