Buddhist Temples

November 22, 2008 Today was filled with visits to Buddhist temples. We went to the place where Buddha gave his first sermon. I thought that was really awesome. I don’t really know very much about Buddhism but I still think that it was cool to be in the place. We had the opportunity to have lunch and conversation with Buddhist monks. I had a hard time understanding what was being said at my table because our monk had a very thick accent and was hard to decipher. It was another experience day with little information. I’m looking forward to the lectures to get some more information about what I have been doing over the last few days. The best part of the day was after lunch. We went to a school for blind girls. We arrived at their campus and were welcomed with song and dance. Some of the girls played instruments. It was amazing to watch these girls perform. I don’t know how the teachers are able to teach them how to dance but they were awesome. I looked around the crowd of girls and felt my chest start to tighten. Looking at those faces made me want to cry. I wanted them to be able to see us. I wanted to make eye contact with them and make a connection with them. I felt myself wondering again. Why am I so lucky? I have all of my senses. Why are these girls blind? Do they know what they are missing? I don’t know what its like to walk around in the dark all of the time and probably never will. I have taken so much for granted in my life. It makes me feel just terrible. I have a lot to be thankful for and India has truly helped me see that.