Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche gave the name Machig Labdron for the nunnery project in 2002 at the request of Ven Tardu. I offered my service to Rinpoche to further the project in 2016. Midway through construction plans for two story building near our cabins, Ian Green offered us the flat pad that had been used for big retreats. It was perfect. Planning approval and construction were complete in April 2025.
Geshe Rabten advised that the full nunnery consecration would need the gompa complete with a consecrated Buddha statue. We ordered a beautiful Buddha through Kopan with a set of rolled mantras. The statue was filled and consecrated here. We built an altar, desks and arranged the many beautiful thangkas and statues that had been offered to us. Our gompa was first blessed by His Eminence Ling Rinpoche who approved the names “Yeshe Gompa” and “Zopa Ling” for the accomodation. And a month later His Eminence Jhado Rinpoche also accepted tea and rice and gave blessings and kind advice, before the Kalachakra dharma program at the Great Stupa and Atisha Centre.
The nunnery consecration took place mid July over three days. It was a joyous occasion and an opportunity to reflect on our founding lamas great kindness and the present kindness of the teachers, benefactors and many supporters assembled. Tara Institute’s long serving Geshe Doga, was Vajra Master which was fitting as he was also Atisha Centre’s first Geshe. We laughed along with his many lovely stories of those early times and appreciated his praise for Ian and Judy Green’s long decades of effort. He praised the Green family gift of land – a giving that gives so much ongoing return, much more than selling the land. Geshe Rabten, our kind guide through many years of the project, expressed his joy to have the nunnery complete with six resident nuns. We had 21 sangha including Geshe Zopa as umze for the first day and a total of 90 guests each of three days. Atisha courtyard was the lunch venue and both Atisha Centre and the Karen Buddhist Community provided daily lunch, on behalf of the nunnery, for the guests. Clear blue skies and winter sun provided a welcome backdrop for the consecration and pujas, a powerful blessing and joyful gathering.
Tenzin Tsapel
Director Machig Labdron Nunnery
