Could we help build a monastery?

Later that afternoon we are taken to see Nangsong Rinpoche, who is 24 years old. No one seems to know the actual English spelling of any of these names, so Tashi and I do our best with it. Anyway, he asks Jeffrey and I to sit next to him on the floor. I am to his right, Jeffrey next to me. Thank goodness, Jeffrey had just asked for instruction on how to properly greet all of these Lamas and Rinpoches we keep having the great blessing to be with. It is a new and different culture for him, as it is for Mr. Jain.

Tashi interprets as Rinpoche and I speak with each other. We are there for a long time and ask many questions of each other – mostly me of him. Coincidence?  Dear Jeffrey directs large non-profit building developments for a living.  I knew from the beginning that he was the person that I wanted to come on this journey with me, even though he isn’t a professional videographer.  So here we are sitting with Rinpoche.  I ask him what the nuns most need.  He tells me that, for the 600-800 nuns that are part of this nunnery, there is only housing for about 450 – 550.  They need housing!  Jeffrey and I look at each other.  Is this why he has come?  Later we tell Rinpoche and Jeffrey begins getting information about his vision of a new monastery where all of the nuns can live and pray together.

We will meet again tomorrow morning. He welcomes us graciously and says we can stay for as long as we like. Tibetan hospitality never fails to make one feel as though you are family.