The Mystery of the Kailash Trail - Chapter 9 - Part 2

Book 2: Chapter 9: Part 2:   Brother Tameng and Norbu are asked to go to Darchen.

The monk from Dirapuk sat quietly, immersed in his prayers, deep into his meditative trance. He did not seem disturbed at all with the developments and their current situation. Norbu sat at a distance, watching the monk in his meditation. He knew about meditation and prayers, but had never tried anything like that himself. His mastiff sat nearby, content and happy to be at peace, without tourists or pilgrims. He did not have to chase after the two yaks if they would amble about away from the tracks. There were no tracks here. The two boys, one was a yak-boy and the other a horse-boy, sat near their animals and were busy preparing some sort of a meal.

They had set up a shelter alongside the mountain amidst some closely fallen boulders. The yaks and horse could be hidden inside the boulders if there would be need. Norbu was uncertain about himself. Was he excited? Or, was he worried that he may have stumbled on to some series of events that would not concern him? His parents, back at Darchen, had sent him alone, because they needed the money that he would bring them. What sort of money would he make on this expedition? Was he being honest with the faith that his parents had placed on him?

The monk from Dirapuk had completed with his prayers and meditation and had been quietly watching Norbu and understanding the lines of concern that were obvious on his face. He did not say anything. These were situations that were brought about by forces that were greater than what one could wish for or wish against. To each, was their fate to fight with or against these forces? Norbu would learn from such situations. He would be wiser in the future, and would be able to face these situations or other complex ones in his life, in later years.

At that moment, Brother Tameng accompanied by a horse and a horse-boy came out of the concealed passage within the landslide of boulders. The monk from Dirapuk stood up and greeted Brother Tameng warmly. The horse-boy went up to the other two boys and got busy in their work for he was desperately hungry. Norbu helped the three boys with gathering up fodder and firewood. Brother Tameng and the monk from Dirapuk were in some serious discussion. Norbu went up to them with two hot bowls of soup and noodles. The other boys also brought up their bowls nearer and sat around them, expectant to hear what was to happen.

Brother Tameng described the trail that led into the landslide of boulders and explained about the clearing and the darker trail that had been ahead. He explained that he had felt disturbed that there were forces ahead that may not desire to be intruded upon. He had come out of the trail and further explained that he would return to Choku Gompa to seek the advice and guidance of Master Rinchen. He would know about what was to be done. The monk from Dirapuk agreed with Brother Tameng.

The two monks decided that they would return to Dirapuk and onwards to Choku Gompa to meet Master Rinchen. Norbu, his two yaks and mastiff would also accompany them, in case they would send any material or other people to the hidden valley. The monk from Dirapuk instructed the three boys to stay at the opening to the landslide of boulders. He assured them that he would send supplies, food and warm clothing from Dirapuk. The boys agreed to wait at the spot, for they had set up a comfortable camp and they were used to this manner of life.

The two monks and Norbu walked out of the hidden valley down the sloping path towards the Dirapuk monastery. Norbu was happy that the events had resolved some of his doubts. He would at least be returning to the Choku Gompa, and could easily walk back to Darchen and meet his parents. The monk from Dirapuk noticed Norbu’s happiness and smiled and thought, it is true... for one has to merely live in the present, and not worry about events that have passed ahead or those events that are to come.

They came up to the eating house run by Sangye and Yeshe’s parents. The monk from Dirapuk took some time in explaining the run of events. Yeshe’s parents did not seem to be worried, for they knew that Sangye was the very best in this region, and he could be trusted not to be foolishly heroic. They served a hot meal to the two monks and Norbu and provided some food packets for their onward journey towards the Choku Gompa. Norbu became happier and happier, for as a trail helper to the tourists, he had to depend on leftovers or the food that he would cook for himself. Nobody had ever welcomed him to their places and had never served him hot food.

The monk from Dirapuk separated from them and said that he would go up to his monastery and inform the progress of the expedition to his brother monks and organise to send a support party to the opening of the valley. They would carry food and other necessities to the yak and horse boys who they had left behind. The support party could travel back and forth. He would join them at Choku Gompa or at Darchen if they would not have returned early. Happy that the necessary arrangements would be made by the Dirapuk monks, Brother Tameng started on the walk back to Choku Gompa with Norbu.

They arrived at the Choku Gompa in good spirit, sheltered in the shadow of the sacred Kang Renpoche, the Mount Kailash. Norbu and Brother Tameng silently recited their own prayers of thanks to Kang Renpoche and entered the monastery. Master Rinchen was visibly happy to see them and welcomed them. Norbu was made to feel special and one of the brother monks took him to rest at a room after having made arrangements for his two yaks and his mastiff. He was given an open shed that was almost like a lean-to against the walls of the monastery. It was sheltered against the wind, and the yaks could feed upon stored fodder near the shed. Norbu’s mastiff however had different ideas, and managed to curl up alongside his master.

Brother Tameng explained in detail about the happenings at Dirapuk and later at the valley. The brother monks and Master Rinchen listened eagerly. Master Rinchen was happy, and said, “At least we know that there is a path. We did not imagine all those events. You have seen the footmarks of the herd of giant wild yak. I am happy. I thought that these were sacred visions being disclosed to us in the valley of Kang Renpoche. We do not know what this means, but I can now plan ahead and we can determine the future course of action.”

“There is a wise monk at the Chiu Gompa. He had spoken of many mysterious events that he knew about in the valleys to the north of the kora of the Kang Renpoche. I have met him on several occasions. I will talk to him on the cell phone.” Master Rinchen said, “He had handed over many drawings and sketches and other rare artifacts to the sacred Gyangdrak Gompa near Darchen. Brother Tameng, do take some rest for a while. Let me talk to the senior monk at Chiu Gompa and we will plan to meet at the Gyangdrak Gompa.”

Brother Tameng went out in search of Norbu and found him in the shed, fast asleep. The mastiff had gotten used to Brother Tameng and therefore did not growl or bark at him. Brother Tameng had a comfortable place to sleep at the monk’s dormitory at the Chiu Gompa, but he wanted to stay humble, for Norbu was a member of his team, and he could not take on comforts, if his team member did not have any. In any case, the shed looked quite comfortable. He spread out his mattress and went off to sleep, covered in a bunch of warm blankets. His brother monks came out to watch this strange comradeship and smiled in understanding.

Master Rinchen had completed his telephone conversation with the senior monk at Chiu Gompa. The senior monk had not been surprised at all. He spoke of someone called Vijay who was staying with him and had seen strange visions and their conversation about the valley of the Lion’s Mouth. This was strange, the senior monk had said. They had been discussing the same valleys. He would come over to Gyangdrak Gompa and they would be able to have a look at the ancient maps, drawings and sketches done by his grandfather.

Norbu and Brother Tameng were woken up and asked to get ready to go to Darchen. Norbu could meet his parents and explain to them about his adventures. Brother Tameng and Master Rinchen would hire a new group of yaks and horses and pick up supplies, including much needed food supplies. They would go ahead to Gyangdrak Gompa from Darchen. They would have to be careful about the policemen at Darchen who may wonder if something suspicious was happening, for the monks of the three monasteries to meet up suddenly. Norbu was truly happy now. He had not thought it possible that he would meet his parents so early. They would be happy to see him.