So with the Moon Day the night before, I feel that had we not all been out the night before cultivating vital energy on this beautiful full moon, the trip may have been different, not so intense or maybe it's just the power of this Tibettian establishment.
      We hired a driver with a van that fit seven, six in the back and one in the front. I rode in the front on the way there, it was a bit lonely because I could not participate in the collective conversation but it gave me some real nice quite time to reflect and renew myself. The ride was about 2 & 1/2hrs. I guess we arrived there around one or 1:30. Other then the beauty of the entrance, which is remarkable, the cleanliness of the grounds was breath taking. You get so used to things being dirty, it was a surprise to see such green grass with no litter and a stone sidewalk to walk barefoot on. Then we came across a school of monks, all ages, having a chanting class. This was interesting not only because of the beauty of the rhythms, harmonies and various instruments but watching the students, some daydreaming others into it, young ones just repeating a word from a phrase. I felt like a kid again drawing on my note book and paying half attention hoping the teacher does not call on me.
      There were three temples; the main, and two smaller ones, prayer wheels and stuppa's(spelling) which are tree dimensional mandala's with prayers and scriptures and statues of the sort. Everything was beautiful and magnificent but nothing compared to the main temple, which consisted of three sixty foot statues. Well the statue of Buddha is sixty feet and the other two were fifty-eight feet. I forget their names but one is of an enlightened teacher who found Buddha and his student. These statues are bronze and coated in gold. Life like Gods, seriously breath taking. We sat in meditation for at least forty minutes, mesmerized by the beauty and tranquility. Birds living in the depths of the statues sweeping down and singing, filling the empty room with the sweet sound of life. A natural music that is not rehearsed. I felt at ease and have been able to find that tranquility during my own meditations. 
      The bell I bought from a near by shop was selling one and I was thinking of purchasing one recently but I had no idea how positively this bell would effect me. The next night when I went home to meditate I had my glorious bell that the monks prayed over and as I was repeating "Om Gam Ganapati Namaha" the vibration of the bell was toning my body, carrying my om's through my body and deep into the sky above me, even though I was locked in my tiny room, I felt it carrying further and further with each ring that was created. Yesterday was the first day of practice after two days off and my third led intermediate class. I felt the strongest that I have felt since I've been here.
      Hopefully this letter is inspiring as I find writing to be. It is hard to explain the beauty of this temple and I do not feel the picture gives it much justice.
                                                               peace and love,
                                                               Chuck