PARAMITA CHARITABLE TRUST

A Project Towards

The Preservation of Traditional Himalayan Culture and Customs

JANGCHUB CHOLING NUNNERY

The Nunnery is located in Labrang, a remote and mountainous village along the ancient trade route between India and Tibet, 3 hours by road to Tibet’s western border near Mount Kailash. The culture and customs of the people in Labrang support the faith and practice of Vajrayana Buddhism.

Families continue the tradition of encouraging unmarried daughters to become nuns. The nuns take care of the community temple and participate in its regular activities of prayers and pujas. However, until today, the nuns continue to depend on their families for livelihood and support. They help with household chores and in return receive staples, food and fuel for their winter retreat.

Winter is the only time the nuns have for study and Dharma cultivation. Due to this limitation, more and more girls and young women aspiring to become nuns are leaving Labrang village to join nunneries elsewhere. If this trend continues, it will affect the future of the Buddhist community in Labrang. Therefore, at the request of the village elders, Paramita Charitable Trust agreed to help build a nunnery where nuns can devote their life to study and cultivation of their vocation. In this way preserve Labrang’s tradition and culture.

Construction begun in the May 2022. The process of construction is relatively slow because of the long winters from October to April, and the very wet summer monsoons.

As at March 2024, construction of the building’s super-structure is finished. The building has 3 floors. The two lower floors of accommodation for 14 nuns include showers, toilets, a dining area and a kitchen. Plumbing work, electrical wiring, flooring, installation of sanitary and kitchen equipment and fixtures, and painting of the nuns’ quarters remain to be done. These work are scheduled to start at the beginning of May 2024.

The 3rd floor is the main temple. Walls, doors and windows, flooring, plumbing and electrical work, painting and temple artwork have to be done. Work will begin at the same time as the two lower floors. Orders must soon be placed for the main temple’s statues which are a 10 feet Lord Buddha, a Chenrezig and a Green Tara statue, both of 8 feet each.

Paramita Charitable Trust continues to appeal for donations to complete all works including the statues and furnishing of the main shine hall. Any amount is appreciated.

It is our hope and aim to open the Temple and Nunnery on Lha Bab Duchen, 2025 November 11.

– Report Dated: 2024 March 27