Looking back at 11 years of living in Pomaia, at the Institute Lama Tzong Khapa:

In September 2009 I arrived at the Institute as a newly ordained nun. Most fortunate, I could follow the Masters program where Khensur Jampa Tegchok was teaching the second module: The Middle Way – how amazing! I was so happy that I had this possibility in my advanced age, to study the Dharma in depth with such a great master, continuing with our wonderful Geshe Tenphel and Geshe Gelek.
It still moves me a lot and I feel great gratitude that at the Institute is this rare possibility to study the main and most important texts of Tibetan Buddhism in the Basic and Masters Program, not just superficially, but in depth, with clear explanations from our teachers and with big support of interpreters, teacher assistants and class mates.

I appreciated a lot to live at the Institute. There is a special atmosphere. Wherever you go, you see a holy object and almost every evening I went to the 4 stupas, for lighten a candle and to do my mantra recitations.
I enjoyed living like in a big family, students and volunteers from all over the world, the staff and specially with my Sangha-sisters and -brothers. It’s so precious to have this Sangha-community, although we are living at different places, still there is this loose bound and connection that we follow the same life, dedicated to the Dharma.

In 2014 I had the possibility to help to prepare the visit of His Holiness Dalai Lama, an incredible challenge and at the same time an amazing opportunity, to see and experience what all needs to be done that such a big event can happen. Can you imagine that His Holiness was walking in the courtyard of the Institute, sleeping in the Villetta?
The Institute is such a blessed place, so many holy beings visited and gave teachings and special advise to us, to the staff, Sangha or students – where elsewhere can you find this?

The last three years, my work was dedicated to the coordination of the Basic and Masters Program. Because I experienced the preciousness of these residential study programs, I dedicated all my energy for the smooth continuation of the Masters Program and the start of the fourth Basic Program 2018-2022.
Of course to work at the Institute is not an easy task, even little things like writing an email or printing something, get sometimes complicated, not understanding why – not talking about more important duties – it’s challenging your patience and kindness and thanks to the perfect team, we didn’t miss humor!

Isn’t it amazing thinking of all the study programs and courses happening at the Institute, residentially and online – one of the biggest and oldest Dharma Centers in Europe! Incredible those, who had the courage to start a center, completely dedicating their work to renovate this old building, to invite our teachers – if I think like this, I feel a huge gratitude in my heart and I would like to express a big, big Thank You to all, who worked for the center and to those who are now dedicating their energy for the continuation and growth of the Institute! It’s the biggest offering you can make to His Holiness Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and all our precious teachers and specially now to the whole world situation.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FROM THE DEPTH OF MY HEART!

Although I have the urge to go into retreat for trying to integrate all what I learned, the Institute will remain my home ☺
From the depth of my heart I pray for the very long and healthy live of His Holiness Dalai Lama, Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche and all our precious teachers including Geshe Tenphel and Geshe Gelek, may they continuously teach us and may all there wishes get fulfilled immediately!

May all those who work for the Institute have a very long and healthy life and may the Institute always have enough personal and financial resources that it can remain forever a flourishing Dharma Center, benefitting innumerable sentient beings!
With big love
Tsultrim

Photos: Manuela Ferro