The meditation cabin Khenpo Tenzin Thinley

HERE IS HOW THE PROJECT WAS BORN

In 2018 I visited several monasteries in Bhutan, participating in numerous rituals. A small, muffled world wedged between China and India, balanced between past and future, where prosperity comes before economic growth. Many products and foods are imported. Electricity is produced and sold. The number of tourists is limited, each traveler is taxed (you have to spend 250 dollars a day and 60 go to the state). Thanks to this income, education and health care are free. Bhutan is the only country in the world to have maintained Mahayana Buddhism as official religion. It houses over 525 Dhratsang monasteries, 144 reincarnated Lama, 800 Lhakang villages and 500 other private temples.

During this magical journey I met Khenpo (guide) Tenzin Thinley. Of him, I was struck by the brightness of his smile and the great calm, he did not evade the questions, even the most uncomfortable. I asked him if he missed his mother, when at the age of 7, he chose life in the monastery. He told me that, it had been a really hard separation.

A few months after my return to Switzerland the first project started: to build in an isolated area of Bhutan (near Pangkha, Wangdue Phodrang district), where nature inspires peace, a wooden cabin retreat for the meditative monk Tenzin and other poorer monks, who cannot afford to rent it. They needed 10 thousand francs for material, transportation and construction.

The collection starts at the end of January among friends in Ticino and around the world. In a few months we arrive to the necessary amount. In April khenpo Tenzin T. received the money and started the work. In October the structure was completed. Since November 2018 it is used.

The meditation cabin is used by the monks to prepare for the 3-year meditative retreat planned during their studies. Through isolation, meditation and concentration the mind becomes clearer and more receptive to the teachings. During meditative retreats, the monk learns to know his mind, to free himself from mental afflictions that hinder his path to enlightenment, such as anger or attachment. He has the supervision of his master. All qualities that the monk will then make available in listening and guiding the community.