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Making New Friends

Making New Friends (en Español)

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Bon Wakabayashi, a friend of the Abbey and member of the Rotary Club in Newport, recently paid a visit bringing her friends from Kenya. The group is part of a troupe of Maasai from Kenya who travel to the U.S. to perform traditional songs and share their culture. Historically they are pastoral people whose economy was based on livestock, but  severe drought the past four years has created hardship with the loss of most of their livestock. The Newport Rotary Club is helping them to drill wells which provide running water to homes and schools. That saves those hours of walking to a well and carrying the heavy water containers back on their backs.


Ven. Chonyi spends time with Nicolas, Seleina ,and Sherry.


Wearing colors that match our beautiful Medicine
Buddha thangka, the troupe perform songs and
native dances that tell the story of their tribe.


Ven. Jampel’s dad, Carl, joins in the joyous fun.


Ven. Chonyi, Seleina, and Tracy.


Nicolas speaks of the spiritual aspect of the Maasai
way of life, saying that living in the present is built
upon the experiences and the wisdom of the past
and that love is the foundation of village life.


Ven. Chodron invites one of the dancers to participate in the Abbey’s walking meditation and chanting practice.


A tour of the Abbey garden brought smiles to the group.


Ven. Jampel leads us all in Amitahba’s chant.


Beth, who is visiting the Abbey, spent two years in Kenya with the Peace Corps. She shared some Swahili greetings and conversation with the Maasai.


Carl, Ven. Jampel’s dad, is amazed at how high the dancers can jump.


A smiling joyful group at the end of the visit.
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