The Tsoknyi Lineage Nangchen Nuns Mini-Newsletter ~
Issue No. 2: January 31, 2009
Mary Ann Chubb, Home Fundraiser Coordinator
Dear Nangchen Nun Supporters,
Since 2006, Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns support groups have been organizing and holding home fundraisers across the U.S., Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Besides money being raised, the awareness generated has been invaluable! Here are some examples of that generosity:
- The Steamboat Springs sangha annually contributes $5,000 to support a nunnery;
- Dharma Ocean, a Crestone, Colorado-based sangha, contributed $5,000 to support a nunnery for a year;
- TibetCare, a non-profit group in Norway, selected the Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns for support, sending $5,000.
Over the last few years, I’ve had the privilege of working with many inspired women and men who want to benefit the Nuns by holding home fundraisers. In this newsletter, I have included recent stories from some of the organizers of the 2008 Home Fundraisers. When you read their personal accounts, you will see the variety and creativity of their events.
Many of you have seen the DVD Journey to Nangchen and have been moved by the dedication of the Nuns, the strength of their devotion and the extreme physical conditions in which they practice. When I watch the DVD, I am struck by the joy and love they 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. And one day in the future, Rinpoche plans to bring some of these accomplished yoginis to the west.
At past retreats, many of you have signed up to hold a home fund-raiser for the Nuns. Maybe this is the year to hold your special event to benefit the Nuns. You have a great support system in place to answer any questions about holding an event and general guidelines. Plus, you have me to help you at any time during the process. I love contacting you all and providing assistance when needed.
This year I turn 60, and I’m inspired by Lynne Anne Miles’ story about having a birthday party and inviting her community to view the Journey to Nangchen. It’s a way of sharing love of the dharma with your community and raising money for the Nuns. This year, I plan to do the same in my hometown, Sun Valley, Idaho.
I encourage you to gather your friends and community members together and show the DVD Journey to Nangchen. It’s fun and easy. You can make your event informal and small, or throw a big bash. I will send you materials that are guidelines and that will support your event planning. You can hold an event in the manner that is most comfortable for you! If you’d like more information, please e-mail me at maryann@pundarika.org, and I will be happy to help you in any way that I can.
The much anticipated feature-length film about the Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns, Blessings, will be released this spring. Please visit the Blessings film page on the Pundarika web site for a glimpse!
Blessings,
Mary Ann Chubb
P.S. Please read the inspiring accounts of home fundraiser hosts below!
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From Gail Tiefenbach
Saskatchewan, Canada
“I first viewed the Journey to Nangchen at the end of a six-day retreat with Tsoknyi Rinpoche at Spirit Rock, in California last spring. With a mind that was still and a heart that was open, the Nuns’ practices and Rinpoche’s commitment to their well-being touched me deeply. I naturally just “had to” contribute $108 to get a copy of the movie and bring it home to dharma friends on the prairies. I had the great good fortune to show the DVD at two short retreats I was attending in October. One was a Vipassana retreat and the other a Green Tara Puja retreat. Similar to my first viewing of the movie, the retreatants who saw it had still minds and open hearts. People were visibly touched by the meaning of the Nuns’ practices and by the superb quality of rare footage. It was special to me that the Tibetan monk giving the Green Tara Puja referenced the movie several times. He pointed out the Tara practice we were doing was as the Nuns were chanting in parts of the DVD. This gave us extra special motivation to practice sincerely. The tender bottom line of showing the DVD—people were so happy to have the opportunity to be generous. And, I would guess that in some way, they felt the significance of the glowing activity in the Tsoknyi nunneries—activity that is helping to keep the flame of the Dharma alive.”
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From Lynne Anne Miles
Albany, California
“I learned about the work of the Pundarika Foundation when Tsoknyi Rinpoche came to Spirit Rock in Woodacre, California, last summer. He talked about his work with the Nangchen Nuns and showed the documentary Journey to Nangchen. I felt humbled and inspired by these Nuns’ lives. I brought home a brochure from which I cut out some photos of the nuns. I placed these photos next to my meditation cushion and in the days that followed, I felt new life come into my practice. It was then that I got the idea that, with my 56th birthday coming up in a couple of months, I could give a party for both myself and the Nuns. I asked that in lieu of gifts, people could bring donations for the Nuns Preservation Project.
