Schools in Nepal

I (David) absolutely loved my stay in Nepal and all the experiences involved. 

In particular, our stay in Pokhara at the Pema Ts'al Monastery Basic School was an experience I will never forget. I was assisting with class 3. You can tell, right away, from the teachers that they truly care about their students and their education. 

The teachers would always try to incorporate me within their lesson plans by adapting their lesson plans to incorporate English components that I could help with. The teachers put their ego aside and allowed me to be the expert in English for their own class. 

Plus, you can tell that all the students are so passionate about learning. They were always so engaged whenever I took over -- no one ever shied away from answering my questions. 

Lastly, these kids are just like any other kid you would see in any other school. Maybe I came with my own preconceived biases, so I did not know quite what to expect. What I saw was children interested in learning and reading books, but also emphatic about exercise like football and debates about who is the best Pokemon. In other words, they are exactly the same as any other kid.

I learned many things from my students, but a major lesson I learned was that suffering is all based on perspective. I had the opportunity to eat with my students for lunch and everyone was eating their rice with their hands. We had one spoon being shared around, and they offered me the spoon, as the guest. In my eyes, I find it difficult to see that everyone has to eat with their hands. That being said, my students do not even view a lack of spoon as suffering. To them, it is normal and everyday life. I joined them in eating my rice with my hands, but the compassion these students had to offer me their only spoon speaks volumes to how they were raised at this school.

Overall, I really enjoyed my stay at the school and the cultural exchanges we had. I felt like I could really connect with the students a lot faster since we both shared an interest in Pokemon. So I was able to teach them more English based on Pokemon by having them describe things about their favorite Pokemon or why they like a certain Pokemon. 

In exchange, they drilled me on Tibetan and how to pronounce the different sounds -- for a full class period. I definitely failed at my pronunciations, but I could not have been happier with how things turned out. I felt like I was able to provide bits to their education without taking away from their normal curriculum schedule.

My (Ana's) journey in Nepal, particularly my time volunteering at the Pema Ts'al Monastery Basic School, in Pokhara, has been a profound exploration of learning, service, and the intersection of Buddhist concepts with everyday life. Teaching English to the seventh-grade students was not just an exchange of language skills but a bridge connecting hearts. As I stood before their eager faces, their enthusiasm and genuine curiosity made every lesson memorable. The engagement was palpable, creating an environment where learning was a shared experience of growth.

The most impactful moments were when the seventh-graders presented me with heartfelt letters before my departure. Their words echoed gratitude and a deep understanding of compassion, which reflected the teachings in Phakchok Rinpoche & Sophie Wu's Awakening Dignity book. The students' letters became treasured tokens, reminding me of the lasting impact a dedicated teacher can have on young minds. 

In the backdrop of the monastery school, the significance of Buddhist concepts and Tibetan culture unfolded. The daily rituals, meditations, and talks created a holistic learning environment. Awakening Dignity served as a guiding light, weaving threads of impermanence and compassion into the fabric of my experiences. It was not just a book; it became a compass navigating the complexities of life and human connections. 

The visual elements were equally compelling. The school's decor adorned with Buddha images reflected the essence of the teachings. The students' commitment to prayer, using prayer beads to chant "Om Mani Padme Hum," added a spiritual dimension to our collective journey. It showcased their dedication to embodying compassion and understanding impermanence, concepts that resonated with the teachings. 

The desire for me to revisit the school was not merely a formality but a testament to the profound impact of our shared experiences. The impermanence of my presence became a lesson in itself, emphasizing the transient nature of relationships and the importance of cherishing each moment. In the words of Phakchok Rinpoche: "Compassion is the root of all the activities of the Buddhas” (Rinpoche and Wu). The letters, the prayer beads, and the heartfelt engagement of the seventh-graders exemplified this truth.

The interconnectedness of our experiences underscored the transformative power of compassion, fostering a sense of unity that transcended cultural and linguistic boundaries.

My time in Nepal is more than a personal journey; it is a shared narrative of growth, understanding, and the profound impact that compassion-centered education can have in shaping the future. The lessons learned from the seventh-graders and the Awakening Dignity book continue to resonate, echoing the timeless wisdom of impermanence and the enduring power of compassion.