We have heard from friends, both at Tek Chok Ling and in Boudha, that many things are returning to "normal": most shops are open, services such as buses and garbage pickup have begun again, food and water are available, people are back at work, young men are hanging out playing their guitars. The government cancelled school for the month of May.

 

Rinpoche has returned to his quarters during the day and is coming down to the dining room to sleep at nights. Most Tek Chok Ling nuns are now sleeping indoors. The other day, there was a sudden, heavy hail which lasted some ten minutes. The young anis had fun picking up the ice. 

 

Ani Yeshe and two other nuns from Drubdey Nunnery (Bhutan) arrived yesterday.

 

They again invited Rinpoche to Bhutan but we hear that Rinpoche continues to say he doesn't want to go anywhere.

The nuns continue to help out the communities around Boudha, providing food and tents as they can. Yesterday Ani Jampa and Ani Yeshe, together with a group of nuns went out to distribute cloths and foods to some people who have not got help from the Nepali government.

 

 
  

The worst hit areas are, as we know, in the mountains. Three days ago, Deden Palmo, a student of Lama Shenpen, returned from her retreat near the Guru Rinpoche cave in Yolmo. After an extremely challenging descent down from the mountains she safely arrived at Tek Chok Ling. She said that the people there are picking up the pieces of their lives and starting to rebuild their homes. They have good water and food from the harvest. They have tarps to use for shelter that they salvaged after the quake. Two local people died but a helicopter came to rescue injured people the day after the quake. She also said that people in the community have such faith in the teachings and find support in each other. They are also very resilient. However, they will need a lot of support, not just for now, but into the future - they are worried about their livelihood - how to earn enough money to rebuild and purchase animals, seed, supplies for farming etc.

 

We hear that Tsepak and seven nuns have gone up to Yolmo with supplies, including 100 tents. The nuns will stay there for about five days to work on clearing the rubble of the retreat center. Tsepak is back now so we'll be able to give you an update and assessment of things there soon.