Everest Base Camp Trek Dispatch

May 3, 2009 – Happy Monks Add to Our Adventure

We made one more stop on Sunday that was really special. We went to the Khumjung Monastery which is something we always like to do. Like the Thame Monastery, Khumjung is very old; probably about 400 years. We knew there were many monks at the monastery, an estimated about 80 to 100. They have been coming from all over to do something that is done once each year, read the 108 black printed prayer books, word for word. This year is important because there is an additional set of 100 books that are very rare and have not been read for more than 100 years.

These monks have a very specialized religious training. They are reading in Tibetan, but they are also reading in an ancient form of Tibetan that is similar to reading Latin as opposed to a modern language in Western culture. Monks are always reading with a smile and have a good time even when they are working hard.

We happened to show up at the monastery just as there was a break in the evening. The sunset on Ama Dablam was beautiful! Also, some of the local Sherpa women were about to serve Momos. The monks had been reading all day and were hungry and wanting to share a laugh and a smile with us. They all will get back to reading the religious scripture in the morning. Perfect timing! I was glad that we visited the monastery when we did.