After finishing school, we said, "See you later!" and headed back up the hill to our guest house. By my account, Soren here, I stuck around in the neighborhood, after everyone left, to explore and see what the area was like. Some local kids quickly invited me to play volleyball and soccer; I responded, "Of course!" I spent a few hours with these kids in the school courtyard since school was not in session, and we did our best to communicate while playing some sports. They gave me snacks -- an orange and Cheezeballs -- while we took a break and talked about America and Nepal; they also helped me learn some Nepali words. After we finished playing ball, they took me to one of the kids' houses, and outside, they played a board game called "Carrom." I sat around and watched as they played, trying to teach me, before I decided it was time to head back to the guest house before dinner. This was a unique experience, but I always enjoy making friends and exploring, and as the Dalai Lama said, "Go make friends everywhere you go!" 

On the 8th’s morning and afternoon were the dharma talk by Lama Tsering Tashi and an introduction to the Pema Ts’al Monastery School. By my personal account, Richard here, I have been bedridden with bouts of the runs and accompanying stomach pains. If one were to stand outside my window, they would hear the recitation of the bodhisattva of compassion's mantra. Listen: om mani padme hum, and with those six syllables, may the Jeweled Lotus shine compassion upon all sentient beings, as I may need right now. You might ask why I begin with this: a lament on the human condition of sickness. It is one of the sufferings that Buddha Shakyamuni saw as he left his kingdom; however, I more so introduce with sickness to underline the taxing nature of this trip. In our travel, sickness had finally found us. Some of us experienced pains of the body along with expulsion of toxins, and COVID concerned our living for three days. Slowly, the situation has been improving, and surprisingly, the COVID warning we were given turned out to be a false alarm. The days will always be better so long as the sun rises. 

Approximately 1:05pm, a gracious classmate knocked on my door to usher me down. Our orientation for Pema Ts'al Sakya Monastic Basic School started. The overall schedule of the orientation was Lama Rigzin touring different classrooms so that we could meet and greet the schoolkids. From kindergarten to eighth grade, the schoolkids introduced their names, ages, and parents' names; we offered our names, ages, and our own studies and specialties. This was in class one. They learn three languages: English, Nepali, and Tibetan. They are very proficient, but Rigzin noted that they can be shy when talking face to face. Along with sharing their names, ages, and parents' name, where their family are and what village they are from were shared as well. I cannot transcribe them down well here, other than the Mustang region; Rigzin kindly explained that most of these areas are villages that are culturally Tibetan. Effectively, the school does its best to ensure that Tibetan culture and language continues in their population wherever they go, home or elsewhere.

In another classroom labled third grade, the students were looking over their exams. Every year, three exams are given; they are in their second exam cycle. The school body is 95 students, and they are extremely competitive; rankings of individual students and entire boarding houses are displayed at the end of the year -- showing how their dedication to their instruction shines in their active living when they are so far from home. Lama Rigzin will greet and joke with the kids, treating them like adorable little scamps. In the classroom are posters on sickness and health, visuals on the symptoms of ringworms, chickenpox, and malaria. They will receive Buddhist mind training; there is a clear intersection between a clear and healthy body and a clear and healthy mind. They learn what they want and need; as the Buddha suggests: teach what those want and need.