Gongya Buddhist Institute for Nuns

[Goh Yee Chin]

Making a Contribution to the Construction of

Gongya Buddhist Institute for Nuns

to Support Buddhist Monastics & Grow Fields of Merit

 

 

 

Located in Nangchen, Qinghai, Gongya Monastery has a long history and is one of the key monasteries in the area. Paljin (Ba Jin) Rinpoche, the abbot of Gongya Monastery, has always paid close attention to the education of Tibetan Buddhist nuns. Out of compassion, Rinpoche initiated the establishing of the Gongya Buddhist Institute for Nuns.

 

Due to the historical customs of Tibet, nuns in many Tibetan communities lack basic living amenities and conditions for learning, not to mention the systematic studying, contemplating and practising of the Buddha Dharma. In order to provide nuns with better learning conditions to study the scriptures and teachings, Paljin Rinpoche is determined to set up a Buddhist Institute for Nuns, with the hope that it will develop more Buddhist talents and leaders to propagate the Buddha Dharma and benefit sentient beings.

 

Gongya Monastery has two nunneries, with Dzogchen Nunnery being originally located at the foot of a mountain not far from Gongya Monastery. Unfortunately, a mudslide 20 years ago destroyed the nunnery. Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche later personally selected a new site and decided on the location where Dzogchen nunnery is situated today. This is a place full of auspicious origin and conditions. 18 years ago, when they first arrived, people saw that the landform was narrow because it was located between the valleys of two mountains. They were worried there was not enough space to build Dzogchen Nunnery. With his omniscient wisdom, Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche insisted that the location was very good indeed.

 

With the completion of the retreat centre and the Great Shrine Hall, Dzogchen Nunnery is getting larger and more expansive. It is really inconceivable! The anis (nuns) who have had their retreats there also feel that this place is pleasant, beautiful and deeply blessed.

 

Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche once said that there will be many outstanding practitioners here in the future. Paljin Rinpoche therefore also decided to build the Gongya Buddhist Institute for Nuns here due to its tranquil and blessed location.

 

In Paljin Rinpoche's dream, Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche also talked about the establishment of a Buddhist institute that would benefit a great number of sentient beings. Paljin Rinpoche aspired that with his pure intent and collective effort would make the Gongya Buddhist Institute for Nuns an important place for the learning and practising of the Kagyu teachings in Qinghai Tibetan areas.

 

There are about fifty nuns in the inaugural batch for the Institute. The Buddhist courses to be conducted are based on the five major theories of the traditional Buddhist academies and the sutras and tantras of Kagyu lineage. They will start from the basic courses and gradually and systemically advance in levels of study.

 

The construction of the Gongya Buddhist Institute for Nuns will include a shrine hall, classrooms, a library, dormitories and a kitchen, etc. Given the current living conditions of the nuns, the first phase of the project was to build the nuns’ residence and dormitories. After the completion of the site preparation for the first phase, the construction of the nuns’ dormitories is now in full swing after the foundation was laid.

 

In the first phase of the project, 40 nuns' huts will be built.  The cost of each residential unit is RMB 35,000 (S$7,200).  Therefore, a total of 1.4 million yuan (S$288,000) is needed.

 

Click here to view the photo & video of the construction: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ofq4jgomgXy8mj7g9

 

If you are willing to contribute to the construction costs of the Gongya Buddhist Institute for Nuns, we welcome your free-will donation of any amount, and rejoice in your virtue. Donor name (Chinese or English) will be submitted to the monastery for dedication.

 

To contribute, pls transfer to

☸️ POSB saving 531-70072-4

☸️ or PayNow (my phone 93258710).

 

May all beings be filled with wonderful auspiciousness and Dharmic joy!

 

Warmest regards,

Yee Chin  93258710