Monastery Gate.
Donation protected
Dear friends,
As some of you might know, I was fortunate enough to visit Taksham Monastery in Kollegal, South India with my family in January 2017. The journey was long and tiring from America but we made it there according to our plan. Taksham monastery is the oldest monastery in the Tibetan Settlement of Kollegal built in 1978 with the permission of His Holiness of the 14th Dalai Lama. Comparing to other monasteries, Taksham monastery is small in physical appearance with only over 50 monks but very vibrant inside. My dad, Rigga Dorjee described the monastery as “Small hearth with powerful fire”. I was told that Taksham Monastery is famous for its powerful ritual performances. The older monks are always ready to go and perform rituals for the Tibetan families in the settlement. I think community services by the monks are tremendous as this is what the monasteries and monks are suppose to do. The younger monks starting from the mere age of 5 years and above are mostly orphans or semi orphans and this monastery is their home.
Since the passing of Taksham Rinpoche in 2005, the monastery has been under the guidance of Khenpo Pema Chomphel, and has existed without much external financial support. The little fund they get are being used on food and education which are obvioulsy more important and often times other small things are ignored.
When I first came to the monastery and saw the old gate, I felt the need for a secure gate as it is essential not only for safety reasons but because it is a symbol of welcome to the devout pilgrims. The current gate has been there for about 40 years. I wholeheartedly respect the people who have proudly built it however; I also sincerely feel that the gate needs to be rebuilt and updated so that it can last another 40 years.
The people I have met in the settlement have touched my heart and inspired me to commit to this initiative. For this small and initial project, I along with my dad would like to make this a collective effort by crowd funding from fellow dharma friends, families and relatives, and well-wishers. So that everyone can feel they have contributed and are part of this project. Names of the donors will be recorded for a special prayer for health and free of obstacles after the final completion.
The progress will be recorded to share with everyone. We plan to finish this project in few months.
You will see the monastery in the below YouTube video. Please watch.
https://youtu.be/5nz4gA2G7U8
Thank you each and everyone.
Tenzin Youdon and Rigga Dorjee.
As some of you might know, I was fortunate enough to visit Taksham Monastery in Kollegal, South India with my family in January 2017. The journey was long and tiring from America but we made it there according to our plan. Taksham monastery is the oldest monastery in the Tibetan Settlement of Kollegal built in 1978 with the permission of His Holiness of the 14th Dalai Lama. Comparing to other monasteries, Taksham monastery is small in physical appearance with only over 50 monks but very vibrant inside. My dad, Rigga Dorjee described the monastery as “Small hearth with powerful fire”. I was told that Taksham Monastery is famous for its powerful ritual performances. The older monks are always ready to go and perform rituals for the Tibetan families in the settlement. I think community services by the monks are tremendous as this is what the monasteries and monks are suppose to do. The younger monks starting from the mere age of 5 years and above are mostly orphans or semi orphans and this monastery is their home.
Since the passing of Taksham Rinpoche in 2005, the monastery has been under the guidance of Khenpo Pema Chomphel, and has existed without much external financial support. The little fund they get are being used on food and education which are obvioulsy more important and often times other small things are ignored.
When I first came to the monastery and saw the old gate, I felt the need for a secure gate as it is essential not only for safety reasons but because it is a symbol of welcome to the devout pilgrims. The current gate has been there for about 40 years. I wholeheartedly respect the people who have proudly built it however; I also sincerely feel that the gate needs to be rebuilt and updated so that it can last another 40 years.
The people I have met in the settlement have touched my heart and inspired me to commit to this initiative. For this small and initial project, I along with my dad would like to make this a collective effort by crowd funding from fellow dharma friends, families and relatives, and well-wishers. So that everyone can feel they have contributed and are part of this project. Names of the donors will be recorded for a special prayer for health and free of obstacles after the final completion.
The progress will be recorded to share with everyone. We plan to finish this project in few months.
You will see the monastery in the below YouTube video. Please watch.
https://youtu.be/5nz4gA2G7U8
Thank you each and everyone.
Tenzin Youdon and Rigga Dorjee.
Organizer
Tenzin Y
Organizer
Medford, MA