Category: News

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The beginning of the three-year retreat: 20.09.2024

On the 20th of September 2024, five practitioners from Yeshe Khorlo Sangha started the three-year retreat in Estonia, in Umbusi village in the three-year retreat center called Samten Lhündrup Gatsel (The Pleasant Grove of Spontaneous Concentration). The retreat master is khenpo Karma Wangyel. Gangteng Rinpoche gave personal advice to those entering the retreat during several days when he was in Estonia. There will be three tsamyogs- helpers who deal with practical questions and translation, if necessary.

It is very rare in the western countries that there is an oportunity to do the Dzogchen retreat, and it is the first time in history this retreat is done according to Pema Lingpa’s tradition outside of Bhutan. We, the members of Yeshe Khorlo Estonia, are very happy that we have managed to make this retreat happen.

We still miss around 10 000 euros to pay the last bills (we have had a great help from several donors, but we also had some thousands of euros of more costs (finishing the gate, fence and other works related to kitchen-storage-temple room).

Our very recent helpers: Dariusz – 4000 euros, Katrin: 1000 euros, Ulrike: 500 euros, Marje: 750 euros, Hanna: 500 euros, Raivo: 200 euros. We are so thankful! We also thank Tanel, Bori, Marc, Andrus, Merle, Mari, Jonas, Dominique, Jannus and Monica for (continous) support!

For the next three years, the gate will be closed but whoever can, a little support for practitioners in retreat is always great and very helpful – most of them gave most of their money in the beginning of retreat and very big part of it has gone for the construction works.

Temple room got ready just before closing the gates
All the houses on the photo
last diner before starting the retreat. Almost everybody on the photo
Two houses on the left side from the road
Inside the room :kitchen
Main room
The last but not least: installation of the name plate on the gate
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New beginning date of the retreat: 20th of September 2024

Latest news from the three-year retreat center soon starting in Estonia according to Pema Lingpa’s tradition. Khenpo Karma Wangyel and two lopönmas, Künle Wangmo and Sonam, arrived on Saturday. All the nuns are very busy doing tormas that should stay three years in the rooms. The actual beginning date is postponed to 20th of September 2024, this Friday. There might be some works related to the kitchen house that cannot be completed on time (can be completed right after the beginning). Other works will be completed (houses and the gate). Every day there are new small details that have to be done and that also cost money, but we have got only few donations in September (the big pipe works bill of 12 000 is not yet paid as well. However, houses look very cosy and warm, everything is ready for the living in the rythm of practice and practice only. PayPal: yeshekhorloest@gmail.com

Bank Transfer Details:

Receiver: YESHE KHORLO EESTI MTÜ

Account: EE212200221065708346

SWEDBANK, SWIFT code/BIC: HABAEE2X

in the kitchen/storehouse, the walls were finished today (with lime plaster)
Making of the tormas

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The three-year retreat will start very soon! Last works and preparations

Time has passed very quickly after the departure of Gangteng RInpoche and khenpo Karma Wangyel (who will be back after a few days though). Meanwhile, the kitchen house is almost finished, the ceiling insulation done, bathroom works almost completed (now, just shower curtains have to be put on place). Today, the retreatants also moved from Umbusi Buddhist center to the retreat center. We are soso thankful to so many people who have supported us recently (some of you again and again!): Rimo, Andrus, Monica, Rein, Veiko, Viivi, Anneli, Jannus, Reine, Mikk, Raivo, Kenno, Liis, Katrin, Leeve, Kaia-Kaire and Hedi from Estonia (2295 euros altogether), Dariusz (2000 euros), Marion (so many more euros), Aurelie and Edith from France (together 1000 euros), Birgit, Yeshe Khorlo Deutchland, Ines and Marina (main support for Thujila: around 8000 euros), Lupita, Alexis (1000 euros, again), Dechen and Pema (1500 dollars), Rovshan (500 dollars), and some more through Paypal (monthly payments and others), as well as some who do not want their names to be mentioned (another 5000 dollars).

