In Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Relief News from Bhutan…
In the serene, remote regions of Bhutan, monastic practitioners dedicate their lives to spiritual cultivation, often in simple and modest conditions. During the cold winter months, some practitioners, particularly in smaller monastic centers and nunneries, face challenges in accessing warm clothing and other essentials. With all Her Love and respect for these spiritual practitioners, in November 2024, Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) caringly contributed US$20,000 to help provide warmth and comfort to Bhutanese nuns during the winter season.
In February 2025, our Association’s relief team from India traveled to Bhutan and partnered with the Bhutan Nuns Foundation, established by Dr. Tashi Zangmo under the guidance of Her Majesty Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck of Bhutan. The foundation is dedicated to improving the welfare of nuns across all 31 nunneries in Bhutan. The team arrived in Bhutan on February 3 and met with Dr. Tashi Zangmo the following day. She was deeply touched upon learning about Supreme Master Ching Hai’s noble Mission and Teachings.
On February 5, the team visited the foundation’s nunnery and learned about their newly installed soy milk production unit. This initiative aims to eliminate dairy from the nuns’ diet, supporting their transition to a more compassionate vegan lifestyle. Dr. Tashi expressed strong interest in promoting veganism through cooking demonstrations and the sharing of Master’s Teachings, with the hope that this knowledge could then be shared with visitors, further encouraging compassionate vegan living.
To bring warmth and comfort, our Association members purchased 1,000 pairs of socks, 1,000 pairs of gloves, 1,300 jackets, and 1,000 blankets for distribution. Distribution began on February 6, with 200 sets of winter clothing delivered to several nunneries in the capital, Thimphu. The following day, the team traveled 60 kilometers to Paro, where they visited major nunneries and distributed more than 200 additional winter clothing sets. Due to extreme cold and strong winds in remote mountainous areas, the team was advised not to travel to the most distant nunneries. Instead, the Bhutan Nuns Foundation arranged for representatives from those areas to collect the remaining winter clothing at more accessible locations. The nuns who received the supplies were very happy and grateful for the high quality of the winter items. As a gesture of appreciation and blessing, they sang a traditional song in their native language in honor of Supreme Master Ching Hai.
Additionally, Dr. Tashi Zangmo requested US$5,000 to help purchase daily necessities for the nuns’ ongoing needs. To accommodate this request, our Association allocated US$5,200 to the Bhutan Nuns Foundation for the continued care of all 31 nunneries across the kingdom. Dr. Tashi Zangmo expressed her deep appreciation for the generosity and wrote a letter of thanks to Master: “Dear Most Supreme Master Ching Hai, I, on behalf of the nuns of Bhutan, am writing this note to thank You very much for the generous support You have rendered to our nuns throughout the country by providing a gift of US$14,800 worth of winter clothes and the balance cash deposit of US$5,200. The total gift we received from Your Divine Self, both in kind and in cash, is worth US$20,000. The Bhutan Nuns Foundation would like to thank You once again for Your selfless generosity and the amazing work You do in promoting veganism throughout the world through Your noble teachings on saving the planet, the very home of every species. I hope to meet You in person someday soon. I end this note with much gratitude and appreciation. With much respect, Dr. Tashi Zangmo Executive Director”
With sincerity and humility, we offer our heartfelt gratitude to our Most Compassionate Master for Her boundless Love and Care for devoted spiritual practitioners around the world who dedicate their lives to cultivating wisdom, compassion, and inner peace. We also thank our Association members for their contributions and dedicated efforts. In the Buddha’s immense Grace, may all renunciate monks and nuns attain spiritual liberation and enlightenment.
