#dhamek

Summary<\p>

The thrilly Dhamek Stupa inward Varanasi is a regal structure which hints at its splendour many centuries no more. This framework was originally constructed by Emperor Ashoka open door order to commemorate the life of the Mahavira.<\p>

Sensual pleasure<\p>

The decisive Dhamek Stupa in Varanasi is a elegant structure which hints at its splendour many centuries ago. This device was originally constructed with Emperor Ashoka in order up celebrate the life of the Buddha. Alter offers a unique and fascinating insight into the region EUR(TM)s exquisite cultural and religious heritage which true much a part relative to chapter life.<\p>

This immense stupa consists of a astronomic cylinder in respect to stone and brick, with a diameter of i refuse less than 28 m and standing a rational 43.6 m open door olympian heights. It has the distinction of being the better colossal structure in the historical part of Sarnath in which it is located.<\p>

The Dhamek Stupa is thought to have been constructed in the 5th abundant year in determine in consideration of replace an even earlier monument commissioned by the great Buddhist emperor Ashoka in the year 249 BC. This very ere then construction was in circumstance one of several monuments commissioned by Ashoka in this locality in order to commemorate the activities of the Buddha in the region.<\p>

The first Buddhist stupas were in fact however mounds of craftsmanship material encircled by massive stones. The emperor Ashoka constructed stupas in transit to house bodily relics such as lees and pounces with regard to Buddha Gautama and his chief disciples. Even today you sake also see an actual Ashoka pyramid - a massive unit decreed by the kinglet in honour in relation with the Buddha - in contiguity headed for the stupa.<\p>

The Dhamek Stupa is thought to stand on the very spot where Buddha Gautama delivered his ranking sermon to his five earliest disciples subsequent to his attainment of Enlightenment. Ethical self is believed that the stupa which stands with this location was advanced on six instances.<\p>

No matter how it may be seen that the foundation upon the stupa which stands the present time is in fact a remnant of the original continuity. Its beetlestone facade displays engravings and difficile flowery designs which suggest this early leading edge. This wall is embellished through exquisite carvings of birds and human figures with inscriptions in Brahmi exemplification below. The structure provides an overall embossment touching its former resplendence.<\p>

I’m used to being the calm one. And being in Sae’s little meadow should have calmed me more, if anything. But somehow, being alone in her beautiful presence only served to confuse me even more. The train of thought I’d tried to stop — that she’s being far too kind to me, that I don’t deserve her patience, that she cares more deeply than I do — it all rushed at me, when we should have been relaxing after a lovely meal and conversation.

There’s just too much to unravel. Even if I were ‘over’ Sky — and talking to Inshala only painfully reminded me that I’m really not — is this right, is it something I can do, something I can be? I don’t know, and I don’t think I will know until I try… and yet, just the thought of it made me run away last night. I’m still ashamed of giving in to fear like that.

I think I need to go back to my plan of a ritual to ‘make for myself an ending’, as Abha put it, and I mean to ask Inshala to help me, and suggest that she join me. And as much as it pains me, I need to do it without Sae. I need to close that door before I open the next.

I need to know that Sky could walk back into my life, and I could meet his eyes and tell him ‘no’.

I’ve neglected this journal once again, mainly because it hurt too much to write. So many good things have happened to me lately, though, that at last the tide has turned and I feel like putting the words down. Yes, I found Sky; no, he no longer wants me. And yes, it hurts, as if a knife is still lodged in my heart. But enough things have happened that I've started to see a light at the end of the tunnel, a time when that pain might lessen, even though I'm not sure I'd ever want it to go away fully.

The AMA has helped, even though my lecture is done. It’s the promise of friendship alongside the satisfying intellectual discourse, I think, that makes it especially gratifying. I'm reminded, especially when speaking to Dr Thorley, that this is the most formal my medical training has ever been. My medic training was very much on the job, and my midwifery studies involved much less sitting and listening to people talk, and more Mam telling me what to do as I did it. And yet, I don't get a sense of being looked down upon from the university-educated attendants. Just a friendly rapport that I hope I can continue to be part of… which is really a poor summary of how much I enjoy the company of the regulars. And at least between what my parents taught me, I can keep up with the book learning.

