The Nalendra Project is the humanitarian work of Lama Choedak Rinpoche and Sakya Losal Choe Dzong. It was established in July 2007 to offer assistance to Nalendra monastery and other associated monasteries and nunneries in Phenpo valley, outside Lhasa. Nalendra is a monastery of the Sakya Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and the seat of His late Eminence Kyabje Chogye Trichen Rinpoche in Tibet.
The Scope of the Project
In total there a five monasteries and nunneries that are sponsored under the Nalendra Project and they are all in the vicinity of Nalendra Monastery. They include:
Nalendra Monastery
Chakri Nunnery
Langthang Monastery
Daryul Gomkhang Nunnery
Palden Tse Nunnery
Most of these monasteries and nunneries in the Phenpo region have their origin in the Kadampa lineage. For instance, Langthang monastery is founded by Geshe Langri Thangpa, the famous promoter of Lo-jong teachings.
The project funds education, food and lodging of 25 full time monastic college students studying at the Shedra College in Nalendra. The first batch of sponsored shedra college students graduated in 2010 and four of the graduates are now serving as assistant teachers. It also funds the five monasteries and nunneries to perform their annual prayer and Drubcho rituals, which helps them to maintain their traditional religious practices and commitments. They dedicate to all of you in their prayers which include:
- Hevajra Drubcho prayer ritual (Nalendra Monastery)
- Vajrayogini Drubcho prayer ritual (Chakri Nunnery)
- Maha Vairocana Drubcho prayer ritual (Langthang Monastery)
- Avalokiteshvara Nyung-ne Drubcho prayer ritual (Daryul Gomkhang Nunnery)
- Vajrayogini Drubcho prayer ritual (Palden Tse Nunnery)
In addition to those standing commitments the Nalendra Project has funded special projects such as a new floor for the Main Assembly Hall at Nalendra Monastery as well as major rebuilding and of the very remote Palden Tse nunnery.
Nalendra monastery is reconstructing a 33 meter high Great Stupa "Bumchen-ma" which was the Rongton's memorial stupa built by his successor Dakpo Tashi Namgyal in 1560. This stupa is due to be completed next year. This project has attracted many sponsors and one of our benefactors sent all her jewelleries to be used for gold needed for gilding stupa pinnacles and harmikas.
Our Commitment
Our annual pledge for the project is AUD$11,000.
For the past seven years we have managed to fulfil our pledge having raised and donated over AUD$140,000. This has been possible due to the generosity of many individuals as well as part of the proceeds from Calm Abiding Meditation classes run by Lama Choedak Rinpoche in Canberra.
It is very important that we can maintain our commitment. Our ability to honour this commitment will help us all to repay the kindness of His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche and Tsarpa lineage so that the traditional monastic education, prayers, rituals and practices can be preserved.
