Gebchak nuns sounding Losar Greetings!
27 February 2011
Dear Friends of Gebchak Nunnery,
As Tibetan New Year approaches on March 5th, the Gebchak nuns and lamas send tidings and wishes for your health and joy in the lunar year of the Iron Rabbit!
The Gebchak Nuns’ Health: The nuns are well and happy as ever, though a few suffer from liver problems and there is the usual lot with eye complaints. The nuns who were sick last year with TB are mostly recovered, thanks to correct treatment and an improved diet. The nuns are living through another inclement winter at 14,700 ft (4500m) above sea level with thick clothing, plenty of food, and warm-hearted meditation practice.
Spectators watch chu-rey ceremony.
Chu-Rey Ceremony and 3-year Retreat: According to Gebchak tradition the nuns’ practice of Tummo (Inner Fire) meditation is tested once a year at the heart of winter, in a ceremony called Chu-Rey (Wet Sheet). This year the ceremony took place in the early morning of January 19th, under a full moon and with the temperature at -13F (-25C). The 64 nuns who participated spent the entire night in yoga and meditation practice, then at the break of dawn walked slowly and solemnly around the entire Nunnery complex, wearing little clothing and white sheets wrapped around their shoulders. The white sheets were soaked in cold water at each of the four directions and then dried off by the nuns’ Tummo heat.
Nuns in retreat.
The fifteen nuns presently in the 3-year retreat center have hair down past their shoulders (that they don’t cut for the length of this intensive retreat) and are due to finish this coming April, when the next group of nuns for retreat will begin. These nuns are the first to enjoy the new 3- year retreat center built by Rokpa International, which is a terrific boost to the nuns’ well-being with its spaciousness and natural light.
Main Temple: The existing main temple was built by in the 1980’s with the only materials available at the time – local stones, mud, and wood, carried and built up by the nuns themselves. Now this temple is leaning on a rotting wooden framework and is dangerous for the nuns to use, but they have no other hall in which to gather for the 20 long prayer cycles (drubchens) they must perform each year.
Drawing of proposed new temple.
Good news – the groundbreaking for a new temple is scheduled for April 2011, with a goal of completing the first storey by the end of September 2011 so the nuns can continue gathering for their drubchen prayer ceremonies. Given the construction infrastructure in such a remote area, the costs are exorbitant. The new temple will therefore be only a simple structure, with large windows to let in natural light so the nuns can easily read their texts. Hopefully, this will lessen the nuns’ eye troubles in the future.
Wangdrak Rinpoche: Many of you have been asking after Rinpoche and we are delighted to report he is in great health, very happy – yet super busy (as you can imagine!). Currently, Rinpoche is in Southeast Asia teaching. This year Rinpoche will not be visiting the USA as he needs to stay in Asia, remaining close to Gebchak Gonpa as its new temple foundation begins construction. He often thinks of his US visit – and holds you in his thoughts and prayers.
Rinpoche with orphans, Losar 2011.
With your help, Wangdrak Rinpoche continues to foster 33 children orphaned by the April 2010 Yushu earthquake. The children are all safe, healthy, and more cheerful as memories from the devastating earthquake fade. Without a central orphanage to house the children together Rinpoche has arranged the children into two groups living in tents, with each group cared for by relatives. Five of the youngest orphans are living in a nomad camp with extended family. Rinpoche continually ensures that the children are cared for, attending school (if above age 7), and provides them with enough food, clothing, and school supplies. The coldest months of winter – from December to March – are the children’s school holiday and they have been enjoying playtime along with Tibetan language classes led by several volunteer monks helping to care for the orphans.
A nun sorts food supplies purchased by you!
The Gebchak nuns’ passion to preserve their unique spiritual tradition in a rapidly changing modern world remains unshaken, and this is possible because they are sustained by the compassionate support of people like you. Dedicating for their sponsors is a central part of the nuns’ lives and you can be assured, and feel a heart connection, knowing that you are held within their prayers. Their gratitude is enormous – because you have made a difference!
With warmest wishes and greetings!!!
Losar card with photos: Gebchak_Losar_2011
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Making a contribution to Gebchak Gonpa is easy. You can offer a general amount, or allocate specifically to the Gebchak nuns, their new temple, or the earthquake orphans through our secure online system.
For USA residents donations are tax-deductible. Checks in US dollars only can be made payable to Dongyu Gatsal Ling Initiatives (write a clear memo for Gebchak, or orphans). Send your US check to: Gebchak Nunnery, P.O. Box 27294, SEATTLE, WA 98165-1794, U.S.A.
