Being the Superman of Monk Kids: My Stay in Buddhist Monastery

Last Updated: August 18, 2023

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Photo: Lammert teaching in Buddhist Monastery in an outfit of Superman

Hello I am Lammert from Netherlands. I stayed in a Buddhist monastery in Kathmandu for a month. It was a perfect escape for me from my hectic schedule as a employee in a media house in Amsterdam.

I wanted to stay sabbatical for few days before I could figure out what to do next after I quit my job. Staying in a Buddhist Monastery and living with the monks could be a best way to provide me the moment of peace. That’s why I opted for this program.

Photo: Lammert teaching the kids in monastery

A Culturally Immersive Experience

Staying in Nepal was fun. I felt immersed into a new culture and traditions. Kathmandu is colorful city, blended with kaleidoscope of historic cultures. Few places in the Kathmandu are like Time Machine, with one glimpse they can send you centuries back.

Prehistoric artifacts and monuments, temples, stupas and monasteries are definitely something that you would not see in the western part of the world.

And people, of course they were amazing. The innocence and humility they had is something that made me feel comfortable everywhere I went in Nepal. From the host family who accommodated me for initial days to the monks and members of the Monastery, everyone was friendly and cordial. Within few days I felt really connected with these people.

Finally the Superman Moment

My Dutch physique was something that often grabbed the attention of Nepalese people for me. Which I found funny and kind of gratefully accepted too 🙂 One day a kid in the monastery asked me “Are you Superman?” I laughed and said “Yes, of course I am Superman” I asked why he asked me that. He said because I looked like Superman.

Photo: Lammert joyfully lifting a monk kid as superman

Then a stupid idea popped up in my mind. I thought of surprising the kids by entering the class with Superman outfit. I went to Department store to buy a Superman costume. Major challenge was finding the costume of my size in Nepal. Somehow, I managed to fit in a costume I found.

Next day I entered silently the academic building of monastery. I sneaked quietly inside the class room where monk kids were waiting for me to start the class. Kids screamed with joy and laughter “Superman!!” I could see the delight in their faces as if they have seen real Superman.

For a moment I forgot I was Lammert Lettinga from Netherlands, I felt like I was Kal-El from Krypton. I lifted the kids as if I had superpower. I played with them, took few snaps with Superman poses, and finally resumed my class like a Superman 🙂

Photo: Lammert pointing finger to the camera as superman and monk kid in backdrop

Overall, my stay in Nepal and my moments in the monastery was not less than superhero movie. It had adventures, challenges, compassion and empathy. Like every superhero does, this is onecof the few acts that I have done for selfless reason.