Shangri-La

Tibet, the “roof top of the world” or so it has aptly been named. A land surrounded by the Himalayan Mountains in some of the most inaccessible parts of the world. It has and remains a dream of mine to visit Tibet but I decided instead to venture south to neighbouring India. McLeod Ganj is the home to thousands of Tibetan refugees who have fled from Tibet under Chinese occupation. It is also the home of the Dalai Lama and the spiritual leaders of Tibet.

I applied for a position with Volunteer Tibet, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to supporting the Tibetan people who now live in Northern India (www.volunteertibet.org). Teaching English is in high demand because of the opportunities it provides for work. During the 6 weeks I stayed in this beautiful part of the world, I worked in the monasteries and with The Tibetan Women’s Institute.

With an old fashioned chalk board and a dimly lit room I taught the monks how to describe their monastery; to explain their daily routine and more importantly how to teach the world about their culture and religion. They taught me love and compassion, kindness and friendship. I will remember studying by candle light, sipping butter tea, being surrounded by red robes, bald heads and big smiles.

Although I went to teach, I learnt so much myself. I learnt that to be a monk in Tibet is an honour and highly respected position. It brings great pride to the family. A monk’s life consists of prayers, mediation and community service. Buddhism teaches love and compassion to all living beings. Buddhists believe in reincarnation. Actions undertaken in this life will have an effect on the after-life. If you do good things you have a chance to escape the continual cycle of rebirth and suffering…..

I learnt that where this is hardship and pain there seems to be stronger spiritual faith. There were pictures of religious figures wherever I went and the greatest peace leaders of our time. McLeod Ganj, this Tibetan refugee village was surrounded with pictures of the Dalai Lama on buildings, in homes, on the street walls. There was extreme poverty but also smiles. Sometimes I couldn’t quite make any sense of it all. Why is there so much suffering in the world? The Bible says in Romans verse 5 that “Suffering produces perseverance, character; and character, hope”. I realized that, in a world where there is so much pain the last thing we can do is give up. “Hope” is the key word.

I went to Mother Teresa’s home for the sick and destitute whilst I was in India and I met a partially sighted girl called Sonya who had been disowned by her family. She has a bed in a hall which sleeps about fifty other sick and homeless women. We went to a room where the orphans live – children from five months to five years. The children have a room which contains cots, a few toys and a blanket on the concrete floor. I cuddled and fed and changed nappies. So many children were crying. The 5 month old baby was the newest arrival – she had been found abandoned on the street.

Today I wonder what all these people are doing. Are they well, safe, fed, happy…..it makes me appreciate my family and my friends, my home and my community.

We don’t need to go to the other side of the world to help people. There is a saying which goes: “Be kind to everyone, because anyone you meet is fighting a harder battle”. I like this a lot because we have no idea what troubles our neighbour. I believe we have a responsibility for everyone living in this world. All we need is awareness.

The Tibetan people are losing their culture and language and live many miles from their families in a country where they can only ever be refugees. These people are some of the kindest people I have ever met. Their generosity was incredible. I wish I could do more to bring happiness into their lives.