Lhasa, Tibet, April 20th, 2007 Months of anticipation, and finally here we are in the `Roof of the World’…Tibet!  While those who participated in the China Excursion flew in yesterday, we were joined by quite a few new students in this autonomous region (currently under Chinese rule), some of whom arrived here as early as 3 days ago.

The Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the chief residence of the Dalai Lamas (the Buddhist spiritual leaders of Tibet) until the 14th Dalai Lama vacated it and left for India, leaving it unoccupied since 1959.  Completed in 1694 and built at an altitude of 3,700m on the side of Marpo Ri Hill in the center of Lhasa Valley, the Palace somewhat assumes the appearance of a fortress.

As we wondered how we were going to go about our Feng Shui audit of the Palace, a newcomer to our entourage whipped out a copy of the Lonely Planet’s travel guide and voila…we had the complete internal layout plans of the place, right at our fingertips!  Spurred by this unexpected head-start, we set about deciding which approach or system would serve our assessment best.  One of the new participants suggested that Flying Stars or Eight Mansions be applied, only to have this approach politely corrected by another experienced student…who noted that for such a huge building with an equally rich history, neither of these methods would be the right one to use. 

Revising our plans while Joey surreptitiously listened in (but leaving us to our own devices first), we realized that Luan Tou (Landforms) Feng Shui would serve our purpose best - and happily proceeded to take measurements and assessments of the Palace.  As our lively party reached the Palace’s peak, only then did Joey share his notes with us, quoting vital excerpts from the Jade Ruler Classics (Yu Chi Jing).  Following his explanation carefully, we discovered that the area’s Wu Xing Sheng Dian configuration – coupled with the unique Sha Shou and Yao Xing features – have blessed the Potala Palace with a superior Feng Shui formation.  Of course, the burning question that subsequently arose was: Why then was the 14th Dalai Lama compelled to vacate the place?

As we discoursed this question with Joey, we learnt about the unique Star (Mountain) location affecting the Di Hu direction of the Palace, as well as the 14th Dalai Lama’s BaZi (Destiny), that combined together to precipitate his leaving the place.  Our excitement grew as we found out more about other factors such as incoming dragons, release of veins and meridian spots that cumulatively affected the Potala Palace’s Feng Shui and hence, history.  There’s so much we discussed and debated, yet from a rather surreal point of view, would have been impossible to just put to paper – indeed, an overwhelming majority of the Excursions’ knowledge can only be acquired by being there and carrying out the audits with one’s own hands!

Next on our post-lunch itinerary was the Sera Monastery – one of the most revered monasteries in Tibet, where famous Buddhist scriptures are taught and studied by disciples.  The Monastery’s visible from the Potala Palace, as it is located at a unique, sunken area within the surrounding mountains.  Surprise, surprise though…despite its reputation, our findings revealed that the Feng Shui of the Sera Monastery didn’t quite make it spiritual, as opposed to educational in purpose!  The monks and disciples that converge upon this Monastery tend to debate and propagate knowledge of Buddhism more than indulge themselves in prayer or worship.  With the Five Petal Metal Water Mountain embracing the place, as well as certain formations and stars existing within the vicinity, we soon understood how this Monastery came to be a place of academic and scholarly pursuits.

Thrilled by our discoveries today, Joey had another treat in store for us, as he led us to the Norbulingkha (lit. Jewel Park) – the former summer palace of the Dalai Lamas, founded by the 7th Dalai Lama in 1755 – situated in the western part of Lhasa.  We wasted no time in measuring the place’s Qi Mouth and discovered a Tian Ma Star guarding its entrance.  Joey, however, drew our attention to the specific palace complex built by the 14th Dalai Lama, who was said to have personally selected its specific location and facing direction.  Our `investigations’ revealed that while the building is suitably located on a natural Tian Chi Sui area, whatever good Feng Shui this arrangement yielded proved futile, as its location happened to clash with the 14th Dalai Lama’s birth details (BaZi)!  The rest…is history.  Oh dear; yet another case of `so near, yet so far’!

Dusk was encroaching upon the twilight as we shouldered our backpacks, and headed back to the hotel.  If only one day of audits in Tibet has unlocked such a treasure trove of knowledge and discoveries to us, we wonder: What will tomorrow yield?

End of Day 1 Log for Tibet.