Thubten Nima
Projects - Nun Retreat Center at Dong O Drong
Overview
An Opportunity to Support Women of the Drikung FamilyFor most women born in Tibet, advantages are few. What limited material resources and educational opportunities are available have historically been invested in males. Even in modern times, little has been done to redress the inequities. Women suffer more illiteracy, illness and poverty than their male counterparts. While taking monastic ordination has been a means for women to gain some autonomy, nunneries are often associated with monasteries, which are generally responsible for the overall allocation of resources. This was the case at Khargo Monastery at Jamzur in eastern Tibet.
His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche recently gave Lama Gape (whose homeland is Jamzur) the responsibility for raising the funds needed to build a new retreat facility. In response to Lama Gape's communication and fundraising efforts he has received many kind and generous donations. Thanks in no small part to the community and sangha members, a newly constructred retreat center has just been competed.
On September 21, 2006, the Nun's Retreat center was consecrated!
This retreat facility, however, still needs furnishings as follows:
- The main shrine room nees a shrine table and rugs/cushions to support meditation seating
- The kitchen needs cooking utensils, standard kitchen appliances, etc.
- Each of the retreat rooms need small shrine tables and meditation support materials (meditation boxes/beds, cushions)
The estimated furnishing costs (above) are $4000 USD.
Below are pictures from this project -- both the initial construction/planning phases, and pictures from the recently completed retreat center.
1 = Recently completed Nun Retreat Center
2 = Future Temple for the Nunnery
Original drawing plans of completed Nun Retreat facility
Current place where the Jamzur Nuns practice (Lama Gape's family's living room).
Entire view of Jamzur Monastery, July 2006
July 2006 Construction Phase
(the top part of the picture shows where the new Nuns' Temple will be constructred )
July 2006 Construction Phase
July 2006 Construction Phase
Sept 2006 Completed Construction (rear exterior)
1 = Practice rooms (for yogic excercises)
2 = Main shrine hall entrance
3 = Kitchen area
Sept 2006 Completed Construction (interior courtyard)
Picture of Jamzur Nuns outside newly constructed retreat center, January 2007
Mountain-side Picture of Nunnery, taken Spring 2007
Contributions to support the project can be made to:
Lama Gape
P.O. Box 4877
Chino Valley, AZ 86323Email: questions@thubtennima.net
Please make your check payable to:
The Garchen Buddhist Institute
in the Memo section of your check, please write: “Jamzur Nuns' Retreat Project ”Your donation is tax deductible, and even a small donation will be greatly appreciated!
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