By Lama Tenzin Ösel

Saka Dawa at Sera

The special month of Lord Buddha, called “Saka Dawa” in Tibetan, was celebrated as usual this year at Sera.

Osel Labrang put up lights around the house and lama attended the 5 AM puja in the main assembly hall on the 15th of the month (some people think it is only the 15th – the full moon day – that is called Saka Dawa, but it refers to the entire fourth month of the Tibetan year).

Steel Fangs!

Recently Lama Osel traveled to Bangalore with his father, Paco, to have braces put on his teeth. They had to wait for about three hours before getting in and then another three hours in the dentist’s chair. Lama was afraid at first but it wasn’t as bad as he expected.

The braces on the top and bottom teeth have to remain for two years and have to be adjusted every month in Mysore by the dentist. Lama looks interesting with his new teeth.

Lama’s Tibetan Grammar Class

Lama Osel’s Tibetan Grammar teacher, Ven. Lobsang Jamyang, said recently: “Before Lama Osel was a bit lazy, but now he isn’t as lazy. He is about 75% good in class.

“Tibetan grammar is actually pretty difficult but if Lama Osel puts all his attention and works very hard then it would be very easy for him.”

In our daily class, first he memorizes 8 to 16 lines of the grammar text called “The Precious Ocean of Stanzas of Perfect Spelling” – Lama already finished memorizing another grammar text called “The Lord of Trees of Eloquence.” Then I explain the meaning of what Lama has memorized. Finally, I have Lama write sentences with the grammar that he learned – I think he finds that easiest.”

Kasparov’s Deep Blue in Osel Labrang

The residents of Osel Labrang followed the chess tournament between the IBM computer Deep Blue and Gary Kasparov. Lama Osel worked out the final game from the score given in the newspaper.

English Class Report

Lama has been doing quite well in his Western curriculum since we began our current year. We have done a lot of reading: George was able to bring back quite a few books from Oxford University Press and others (for young students) and Lama has enjoyed them.

We have continued in math using the textbooks used in the Singapore school system, which seems to have very good results in their math education.

We will be spending more time to cover new material in science in the coming months.

Good News and Bad News

BAD NEWS

During a lightning storm recently, a bolt of lightning at Sera Monastery struck near Osel Labrang frightening everyone.

Everyday it has been about 36 degrees centigrade in the shade.

GOOD NEWS

But the monsoon is due soon after June 1st (or is that bad news?).

George just got promoted on the staff of the paper to Chief Coolie.