Samten Ling

If you follow the dirt road past the national museum in paro, up, and up, switchbacking over sharp jutting rocks until you wonder how the small car you are in can possibly continue making the trek, and finally you make it to the top of the mountain, you will come to one of the eight Longchenpa spots in Bhutan--Samten Ling. Stepping outside the car at 10,000 ft, the valley of Paro spread below, the air practically pulsing with blessings, tall prayer flags fluttering, you will know you've arrived.

A small white temple next to apples trees, a brown horse walking by. Longchenpa's walking stick that grew into a tree. A motley crew posing on the land where 100 dakinis have meditated...