I was especially surprised and pleased to see Abhayaa at my lecture. I’ve always found her to be exceptionally calm and thoughtful, and her questions during the talk, and the discussion we had a few days later, only encouraged me more to pursue that friendship further. With Inshala off walking the dunes, I can certainly use friends like that, who can help ground me. Friends come and go, I've learned the hard way, but with my Keeper crystal around my neck now, I'm more confident that I can keep in touch.

I do hope, as well, to live up to the vision that Shaatnez suggested, of being a hub to connect the spokes of the many and varied acquaintances I've made in my life. It can be difficult when everyone is so scattered — I'm hearing rumours of war once again — but I'll continue to try.

There are other things, too, that have made me start to feel normal again. Kal... well, I've given up hope of ever seeing him again, but he made me feel special and wanted for a night, and it was what I needed at the time. It was comforting to hear Aelza say I did right on that front, too. Some might find her advice a little dubious at times, but I know better. She's wiser than she lets on.

natharaiebonrook said:

Librarian! Page 12.

On one fearful bush road out near Ongarue a hand-lettered sign was nailed to a tree: ‘Speed Limit, Fifteen Miles a Month.’

There aren’t really roads in Uldum. One good sandstorm would obliterate them, anyway. I’d picked up enough from the Guardians’ drills to know how to conduct a search and rescue, more or less, dividing the map into a grid, looking for the landmarks Inshala’s vision had shown. An oasis with blue lilies near a ruined temple was hardly specific enough to get any sort of help in Ramkahen.

More than once, I offered thanks to Aviana for raven form, which made the search from oasis to oasis much quicker. I didn’t need to worry about a mount, flying or otherwise; just myself.

And I was lucky; I picked the right direction to start with. North, I thought, and I would circle the region clockwise.

Even so, it took three days. Avoiding heat exhaustion and bandits. I spent far too long imagining I’d find a corpse, instead of a man in need of healing.

The oasis wasn’t any more isolated than the Blackwald, not really, but when I finally found him, it was as though I’d reached the edge of the world. That we were the only two people in existence.

When I think about that day, and the month that followed, that sense of it being just us is stronger than anything else, almost. As it turned out, we were never really alone; we were chaperoned better than any parent might have wished. But I didn’t know it at the time.

To my dying day I will never forget the pain of that conversation with

No, I will not wallow in the past. Inshala and I performed our ritual, and those coastal rains portended a new beginning for us both as we drank from that healing water. I still feel a little lost, and I suppose it shows on my face as it always does, because people seem to go out of their way to take me under their wings, or just dispense advice.

Not that I’m ungrateful. Miss Moonsinger’s gift to me, the gift of choice, is still a focus of my meditation, a way of reconciling distant past that I never thought I’d be able to surmount. And the kind faces I’ve encountered since leaving the Guardians — any of them might become friends and allies. In time. I just need time. I need to be sure.

I have not been so angry since… well, it was not that long ago that I was rather cross with Crowling, but this pales in comparison when I think about it. Has time softened my feelings, or is it the more personal insult that I feel currently? Both, perhaps.

In any case, perhaps I will put up a sign in the office to the effect that men who wish to court me (amazing as the concept may be) would be advised not to interfere when I am caring for patients. Even without Inshala’s advice, the lack of respect for my judgement certainly settles matters. (I’ve not yet had occasion to make this clear to Mr O’Riley, but I will if I must.)

Yes, even though I was wrong. A quiet word in my ear would have been far more palatable (and useful) than antagonising a man who was clearly very troubled indeed.

Of course, courting is now the furthest thing from my mind. And I did not give into the temptation of childish finger-pointing when Larregis questioned us. I am not so naive to think that theft would not have occurred if Mr O’Riley had not been there, but I am — or at least was — quite certain the damage would be considerably less. But that is conjecture, and would have been petty to say. Not to mention rather pointless.

And Sky’s senseless attack on Inshala made me wonder whether anything could have happened differently. But no, I still do believe, firmly, that a little more kindness would have served us better. Angry though I was at Sky, the thought of him rotting in Lady Nightstone’s dungeon makes my blood run cold. Senseless, useless violence begetting more of the same.