Previously, a small group of nuns at Atisha Centre made initial progress towards establishing a community. Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave the name Machig Labdron.
In 2016, having returned to Melbourne, I offered my services to Rinpoche to work on the nunnery building project. When Venerable Rigsal and I moved to Atisha Centre in 2018, we were the only resident nuns. A year and a half later we were joined by Venerable Lekdron and Venerable Drime.
The location of the nunnery on the Great Stupa land has changed a number of times for various reasons - The Council wanting consolidation of areas of development, Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice and CFA compliance concerns. Each change of site required the design to be re-worked and plans were re-drawn.
The current site provides a quiet space with suitable access to utilities and adjoining other areas of development. We are ready to proceed with working drawings once planning permission is granted.
Tenzin Tsapel
Building Project Manager
April 2022.
