Bodong E
Bodong-E is located on the edge of a fertile plain, just half an hour South of the main road from Shigatse to Lhartze. The monastery used to house up to 2000 monks but is now home to just 13.
The expedition's visit coincided with the death of one of Bodong-E's monks. The skyburial and associated rituals lasted two days.
When life returned to normal, the remaining monks performed the Gan-tso epic that blesses the 26 most important bodhisattva and brings good and fair fortune to whomsoever requests it.
Lasting six hours, the ritual was a good introduction to the challenges presented by monastic recording.
The monastery is central to village life. The monks perform rituals for its constituents and the door is always open to member of the laity. In particular, children spend much of their time within the compound.
