Few minutes with a Yogini

I have always wanted to take my mother on a short trips as much as I can so I can repay her kindness. Four days ago with my mother, I traveled to Woka Choelong Valley once again. This time we visited the Zingqi monastery. Located about 200 km from Lhasa. 

The Story

The story started with a master namely Lachen Gonpo Rapzey, who came from Eastern Tibet to central Tibet with a statue of future Buddha Maitreya.  He had meditated in a small cave near the Zingqi village. He wanted to build a monastery so he offered many spiritual practices to future Buddha Maitreya. One day the statue has spoken to him that the monastery should be built near the pond. Zingqi means near the pond in Tibetan. 

Photo: Main relic statue of future Buddha Maitreya at Zingqi monastery 

1000 years later, the spiritual decline left the monastery without any management so one day the founder of the Gelukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism Je Tsongkhapa came to visit the Zingqi monastery from the Woka Choelong monastery. Around 20 km from Zingqi Monastery. 

Photo: Je Tsongkhapa ( similar look to an actual person ) Known as Je Ngadrama in the Choelong Choesam monastery 

When Je Tsongkhapa saw the ruins at Zingqi Monastery.

The bird droppings on the head of future Buddha Maitreya, he cried with tears. Later he reconstructed the Zingqi monstery. Reconstructing the Zingqi monastery is one of the main deeds of his four main spiritual activities in Tibetan Buddhism. 

Photo: My mother and me at Zingqi monastery 

After asking the monk about the history of the Zingqi monastery, I am very happy that now I can share it with the world. Check out my trip to Woka Choelong.

Few minutes with a Yogini 

So the title says it all. Yes, I was fortunate to meet a Yogini. She was born in the year 1977 and still looks like in her 30s. She was staying in a very small house, with a high small window that doesn't even let the sun come in. It was cold and a little dark inside. There was nothing much inside. Few books, some food that people offered to her. A small low bed. She even doesn't have a proper table yet she looks so happy that I can feel it from her face. 

She is staying quite far from the monastery alone in a small one mud house. I have asked her a few questions.

a. Are you not afraid to stay here alone? 

Answer: In the beginning when I go to the toilet, at night I feel a little bit scared but now I have deep devotion and trust in the triple gem ( Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha ) so I don't feel fear. If I should be fear then I fear the place where they are big entertainment.  Even if we are born as a god, when our positive karma ends, we will have to go down to lower realms so I am afraid of that. 

Photo: I meditated for a few minutes near Yogini Home

b. Why did you leave the home and stay in retreat?

Answer: They are many great masters who have come to our world but many of them have benefited only a few people who are around them. I have a deep devotion towards Je Tsongkhapa since he has left us all his teachings in words in the Lamrin book. 

If it's not about the teachings of Je Tsongkhapa, I won't study Dharma. When I read Lamrin at the beginning, I can't understand many words so I cry a lot but now with the blessing of Je Lama, I can understand much more than before so I won't cry. 

When I read Lamrin, I see Je Tsongkhapa. At the moment, our mind and Dharma are not attached, now my mind and Dharma are attached so I am very happy. 

Photo: Main relics from Woka Choelong monastery

If you stay in big cities, you have to depend on other people so you have to drink beer and are sometimes involved in many negative karmic actions so it's best to practice Dharma alone in the retreat. This body is our only chance and we must use it to practice the Buddha Dharma since this is our best chance. 

Conclusion

I Thank the Yogini for her time and offer her my small foods that I bought. May she attain enlightenment asap so she can benefit more Senteint Beings. 

I heard from some people that she now moved to another meditation cave where she stays alone and meditate. She is my admiration.

May one day I have the gut to meditate and wander around the caves of my ancestor Yogis like her and benefit my self and others. Thank you for reading Tibet Travelers' article on a few minutes with a Yogini.