The only problem in the end, like always, is that there are some unexpected bills, higher costs than we thought of some works, so we still lack around 10 000 euros to pay the bills (and some works, mainly in the kitchen, are still going on). We try to do everything as cheap as possible (the furniture is so-called B-quality, with some defects but perfect for us, we have found all the fridges from the second hand market, we have got most of the home items from our friends or second hand shops, and as said before, bathroom tiles were for free (though looking very expensive, the floor material is marmoleum but we got leftover pieces mainly (7 euros per m2).

PayPal: yeshekhorloest@gmail.com

Aadress: Umbusi village, Põltsamaa parish, Jõgevamaa county, 48026.

Bank Transfer Details:

Receiver: YESHE KHORLO EESTI MTÜ

Account: EE212200221065708346

SWEDBANK,  SWIFT code/BIC: HABAEE2X

Evening lights
Tsok before moving in, Thujila’s room
Retreatants leave from Umbusi Buddhist center to the retreat center (by foot: 500 m, by car: 2 km)
That was the last big job in the rooms
10.09.2024 – evening in the retreat land, light first time in the windows!
Fridges are now in the rooms – all of them second hand, but looking good, with the price from 40 to 110 euros
Toilets installed
Window works completed
Thuji and Marion busy with painting reldris for mandala
Kitchen house with the white layer of lime plaster, still drying
electricity works done, each house has a separate counter
Gate got a roof ridge sheet
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GANGTENG RINPOCHE IN ESTONIA (August 27- 30, 2024)

Preliminary program: 28th of August: Consecration of the retreat center (probably starting in the afternoon).

29th of August: Vajrakilaya empowerment (probably starting at 5 pm).

Price: empowerment: 50 euros, consecration: donation

It is possible to have an accommodation in a nearby Umbusi Buddhist center (shared rooms), 7 euros per night, it is also possible to have food there (5 euros per meal). Reduced price possible for students, retired persons, and those in need.

There is a registration form, but only in Estonian (google translate will help): https://shorturl.at/ioLCE

Coming to Umbusi: there are direct buses from Tallinn airport almost to Umbusi (the bus stop is called Puhu rist, it is 12 km from here, we can come to pick you up. Umbusi is situated in the middle of Estonia, 1h 20 min drive from Tallinn airport, 4 hours’ drive from Riga (there are also buses, also from Riga airport (flixbus), you have to get to Tartu, then we can help you to get a bus ticket or come to pick you up).

More details coming soon (about the exact time).

Gangteng Rinpoche in Estonia in 2019
Retreat center (almost completed)

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Progress of construction works (09.08.2024)

One week has gone again and we can modify a little bit to do list, some works are done!

  1. Construction of the inside walls in two houses – 70% is done.
  2. Plastering, painting and wallpaper works in two houses: lime plaster done in main rooms, kitchens have to be finished. One main room painted, one to be done, wallpaper works to be done.
  3. Outside boarding: mainly done! (ten boards are missing, because material finished, we will get it).
  4. Gate work: needs to be completed: just work, not much new material needed. Roof of the gate done! Doors have to be done.
  5. Fence: most of the material bought, needs to be done. Help needed! Update: 08.08.2024: 300 meters of poles done, 100m of fence done (altogether it will be 500 meters. It is not 2 meters high and non trasnparent, but it works as a limit of the retreat center. Spruces that we planted last year, will grow soon and cover the view.
  6. Installation of 13 doors (3 exterior doors and 10 interior doors: 2000 euros). We can almost manage. Doors are on the way.
  7. Finishing the kitchen-storage room’s roof and ceiling, intallation of windows and a door. Windows and roof material almost there (some roof material needs to be bought. Lot of help needed. In front of the kitchen storage house a terrace has to be done to cover the part of the foundation we could not manage to build. These works have started.
  8. Kitchen windows for each house (5), installation of them. Little money and help necessary.
  9. Outside gardening works, excavator’s works where it could have not been done earlier. Some more flowerbeds done, other works not yet. (can be around 500 euros)
  10. Floor works (half og the material is there). Help needed.
  11. Assembly of IKEA kitchen furniture (arrived). Needs help from voluteers.
  12. Installation of the pump in the deep-drilled well (includes also the cost of the pump): 2500. Done by a company. Water is there! Finishing of the bathrooms (two not yet done at all) toilets and showers have to be bought (no money for that right now).
  13. Construction of wind boxes for houses, installation of gutters (no money for that work).
  14. Ceiling: heating material and installation (at least 1200 euros)
  15. Construction of stairways and a small terrace in front of each house (we start preparation works from tomorrow.
  16. Finishing of electricity works everywhere.
Limeplaster done, room painted.
Gate works: roof is done
Evening view
Flowerbed
Bathroom tiles mainly for free.
Boards have slightly different colors. We like it.
Inside walls partially done, room plastered and painted
Water pump system installed
Terrace next to the kitchen-storage house
We have long view sunsets here (when we finish work late)

