RYI STUDENT BLOG

Every time a semester ends at RYI, I feel especially joyous. One reason  is that I have a sense of strength in my abilities to survive one more semester  with its exams and to learn many profound key points of Buddhist philosophy  and practice. Another reason is that I get to reward myself with some free time  to spend either in Nagi Gompa or Asura hermitage. These two holy places have  become my prominent get away from hussle-bustle of the city. Having these two  getaways has been a key part of my experience in Nepal the last six years. The first time I came up to Nagi Gompa to attend Chokyi Nyima  Rinpoche’s retreat I completely fell in love with the beautiful scenery, warm  atmosphere and of course the amazing nuns. Above Nagi Gompa is Shivapuri  peak, an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, because Kashyapa the  previous Buddha visited the high top of the mountain where he cut his hair as a  sign of renouncing t...

Upper Temple Hall, Nagi Gompa I first encountered Nagi Gompa, a nunnery in the Shivapuri National Park at the outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley, three years ago, during Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche’s seminar.  It was love at first sight, and since then, an unending affair.  This is so for many reasons: the kindness and holiness of the nuns; the spectacular views of the valley; the clean air, and the great trekking trails to the top of Shivapuri and down to Boudha.  In the long run, this place is one of the most important reasons for me to stay in Nepal. Nagi Gompa was the seat of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, a renowned Dzogchen master who passed away in 1996.  He was the father of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche.  Many of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche’s foreign students continually came to visit him and stay for some time.  This why now there are rooms available for the steady flow of foreigners coming here.  Other of his students built their own retreat places. ...