Christmas in Varanasi and more...

Christmas in Varanasi was all together an unique experience. We took the tutorial kids from Tulsi Kunj on a field trip (a.k.a. exposure trip in Indian) to a church on December 26^th. What an experience it was! Everyone squeezed into tiny rickshaws, kids piled on top of each other and we headed down to the local church.

It was quite amazing to see all of the children, Hindus, excitedly praying to figures of Jesus and Mary. Without instruction or guidance the children naturally joined the procession of Christians and took part in the worship. Outside of the church there was a Christmas mela going on and I saw many Muslims, Hindus and Christians all taking part in the festivities. This experience is very much reflective of my observations on India's take on faith and religion. There is not just a tolerance but an acceptance of all faiths in country where so many different kinds of people are forced to live in close proximity to each other (it also means we get all the major holidays for at least 3 of the main faith groups in India).

It is hard to ignore faith and religion in India, especially when you are living on the banks of the Ganga. Whether it is the ringing of the puja bells at five o’clock in the morning, the clink of a coin in a monk’s begging bowl or the call to prayer in the narrow gullies, one is constantly reminded that people are seeking and communing with something higher. I have always been uncertain on the issue of faith; however, it has not prevented me from appreciating and finding beauty in other people’s faith and worship in India. I am particularly fascinated with the Buddhist community. I recently returned from an inspirational trip to Bodh Gaya, the place where the Siddhartha Gautama reached enlightenment. Previous to that I visited Sarnath, the place of this first sermon and Kushinagar, the place of this death. There still remains one more place to visit, Lumbini in Nepal, the place of his birth. I hope to get there before I leave.