Yesterday we got up really early, my Amala made me put on a chupa (tibetan dress) and we went to Namgyal Monastery.  We were all sent through metal detectors before being thoroughly padded down.  No cell phones, cameras, sharp objects, lighters, cigarettes, etc were allowed inside.  Then we all crowded around on the floor with monks, nuns, Tibetans, and western tourists.  The monks who live at that monastery passed out blessed Tibetan butter tea (salty) and sweet rice.  After much ceremony, a monk chanting (multiple notes at the same time), horns playing, and a procession, His Holiness the Dalai Lama emerged from the Temple.  He sat upon a high chair and proceeded to read a text, give a commentary, and talk till around noon.  His words were interesting, but what was most moving was to see how important his presence was to the Tibetans.  He spoke in Tibetan but there were translations being sent out in various languages on different FM stations.  So we all bought radios and listened to the English translation.  Indian army officers and members of His Holiness' personal guard had big old Russian guns and kept vigilant the entire three hours.  After the teachings ended His Holiness walked out on a red carpet, followed by the high lamas of his sect (gelupa) and the high members of parliament.  We happened to sit down right next to the carpet, so as he proceeded out, he passed right in front of us.  We had to remain on the ground, but he was only about a foot away from me.  A few friends and I didn't feel like pushing forward to touch him; we felt like it was more important that the Tibetans do so (it is a very holy blessing to touch him).  So we let a few of them in front of us and they weeped at his feet as he passed.  It was a really amazing experience.

On a lighter note, he's quite short and made lots of jokes during his speech!

The next few days we have lots of tests and papers due.  Tuesday night we are driving out of the mountains and taking a night train to Delhi.  Thursday we'll fly to Bhutan.