Phongmoche Ngyur Karma Chyolin Monastery (Gompa) renovation program Historical background: Phongmoche Ngyur Karma Chyolin Monastery of Solukhumbu district, Dudhkunda Municipality, ward number one is one of the ancient historical Monastery of the district. The Monastery was build following the definition of Monastery described in ancient holistic text of Buddhism. Gompa means an isolated place located far away from people shelter i.e. villages and towns. It has been proved by the evidence from different religious text that since 16 th century, the place had been used as the Holi place Figure 1 Damage inside Monastery for the purpose of disseminating Buddhism as well as practicing Meditation, by different renowned Lama Gurus and monks. It was known that in ancient time, especially famous Gurus from Yonma traditions, Khyaapdak Karma Ngeton, Ugern Sangak Tengeen, Ngwang Sangk Tengeen, Njayagree Pema Chhewang, Ngwang Yonten Gyachho had practised meditation there. In past, the holy place had just a small Monastery and meditation room. In 1938 BS, with the continuous and tireless effort of Lama Newang Yonten Galchhe, constructed fully facilitated Monastery on the huge rock. The Monastery was designed with kitchen in right side and resident in left side. Now all these meditation centers which in past were used by renowned monk are left as the ruins and residues. As the Monastery was constructed on huge rock of the big cave, it was popular as Fugmochhe Gompa which means the Monastery on the big cave. Likewise, it was also named after the first monk of the Monastery Monk Khaapdak Karma Ngeton as Fugmochhe Ngagyur Karma Choling Volunteers to assist villagers in the Junbesi area with their restoration works over two 3 day sessions are factored into this trip. Appropriate tools to meet needs will be supplied. No formal work qualifications required by volunteer workers. As part of the project, the professional Keep Walking Nepal team together with graduates from Junbesi High School will organize some friendly social treks for the volunteers. This work / trek combination will provide volunteers with first-hand knowledge in the unique natural systems and cultural practices of areas visited and the ability to explore and experience remarkable mountain vistas not normally accessed by other tourist groups. Trekking through remote and rarely visited high mountain villages and isolated monasteries will act as an additional thank you for assistance given. We would love to have you on board to assist with this vital project, and to experience the splendor of our country. Objectives of re-construction of Monastery The main objectives behind the re-construction of this Monastery was to disseminate the Buddhism for the prosperity and benefit of the people. And to fulfill the same objective, in present the Monastery as a school is providing both Traditional Buddhist Education as well as Modern Academic Education in parallel to its students. Following the slogan Education for every one, the school plays vital and key role on providing quality and easily assayable education to the students. One of the main objectives of this school is to produce capable, qualified and competent citizen who can add their effort towards development of the nation, by providing quality and effective Buddhist as well as Modern Education including modern science and mythology. The few reasons behind the necessity of this Monastery can be listed as follows,
The Monastery is one of the most ancient, historical and religiously important Monastery in Eastern region. It is the religious practice center that is following Dakaar institution which comes under Yungmaa institution. It is continuously providing Monastery education system from then till today. It is the first district Monastery as a model education institution that is providing both traditional as well as modern education as combine education as per requirement of new era. This school not only provides education to the students of Solukhumbu but also provides education to neighboring districts like Okhaldhunga, Ramechhap, Dolkha, Khotang, Bhojpur etc. The one and only well managed school to provide uniform education to both monks as well as general students. Need to reconstruct Gampa as well as Gampa School As mentioned in the objectives, the Monastery School was established as educational and religious center of Sherpas as well as other Buddhists of Himalayan region of Nepal, it has great importance in this region. Only the few numbers of Monastery schools in Nepal, provides this kind of the traditional Buddhist as well as Modern Academic Education in parallel which again show the importance of this Monastery. Re-construction process Figure 2 Meeting with Head Lama for re-construction The re-construction of this Monastery and Himalayan Buddhism Study center will be done by using hybrid technology, by preventing its traditional looks and architecture at the same time by following the modern engineering techniques to make it earthquake resistance. The total physical infrastructure of the reconstructed Monastery school will be fully modern, feature rich and environmental friendly. Achievements from Re-construction To preserve Monastery with ancient, historical and religious importance. To preserve the traditional Buddhist religious text books as well as antic sculpture that is having archaeologic importance of the Monastery. To add contribution on providing the traditional Buddhist education in today s modern environment in more efficient and effective way. To preserve Monastery is to preserve its cultural, tradition and rituals. To develop the literature and mathematic skill of Tibetan, Nepali and English language. To develop knowledge in the field of Modern Science, Informational Technology, Environment and Health education. To motivate the interest on Buddhist art and culture in other to develop creative skills. To help the society to develop a peaceful, harmonious and inclusive society by maintaining harmony between Buddhist cultural as well as other religions, traditions, languages. To standardize the education in Monastery so there will be no problem for the students in case of migration to other education institutes. Can get easy admission for higher studies in any national or international education institutions. To create easy environment for developing long term plans and projects.