view

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Construction works, 31st of July 2024

We are happy to conclude the month of July with the realization that we have almost finished building the two houses that did not exist in June: only interior work remains. And different other works:)

Here is the list of our special voluteers, who have helped with many works or in other ways in June and July: Jaak, Raul, Monica, Terje, Nele, Madis, Maire, Rein, Valter, Vivian, Camel and more.

And here we thank you our very special donors, only thanks to them we have managed to get so far! In the end of June and in July we have got several very important donations that we would like to mention here:

The main help in June and July came from an unknown donor to us, Dariusz from Chezch Republic (13 000 euros!), some more donations from Estonia from our good friends (mainly Aivar, but many others as well: more than 3500), and some important donations from Switzerland (together with June, we have got more than 5000 euros from Switzerland: from Roland, Margrit, Heinz, Liane, Janna and Marina (special thanks to Hanna!), from Yeshe Khorlo Deutschland: 800 euros, donations from France from Bori and Dominique. The money that has arrived through Yeshe Khorlo Germany – we do not know each person by name, but we thank you very much! May everybody’s merit be abundant!

Since before there was so much work to be done that it didn’t make sense for us to make list of works that is still left to be done, now it makes sense. We have also tried to calculate the cost of works and materials – you can see the list below (the latest estimate tells us that we still need around 12 000 euros – to complete the kitchen-storage room, fence, electricity works and many other small works).

Estimation of costs: (prices are in euros):

Heating system: 10 000 euros
Doors: 2000 (10 +3 outside doors)
Floor: the cheapest option: around 1000: natural marmoleum (stock leftovers: we have got aorund 60 m2 of leftovers for 7 euros/m2, but need to buy another 70m2, hopefully for 15eur/m2)
Bathroom works: work: at least 11 000, plus toilets, water heaters, shower treys and showers (can be around 1500 euros)

To do list:

  1. Construction of the inside walls in two houses (we can manage).
  2. Plastering, painting and wallpaper works in two houses (we will manage, we have all the material). Update: primer for lime plaster done, now plastering works can start (05.08.)
  3. Outside boarding: one house: half not done yet. We have to pay for that job (we still need to pay for one week’s work (for 2 men: 1600 euros).
  4. Gate work: needs to be completed: just work, not much new material needed.
  5. Fence: most of the material bought, needs to be done. Help needed! Update: 04.08.2024: 300 meters of poles done, 50m of fence done.
  6. Installation of 13 doors (3 exterior doors and 10 interior doors: 2000 euros). We can almost manage. Doors need to be bought.
  7. Finishing the kitchen-storage room’s roof and ceiling, intallation of windows and a door. Windows and roof material almost there (some roof material needs to be bought. Lot of help needed.
  8. Kitchen windows for each house (5), installation of them. Little money and help necessary.
  9. Outside gardening works, excavator’s works where it could have not been done earlier. Done by excavator. Needs to be paid (can be around 500 euros)
  10. Floor works (material will be bought this week). Help needed.
  11. Assembly of IKEA kitchen furnituure (arrives at August 3rd). Needs help from voluteers.
  12. Installation of the pump in the deep-drilled well (includes also the cost of the pump): 2500. Done by a company.
  13. Construction of wind boxes for houses, installation of gutters (no money for that work).
  14. Ceiling: heating material and installation (at least 1200 euros)
  15. Construction of stairways and a small terrace in front of each house.
  16. Finishing of electricity works everywhere.
Last house: ceiling and walls done!
Some bathroom interior works done.
View to the gate
Garden
Bhutanese chillies
Garden
Last house
Evening sky
Kitchen-storage room
Floor works done in kitchen-storage room.
Gate with the small part of the road that later will lead to khenpola’s house further.
View from the gate
The beginning of the fence
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Excavator’s day

