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THE BUILDING
The old building was the first place where monks lived and shared. For more than 20 years, it was the only building in Nalanda and where all the activities took place. The monks lived, gathered, prayed, studied, contemplated and meditated here.
It is also the place where we received the visit of incredible teachers such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Yeshe, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Khandrola Rinpoche, the Ganden Tripa, etc.
Our study programs started in the small gompa where our beloved abbots and resident teachers inspired us with their compassion and wisdom: Geshe Jampa Thekchok, Geshe Jampa Gyatson, Geshe Tashi Tsering, Geshe Jhampel, Geshe Sonam, Geshe Gyaltsen and Geshe Graham.
PRESERVING THE HEART OF OUR MONASTERY
Help us renovate the first building of Nalanda, where everything started more than 40 years ago!
In the past 40 years, following the advice of our precious teachers, Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, our monastery has been offering a conducive and appropriate environment for western monks, nuns and students from all over the world to study, contemplate and meditate in the Buddha Dharma.
As a Buddhist Monastery, Nalanda is an abode of harmony, peace and tranquility. It is a place where people are devoted to a life of ethical values, love, compassion and wisdom from where they work for the benefit of all living beings.
In the present time of great material development, hectic lifestyles and increasing violence, there is a great need for places where people can learn how to cultivate their positive human qualities, where they find answers to essential questions such as how to deal with negative emotions and find inner happiness and peace of mind.
By offering studies in Buddhist philosophy to a great number of monks, Nalanda provides for the increasing need of qualified Dharma teachers in the western world. Knowledgeable monks and nuns continue to teach the practice of compassion, wisdom and non-violence and how to become a better person. They work in all aspects of society, assisting schools, prisons, hospices, etc. They also share their experience with psychologists, scientists, doctors and teachers.
It is only due to the existence of monasteries like Nalanda, that the ancient wisdom of the great masters can be preserved in a living tradition and continue to be passed onto future generations. Since the time of the Buddha until the present day it is the monastic communities who take on the responsibility of keeping the Buddha’s teachings alive in an unbroken lineage.
THE PROBLEM
Right now, the old building needs huge improvements and renovation. The conditions are getting to a stage that needs attention. The increasing problems with humidity has created unhealthy conditions in some areas of the building, especially in the small gompa.
The structure needs attention as cracks in the walls become bigger and more worrying. Besides, following our vision to become sustainable and help combat climate change, we need to invest in double glazing and better insulation for the cold and the heat.
As an old building, the sound insulation is not appropriate for the monks to practice and study. Therefore, to create better acoustics is one of the areas that needs improvement as well.
THE SOLUTION
We want to continue offering and providing a supportive environment to study, practice, serve and inspire all sentient beings under the guidance of our Spiritual Director, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Therefore, with this complete renovation, we aim to:
- To preserve the precious places where incredible teachers taught and lived;
- To provide better living conditions for our resident teachers and monks;
- To expand the small gompa:
- to host our next FPMT Masters Program, like that our 2 study programs (FPMT Basic and Masters Program) can run parallel to each other, creating more synergy and community feeling as all the community will be following the same schedule every day;
- To create more rooms that can accommodate the needs of our programs, as meeting/study rooms;
- To cater for our growing community, as part of the rooms could be used either by monks or by students;
TIMELINE
The project involves 3 phases:
Phase 1
Nov 22 - May 24
Small gompa & rooms above
Cost: 380,000€
Phase 2
Jan 25 - Sept 25
Kitchen area & rooms above
Cost: To be confirmed
Phase 3
Jan 26 - Sept 27
Entrance area & rooms above
Cost: To be confirmed
Our immediate needs are for Phase 1 which has recently started. In early November 2022, we have sent all the necessary documents for a building permit and now we are in a RUSH for your support to secure the conclusion of this phase 1.
So we are asking for your contribution and help to raise 350,000€ today!
We need your help!
When you support Nalanda, you help the western sangha community to grow in wisdom and compassion. You help each monk, nun, student, volunteer and visitor to get an imprint that will benefit them in countless lifetimes.
Nalanda brings about amazing change because the hearts of those involved – our monks, students, staff members, our volunteers and, you, our supporters – are all in. We know that everyone who brings our vision to life does so with the intention of bettering the lives of others, and the world at large.
As a member of our community, you are part of this endeavor. We could not be more grateful for your commitment to the dharma and all sentient beings. We are writing to thank you, and to ask you to help us do even more by considering to make a gift today:
All your donations can be tax deductible in France. If you have any questions or doubts, please send us an email to director@nalanda-monastery.eu.
Your contribution is very much appreciated and we thank you for your generosity. The support of the lay community is very important to the existence of the monastery. We hope you will visit us and be able to participate in our activities and community life.
May all your dharma wishes be fulfilled immediately and you have a long and healthy life!
With deepest gratitude,
The Nalanda Monks and Community
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