To develop this Monastery as religious, educational as well as tourist Places. To provide Buddhist education through other different languages. To help in minimizing different bad cultures and traditions of society and motivating to develop harmonious society by providing moral educations. Figure 3 distortion outside Monastery Figure 4 Damaged walls Figure 5 Damaged toilet and class room Ang Tshering Sherpa Joint family business owner / manager Trip Summary Day 1 arrive Kathmandu, meet, greet, dinner Day 2 guided tour of Kathmandu & surrounds Day 3 fly to Phaplu: trek (4-5 hrs.) to Junbesi Day 4 community work project Day 5 community work project Day 6 community work project Day 7 trek to Thuptengcholing and return Day 8 rest day Day 9 community work project Day 10 -community work project Day 11 -community work project Day 12 -trek to Everest view point (Phurteng) Day 13 -trek to Phaplu - local exploration after lunch Day 14 -fly to Kathmandu - final local purchases etc. Day 15 departure Cost USD 2600 General level of fitness required an everybody trek. 11 nights camping Excludes: International flights and some meals in Kathmandu Ang Tshering Sherpa G.P.O. Box: 13418 Kathmandu, Nepal Office: Kaldhara-16, Paknajol, Pipalbot Marga, Kathmandu, 44600 E-mail: angsherpa@keepwalkingnepal.com Phone No.: +977 4389 649(Office) Mobile No.:+977 9851189649
Daily Movements Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu, where you will be met by our local staff and transferred to your accommodation. An evening meal will be held together so we can get to know each other. Overnight in Kathmandu. Day 2 Sightseeing in Kathmandu, including Boudha stupa, one of the largest Buddhist stupas; and Pashupatinath temple, one of the most significant Hindu temples of Shiva. Overnight in Kathmandu. Day 3 Fly to Phaplu (35 mins - 2400m). A very scenic flight from Kathmandu to Phaplu followed by a walk down through a lovely valley to the Dudh Kosi River reaching Beni for lunch. Then a gradual climb through pine forests and beautiful Sherpa villages with arrival at beautiful Sherpa village of Junbesi (2750m) in time for afternoon tea. (4-5hrs) Day's 4 to 6 Community Project work. Depending on the timing of your trek you will be involved in some or all of the projects outlined in the following pages. Day 7 Walk to the 35-year-old Thuptenchholing Monastery, home to around 500 monks and nuns where you visit the monastery and chat with the local monks is on the agenda. Most of the monks are Tibetan Refugees who migrated from Tibet over the lade decade. There is a medical school and hospital of homeopathic medicine at the monastery. You will be greeted by one of the head Buddhist monks and given a blessing. Day 8 Rest day Day s 9 to 11 Community Project work. Day 12 Trek to Everest View Point at Phurteng (3040m), weather dependent views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Kangtega, Amadablam, Thamserku and Numbur can be seen. Day 13 Trek to Phaplu with chance to explore the local area after lunch. Walk to the nearby bustling local Dhorphu Saturday bazaar where a huge range of local produce and articles is displayed. Locals treat this as a regular social occasion to catch up with each other and hear the latest news. Then return to Phaplu for dinner. Overnight in Phaplu. Day 14 Fly to Kathmandu, rest of day at leisure or last minute shopping. Day 15 Journey formally concludes after breakfast with transportation to the airport, unless other arrangements have been made.