“The whole experience was a teaching in Dana. My thought was to give to the nuns, but I had no idea how much I would be getting in return. The gift for me began as I prepared for the party and got to learn about the Nuns in a deeper way. Then, the experience of inviting people to the party surprised me by how opening it was. It became a huge, open sangha where I invited old friends, new friends, neighbors, and people from all of my spiritual communities; people I might not have invited to a regular birthday party. The party became an opportunity for people to learn about the Nuns, their way of life, and open up to their teachings.
“We showed the film four different times over the course of the whole day and evening, with different groups of people each time. This was an amazing experience—a direct transmission from the Nuns to us that was deeper than just the narrative of their story. Their practice of the dharma and their Buddha-like nature touched me and my community who watched. Seeing the film over and over, every time with a slightly different group, opened up new levels of the message for me. The discussions that developed with these diverse communities after we viewed film allowed me to articulate the effect the Nuns’ practice was having on me. It caused me to really think about the place that they have come to occupy in my life and practice. Additionally, the responses of my friends opened up a different type of discourse that I feel grateful to have been a part of.
“The Dana basket itself was a source of joy. It overflowed with contributions that ranged from $1 to $100 dollars. No one felt any pressure to give, and instead everyone was inspired to have an experience of true generosity. In the end, I was able to donate more than $800 dollars, including money that has come to me since the party. Knowing the effect that such a contribution could have in the life of the Nuns has continued to nurture me. The gifts of this party turned out to be for me, for my community, and for the nuns.”
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From Kay Luthi
Napa, California
“Despite the cold and rainy December day, 35 people attended “A Day of Meditation and Qigong.” We found inspiration from words that accompanied one of the donations: “May all universal Blessings manifest and unfold on behalf of the Nangchen Nuns of Tibet.” Our motivation for the day was set.
“The qigong and meditation instruction created a balanced and calming environment that is so necessarily needed in these difficult times. One student wrote that she continued to feel the peaceful effects for several days afterwards. Many participants said that they would like to have another day of meditation and qigong soon.
“People opened their hearts as well as their checkbooks. Many of the participants had already seen the video, Journey to Nangchen, but most watched it again. The video was a poignant reminder of the day’s purpose. More donations were made after viewing the video. There was a sense of gratitude and honor felt because through our collective effort, we were helping to preserve Tibet’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
“Bringing together a large group of people entails considerably more planning than inviting a few people, but a large group has two significant benefits: First, the total donations will be greater, but even more important than money is the sense of community that is created. There was a truly joyous nature to our group.”
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From Chimae Say
Davis, California
“Being a vehicle to benefit these Nuns, if only for a day, brought a wondrous and unusual expansion in my heart and in my being. For inexplicable reasons only women showed up, except for the single male who helped with sound and heat. He was a lifesaver. The group was rich in depth and heartfelt intention—the feminine aspect of the dharmakaya and boundless compassion so present in the room. We moved like a single wave through chi kung, meditation, sounding, and the beauty of practicing for the Nangchen Nuns. When I saw them again in the DVD, when I heard their voices, I felt struck open by this female embodiment of the primordial. Their presence is such a light in this world! I feel their benefit to me and to all. Kay and I were asked to give another daylong. I feel blessed for such an opportunity.”
(Kay and Chimae collaborated on the day-long meditation and qigong retreat.)
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The purpose of the newsletter is to 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 what needs to be raised to reach our goal of fully funding the $2.6 million Endowment Fund. We’ll try to keep you up to date about the state of the Nangchen nunneries and the information gathered about each of their specific needs. Rinpoche makes the necessary decisions to allocate financial and physical resources towards remedying the situation.
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Read the first issue of the Home Fund-raiser Mini-Newsletter below!
Click here for the June 2008 Nangchen Nuns update
Welcome to the first issue of the Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns Mini-Newsletter!
Mary Ann Chubb, Home Fundraiser Coordinator
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! I 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-aiser 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 fundraiser. 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 fundraiser 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 fundraiser 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 Fundraisers
A travelogue excerpt from Brady and Neil Hogan’s trek through Nangchen during the summer of 2007:
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
