Visit to Nalendra - July 2009

It is now over two years since the Nalendra Rebuilding Project started after returning from my first visit to Tibet in July 2007. Many Australians and New Zealanders who travelled with me to Tibet and many who read Clear Mind Newsletter and heard about the project responded kindly and sent their donation. Margie Hawkes from the very outset helped to coordinate the project and kept all of you informed. When I was able to obtain a visa to travel to Tibet at the end of December 2007, Margie rallied all the support she could. Then I travelled to Tibet and delivered the sponsorship money for the monks and nuns and the generous donation for new flooring and roof fixing project at Nalendra monastery. 

Even though we started the project as "Nalendra rebuilding project" the monastic authorities requested me to help the other Sakya establishments in Phenpo Valley, including three nunneries and another monastery. They requested to establish funds so that each of their annual Drubcho practices are funded. So all together there are 230 monks and nuns that this project now helps. The first group of the Nalendra Shedra are going to graduate next year. So the money I took was distributed to the following six funds:

• Education for 25 monks at Nalendra Shedra College
• Hevajra Drubcho at Nalendra monastery
• Vajrayogini Drubcho at Palden Tse nunnery
• Nyung-Ne at Daryul Gomkhang nunnery
• Annual Vajrayogini Drubcho at Chakri nunnery
• Maha Vairochana Drubcho at Langthang monastery

Our annual commitment is 25,000 Yuans for Nalendra Shedra College and 37,500 for the other five establishments.  Our total financial commitment is approximately A$11,000 per year. 
As I could not go to Tibet due to political instability we did not manage to send any funds in 2008. So all the sponsorship money we received from January 2007 until June 2009 was put in a term deposit account. Ani Lhamo and the treasurer looked after this project and they have kept a detailed record of the sponsorship money received. The Nalendra rebuilding project bank account was put in as part of Sakya Losal Choe Dzong's bank account rather than as a separate account. This had to be done in order to show it as part of the accountability of the funds and the audited accounts of the Society. 
In July 2008 the Nalendra monastery sent photographs of the villagers and tradesman working on the flooring and reported to us the successful completion of the flooring and many renovation works in September 2008. They also phoned me and requested funding for stone pavement for the courtyard of the Nalendra Shedra. In the meantime they borrowed money as I had agreed to help them in principle.    
As it became possible to obtain a visa to travel to Tibet this year, I went to China and Tibet with Donald and Sylvia from Sydney. Margie could not come although a visa was already approved for her. Julie Tinnion and Pam arranged all the money from the account and brought the cash to SIBA.     Three of us carried $37,000 and two large bags of woollen blankets donated by Qantas for the nuns and monks. We left Australia on 7  July and travelled through some Buddhist sites in China and visited Tibet with a special assistant, who was provided by the authorities throughout the whole trip.

We managed to visit many places in Tibet around Shigatse. We visited Nalendra monastery on 16 July and were given a warm traditional welcome. We spent three hours at Nalendra monastery and toured and inspected the new floor and the amazing facelift the monastery has received from the funds we had been given. It was very pleasing for me to let Don and Sylvia (who provided a large part of the funds to finance the new flooring) see the work that had been done.
Lobsang-la, the chairman of the monastery provided the detailed accounts of how the funds were spent. The monastery borrowed extra money locally writh the proviso it would be repaid as the project had to be completed properly. They have repainted the murals and there was very improved lighting inside the main hall.  They have placed concrete stumps under all the 40 wooden pillars. 
As we did not have enough time to visit, I had already requested the leaders of Langthang monastery and Chakri nunnery to come to Nalendra. Two leaders from each of the two places came and saw us in the picnic tent. We were able to give them additional funds for two years so that they can continue their Drubchoes. They were also asking for funds to rebuild their buildings. We also gave funds enough for two years for the Nalendra Shedra College and Nalendra monastery. We were also able to fund the stone pavement of the Shedra courtyard. This  is a special project.
Then even though some people tried to dissuade us from going elsewhere stating there was not enough time, we drove to visit Palden Tse and Daryul Gomkhang nunneries. Due to the roughness of the road and lack of time, our visit to these nunneries was hectic. But we were able to briefly visit both places. Donald and Sylvia and others could not reach Daryul nunnery as it had a steep climb. I rode a horse like the three lamas from Nalendra, including the abbot, the chairman and Loden's uncle.

Daryul Gomkhang nunnery gave me a record of the sessions  and attendant list of the nuns showing how they did Nyung-Ne during Saka Dawa. I gave them funds for two years and they were ever so grateful for all who have supported them and asked me to thank all the sponsors. Additional funds that were given specifically for the nuns were given for the building projects of the Palden Tse and Daryul Gomkhang nunneries. These two nunneries sent to me two letters asking for funds. They wish to renovate the nun's living quarters. Money given specifically for nuns will be spent on these two projects. 
As we drove through the valley, hundreds of villagers came to greet us with khatas and thanked us for helping the monasteries and nunneries. I was told that hundreds of the villagers were employed for over a month during the renovation at Nalendra. According to the account provided by the monastery over 75,000 yuans were paid on wages for the workers. I had brought many little cards of deities and little deity pendants which I gave to the villagers. Many walked miles to be able to see us briefly on the roadside. Our driver and minder were impatient to stop at so many places but I resisted. We also distributed the woollen blankets to the three nunneries. Furthermore we were able to leave enough money to make actual monetary offering to all the 230 monks and nuns of the all the six establishments. We could not do it while we were there due to lack of time. We gave the names of people and sponsors the monks and nuns can include in their prayers. They were going to do the prayers and distribute the offerings on the anniversary of the Buddha's Turning the Wheel of Dharma on Saturday 25 July 2009.

This time I was able to get them to provide receipts of the funds given from each of the establishments. So all the receipts and Bank of China's exchange memo are all with the book keeper. All the leaders from each of the monasteries and nunneries have asked me to thank each and every individual who has sent their kind donation. You have now supported 230 nuns and monks in Tibet through this project. Palden Tse nunnery gave me a bag of Yak meat to bring back to Australia but this could not be done due to quarantine regulations. Unfortunately, no thank you letters from individual nuns or monks could be obtained for the sponsors as this is not possible due to many constraints. However, so far the project has not only been able to fulfil its annual pledge of A$11,000 to assist the six establishments for the last three years, but it has also funded special projects. Those who wish to offer any assistance, please do, as building the nun's living quarters will cost many times more than the money we have been able to donate this time.
On behalf of all the monks and nuns of the six establishments, I thank everyone who has sponsored a monk or a nun or sent a general donation. I would like to especially thank Margie Hawkes and Ani Lhamo, and Ani Nangtong, Jaki Forbes and Julie Tinnion, the treasurers of the last three financial years, who have all helped very much to keep this project running smoothly. Now we have Ven. Tharchin and Pam Cernak at Virupa processing your donations and sponsorship money. So any enquiries should be directed to them. Every dollar and cent has been given for the said projects and no sponsorship money has been spent on any related expenses. My return airfares were paid from special Gorum Publication account from the sales of my books. I thank Graham Millar and everyone who helps Gorum Publication to continue this wonderful service.Many best wishes.
Lama Choedak Rinpoche