Basking Under the Dharma Sun
Basking Under the Dharma Sun "Buddhist Studies? Wow, so interesting . Where?" starts the familiar drill. "In Nepal," I reply. "Oh!!.....where in Nepal?" "In Kathmandu." "Oh okay....is it in the main city of Kathmandu itself?" "Yes, but not in the city center. It's in a neighborhood called Boudha." "Ahh..alright. What did you say it was called?" "Rangjung Yeshe Institute." This is often followed by a head nod, an "Ahh, I see...," or the plain old awkward silence. Sometimes though, I am given an eager look anticipating a response, as if just uttering the name of the college was insufficient without an explanation of the intentions behind my decision. As I finish my semester of classes, this interrogative expression doesn't confound me as much as it did before moving to Kathmandu valley. Having to state the series of causes and conditions that contributed to me quitt...