The Beginning of a New Project
Since my last entry I mentioned that a printing press and library were two new projects that were underway at the nunnery, so naturally with such huge projects there would need to be a certain amount of researches, builders, etc. that would be required to help out. With such a vast project, the head of our nunnery, with the help of other senior nuns’ divided us novice nuns into smaller groups to handle the affairs of the printing press and library. Along with the nuns, the rest of my village people such as craftsmen, builders, and scholars have joined in on the project, to help us complete these tasks as efficiently and effectively as possible. During the meeting that I attended with my fellow nuns, we discussed the preliminary steps that must take place in order for the project to get started. Firstly we need to research what texts we want in our library, and how we plan to get these texts, we then need to research how to build the library and printing press, and what tools and resources are needed for this. I’m also excited about the construction aspect of the library and printing press, as developing my secondary skill in building has proved to be quite interesting and awe-inspiring so far. Indeed there is a lot of work to be done, so the tasks needed to be divided amongst the village people. I am currently working with a fellow nun by the name of Pema to research texts that would be a good fit in the library. Many of the books we will be able to develop as a result of the new printing press, but there is a fellow villager by the name of Herbert, who is a book trader, and who is also selling his own books to us.
Having a printing press and library is a vital aspect of our culture in Tibet. The monastic curriculum itself focuses extensively on the importance of reading and writing. In the monastic community especially with translating and rewriting texts it can be seen almost as a communal chore. Within the Tibet culture books also portray a sense of authority, and those who have the ability to read and write such as myself, bless my parents for at least giving me the opportunity to excel in academics despite my gender, are seen as exceptionally gifted and are well respected amongst other community members. Beyond a figure of intelligence, books also represent knowledge, stories, teachings, and Buddhist practices of past generations, which may have been long forgotten had it not been for printing presses or libraries. Another important aspect of the Tibet Buddhist education system lies in memorizing a plethora of various rituals and texts. It is our strong belief that knowledge must be accessible for those who wish to seek its guidance. By engaging with the teachings and texts that include our rituals and cultures, their meanings become more valuable to us, which in turn allows us to use them in our daily lives. For example if we were to look at the ceremony of welcoming the Lama, many of the nuns had to thoroughly do their research with various texts, so that we would be welcoming this Great Leader with the utmost respect. Of course our knowledge proved to be beneficial, as the Lama was able to gift us with this great project.
Furthermore, by sharing the readings we have gathered and reciting the teachings out loud in a rhythmic pattern we can earn ourselves virtue and merit, as in Buddhist culture we believe we are constantly surrounded by Gods and spirits. A significant text that will be featured in our library, according to a vote amongst all nuns, is the Kangyur, which essentially means the words of the Buddha. This text is divided into sections constituting the vinaya, Prajnaparamita sutra, and other sutras and tantras. Looking at the Tibetan monastic curriculum, there are around five consistent points that are taught. These include the Abhidharma, Prajnaparamita, Madhyamaka, Pramana, and Vinaya. The material that constitutes each one of these topics is weighted differently amongst Buddhist schools, but overall the main topics that come from these materials are significantly meaningful in our Tibetan tradition. The Abhidharma, which I will be focusing in on with my fellow partner, means “higher teaching.” It is also part of the Tripitaka (the three baskets). Tripitaka is a term that is used to describe the different canons of scripture within Buddhism. With the Prajnaparamita we learn how to be motivated by compassion, with Madhyamaka we come to understand the study of the “middle way” a path between eternalism and Nihilism, with Pramana we discover the meanings of “knowing,” and finally with Vinaya comes a set of disciplinary codes for the monastic community. These are just a few of the many texts that we will be able to have in the nunnery, and I am hoping this will also build a sense of respect towards the nunnery amongst the community. As for now I must go and see what my other nuns are up to, and hopefully I can lend a hand in both my skills as a scholar and builder. Goodbye for now!
