Welcoming Ganesh

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The shopper (yes me) bought two Ganesh’s from the local pot shop. One will join the family and the other will go for a swim in the Kaveri river.

Well that was a journey and a half. Carrying this ‘Bobby Dazzler’ home, just round the corner but he was so heavy. So regular rests were called for.

No idea why I decided to head butt him, I can’t remember it guv. Honest.

Now we’ve got the less dressed Ganesh and his mum Gowrie (Gaurie) at home for this years festivities.

After a spell at home, in the puja room and lots to eat, we’ll take him for a swim in the Kaveri river.

Recognising Buddhism

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The flag.. a gift from Bylakuppe

  1. Just as the blue light emanating from Buddha’s hair symbolizes universal love and compassion for all sentient beings, the blue color in the Buddhist flag represents universal compassion and peace.
  2. Just as the yellow light radiating from Buddha’s skin symbolizes the attainment of liberation and omniscience through relying on the Middle Way that avoids extremes, the yellow color in the flag represents the Middle Way that avoids the extremes of eternalism and nihilism.
  3. Just as the red light emanating from Buddha’s flesh symbolizes the blessings that flow from Buddhist practice, the red color in the flag represents perfect realization, wisdom, virtue, merit, and dignity attained through practice.
  4. Just as the white light radiating from Buddha’s bones and teeth symbolizes the purity of Buddha’s teachings and the possibility of attaining liberation and omniscience through them, the white color in the flag represents the purity and timelessness of the Buddha’s teachings, which remain unstained by faults and lead to liberation regardless of time and space.
  5. Just as the orange light emanating from Buddha’s palms, soles, and lips symbolizes the unwavering nature of Buddha’s teachings, the orange color in the flag represents the essence of Buddhist teachings, rich in wisdom, strength, and dignity.
The Buddhist flag in our downstairs hall
Our front gate, Tibetan and prayer flags.

Eight Auspicious Symbols:

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Curtains on our guest room and library doors.

Here is the English translation of the Tibetan text , describing the Eight Auspicious Symbols:

  1. The Wheel: Symbolizes the teaching of the Dharma (the Three Baskets) and the transmission of the Three Trainings to disciples.
  2. The Parasol: Represents the dispelling of the heat of suffering and afflictions for sentient beings.
  3. The Victory Banner: Symbolizes the defeat of Mara and non-Buddhist opponents, and the complete perfection of the major and minor marks of enlightenment.
  4. The Endless Knot: Represents the complete perfection of all qualities and the possession of the five wisdoms.
  5. The Right-Turning Conch Shell: Symbolizes the melodious sound of the Buddha’s speech proclaiming the Dharma.
  6. The Vase: Represents being completely filled with the essence of good qualities and serving as a support for pure merit.
  7. The Lotus: Symbolizes being in the world but uncontaminated by it, untainted by the impurities of karma and afflictions.
  8. The Golden Fish: Represents the abandonment of all faults and obstacles.

The text also mentions a quote from the Mahayana sutra called “The Stacked Auspicious Ones,” which describes how these eight symbols relate to different parts of the Buddha’s body and qualities. It concludes with an aspiration for auspiciousness and well-being through these symbols.

Dorjee visited us in Mysore with a gift of a Buddhist flag and helped us better understand the auspicious symbols

The passage notes that while there are more detailed explanations and interpretations of these symbols available, this brief description should suffice as an introduction to their meanings.

Let them eat cake

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The third cake saw the gang celebrating Manjula’s birthday at a Mysore micro brewery.

Maria can’t believe we’ve devoured so much cake.

We continue to celebrate Manjula’s birthday for a whole week and onwards.

and recognise our support for our Tibetan friends through decorating our house

Bylakuppe one

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We visited Bylakuppe, the largest Tibetan settlement in India.

Our good friend and monk Dorjee and his sponsor for many years Ina helped us understand more.

We learned so much about the Dalai Lama escaping from the Chinese invasion of Tibet and the subsequent oppression

Thank you to Kaveri, Radhika, Dorjee, Ina, Sowbaghya, John, Maria.

We had a lovely day.

Bring on the Cake.

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The delicious cake complete with family.
Manjula’s Memory Tree decorated with hanging messages and wishes.
Delicious cake didn’t last long devoured by, from left : SB, Ina, Stephen, John and Satish.

Not forgetting Lucie being spoilt by Ina.

And then again, not satisfied with one we had to have another.

This time following the theme of the radiant sun that Manjula brought into our lives and still appears exactly when it’s needed.

Ina worrying the sun is about to explode

Gathered today on Manjula’s bench, next to Manjula’s garden, eating Manjula’s radiantness cake and celebrating her wonderfulness on her 51st birthday celebrations that have already gone on for a week. we have Kaveri, Radhika, Maria, John, Ina, Lucie and Stephen.

Please note Ina is naughty, bribing Lucie for affections with cake.

Italian crazy hair accompanies us to deliver Kaveri back to school.

That’s after Mr No experience was coerced into decorating Kaveri’s palm

Next day

SB couldn’t miss out and had to have more cake….

Yes that’s two pieces. One was supposed to be for her son Naveen.

Happy Birthday.

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I’m in the park to wish Manjula happy birthday and hang out with billet-Doux, butterflies (messengers from Madam) and too many mosquitoes!

Here’s the lovely video created by Faizan through which many old and new friends have met Manjula.

My ulterior motive on being here was to be security for the flowers and stop people stealing them.

I failed

But it can’t affect our celebration of her wonderfulness.

As I completed a video call to my son Oliver in Vancouver, —and realised I was due back to make breakfast—three sets of neighbours walking in the park saw Manjula’s poster and wanted to know her story. I’d never met them before a mom her son , another young woman and an elder.

We all shared smiles and joy.