Butter lamps are a conspicuous feature of Tibetan Buddhist temples and monasteries throughout the Himalayas. The lamps traditionally burn clarified yak butter, but now often use vegetable oil or vanaspati ghee. Accredited Lecturer Zara Fleming takes a look at butter lamp festival celebrating the new year – and her very first visit to Bodh Gaya during December 1973, when she saw the place the Buddha was enlightened, joined pilgrims lighting butter lamps and listened to teachings by the Dalai Lama.
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Comments
A fantastic experience that you helped us all to share, Zara. Thank you.
So interesting to hear of these memories, and so vividly evoked. Thank you.
Thank you Zara. Your talk resonated with me as I spent some time in Buddhist communities in Qinghai province in China in 1988 visiting lamaseries. The talk brought back the memory of the pungent smell of the yak butter lamps and the noise of the prayer wheels creaking.
Deeply moving and inspiring
The calendar is such a great achievement, I have so enjoyed it.
Thank you Zara, for sharing such a memorable and moving experience.
What an incredible experience to have had in one's life. Thank you for being so descriptive, I felt as if I was there. I also appreciate the message the Dalai Lama offers to the world.
Amazing enjoyable