Langmusi (Gansu)

Langmusi is a small Tibetan Village with two Monasteries. It is located on the Tibetan Plateau at the border of Gansu & Sichuan Province, and with an elevation of 3300m. If you did not have the opportunity to go to Tibet, this will be another excellent place to experience the Tibetan Culture. But, you gotta be quick, as this village is developing so fast, that I am afraid that it will be losing its uniqueness.

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The hostel that I stayed 3 year ago. The road used to be muddy and uneven, but now, it is proper tarred road. Lotsa new "modern" - "squarish" without any character, buildings sprang out. It used to be a place without internet access, without much tourists, but now, there are a few internet cafes and lotsa tourists....yes, sadly, I am one of the tourists who is contributing to all the changes.

What's the cost of modernization? Is it all worth it?

Stayed in my Lama friend's house for a few of days. (My Bed is the left one!... really warm and comfortable in the cold nite)









Welcome Dinner for me, hosted by my friend, who was sitting in the middle. His disciple (Zhangwu) was seated on the far left, and a few of his friends.

Please do not assume that this is their daily meal, they only have such a spread of food when they are hosting friends or visitors. Their Staple food is still "Zhang-ba" or simple vegetable dish with rice.








Langmusi

A paradise that is giving way to modernization. (Look at the construction of building on the left, it does not blend in at all)

**Click to enlarge








Tibetan Gelupa (Yellow Hat Sect) Monastery









Lama @ work






Creation of Tibetan Mandala Sand Painting







These six Lamas will take 5-6 days to complete this intricate art piece, which takes a lot of concentration and patience. As the painting is made of colourful sand, the monks had to cover their nose and mouth to prevent their breathing from blowing the sand away. They have special tools to "place" little bits of sands onto the painting, and they had to chant prayers while doing so.

After the completion of the sand painting, there will be 4-5 days of chanting and prayers to bless this sand painting. After the blessing, this sand painting will be "destroyed" and the sand will be scattered into the upstream river, so that the blessing will be passed onto the villagers and the rest of the people down the river. It is a very unique and beautiful way of bringing blessings to others.

I guess the next question will be: Why do they create such a beautiful painting since it took so much effort and it will be "destroyed" in a few days time. It is actually in line with Buddhism teaching of impermanence of life. The aesthetic value of the beautiful sand painting is only temporary, just like a lot of things around us that bring joy and pleasure, it will be gone soon. It serves as a reminder of the impermanence of life.

( I was very privileged to see the making of Sand Painting, and I stood quite far away from the table, as I was worried that I might trip and cause any damage to the sand painting. I am impressed that such an intricate art piece could be created out of sand, and I could feel the devotion and the concentration of the lama in the air. )











Lama Residential Area

Tibetan Flags flying at the Sky Burial Site.

To know more about Sky Burial, you can refer to this site:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/theme/fatal_attractions/fatal_sky.htm

Human Remains at the Burial Site.

Three years ago, during my first visit to this Tibetan Sky Burial Site, I was shock and quite fearful. For a moment, I felt that it was quite gruesome. But after understanding the significance and the meaning behind the burial, I felt more at peace, as it has a beautiful meaning. Letting the white eagles bring your body to the heaven. In another way, it is returning your body to the nature.

This time, the burial site is not a shocker anymore. In fact, it is a very serene and tranquil place. I am alone in the hill, listening to the "Maa--ing" sound of the lambs and enjoying the surrounding mountains and rolling green hills.

Buddhist Beads that was left behind. In the end, all possessions have to be left behind.
(Who was the owner? What kinda person is he/she? What have the beads seen?)

Piles of bones and the surrounding.
Really peaceful and quiet.

Tibetan Lama beside a Lake.

Travelers from Holland and Malaysia. I kinda played host for a moment, explaining the limited things that I know and doing some translations for my Tibetan Friend.

My Last Nite. (Me, D****, Zhangwu and Tibetan Friend - Langmu )

Dawn in Langmusi, with Lama coming back from their first session of prayers.

**Click to Enlarge (another favourite of mine)

Grassland - (On the road from Langmusi to Zoige)

Morning - (On the road from Zoige to Chengdu)

Morning Mist in the highland of 3000m elevation - (On the road from Zoige to Chengdu)

Fog? Cloud? or Morning Mist?