Lha sgron (b. 1946): A Tibetan Elder Reflects on Ornaments and Life

My paternal grandmother, Lha sgron (b. 1946), was a herder for most of her life. A dedicated Buddhist, she became a nun in 2012. In the summer of 2020, I interviewed her in Bon skor (Wangshenke) Community, Bya mdo (Shagou) Township, Mang ra (Guinan) County, Mtsho lho (Hainan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Mtsho sngon (Qinghai) Province, PR China. Bon skor is an agro-pastoral Tibetan community in A mdo, located about 190 kilometers (three hours by bus) from Zi ling (Xining) City, the capital of Mtsho sngon (Qinghai) Province.I never planned to sell the coral necklace given to me by my two mothers. I regard it as a family heritage. When I was young, I liked wearing necklaces and ornaments. I thought precious adornments were important and necessary. I was excited to wear a Tibetan robe and put on a necklace, bracelet, and hair ornaments. When I met others, they would typically say, "You are so beautiful! Your necklace is wonderful!" which delighted me. As I got older, my interest in wearing ornaments gradually faded, and my ideas about adornments also changed. I now have little interest. Ornaments are meaningless. Everything is impermanent. I encountered a lot during my life journey. I tragically lost beloved family members. The period of chaos transformed and destroyed my happy life. I have spent most of my life rearing children and herding. Even though life was very tough, I never gave up because of my children and family. I had to make a living and raise all my children. After my sons married, I no longer had much family responsibility, so I focused on religious chanting, circumambulation of holy sites, and prostration. Tibetan Buddhism is the most important thing for me. I considered becoming a nun and, after my family members agreed, I became a nun at Tho le Monastery in 2012. Every day, I pray to Buddha, chant scriptures, and meditate, which helps me eliminate hatred, desire, and other negative things in my mind. Buddhism is not only good for your present life and the afterlife. It also helps you accumulate merit and diminishes your past sins. When I recall the difficulties I have experienced, I have no desire for rich material life. When I see beautiful women wearing fancy clothes and adornments, I have no feeling of admiration. They are impermanent and meaningless. Buddhism is the most important thing for me