Conference Day 3

The storm from the previous night resulted in a beautiful morning in Dharamsala.  The sun was bright and the air was clear.

Day 3 of the conference focused on the theme "My Earth, My Responsibility," This topic is not my area of expertise, but I enjoyed listening to the western scientists and Tibetan Buddhist monks talk about climate change and what the future may hold for Earth.  The two panel discussions during the day had audience members ask the speakers about what they could do within their own communities to reduce the damaging effects of climate change.

At the end of the day, the monks demonstrated their method of debate.  A large circle of monks and nuns sat around six monks, three standing and three sitting, who debated.  I am not sure what the debate was about, but the monks were very animated and even a bit physical with each other pushing each other back and forth.  And that was between the monks who, I think, were on the same side of the debate!

The debate ended at about 5 pm, so I decided to go on the 1 mile walk that circles the Dalai Lama Temple complex.  The walk is very relaxing and has views of the valley below and passes small temples, prayer wheels, memorials and stupas.  During this late afternoon walk, the trail had few people except some monks and a few dogs and cows.