A Wish Fulfilling Lake

 

Peace Times 16

The key turned in the rusty lock and the wooden doors swung open to reveal an oasis of unexpected green and the sacred lake that for centuries has given life to the monastery and village of Gangchen. Completely enclosed by a high stone wall, this lake - which is the only water supply for the local population - is also shrouded by local myths and legends.

In this particularly arid area of Tibet, legend tells that it was the miracle powers of Panchen Zangpo Tashi (a previous incarnation of Lama Gangchen) who, by simply touching a rock, made the scarce element of water flow. In time, the water from this spring formed the small lake in what is now the «secret garden» of Gangchen. Since its formation 500 years ago, it is said that fortunate people have been permitted to see visions of the future in the surface of the lake. The monks tell one recent story of a monk who upon his return to Gangchen, saw the face of his mother in the waters of the lake. Believing in the «future revealing» powers of the lake he rushed to his mother’s home - in time to be by her side as she passed from this life.

By the side of the lake, the monks also explain the tradition of throwing white ceremonial scarves (khatags) into the lake: if the person has committed negative actions the scarf will float to the surface, whereas those thrown by people who have collected positive merits sink to the bottom. The monks believe that it is impossible to cheat the powers of the lake; people have tried by tying stones into their scarves - but some of these have also mysteriously floated to the surface!

Other strange phenomena have also been observed in connection to this lake: regardless of the season - even during the driest and hottest periods of the year, or during particularly heavy rainfall - the level of water always remains the same, never increasing or decreasing; defying yet another law of nature, at one point it actually appears that the water is flowing upwards!

Inside the lake compound, it is possible to forget that it is situated in one of the driest and most barren areas of Tibet, the fruit trees transported from the Yarlung Valley and replanted here in the Spring of 1999 are now in full bloom. Colourful butterflies flit from one tree to the next creating an atmosphere of complete peace and tranquility.

Sharon Dawson

previous page                                          next page