Wigtwizzle - Norman Smith's Travel Blog.: March 2019

This year has, so far, had its ups and downs. Unfortunately the downs have outnumbered the ups but hopefully things are beginning to get turned round a bit. A weekend in The Lakes with Sal certainly helped and a day spent in the Borders, visiting the Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery and Tibetan Centre definitely helped to get our Yin and Yang back in to kilter.

There is such a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere to this place irrespective of whether or not you are a believer of The Buddhist faith. The best way to describe the ambiance is to say that everyone you see, hear or talk to is just...nice. It is never inclusive; visitors are made more than welcome and anyone can enter the Inner Temple for worship or meditation when, after each session, food is provided free of charge.

From the bit of research I have done, there are five precepts which are an important part of Buddhist religion. They are seen as guidelines to be followed by Buddhists, to ensure that they accumulate good karma and as such are able to come closer to achieving enlightenment.
They are as follows:

I undertake the rule to abstain from killing.
I undertake the rule to abstain from taking what is not given.
I undertake the rule to abstain from sexual misconduct.
I undertake the rule to abstain from false speech.
I undertake the rule to abstain from taking intoxicants that cloud the mind.

Enlightenment is important as it ensures that Buddhists reach Nirvana where they find the truth about life, thus escaping the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. As I said, the Five Precepts aren't necessarily seen as rules but more guidelines to be followed.

I'm sure a true Buddhist would pull that explanation to pieces but that is the way that I see it.

Anyway batteries were duly recharged and then Paninis were devoured in The Truly Scrumptious Cafe in Langholme before retreating back in to Cumbria!

Fairy Hill

Nagerjuna statue

Stupa of the Dag Shang

Buddhist Prayer Wheels

The Peace Garden

Prayer Flag

The Peace garden

Stupa of the Dag Shang

Stupa and The Inner Temple

Entrance Stupas

Buddhist Shrine

Temple Stained Glass

Inner Temple Door

A Retreat Door Knocker

Buddhist Shrine

Bridge to The River Esk

River Esk Artwork

Liberation Gate

Inner Temple steps

It hasn't been a very good winter for snow photography. I can only think of a couple of occasions when we have it has hung around for anything longer than a day. I think the most we had was on the day I visited and blogged about Ogden Water Nature Reserve and that was barely a couple of inches deep.

I had to be up early to catch this thin splattering of snow as well because it was on its way out before lunchtime. All these photos with the snow on the ground were taken around the Troutbeck area at about 08:00 and then, later in the day, the ones of Blencathra were taken farther up the Ullswater road near to Rooking House farm. I used the 70-200 lens for the later shots so that I could zoom in to Blencathra's ridges and also catch a close view of the sunlight crossing the fells. I am quite pleased with those.

The earlier ones capture the moment quite well but the conditions could have been better. I have been trying to find a spot to photograph the clump of trees in the second shot for the past few years and, at last, I think I have found a good viewpoint. On a brighter day with a view of the Lakeland Fells behind, they could make a pretty good shot. It is local to the caravan site so I shall return!