Today (25th of July) we had many works ongoing but the most remarkable among them was excavator. One side, where are two houses has completely changed. Also works around the gate started (we had to construct the beginning of the small pathway that will later lead to khenpo Karma Wangyel’s house (it will be outside of the three-year retreat area. We need this small patch of the road – so later we can turn around the car there (we should not go by car inside the three-year retreat area), when bringing food etc.

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Update about the works (22nd of July 2022)

Lot of time has passed since the last post, but also lot of work done (the main work is still done by Yeshe Khorlo board members, some friends have come help us but we have had to hire also some more workforce to do some works that we do not know exactly how to do).

There are five houses now, a gate as well. In three houses, painting works are in progress (lime plastering works are done), one wall got the Tibetan style wallpaper (the abundance of Vajrayana) bathroom works will start from Monday 23th of July (preparations are done by ourselves).

In two houses, last layer of insulation has to be put on place, then the construction of the inside walls can start.

Also an excavator will come on the 24th of July to clear everything around the houses.

We still have some money left but the works are progressing fast and every day, we need to pay several bills, thousands of euros (material for outside boards: 700 euros, works related to external lining installation: 1700 euros, and several other smaller bills of hundreds of euros (paint, fence material, moisture barrier for bathroom, material for the gate, bush cutting works – sorry, we got too exhausted to do this ourselves:). We are very-very grateful for the donations but to whomever it is possible, please send us some more (excavator’s work next week, bathroom tile works (tiles we got for free).

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Update (04.07.2024)

Yeshe Khorlo Estonia is very greatful for every donation, big and small! Five houses are now there and tomorrow, finishing works in the three houses will start (walls: lime plaster and some wallpaper). With the kitchen and two houses, there is still lot of work to do. Garden works are ongoing every day, even some Bhutanese chillies are growing. Every weekend and every other day as well, until the starting time of the retreat (Gangteng Rinpoche will very probably come on the 27th of August to give his blessings to the retreat people) everybody is welcome to help with the works! Beautiful experience in the wild nature guaranteed. We can also arrange accommodation and sauna. You are very welcome to help!

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Construction, as of 26th of June 2024

We are working now almost every day to be ready for September to accommodate five people who will stay here for three years…

For several days now, the structure of five houses has been there and in one photo! We have also cut down all the undergrowth (about two hectares of small willows) to give space and openness to the retreat area. Also Bhutanese chilies grow in the flower bed (we have around 25 degrees here all the time, so they will grow!). Landscaping is underway (and we would need your help so much for this, such hard work).

Inside the houses, all the details (windows taping, etc.) are almost ready, plastering work can start soon. We are still extremely grateful to our donors, another very unexpected donation of 5,000 euros arrived in our account! By now, we have also bought a lot of material needed to complete the kitchen (smaller size). We have almost all the money we need for the retreat houses, but for the kitchen house we need at least ten thousand euros more… We have several people who regularly donate money every month. Just one new automatic Paypal payment was made (monthly). A water pump must also be placed in the deep well (and all connections made). Your donations and help are all greatly appreciated. Please come! (we can provide accommodation). Khenpola’s house behind the trees is waiting to be completed.