Gebchak nuns and lamas proudly welcome new Guru Rinpoche statues to their temple. Note the elderly nuns Kaying and Dondrub Chomtso in the foreground.
Although Gebchak Gonpa is a quiet nunnery in a remote Nangchen valley, it has plenty of news to share. The nuns are now able to gather in their new temple for their 20 annual drubchens (extended sādhanā ceremonies) that last 10 days each. At the conclusion of a recent Kabgye (Eight Herukas) drubchen, new statues of Guru Rinpoche, his two Ḍākinī and Eight Manifestations were brought to Gebchak Gonpa from the factory in Chengdu where they were crafted. The statues were received by the nuns in the same way that living, human gurus would be. Soon the statues will be filled and consecrated, and installed on the central shrine where they will serve as supports for the nuns’ devotional prayers and practice for many generations to come. Click here for a photo album of the statues’ arrival and other recent religious ceremonies at Gebchak Gonpa.
The two eldest nuns at Gebchak – Dondrub Chomtso and Kaying, both in their 80s – continue to participate in nunnery’s annual drubchen schedule. They were present for the arrival of the Guru Rinpoche statues and, along with the rest of the Gebchak community, proudly welcomed them into Gebchak’s new temple.
Wangdrak Rinpoche with nuns and their new polytunnel
The Gebchak nuns’ diet and healthcare continue to improve with the development of two polytunnels, in which they grow green leafy vegetables for four months of the year. Dawa Choephel, a Tibetan social worker and friend to Gebchak Gonpa, has helped the nuns considerably with the polytunnels, healthcare education and waste management. Click here for a photo album of these developments as well as of the Yushu orphans.
As usual, the Yushu orphans are healthy and kept busy with their schoolwork. They are presently in the midst of annual exams and keen for any free time to play outside in the summer weather. Since 2010 they have lived in the same home on the Palchu River at the centre of Yushu (“Jyekundo” in Tibetan), within walking distance of the government schools they attend.
The children with their carers at home in Yushu.
The children benefit enormously from your moral and financial support. Simply knowing that they are cared for by supporters around the world makes a difference in their wellbeing.
Contributions to the works mentioned above are at all times most welcome and beneficial. Methods of contributing to the Gebchak nuns and Yushu orphans can be found here.
On behalf of the Gebchak nuns, lamas and the Yushu orphans, heartfelt gratitude, prayers and many tashi deleks!
