Dongjulin Nunnery
Location: Dongjulin, Yunnan
Mission Statement
The China Exploration and Research Society (CERS) have been involved with culture conservation for over 20 years. It started by documenting many indigenous cultures unique to China's minority nationalities, many of which were in the process of disintegration, assimilation, or simply being eclipsed in modern times. They gradually moved into the design and implementation of cultural material and intellectual preservation projects, often involving entire local communities. In the former they attempt to conserve and restore entire ensembles of architecture. In the latter they document and support collections of ethnic music and legends.
Background Information
Dongjulin Nunnery is the only Tibetan nunnery in Yunnan province and its history dates back to the 1760s. Prior to the destruction of the Gelugpa (Yellow Sect) nunnery during the Cultural Revolution it housed more than 80 nuns. Since the restoration of the nunnery in 1983 the number of nuns increased to over 110 by 2003. The structure of the building is over 300 years old and used to be a monastery before being used as a nunnery in the 1980s. At present the nunnery is home to ten exquisite murals depicting Buddhist stories as well as images of religious deities.
Activities of Organisation
Both the building structure and the murals are deteriorating therefore CERS aimed to restore the structure of the building. Between 1999 and 2003 four new buildings were constructed, which can accommodate 50 nuns. These facilities also provide residents with a communal kitchen, a small clinic and a sundries shop, all of which are run and maintained by the nuns themselves. Further additions and constructions to the sight aim to provide accommodation for more nuns and also for pilgrims visiting the nunnery. The income generated from sheltering visiting pilgrims will be used for financial sustenance for the nunnery as well as investment for the future.
Consensus Community Perspective
The Dongjulin nunnery mirrors Himalayan Consensus principles in its insistence on preserving a unique architectural site and the cultural practices that go with it. CERS have also provided the nuns at Dongjulin with a self-sustainable future through sheltering and providing for pilgrims.
Website: Visit this community's website