Help Needed - Housing

Present Housing

When Sera Jey Ngari Khangtsen was first established in the 70-ies in Southern India, there was no prayer hall and 35 monks living in 8 rooms. Already then this meant overcrowding the rooms that were made to house 2 monks comfortably.

In 2007 we are already over 150 monks. The three metre by four metre rooms house 3-4 monks each. The overcrowded monks’ quarters are extremely detrimental to their wellbeing. Especially so for student monks, as who are expected to undertake at least 6 hours of private study each day.

June 2008: The Housing Project has started!

Please see our newsblog for more up to date details and pictures, and below for a short slide show!

(photo © Carla Vestin)

Monks who cannot be accommodated within the Khangtsen hostel (now the majority) are forced to live elsewhere. This has become a huge obstacle to the proper and effective conduct of the Khangtsen’s distinct religious and academic activities.

Monks who live externally are placed under a considerable amount of stress. Often they are constantly worried about meeting accomodation rental costs. Some get even more distracted from their studies, by trying to acquire funds in order to build a personal room.

(all photos © Sera Jey Ngari Khangtsen or Carla Vestin)
Click on picture above for next one...

If the Khangsten can provide the accomodation they requrie, any money they raised individually could be used to improve their health and hygiene or to buy course related books and materials.

It is imperative that monks follow a rigorous and intensive prayer and daily study schedule, so a comfortable, peaceful and conducive atmosphere is must. Any kind of day-to-day problems faced by them are a distraction and become obstacles to their academic and spiritual advancement i.e. meditation in the still of the night.

We are now forced to turn away many disadvantaged children as we cannot provide a roof over their head.

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The Housing Project has started!

Please see our newsblog for more up to date details and pictures, and below for a short slide show!

Objective

1. To solve the acute accommodation problem due to sharp increase in the numbers of rrivals and and the shortage of rooms for existing students.
2. To bring qualitative improvements in Khangsten academic activity
3. To provide a more conducive environment for health and academic progress.

Early this summer, we finally started our construction of the new building.

Land had already been donated by the Indian Government for this purpose and consecrated by the Lamas. It is situated outside the immediate center, and there is ample room and fresh air.
A recent visit by Venerable Namkha Rinpoche encouraged us to start with the planning and building of the site.

And it for this purpose we now ask you to help us with funds since we do not have a source of income other than donations!

Please help us help our studens and to improve their lives,
by sending us a donation to the Housing Project.