Chapter One - Arduous Journey

Our expedition took us through the Lhasa valley and deep into the lesser-known regions of Tibet. We traveled with a group of nomadic herders who spoke of a long-forgotten temple believed to reside to the west - not far from Nepal. As we journeyed through the highland passes, I could see the top-most peak of the mountain range. Billowy white clouds hovered over ice capped peaks that have been covered with snow for thousands of years. This land was ancient beyond anything I could imagine. I felt humbled in the presence of the divine spirits that were believed to inhabit this area. As we reached a small village, it was time to say goodbye to our friendly guides and trek the rest of the distance on our own. We gave the herders a small portion of Yak butter as payment for their troubles.
As we entered the small village, we could hear local monks in the temple praying:

'May all beings have happiness
and the cause of happiness;
May all beings be free from sorrow
and the cause of sorrow.

May all beings be inseparable from
everlasting fulfillment and harmony;
May all beings find rest in impartial equanimity
and inner peace.'

We rested for a while, replenished our supplies with the few items locals were willing to trade for, and headed off again on our search for the forgotten temple. I delicately opened the map I carried with me, careful not to tear it's already worn fabric. This map, uncovered in Northern India, was the reason we traveled through this land.

"So, where are we at?" Marid inquired.

"At least 2 days away from where the temple is supposed to be."

"Don't you mean where it's going to be?" Marid glared at me for just a second. The look was a strange mixture of amusement and annoyance. I know he found my skepticism towards this mission exasperating, and he took great pleasure in teasing me about it every chance he got.

Then I saw something along the horizon. A small speck at first, as we drew closer it was clearly a building of some sort. It was a traditional Tibetan temple with it's tall, tapered roof that appeared to be made out of pyramid shaped segments. Its form was a beautiful display of geometric symmetry.

"Is that the temple?"

"I don't know," I said, reluctant to let go of my cynicism. "It's possible."

Revitalized with new energy, we hurried towards the temple. Even I, the grounded realist of the group, had difficulty containing my excitement. Could this be the forgotten temple of the first Karmapa? If so, what wondrous treasures lay within?