Yaqing Monastery, located in Achang Township, Chatai District, Baiyu County, Sichuan Province, is a prominent monastery of the Nyingma tradition in Tibetan Buddhism. Established in 1985 by Jamyang Lungtok Gyaltsen Rinpoche (Achuk Lama), this spiritual sanctuary is nestled in the tranquil Changqu River Valley, surrounded by verdant mountains. The Changqu River divides the monastery, creating “Nuns’ Island,” the world’s largest monastic community exclusively for female practitioners, known as chömos (nuns).
Achuk Lama, a revered Nyingma master, revitalized the lineage through profound teachings, especially the Dzogchen Great Perfection practice. Concerned about the lack of spiritual opportunities for women in Tibetan Buddhism, he established Yaqing Monastery as a space for equality and enlightenment. His efforts granted chömos a platform for rigorous training, embodying the compassionate and egalitarian principles of the Buddha’s teachings.
Yaqing Monastery is renowned for the intense dedication of its practitioners. The chömos are celebrated for their strict retreats, such as the famed “Hundred-Day Retreat,” where they meditate in small wooden huts with minimal provisions, focusing entirely on spiritual purification and self-realization. This disciplined way of life reflects their unwavering devotion and sets Yaqing Monastery apart as a beacon of spiritual depth and discipline.
Though young in its establishment, Yaqing Monastery has become a vital site for Tibetan Buddhism. Its unique role as a center for female monastics and its connection to the profound teachings of the Great Perfection have drawn pilgrims and practitioners from across the globe. Achuk Lama’s wisdom and compassion, coupled with the exceptional spiritual commitment of the chömos, have elevated Yaqing Monastery into a symbol of devotion, equality, and spiritual excellence.
Through its rich history, natural beauty, and spiritual depth, Yaqing Monastery continues to inspire countless individuals on their path to enlightenment, offering a sacred space where the wisdom of the Nyingma lineage flourishes.
On the slopes near Nuns’ Island, there are small huts known as “matchbox houses,” created from single wooden boxes just large enough for one person to sit inside. These structures are scattered across the hills and serve as meditation spaces for monks and nuns during the winter “Hundred-Day Retreat,” a period of intense spiritual practice and seclusion.
Each practitioner here embodies solitude and quiet perseverance. Every morning at sunrise, the lamas and chömos of Yaqing Monastery walk towards the surrounding mountains, beginning their daily practice of kora—circumambulation. Their steps are unwavering, driven by their devotion to the Buddha. From sunrise to sunset, their journey is not just a physical one but a spiritual pilgrimage, symbolizing the pursuit of liberation and the transformation of future lives.
Yaqing Monastery, with its unique geographical setting, profound spiritual significance, and the compassionate aspirations of Achuk Rinpoche, provides humanity with a sacred haven filled with light and hope for the soul.
Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2024/11/29/yaqing-monastery-a-sacred-haven-for-female-practitioners/
Souce: https://www.wforum.com/news/outdoors/2024/06/07/445816.html
Photos from: https://www.yeeyi.com/news/details/2542667/
Peace LiLy 