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Ladakh Nuns Association proposal to the Dharma Gaia Trust: May 14th , 2004
Given the opportunity, Buddhist women practitioners could make a tremendous contribution to peace and harmony in Ladakhi society. Even today, we find many accomplished nuns and lay women practioners who are dedicated to the Buddha Dharma. It is therefore important to nurture their talent and dedication, and create the opportunities for them to benefit society.
In an attempt to rejuvenate this dying tradition and to provide opportunities for the nuns to study, practice and improve their living situations, Dr. Tenzin Palmo established the Ladakh Nuns Association (LNA) in 1996. (It was officially registered in 1997). In 1993, she became the first Ladakhi nun trained in traditional Tibetan medicine when she graduated from the Tibetan Medical Institute (Men-Tsee-Khang) in Dharamsala. Since 1994, she has been working to help the Ladakhi nuns. She has the support of His Holiness Redzong Sras Rinpoche, who now serves as the LNA patron.
The LNA's numerous activities have led to an increase in the number of Ladakhi nuns. At present in Ladakh, there are about 1000 nuns and 10 functioning nunneries. However, many of the nuns still have no choice but to live with their families. The LNA is working to change this situation by – when able - continually building new nunneries throughout Ladakh.
The LNA centre was completed in 2002. It houses the central office of the LNA and can accommodate up to 60 students for workshops, trainings and short courses. Promotion of the use of solar power and other products which capitalize on renewable energy resources is encouraged at both the LNA center and at its nunneries.
The LNA's primary vision is for the nuns of Ladakh to act as Dharma teachers, active social workers and Amchis (Tibetan Medicine practitioners) within their communities. An Amche School was opened in July 2001 and traditional Tibetan medicine is regularly distributed to LNA nuns and staff. (The LNA currently buys traditional medicine from an association in Ladakh, and collects mountain herbs in the summertime).
Two of LNA's main projects are:
• To complete the building and development of the nunnery at Thiksey, about 20 kilometres from the capital city, Leh.
• To independently establish a larger LNA herb garden and to produce our own traditional remedies and pills.
Both of these projects require additional funding for the period beginning in late 2004, and continuing into 2005.
Thiksey Nunnery:
The nunnery in Thiksey is currently being built and they have an extensive property with access to abundant natural water. The planting of trees, vegetables and herbs on the bare land would not only improve the quality of life and diet of the nuns, but would also move them closer to the LNA's goal of self-sufficient nunneries.
The planting of apple and apricot trees, as well as poplar and willow trees would be managed by the nuns. They are in need of funding for the leveling of the land, fencing, the digging materials, as well as for the purchase of the tree seeds.
LNA Herb Garden:
The land for the herb garden has been donated. It is located in the mountains of Ladakh and needs much work. Before planting can begin, the ground needs to be leveled, a fence needs to be built around it, and a reservoir needs to be created to channel the spring water. The LNA would also need to train two people to plant and take care of the herb garden, and transportation would be necessary for them as there is no accommodation available where the herb garden is located.
INITIAL PROJECT & OVERVIEW
report by Jill Jameson - September 05
DGT project with Ladakh Nuns Association: planting of fruit and timber trees at Ridzong and Skidmang Nunneries.
This project arose from a DGT proposal for LNA nunneries in June 2001, and a review visit was made to both Ridzong and Skidmang nunneries in September 2005, by Jill and Graeme Jameson. The review included discussing project outcomes with the nuns, as well as by looking at the progress of the trees and the green-house.
Skidmang Nunnery: Willow and poplar trees have been planted around the village community centre, and a green-house constructed for cultivation of vegetables in a harsh climate at an altitude of 13,000 feet. Much appreciation for this project was expressed by the Rinpoche, head of the nunnery, and the nuns. The trees had grown considerably over the last four years, and there was a good water supply being channelled to the trees from a nearby stream. The trees had been copiced and the harvested wood was being used for firewood at the nunnery higher up the mountain at 16,000 feet, replacing the cow dung as fuel. The trees and vegetable garden are looked after both by the nuns and some of the village women. There has been an increase in the consumption of vegetables by the nuns since they are now cultivated in the village and taken up to the nunnery. Some vegetables are also shared with people in the village. These people have also been inspired by the green-house and several families have since constructed their own green-houses, which are made from mud brick sloping walls and a roof of plastic sheeting.
There was health worker training for six nuns in traditional Tibetan medicine. The nuns learnt how to understand the causes of illness, and how to take care of health of the local people and the nuns, such as through diet and living conditions.
