New Tibetan Teacher

Lama Osel recently got an additional Tibetan teacher to study Tibetan grammar. He is one of the Kopan boys studying at Sera Je and his name is Losang Jamyang. Losang has just entered the highest class of study at Sera, the Lharampa class, and is teaching Lama for an hour each day.

New Schedule

Lama Osel’s schedule has changed for the present with more time for Tibetan.

6-7                   Prayers

7-8                   Breakfast

8-9                   Memorization

9-9:30              Break time

9:30-10:30       Tibetan class

10:30-11          Break time

11-12               Spanish class

12-2                 Lunch break

2-4                   English class

4-5                   Break time

5-7:15              Tibetan philosophy

7:15-8              Dinner

8-9                   Prayers

9                      Shower and sleep

Kunkyen Visits Spain

Lama Osel’s brother, Kunkyen, went to Spain on September 8th for a one month visit. It was his first trip home in two years to see his mother, brothers and sisters. His father, Paco, took him to the airport in Delhi and from there he traveled alone with the help of the airline.

Eye Disease Hits Sera

A strange eye disease has hit Sera Monastery. Because the monks like to wear sunglasses because they think they look cool, they made up a story that if you see the sick person’s eyes, you can get the eye disease. What do you think?

George’s Burglar

While George was away in Malaysia and Singapore, a thief broke into his house. At first everybody thought he hadn’t taken anything, but after returning, George realized that he had stolen two small tape recorders.

Steve the Monk Has Terrifying Experience

Steve Carlier, who occasionally teaches Lama English, had his first Sera Je examinations during the Rainy Season Retreat. There was a three hour written exam (25%) , a memorization exam (25%) and a debate exam (50%) – all in Tibetan.

The most traumatic was the debating, which was done in front of the 230 monks in his class. When he stood, the usual murmur of conversation ceased and it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop (they wanted to see how the Westerner would do).

Steve said he had a bout of stage fright but we think he did well.

Temporary Attendant

While lama Osel’s regular attendant, Pemba, went for a time to Hong Kong, Lama Lhundrub sent one of his most trusted Kopan monks, Ngawang Tsetsen, to take care of Lama. Ngawang is also studying a class of Tibetan philosophy with Losang Jamyang (who is teaching Lama Osel too – see first column above).

Editor: Tenzin Osel

Reporter: Tenzin Osel

Photographer: Tenzin Osel

Coolie: George