In this video, Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche shows us around his damaged, but still very beautiful Shechen Monastery in Boudanath,  two weeks after the first 7.9 earthquake on 25th April, and a day before the second 7.4 earthquake on May 12.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9orUAlwM0c&feature=youtu.be

About the Video:

The constant roar of relief helicopters and huge cargo planes carrying supplies to desperate people in remote areas made sound recording very difficult. The monastery looks like a very different place than its usual bustling self, as some 300 monks rotate in and out of relief duty in worst affected areas.  Nepal is hurting.

So is our monastery. Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche takes us on a tour of the monastery, showing the cracked walls and broken floors, inside and out. He chats with his little monks in the ‘lobdra’ (lower school) about how they are feeling after the earthquake. Naturally they are worried about their families and homes.  Thousands of people took refuge in the monastery grounds after the first quake, and were fed and cared for by Shechen’s monks, many of whom had received emergency preparedness, first aid and sustainability training.

By May 10th, the make-shift Shechen camp, that had been home to several thousand following the first earthquake, was being cleared and cleaned up. Things once again were quiet when another major quake shook Nepal, mid-day May 12th, and again the people poured in, too afraid to risk entering their own homes. Three weeks since the first quake the country still shakes and rattles, and people have no sense of firm ground under their feet.  The monastery must continue to help where it can outside, and at the same time, remember its role as a center for spiritual care for many people. The monks must return to their classes, and the planning and preparation for what will surely be a long, arduous and expensive period of reconstruction and restoration of the main lhakhang (temple) and various out-buildings must get underway. 

The relief efforts of the monastery to date have been made possible by the generous contributions of concerned friends around the world. Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche and everyone associated with Shechen are deeply grateful.  At the same time, Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche and our Abbot, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, feel they must tell you that the restoration of this great monastery, as well as continued relief efforts to the devastated country, will only be possible with your continued support. They pray that with your help, they will be able to carry out all this important work, and that because of your generous spirit, your merit will grow and blessings will abound for all. Thank you, everyone.

Please consider donating to Shechen Monastery for relief efforts and rebuilding at shechen.org/donate. Donations should be marked “Earthquake Fund”.

Text by Lucy Needham

Filmed and edited by Liam Kelley

Produced by Lucy Needham in Nepal