Illness, old age and death are the three known inevitable truths told by Buddha.
We all know that old age is somthing we really can`t fight, but it doesn`t mean
that we need to live it with suffering and loneliness. As we age and become out
of touch with the present times, our values, wich were once so real, slowly
become outdated. We begin to experience a gap with the "new generation",
differences grow and so do distancedistances. Even the needs begin to differ.
Earlier in the agricultural society, children were trained to continue the same
profession as that of the parents, so theynaturally stayed with them. But the shift from the agricultural community to the industrialized community, wich is still not completely moved into the industrialized system, leaves us in a schizophrenic (divided self, divided values) society. Because of this changing system we face the growing gap between the generations.
These growing differences and needs result in children and grandchildren moving off to cities to build careers and make money. The elders of the family try to accept the distances because the children are at least earning some money. But slowly the children begin to lose touch with them and the parents/grandparents start feeling neglected, lonely and left out. Adding to the neglect. illness is a natural corollary of old age wich needs trained personnel care.
Developed countries have noticed, faced and already addressed needs of the erlders in the society. Under developed nations, like India, don`t have enough resources with the government segregated for the elders. Though the government has seen the problems faced by them, it is still not in their priority when planning the budget for the nation. Adressing the needs of the elders by starting old age homes, day care centers, providing medical and professional help, looking inti old age mental disorders, insurance and other facilities for the elders are commonly seen in big cities and mainly run by big corporates and/or funded NGO`s. The presence of these institutions is still a distant dream in villages.
Friend of Nub Gon Monastery, a registered society is located in Jekhli Beth, popularly known as Tashi Jong. It is a village located in the Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh - 2 hours south of the famous tourist spot and Dalai Lamas Home, Dharamshala. The existence of the Tibetan colony and thus the Khampagar Monastery, gives the village the name of Tashi Jong.
Usually a migrated community invites opposition and ire from the local community by their growth and prosperity. This has been amply demonstrated all over the world. The founder of this organisation has a vision that there should be an integration between the local and migrated community, so that there won`t arise any future strife among them. So in all the activities done in and around the monastery the local participation is assured.
Ven, Tulku Popa Rabjam, the founder of this organization has a broad vision for the community and its development. Slowly and steadily he put the pieces together with the help of volunteers and other supportive and interested individuals.
Venerable Tulku Popa Rabjam has been selected as President of Tashi Jong at this time. He proposes to ease this difficult situation by establishing a care centre for those who need assistance in their declining years. It will provide a group setting, eliminating isolation, and providing the basics of good health. It is intended to include both the Tibetan elders of Tashi Jong, and the surrounding Indian community.
The FNM organization has done a study on the demographic status of the village and found the need to raise an institution for the elders of the village (from both communities) and provide medical help and a day care center.
Tashi Jong village is also one of the most beautiful places in this locality, still untouched by crowds. With the presence of o monastery and the Venerable Buddhist Teachers within it, this place would be the ideal place for sincere practitioners to do their practice and grow in the path of the Dharma.
Along with the Old Age home, the organization also sees the need and finds it an appropriate time to establish a Retreat Home. The aim of both these homes is to bring spiritual and physical well being for its residents and others.
There is a lot of chaos in the world and in our minds. This place aims at freeing us of it and more with our own sincere efforts towards happiness and peace.
The residents of the old age home could find company, harmony, occupation, health, love and joy in it.
They could chose to five there of their own accord (if they have no other in their family to look after them), or with the consent of the parent, the children could chose to afford this service, to help their parents live happier & healthier lives in their absence. There would also be a Day Care Center, for families who do not see the need for the elders to reside in the home, DUI only need company and occupation during the day, white the children are out for work. Such elders are expected to come and could involve themselves with the activity of the Old Age Home.
The residents would be cared for by 2 professional nurses, 4 peon and 10 volunteers from the village and elsewhere regularly taking shifts (Reputed Social Science institutes have been invited to send volunteers regularly as interns). A cook would also be employed. A resident social worker and a medical professional would be helpful hands in the home.
The Retreat Home would be available for both foreign and other Indian friends. A floor of this home would be open for the village members who could retreat for practice on and off, from their daily lives, for free. The upper floor would be for those members who could afford the stay for a longer period. It would be a self sufficient, single bed house for practitioners to retreat for long periods without disturbance. Regular sessions of Dharma Teachings would be held for all.
A library, a recreation room, a common dinning hall, a kitchen and a Dharma Hall would all be part of this building.
The institute hopes to sustain itself in the tong run by the funds generated from the top floor of the Retreat Home. The presence of empathetic professionals and committed volunteers would also help save expenses.
Buddhism has always prayed for the happiness and well being of all sentient beings...
This and the need of the our in the world today, with respect to pollutants and resource exploiting materials, we wish to design this home in a manner that full fills the needs of its inmates and the same time doesn't mar the beauty and the environment itself.
An effort will be made to make the institute with the help of architects who know and understand this need and could build an institute using waste material and other local products so as to keep it cost effective and eco-friendly.
The HAPPY HOME, as we would like to call it, would be a place to be oneself. Whether aspiring in the path of Dharma or living in freshness in the latter years of life...
