Tushita, Dharamsala

In May 2015 I arrived at Tushita Monastery in Dharamsala. That’s where I first encountered Buddhism.

It was a ten-day silent retreat, during which you learn the fundamentals of Buddhism and the philosophy behind it. During the retreat I was introduced for the first time to the Four Noble Truths — the most basic part of Buddhist teaching. In essence: the world is full of suffering, and that suffering can be reduced. As part of the teachings I was promised enlightenment — a solution to suffering — something I look at quite differently today.

There were a few core concepts I met for the first time: emptiness, reincarnation, karma. But the most important thing for me — I encountered, for the first time, compassion, and the importance of helping every living being in the world, humans and animals alike. It helped me understand a lot about myself, and in general.

(This is just the beginning — more to come)