 |
Tharpa Choeling Nunnery - Muktinath, Nepal |
Tharpa Choeling Nunnery
Nuns Meditating
|
Let him associate with friends who are noble, energetic and pure in life, let him be cordial
and refined in conduct. Thus, full of joy, he will make an end of suffering.
- Dhammapada
|
|
|
The Tharpa Choeling Nunnery is located in a small town in the District of Mustang, within the Himalayan mountains, 3802m above sea level on a site occupied by the ruins of the former nunnery built by the 1st Shangpa Rinpoche.
This is the one of the places where the 1st Shangpa Rinpoche stayed and turned the wheel of Dharma in a previous life. He was also responsible for the building of many monasteries and stupas in that area. Many of the older practitioners and lay devotes were his past life disciples including the Mustang King Jigme Palbar Bista.
Under the invitation of the Mustang King and some of his disciples, Rinpoche made his first trip back to Muktinath in March 1994. This trip was a blessing, indicated by many auspicious signs and omens. Rinpoche's devotees, especially his past life disciples have a deep respect and profound devotion to him, and hoping that he would consent to turn the wheel of Dharma here, they donated a piece of land at Muktinath to him, where the nunnery now stands. The nunnery consists of the Shrine Hall, nuns quarters and a retreat room for Rinpoche. The ground breaking ceremony was held on 13 July 1995. Presently, there are about 24 nuns (Tibetan: Ani) staying at this nunnery. Despite the hard living condition, the nuns maintain a simple and disciplined life. Retreat lamas are sent to teach the nuns traditional ritual practices as well as to give instruction for retreats. The nuns are also taught to read and write various languages including Tibetan and English. All the nuns have to first complete the Four Foundations practice before they can proceed with other studies on the teachings.
The construction of the nunnery had been completed and the opening ceremony was held on the 4 October 2000.
|
|
|