About the Community Project Work Imagine that you are helping in one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world, the Mt Everest region of Nepal and working hand in hand with the Sherpa people to help repair-rebuild buildings damaged by the recent earthquake. You will be based in the remote village of Junbesi in the Solukhumbu valley, the original trekking route taken by Edmond Hillary and Tenzing Norgay took on their way to Mt Everest in 1953. You will be working between 5 to 6 hours per day. Starting at 10am and finishing at 3pm with a break for lunch and other refreshment breaks as required. Mostly you will be working alongside the local Sherpa people and our carpenter. Our trek leader and the local carpenter will brief you every day and direct you. Work will be shared out amongst the group. It is advisable not to carry and move heavy objects/items for your own safety. Our group leader and head carpenter will ensure your health and safety to minimise risk factors. No special qualifications or skills are required. You will be working as part of a team on the project. Your AUD 200 per person contribution (which is included in the trek cost) is going towards building materials and other equipment required for the rebuilding work. Your contribution and your involvement is very much appreciated. What to bring for the building work: please provide your own face mask and working gloves. Ang Tshering (joint business proprietor of KWN) with the Junbesi community is now inviting volunteers to help restore these community structures. These projects will also employ graduates from the Junbesi High School to provide experience for local youth of the village so that their earnings will allow them to continue their education. Keep Walking Nepal has a proven track record of hosting and leading well organised, professional trekking expeditions. Our attention to detail and invitation to become part of our Sherpa family group provides you with a very personal encounter into the Nepali way of life. We will provide an opportunity not normally experienced by other tourist groups as we lead you through remote and rarely visited high mountain villages and isolated monasteries. You will gain first-hand knowledge of the unique natural systems and cultural practices of the areas you visit and be able to explore remarkable mountain views. You will be trekking with our Sherpa family across their mountainous backyard. Keep Walking Nepal cordially invites you to join us on this Community Rebuilding program. For more information on this community project please contact Ang Tshering Sherpa from Keep Walking Nepal at keepwalkingnepal@gmail.com Further trip information Trip INCLUDES Airport pick up and drop offs by private vehicle as per the itinerary. Accommodation in hotel at Kathmandu, including breakfast on twin sharing Domestic round trip flight from Kathmandu Phaplu\Lukla-Kathmandu. Accommodation during the trek on twin sharing basis in tent. All Meals (i.e. breakfast, lunch & dinner while trekking when not in Kathmandu) Dinner day 1 and day 14 included in Kathmandu.
Highly experienced local trek leader and Sherpa porters, kitchen helpers. All food will be prepared by our own cook. Trekker's Information Management System (TIMS) permit fees. Sagarmatha (i.e. Mt Everest) National Park entrance permit and fees. Use of and access to a First Aid medical kit by trained and certified staff (if you require first aid assistance) All trek equipment, which includes: Duffle Bag Sleeping bag Down Jacket All camping equipment Trip EXCLUDES Other meals other than what has been described above. International airfares. Nepal entry visa fee Rescue & travel insurance. Items of a personal nature Alcoholic drinks, hot shower, cold drinks, laundry, phone call, and internet. Tips (average daily rate is USD 4 TO 5 per person per day) Sherpa People The best known and admired of all of Nepal s ethnic groups, the Sherpa migrated to the high valleys south of Mt Everest from eastern Tibet about 450 years ago. Their Tibetan origins are reflected in their language, customs and religion. Our staff and crew will all be local Sherpa people from Solukhumbu, the valley adjacent to the Everest region. The walk is in their back yard, so the many questions about the land and its people can be answered promptly and accurately. The Sherpa people were originally employed by the first mountaineers attempting to climb Mount Everest. It is from the courage and strength of these local people that the name Sherpa has been collectively adopted and used to describe a climbing guide working across Nepal. Thank you for giving us an opportunity to organize your Community Project and trek!