Busy Days in Dharamshala

A rainbow appeared over campus after the afternoon monsoon rains

Welcome to Week Two of our time in India! My name is Alex Abelkis and I will be writing this week’s blog. This week we settled into the College for Higher Tibetan Studies’ Sarah campus located in the forested outskirts of the Himalaya mountains. Lush greenery envelops our surroundings and stray dogs wander the campus, howling at one another throughout night. An occasional monkey or cat can be spotted on campus as well. This week we established a sense of place by traveling to lower Dharamshala and Mcleod Ganj. The Tibetan government-in-exile is  based in McLeod and we will finish our semester there after our six-week term at Sarah ends. In Mcleod Ganj we walked a pathway marked by beautiful prayer flags, prayer wheels and mantras carved in stone. It was a powerful experience as the act of spinning the prayer wheels, sending prayers out into the world, physically connected us with the landscape and Tibetan tradition. About halfway through the walk stood a monument to the Tibetans who had engaged in self-immolation (an act of protest whereby the individual lights him or herself on fire) in protest of the Chinese occupation of Tibet. One of the Tibetans was only 16 years of age.

Students learning the meaning behind the prayer wheel mantra

Each Earlham student has been paired with a Tibetan roommate from Sarah College. Throughout this week we have become closer with our roommates and have heard from many of them regarding their journey to Sarah College. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we deeply respect and are in awe of how much they have been through. Many of the students have had to come by foot into exile from Tibet, walking by night and sleeping during the day to avoid detection by the Chinese military. Some have not been able to see their families for 10 years. Their life stories make each of us so grateful for what we have been blessed with and leave us with a desire to contribute in some way to their community.

“On Wednesdays we wear Chupas” Students wearing the traditional Tibetan clothing in honor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

India is in the midst of the monsoon season. On Tuesday we were caught out in the rain in Dharamshala and when we returned back to campus we were met by a magnificent rainbow. The rainbow was visible from the rooftop balcony and marked what is bound to be a semester full of learning and exploration.

Classes formally started on Tuesday and we all jumped full-force into them with excitement and nerves for what is to come. We have daily Tibetan language class; Tibetan Culture and Civilization twice a week; and Buddhist Philosophy and Tibetan Medicine three times a week. While the classes are challenging the students are ready and the time is filled with new ideas and concentrated study.

During the breaks, Earlham students can be found running, playing ping pong or basketball, hanging out or studying in the lounge. On Saturday, we ventured out to the Kangra Fort with our roommates. Lush green mountains and flowing rivers could be seen from the ruins of the ancient fort. Students enjoyed taking pictures and conversing with each other’s roommates. At the Hindu Temple nearby, a monkey cornered some students. It was an adrenaline-filled experience as monkeys have been known to be aggressive. But the Tibetan students calmly shooed them away with their umbrellas and all was good.  

Earlham students about to demonstrate the “YMCA” for their roommates

The week was filled with adventure and settling into life at Sarah College. We are excited for what this semester brings and look forward to getting to know each other and the Tibetan culture better.

A sunset near campus

The view from one of our dormitory rooftops