Yushu Earthquake and relief trip

Barom Kagyu is deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake at Yushu, the Tibetan plateau. Rinpoche requested all his students, supporters and friends to pray for all the earthquake victims, and if possible to offer financial support to relief efforts for the monks, nuns and lay people directly affected by this devastation.

 The students and supporters rallied and responded marvelously to his appeal and subsequently raised substantial sums of money. The successful fund raising appeal enabled Rinpoche to make a trip to his Chodrak monastery (Yushu).

Humanitarian Relief Trip to Chodrak:

Rinpoche, with a small retinue from Australia, Vietnam and Hong Kong, drove towards Yushu and saw a few tents, then more, then hundreds more. There were approximately 180,000 Tibetans living in tents now with no water, toilets or jobs. Many suffered appalling injuries and lost all their families.

Chodrak hit hard by the China earthquake (taken by Rinpoche)

Rinpoche, with a small retinue from Australia, Vietnam and Hong Kong, drove towards Yushu and saw a few tents, then more, then hundreds more. There were approximately 180,000 Tibetans living in tents now with no water, toilets or jobs. Many suffered appalling injuries and lost all their families.

Rinpoche visited one of the gatherings of tents and met with Tibetan leaders and distributed the relief money. Also, Rinpoche received many visitors at the tent set up on his brothers’ land and distributed more aid to more victims.

 Relief funds distributed and signatures (finger-printed) taken from earthquake victims.

Rinpoche visited the Chodrak nunnery he built:

After hours of driving along a dirt road, up grass hillsides and over the crest of a hill, Rinpoche saw the spectacular sight of Chodrak Nunnery, with the new Meditation Hall in the centre and huts on either side.

 Upon arrival, the nuns were dressed in ceremonial robes in front of the new Meditation Hall, parading with drums, trumpets and flags. After Rinpoche went inside we followed and I saw the beautiful Hall that has just finished being built, thanks to years of hard work by Rinpoche’s students raising funds.

A huge Shakyamuni Buddha statue (and one thousand small ones around the walls) towers over the gompa. It is beautiful and clean and accommodates all the nuns for their daily prayers and practices.

khatas for all, nuns and Tibetan community of Chodrak, followed by Mandala offering.

Rinpoche paid respect to his teachers:

Rinpoche paid respects to his teacher & Barom Kagyu lineage holder, His Eminence Saljey Rinpoche at Chodrak monastery. His Eminence is in life retreat and rarely grants audience.

An emotional paying respect to his root guru, the late lama Yeshe RabJey (replica statue).

Rinpoche takes a breather (Chodrak monastery).  Who is that Australian cowboy riding a Yak.

Squalid conditions of the 3 year retreat at the Nunnery:

The 3-year retreat site and the Chodrak Nuns currently undertaking the demanding retreat.

If you would like to donate towards the improvement of the Chodrak nuns living conditions, please write to barom.kc@gmailcom and make direct deposits into:

Bank:                     ANZ

BSB:                       017-042

Account no:            506941334

Your generosity is greatly appreciated.