Australian donations to the projects listed below can be made via bank transfer or the “Pay Anyone” option of your Australian online banking to:
Bendigo Bank
Account name: Gebchak Rigpa Harsey
BSB: 633-000
Account number: 147996805
Please be sure to email gebchakfinance@gmail.com with your name, amount and the purpose of your donation. Thank you.
Australian cheques (in AUD dollars only) can be posted to:
Gebchak Rigpa Harsey (the payee)
GRH Treasurer
8 Lawrence Street, Blackheath, NSW 2785
“The nuns need improved conditions, particularly more food, so that they can remain in practice and in retreat year after year, day after day, dedicating their lives solely to accomplishing the Dharma. This is my hope…How wonderful if it is possible, as it will allow this Dharma practice to continue.”
— Tamke Wangmo, senior Gebchak nun
“By virtue of preserving this unique, ancient and pure tradition it will benefit the world because the nuns are developing love and compassion through their practice.”
— Wangdrak Rinpoche
Gebchak Nuns - Food & Sustenance Fund
The estimated cost of a nun’s food & sustenance for one year at Gebchak Gonpa is $300 AUD – yet any amount is gratefully accepted towards the community’s needs and will be shared equally among the nuns. This covers their food, healthcare, renovations and sanitation at Gebchak and its branch retreat centre, Dongtsang Ritro, near town.
The Gebchak nuns’ traditional food source from their nomadic families has disappeared amidst rapid socio-economic changes in modern China. In response to a formal appeal from the Gebchak nuns in 2003, Wangdrak Rinpoche has been working to provide a balanced nutritional meal each day to all the nuns, and to improve their healthcare and living conditions.
Dongtsang Ritro Hermitage
Dongtsang Ritro in Nangchen was established for ordained and lay persons with strong aspirations to practice in intensive retreat. Wangdrak Rinpoche’s Australian students visit every second year for teachings and retreat on this sacred and historically significant retreat land. Please help Wangdrak Rinpoche complete construction of retreat buildings that can accommodate nuns and monks on lifelong retreat, as well as visiting Australian and Asian students. These buildings in particular serve Gebchak nuns who need a base near town for health or practical reasons.
Please visit the Nangchen Retreats page to read more about this sacred Hermitage site.
Yushu Orphans
Gebchak Wangdrak Rinpoche has been the custodian of 21 orphaned children since the devastating 2010 Yushu earthquake. The children live in a rented apartment in Yushu under the care of a Tibetan couple, Awang and Choden, and attend government schools. Wangdrak Rinpoche provides for their material needs with the help of people like you.
We are seeking scholarships for the children as they reach year 10 of their education and begin boarding at higher secondary school in Yushu. It is our mission to see these children through higher education, all the while nurturing them in their home Tibetan culture.
Scholarship per year: AUD $1300
Please visit the main Gebchak Gonpa website for more information.
Prayer Dedications
By making a donation of $250 AUD, your name will be placed in one of the three retreat divisions below, where the nuns’ practice will be dedicated to you, a family member or friend every day for an entire year. (Please email info@gebchakgonpa.org with the name for dedication.)
Green Tara: Green Tara’s blessings act swiftly to accomplish whatever aims we pray to achieve.
Mahakala (Protector): Like all protectors of the Dharma, Mahakala is supplicated to protect beings from obstacles and negativities.
Amitayus: The blessings of this practice heal sickness, strengthen life force and increase longevity.