I have been one heck of a busy bee here at IBA.

To begin with, every morning from 8 to 9:30; I have a teaching with Khenpo Jamyang Tenzin on The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva.

Then at 10 I have Tibetan Language with Khenpo Jorden for an hour. Tomorrow is our first exam on Unit 1: This, that: Here, there: to be; You get the jest of it. I think I am ready…

Today I took a break from the 2:30 review class on The Way of the Bodhisattva to head out with two of my students, Thupten Phuntsok and Thupten Palbar, for a walk around the stupa and a juice run.

I thought that I would apologize for my postless blog by offering you a few photos and a quote from the text this week. I hope that it in some small way makes up for my absence.

In this quote by Shantideva, he condenses one of the most important principles of the world (to me anyway) in a few short but sweet four line stanzas:

All the joy the world contains

Has come through wishing happiness for others.

All the misery the world contains

Has come through wanting pleasure for oneself.

Is there need for lengthy explanation?

Childish beings look out for themselves,

While Buddhas labor for the good of others:

See the difference that divides them!

If I do not give away

My happiness for others’ pain

Enlightenment will never be attained,

And even in samsara, joy will fly from me.

And now for some photos and a trip to the juice stand…