NYEMA Projects, Inc. | Fire Destroys Kala Rongo Shrine Hall
October 2004
On October 25, 2004, the nuns of Lama Norlha Rinpoche’s monastery in Kala Rongo, who have worked so hard for many years to build and furnish their monastery and retreat house, went through the devastating experience of watching their shrine hall burn to the ground. All the statues, paintings, decorations and ritual implements were lost, and the building is a total ruin. Thankfully, no one was hurt in the fire, and the living quarters, monastic college, children’s school and retreat facility were not damaged. But in addition to the material loss of the building and many precious Dharma objects, the community of more than 300 nuns has lost its space for group meetings and practice.
Pending rebuilding of the shrine hall, which is expected to take at least two years, the shrine room in Kala Rongo’s monastic college is temporarily serving the entire monastery. Lama Norlha Rinpoche has sent emergency funds to help provide food and other immediate necessities, but more assistance is needed.
The nuns at Kala Rongo have always been utterly serious and devoted to
Dharma activity, and are now applying themselves to the task of
rebuilding and refurnishing their shrine hall. We will keep you informed
about the situation, how the nuns continue to cope with this disaster,
and Lama Norlha Rinpoche’s ongoing plans to overcome all obstacles.
Thanks to your generous support, reconstruction of the Kala Rongo shrine
hall is near completion.
More photos of the devastation.
Any donation to these projects is meaningful and deeply appreciated. All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law. Thank you for your concern and generosity.
