Rev. Danny Fisher

Greetings from Bodh Gaya.

I wish I could communicate how good it feels to be back here again. On the one hand, I feel like a stranger in a strange land–Bodh Gaya has changed dramatically in seven years. (Among other things, this once small village is now home to an international airport with direct flights to Delhi, Columbo, Bangkok, and…somewhere else…Yangoon maybe?) But, on the other hand, a part of my spirit feels reinvigorated. Some part of my heart that had naturally atrophied while I was away is getting a work-out again.

Two lovely Theravada nuns I know have just completed an exciting project at the Mahabodhi Stupa. They brought craftsman from Nepal to gild the top spire of the temple in gold. It shines even brighter now, if you can believe it.

If you’ve been following international weather news, you might have heard about the cyclone in the Bay of Bengal that has caused some flooding in Bihar. For the most part, all is well here in Bodh Gaya. It has been finally stopped raining after five straight days. The Neranjana River has risen and things have cooled things off considerably. Goodness knows we needed the latter. It was brutally hot upon our arrival. Just shy of 100 degrees with maximum humidity. I got sick right away, adjusting to the sweltering conditions. Happily, the heat bug didn’t last long and I’m pleased to report that I am now physiologically acclimated to the weather in this part of India.