Tekchen Lekshey Ling
Dechen is in the very fortunate position of being closely associated with a monastic institution. Karma Thinley Rinpoche founded Tekchen Lekshey Ling nunnery in1988, located close to the Great Stupa at Bodhanath, Kathmandu Nepal. There are around 20 nuns resident in Tekchen Lekshey Ling. The nuns abide by the vows of monastic discipline and perform extensive daily, monthly and yearly cycles of prayers and rituals for the benefit of all sentient beings. The nunnery follows the ritual cycles of the Karma Kagyu Tradition, with some extra rituals from the Sakya Tradition, as well as the special Chöd lineage coming from Jamgon Kongtrül Lodro Thaye. The nunnery serves the local Tibetan and Nepali Buddhist community in the area, meaning that people wishing to support the nunnery or sponsor rituals come and make donations and/or request prayers and rituals to be performed on their behalf. This is for auspiciousness and the accumulation of merit as well as for various specific reasons, especially at the time of a death or serious illness, or for the prevention or removal of obstacles. The prayers and rituals are usually carried out at the nunnery, but the nuns are also sometimes invited to recite them in the homes of local families.
Karma Thinley Rinpoche has recently established a retreat facility connected to the nunnery. It is located in Parping, a place sacred to Padmasambhava and Vajrayogini, on the southern edge of the Kathmandu valley. The nuns from Tekchen Lekshey Ling now have the opportunity to practice longer retreats in peaceful and spiritual surroundings.
To maintain a monastic tradition means to uphold and sustain the three jewels and to contribute towards the continuation and preservation of Buddhism. Dechen makes a significant annual contribution to the running of Tegchen Legshey Ling, and also all the services of the nunnery are available to members of the Dechen Sangha. Anyone wishing to make donations or wanting more information, please contact info@dechen.org. Anyone wishing to request prayers and rituals to be performed at the nunnery on their behalf can do so by contacting Kunga at wien@dechen.org.