Ridzong Nunnery: We met with the two nun managers of the nunnery on our visit to look at the apricot trees. Having initially planted out small trees, after four years the yield still was not great. This years crop was in the process of being harvested by the older nuns and laid out in a courtyard to dry. This is a valuable addition to the nuns diet, especially in winter. Apricot trees had been planted in three plots, and most were doing reasonably well. However, in one plot which had inadequate fencing, some of the trees had died and a few were struggling. The watering and care of the trees is mostly undertaken by a gardener, but the nuns assist on Sundays, their day off from Dharma and secular studies. The nuns are no longer growing barley for the monks in their nearby monastery.
In some of the plots, some willows were competing with the apricot trees, and probably should be removed. Some of the trees looked as though they had insufficient water, and we suggested mulching them with willow leaves, or straw if possible. This could both enrich the soil and minimise moisture loss. Some rubbish had been dumped in one of the plots apparently by tourists camping nearby. We talked with the nuns about a sign being placed to remind people to take their rubbish home.
The workshop on Buddhism and Ecology had not yet taken place, and unfortunately, the nuns program in September while we were there, was too busy for this to take place. Jill is to send some notes as a basis for this workshop. At an LNA Committee meeting, the need for increased ecological awareness was discussed, because even though much of Ladakhi life is grounded in traditional sustainable practices, these practices are being eroded by increasing consumerism.
Sept.05.
Dharma Gaia Trust Project for fruit and tree plantation at new nunnery for Thiksey Nuns: 2005.
Funds available: US$ 3,003, Rupees 129, 150
- Fruit trees:
Plant apricot and apple trees 6 – 9 feet apart in February or early March.
Small trees @ Rs.5-10 which will fruit in 4-5 years
Large trees @ Rs.3,000 which will fruit in one year.
- Poplars and willows- for firewood and building etc.
Plant poplars 3 feet apart and willows 9 feet apart, and interplant with Seabuck thorn shrubs which will fix nitrogen and so assist in the nutrition of the trees.
- Vegetable garden:
Additional soil will be required fro the vegetable garden.
Clay bricks, wood and plastic sheeting will be needed for the greenhouse., approximately 24 x 10 feet.
- Fencing:
Mud brick fence is regarded as being the cheapest. Plans at this stage are for a fence up to 5 feet high in order to keep animals out. The mud bricks are placed on a 2 foot high stone base, and the cost of mud bricks can be reduced by using open spacing (lattice pattern).. Also needed, will be a wooden framing for the footing, soil, cement, labour, transport and loading.
Priority for fencing will be given to the plantation end of the site. On one side of the site, as there are other buildings and a mani wall, so fencing will not be needed. In the short term with incomplete mud brick fencing, temporary fencing made from wooden stakes can be used to keep animals out.
Contingencies, such as fence cost estimates being based on current costings, which could rise, and there is only a short season for completing the work.
Note: In terms of ecological sustainability, care should be taken so that mud bricks do not come from areas which will contribute to soil depletion and loss of agricultural productivity. It would also be useful to see if stone fencing would be a better alternative.
- Advisor: The above information was mostly proved by Jorgyes from LEDeG, and he is willing to give further advice
- Budget:
| 1)Fruit and timber tree costs: |
| 3 large apricot trees @ Rs 3,000 |
9,000 |
| 10 small apricot trees @ Rs 10 |
100 |
| 5 small apple trees @ Rs 10 |
50 |
| 32 willows @ Rs 15 |
480 |
| 325 poplars @ Rs 15 |
4,875 |
| transport of trees |
2,000 |
| labour for digging holes for 380 @ Rs150/ day |
2, 850 |
| 2) Greenhouse construction: |
5,000 |
| |
|
| 3) Fencing, total height of 5 feet: |
| Mud brick fence, 3 feet high, on 2 feet stone footing, 338 feet long with soil, stone and cement capping |
| @ Rs 120 /foot |
40,560 |
| temporary fencing |
20,000 |
| ? labour costs included in Rs 120 /foot |
| Total costs: |
Rs 84,915 |
| Total funds available |
Rs 129,150 |
Of remaining funds, approx. Rs.45,000 this could be used for the following:
1) labour costs for building mud fence if not included;
2) 1 day workshop on Buddhism and ecology for nuns in Leh or at a couple of nunneries, for early Spring and with possible help from Wangyal and Women’s Alliance. ( Jill to send Buddhism and Ecology notes);
3) field collection of remedies.
26 Sept. 05
