Shechen Winter Newsletter Covid Update

April 18th, 2020  |  Published in NEWS

Shechen Winter Newsletter: Covid-19 Update
Dear Friends of Shechen,
At this difficult time of global crises, we would like to update you on the status of our teachers, students, and activities.The global crises began around the time of Shechen’s annual two-months vacation. Now only 30 adults and 60 children remain in the Nepal monastery. The shedra and school are not in session.

Daily prayers are held in small groups with social distancing observed and younger monks’ temperatures are checked daily.  The Tsering Art School artists who remained in the monastery continue their work painting the main temple’s frescoes.  Rinpoche has encouraged all the monks to use the newly upgraded basketball court for exercise and relaxation. 

Rinpoche established a small store on the grounds of the monastery in Nepal (there is already one in Bhutan), enabling the monks to buy supplies they need without going outside the monastery grounds. He has also encouraged the nunneries and monastery to plant their own vegetable gardens
 
The monks were trained on how to wash hands, social distancing, and how to keep safe (see video below). In case of an outbreak of the virus in the monastery, Rinpoche arranged for special rooms with private bathrooms for infected monastics.

Shechen’s “always-prepared” Eco Group members have special protective gear if needed for an emergency. We hope none of this will be needed, but we are prepared!

Thank you Rinpoche for your strong, swift, wise, and compassionate leadership.
Teachers’ News
After ensuring that the Nepal monastery was safe and in lockdown, Rabjam Rinpoche and family safely returned to Bhutan in late-March. He has been in quarantine in his home, and is in constant communication with the Shechen monks and nuns, even those on vacation, through WeChat and telephone. As of this writing, Bhutan has had very few cases of the virus and the country is in strictly enforced lockdown.
Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche continues to reside in Singapore where he is caring for his father, Chokling Rinpoche.
March Drupchens and Sacred Dances
This year the annual ceremonies were held as usual but on an abridged schedule.  The drupchens were closed except for a steady group of practitioners who were carefully monitored before entering the temple. The Shechen Clinic staff and the Shechen Eco Group set up information booths and checkpoints throughout the grounds. 

The public performance of the sacred dances (cham) was canceled, as were the graduation ceremonies and celebrations. 
What Happens Next
Like everyone in the world, we must wait and see when it is safe for various activities to resume. Once it is possible, construction will begin again at the monastery on the new monks’ quarters and hopefully for additional schoolrooms. This new school year will be exciting, as additional grades have been added to include high school. We will continue to need your generous help and support for Shechen’s nuns, monks, children and our activities.
 
You are all always in our prayers and we wish that you and your families keep safe and in good health during these challenging times. 
Adorable Video by Shechen Khenpo Shelnang Mugum
Starring Monks from the Shechen School