Oyangaa's Story
Our Gobi trip ended at Khamariin Khiid where Sukhee and I took our companions on the Standard Tour. My main interest, however, was to get to Sainshand and meet and photograph some of the young women for whom we are seeking sponsorship to receive deeper Buddhist training in India. Now that the Nyingma texts have been printed and offered, sending these young women is the major project to accomplish this fall. I’d like to start talking about it with you by sharing one beautiful story.
We waited a little while in the Danzan Ravjaa Museum, chatting with Altangerel, when in walked a shy girl with her mother. I asked if she were one of the candidates for the India group. Her mother said yes. I asked her name and age, and her mother said, “Ganoyangaa. She’s 14.” And then I asked if going to India was her idea or her mother’s idea. Her mother started to answer...and I gently and politely dismissed her mother.
Oyangaa – for that’s her nickname – relaxed a little, and said it was her idea to go to India.
“But why?” I asked. “You’re so young and India’s so far away.”
“Because,” she immediately replied, “that’s the way you get a good mind. A mind filled with compassion.”
Um, exactly. How did that idea get in her 14-year old head?
I asked her, “Is that your idea, or did you hear or read that somewhere?”
To my alarm, her lips quivered, and her eyes filled with tears. I asked, was she OK? Yes. Was I making her nervous? No. Could she tell me what was making her feel emotional?
Oyangaa got a hold of herself and said, “I just feel this. I've been thinking about it for a few years. Compassion and love are the most important things.”
OK, now I’m blinking back the tears. I switched to a lighter subject.
“Do you have a favorite Buddha?”
She thought for just a second and said, “Not really. I like every Buddha. I really don’t see any difference.”
Later, when I asked them if they had any questions, she raised her hand. “We’re definitely going to get to become nuns, right?”
“You sure you want to cut off that nice hair?”
“Yes. I’m sure.”
“Then yes, you’ll definitely have a chance. But you have to study for a couple of years first and try it out. If you still want to, and you’re under 21, you can, but you have to get your parents’ permission, OK?”
“OK.”
Guess who made the Junior Bodhisattva squad? This one:
These are the kind of young women that Altangerel has selected to be real trailblazers in Mongolia’s Buddhist revival. In 2009, he intends to rebuild the Khamar women’s temple called Toinag Datsan. Before its destruction during the Stalinist purges in the late 30's, it had an excellent reputation for the quality of its practitioners. He feels these young women should be given the best training for several years before they return as the first residents of the reconstruction of this famous institution. He thinks it’s what Danzan Ravjaa would have wanted.
Thus, we plan to send them to HH Penor Rinpoche’s Tsogyal Shedrup Dargyeling Nunnery in south India. It’s simply the best of its kind, and you have to understand how rare a chance this is for these women. Even after 17 years of democratic freedoms, there are maybe 25 nuns in the whole country, and only one nunnery, Dolma Ling, renovated and run by FPMT. To send ten young women to India is unprecedented.
And we want to give you the chance to help them make history. Counting donations and pledges, we are about halfway toward sponsoring the whole group, and I hope you feel inspired to help us get all the way and beyond. To sponsor the international travel, first set of robes (as a provisional nun at first, not a lifetime commitment), and some basic necessities for a devoted young woman like Oyangaa, with a little left over for a collective Health Care Fund, costs $1000. It’s very important that we complete the fundraising before the November 1 Lha Bab Duchen holiday!
There are some of you who could sponsor one nun, there are some who could sponsor several. This is marvelous if you can and we welcome it, but rest assured, no gift is too small. Any amount goes directly toward fulfilling these young women’s dreams to live a life completely devoted to the Buddhist path to enlightenment, and to bring their knowledge and skills back to Mongolia and further its Buddhist renaissance.
If you are moved to make a tax-deductible contribution to this effort, there are two ways to do so. The first is to make a secure, online offering with a credit card. Just click here, fill out the information, and be sure to type “Mongolian Nuns’ Sponsorship” in the comment box. Or if you prefer, send a check made out to “KPC Mongolian Buddhism Revival Project.” Write “Mongolian Nuns’ Sponsorship” in the memo line and send it to: KPC, 18400 River Road, Poolesville, MD 20837, ATTN: Treasurer.
There is little that’s closer to my heart, and I thank you so much.
allow me to say:before the Lha Bab Duchen, it´s more tibetan - - 31th it´s a lit bit harry potter.
Posted by: everybody | October 02, 2007 at 12:08 PM
This is really great. The rebirth of Buddhism in Mongolia in a big way...
Posted by: palzang | October 02, 2007 at 12:49 PM
'everybody' is clearly a more astute marketer than I. Before the Lha Bab Duchen holiday on November 1 it is!
Posted by: Konchog | October 02, 2007 at 07:02 PM
wow. i'm blinking back tears in o'hare right now. good thing i'm in a kiosk with walls. just amazing. when i get a job and some of my bills paid off, i'd love to help. but for now, i hope all is well with you and the kitties. peace, L
Posted by: lisa | October 06, 2007 at 08:12 AM