In the Gebchak Gonpa section please add your gift in the “Temple Fund” field. During the year the nuns spend a great deal of time performing 20 intensive prayer ceremonies (drubchens) and various other meditation practices essential to their spiritual life – so a temple is vital! The old temple was dangerously close to falling down. 2011 marked the beginning of its demolition to make way for a new one.
Cracks in the old temple wall.
The first Wangdrak Dorje built the original main temple of Gebchak Gonpa, and now the present Wangdrak Rinpoche is building a new temple with more durable materials and windows allowing natural light. The nuns also suffer from eye problems. The old temple had no windows nor electricity and the nuns strained to read their texts in the minimal light. Completion of the first floor is urgent so that the nuns may continue their yearly cycle of prayer ceremonies without interruption.
Drawing of proposed new temple.
The new temple will cost approximately US$1 million. Costs are exorbitant because construction supplies must be transported across long distances to Gebchak’s remote location.
In May 2011 the demolition of the old temple began in earnest. The nuns are helping where they can with the actual construction work. Some images can be seen here of the progress.
