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home fund-raiser mini-newsletter
welcome to the tsoknyi nangchen nuns mini-newsletter!
From Mary Ann Chubb, Home Fund-raiser Coordinator
We will keep you up to date and informed about the Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns Preservation Project and the home fund-raisers that are being held on behalf of the Nuns. Personal stories from the fund-raiser hosts will be shared, and we’ll let you know how much money has been raised and what needs to be raised to reach our goal of fully funding the $1.4 million Nangchen Nuns endowment fund. We’ll be keeping you up to date about the state of the Nangchen nunneries and the information gathered this summer about each of their specific needs. When we know their most pressing needs and priorities, Rinpoche can allocate financial and physical resources towards remedying the situation.
Many of you have seen the DVD Journey to Nangchen and have been moved by the dedication of these women, the strength of their devotion and the extreme physical conditions in which they practice. Being a soft westerner and used to my comfortable lifestyle, I would be severely challenged to practice under those circumstances! When I watch the DVD, I am struck by the joy and love the Nuns share for the Dharma. In the West, we have so many resources; these women do not, and yet they excel as phenomenal spiritual practitioners. With our measured help, their rich spiritual tradition can continue to flourish without risk of vanishing.
Mayo Prabhu describes her experience of holding a home fund-raiser for the Nuns:
I’ve held several fund-raisers over the years, but I viewed this as an opportunity to not only raise money for the Nangchen Nuns, but also to educate people about Tibet. I find many do not know or understand the situation there. So, I invited people to come have tea and snacks with me at a lodge on a small lake. I talked about Tibet and Rinpoche, taught a Tara mantra, and showed the DVD. I suggested to each person I invited to bring along any friends who might be interested. Others helped by bringing some tea snacks, designing an invitational flyer, etc. I suggested a donation amount, but welcomed extra generosity. People were very touched by the story of the Nangchen Nuns and their lives—it has appeal, just because this kind of life is so very different from what we know and live. So, don’t think that only Dharma students will be interested in an event like this! It really is quite easy to put a small fund-raiser together, even if you have a busy schedule. I encourage all of you to think about how you might be able to hold a home fund-raiser in your area.
I wanted to help the Nangchen Nuns by holding a home fund-raiser to educate people about these amazing women practitioners. I knew that if people became aware of the Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns, they would want to help by making financial contributions. Even a small donation goes a long way in sustaining these women! My husband Jim and I set a date and sent out invitations. We asked friends to donate appetizers and wine, a friend to bring a projector and DVD player, and other friends to help set up/clean up. In addition, there was a silent auction of Tibetan carpets. The people who came to the event were a great mix of friends, sangha members and complete strangers. Jim and I took turns speaking during the introduction to the film. By showing the film, I felt we could educate and inspire other people to understand the Nuns—to appreciate their love and devotion for the Dharma. For me, it was an opportunity to share with my community the lives of these extraordinary women.
After the film was over, we had a lively question and answer session. People wanted to know how the Nuns survived in the winter. What was their main diet, and lots of questions about the Chinese presence in Tibet.
At the end of our Q and A, I asked people to make a donation to the Nuns. A donation from the heart. Any amount of money donated with a pure intention would be be blessed money. Many people donated enough money to receive the DVD Journey to Nangchen as a gift in return. We sold several of the Tibetan carpets as well. Out little gathering of warm hearts made it possible for a whole nunnery to receive support for one year! I am especially pleased that so many people had the opportunity to share in the evening and learn about these women practitioners.
It’s been three months since Jim and I held our fund-raiser. I know there are many other people who would be inspired by the film, not just in my town, but in other cities as well. I hope to hold another home fund-raiser in the next six months.
I encourage you to gather your friends and community members together and show the DVD. It’s fun and easy. You can make it informal and small, or throw a big bash. There are materials you would receive from me that are guidelines and will support your event planning. You can contribute in the manner that is most comfortable for you! If you’d like to hold a home fund-raiser event, please e-mail me at maryann@pundarika.org, and I will be happy to help you in any way that I can.
Blessings,
Mary Ann Chubb
Coordinator
Tsoknyi Nuns Home Fund-raisers
June 1, 2007 ~
From the last possible place for any living souls to be found, as well as a road to travel, we continued onward. With that Tibetan dauntless determination behind the wheel, we bumped and slid over hills (mountains) and fields—hours from the last paved road. With a well-trained eye, one could see the slight shade of darker soil telling us that this was a road—whether the one we wanted or not was yet to be known. Hours of bone adjusting bouncing and river crossings finally brought us to a place where even the 5 o'clock shadow appeared clean shaven and some amount of doubt was dawning upon my horizon, when we rolled over a hill to see several hundred motorcycles clustered and a crowd of Tibetans in this most remote and seemingly desolate place. Such is the constant and pleasant surprise of this land.
In moments we were swallowed by the curious staring crowd and equally delighted with each other’s presence. Upon query of a nunnery, a young man, laughing and chatting as if we were the oldest of friends, hopped in the back seat and prepared to lead us to our destination without a thought of how he was to return. About an hour later, we arrived at truly the end of the road! A steep rocky mountain face with no way around, and the gleam of the gold declaring the obvious lakhang (Tibetan temple) perched in the middle. Later we discovered it was built directly into a large and sacred cave. The young man enthusiastically motioned us out of the car and into the smoke-filled kitchen of the nunnery. The earthen floors and low seats were covered in old and worn fabric—a grounding and reassuring welcome. Shy smiles of nuns shone through the thick haze; the nuns scurried about, preparing everything that could be offered to unknown and unexpected guests. As our bodies settled into the dark, our hearts and minds eased into the comfort of knowing that we were fully cared for in the most simple and yet sincere way possible.
Our first destination . . . 23 to follow.
Tons of love,
Brady and Neil
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