Tibet
The threatened people, history, and culture draw me to Tibet, the “rooftop of the world.” Yes, I want to see the highest mountain ranges on Earth, the beautiful temples, and Lhasa, the capital. I want to see the Potala Palace, the Holy Cave in Drak Yerpa, and, without question, Mt. Everest’s base camp. More important, I want to witness firsthand the strength and beauty of a people who have been needlessly pushed towards near-extinction. Over 1.2 million people have been killed as a result of the Chinese invasion, and their holy leader and Tibetan Head of State, the Dalai Lama, has been living in exile in Dharamsala, India since 1959.
I love the writing of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, because I feel it reflects the true peaceful nature, as well as the strength and commitment of the Tibetan culture. Favorites for me include The Art of Happiness and Ethics for a New Millenium. The Dalai Lama is not afraid to take a stance on issues like abortion, gay rights, and global warming, and he is also able to take these somewhat modern issues and relate them to a modern Buddhist perspective. He emphasizes peace and justice, as well as empathy and compassion for our fellow beings. He also teaches the reality of our interconnectedness and, especially in “Ethics,” our need to be globally and socially responsible.
Nepal
Nepal calls to me like a long lost, well-loved friend. There is something so passionately familiar about this country, and I suppose that’s why I savor it as my ultimate destination and why I do not yet believe I am in a place worthy to receive its calling. In part, it comes down to this: I need to see Everest before I die. I want to trek in the Himalayas, sip tea in Pokhara, and see rare wildlife in Royal Chitwan National Park. I want to play with children on the streets of Kathmandu. I want to raft the Seti River and cross the Friendship Highway into Tibet. Nepal is a place I’d like to stay for a long time.
