Tsum Valley Rachen Nunnery Service Project

An Opportunity to Cultivate our Buddhist Practice through Generosity

"This project is a tremendous opportunity to cultivate our Buddhist practice through generosity and accumulating merit on behalf of the 100+ sangha member community in Tsum Valley" – Geshe Tenzin Zopa

About the Tsum Valley Rachen Nunnery Service Project

We are grateful to our spiritual advisor, Geshe Tenzin Zopa, whose early life began in the sacred Tsum Valley. According to Geshe-la, this project is a tremendous opportunity to cultivate our Buddhist practice through generosity and accumulating merit on behalf of the 100+ sangha member community in Tsum Valley. Whoever gets involved, and engages willingly, will generate happiness for themself and countless others. This approach results in a pure dharma practice, so every effort is not wasted towards our contemplative study of the lam rim and meditation practice.

The Tsum Valley Rachen Nunnery Service Project is a voluntary initiative led by students of the Contemplative Studies Program. Our pledge is to raise $17,000 USD in support of the planting and irrigation system to establish a 500-tree apple orchard at the Rachen Nunnery along with needed infrastructure improvements to address accessibility for the elderly nuns at Rachen Nunnery and elderly monks at the Mu Monastery. Our group supports the preservation of Tibetan culture through the spirit of how we contribute to this project.

Service Project Initiatives:
1) Orchard of 500 Apple Trees

500 young apple tree saplings will be planted by residents of the sangha at Rachen Nunnery in service to the sangha and local ecosystem. Saplings will be native to the region with proven hardiness and market quality.

Funds Requested: $5,000.00
Funds Needed: December 2021
Project Commences: October 2022. Site preparation, installation of irrigation lines.
Purchase apple tree saplings: January 2022
Target Planting Date: January 2023
First Harvest: 2028

Service Project Initiatives:
2) Water Storage Tank and Irrigation

New Water Tank will be built to increase water storage capacity for daily water consumption at the nunnery during off-season periods, especially during winter months, plus support for a new drip irrigation system to service and sustain the apple orchard.

Funds requested: $7,000.00
Funds needed: January 2022
Project Commences: January 2022
Target completion date: October 2022

Service Project Initiatives:
3) Wheelchair Accessible Washrooms

Two wheelchair-accessible washrooms will be built (at Rachen Nunnery and at Mu Monastery) providing increased accessibility and privacy.
Funds Requested: $5,000.00
Funds Needed: December 2021
Project Commences: January 2022
Target Completion Date: October 2022

Benefits of an Apple Orchard

Provide a Source of Nutrition: Apples, often scarce or unavailable, will provide a supply of essential vitamins and minerals to sangha members.
EcoSystem Benefits: Efforts taken on by the nunnery in service to the valley’s stark ecosystem recognizes the importance of global reforestation and conservation efforts due to climate change, an initiative supported by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Market Opportunities and Future Source of Income: As the trees mature and the harvest increases, apples may be sold in a local market or in Kathmandu, providing the nunnery with a source of income previously unattainable.
Beautification: The orchard will beautify the nunnery grounds and provide a welcoming study retreat for many sangha members and visitors for years to come as access to the valley increases.
Local Management:The nunnery’s management team, with project expertise by the Nunnery Manager, will oversee the project. Resident nuns will maintain the orchard.

Manifest the Vision of an Apple Orchard at Tsum Valley Rachen Nunnery

$17,000 raised

Our Goal: $17,000

Together We Become Bodhisattvas

Reaching our fundraising goal of $17,000 in just four short months is reason to CELEBRATE! What an incredible show of generosity from the CSP community on behalf of the 100+ sangha member community in Tsum Valley.

AS WE WINTER IN PLACE, we'll pause all fundraising activities and rejoice in the merits of those donors, both past and future, who have given so generously or those who are inspired by service, will derive the benefits of a meaningful life.