Twelve young Buddhist nuns from the Mahabodhi International Buddhist Meditation Centre in Leh, Ladakh, with the blessings of their Guruji, Ven Bhikhhu Sanghasenaji, completed two months in a cultural exchange and spent their winter studying at Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh). They were warmly received by everyone at Parmarth Niketan and were joyous upon receiving personal affection and blessings from HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji.
As a change from the harsh winters in Ladakh, they very much enjoyed the beautiful weather of Rishikesh. They also found many similarities between the two Himalayan cultures. During their stay, they learned yoga, participated in medical camps, participated in the inauguration of a new solid waste technology, received introductory training in water, sanitation and hygiene from GIWA’s World Toilets College. They participated in regular Ganga Aarti and satsang sessions with Sadhvi Bhagawatiji, starting some of the spiritual question and answer sessions with their beautiful chanting. Now this team will go to Ladakh to share their learnings and in the future train Lamas, and other Nuns.
Prior to their sendoff they met with Pujya Swamiji and Sadhvi Bhagwatiji, with whom they performed an emotional Water Blessing Ceremony, participated in the divine Aarti of Mother Ganga, and pledged together on the banks of the river for protecting their respective Himalayan ecosystems. Ms. Nandini Tripathiji, teacher Smt. Sonam Tumdonji and Ms Vandanaji also were present in this emotional send off.
These nuns have dedicated their lives to serving the world and creating peace in the world. While at the ashram they shared in many activities with Parmarth’s Rishikumars, building understanding between these two religions.
Pujya Swamiji vowed that the GIWA’s Headquarters in Rishikesh and GIWA Ladakh would jointly work for cleanliness, education, yoga, meditation and peace. By the combination and exchange of Buddhist and Sanatana Dharma, qualities of cooperation, love, peace and harmony in both cultures, especially amongst the younger generation will also flourish. Through this partnership thousands of fruit and other trees will also be planted in Ladakh in the month of April. With this, families living there will get nutrition and their incomes will increase.
As the young monks left with tears in their eyes they expressed gratitude and the great delight they felt in having had the opportunity to live at Parmarth. They shared that they experience was filled with love, affection, and happiness and the time spent here was like a paradise and they looked forward to coming back home soon.