For outsider like Krishnam Darlami and many alike, this is not surprising to see comments like this. If you drive around in Kathmandu, you will see monastries popping up everywhere. One will questions why we do need all these monastries? Monastries are becoming more and more elegant and show off. I used to ask the same questions. But I feel proud of those Rimpoche and Tulkus who go to great length and build these monastries. I have seen ordinary monks become learned and build the institution. My deep respect to them and hope I can contribute more financially so that they can make more. Here is why.

1. They are leader. They walk a path of Boddhisattva and others follow them with deep respect. With donations they receive, they build the monastry. They are not stealing money. They earned it.

2. Of course you will find 5-10-20-50 or more monks in the monastry depending upon their size. Those who entert monastry are not rich kids. 90 percent of them are from poor family. Parents who cannot feed and educate their children usually send them to monastry. Monastry does not discriminate who becomes monk. If you can learn dharma and walk path of Buddha, he/she is welcome to join. Even Dalits are welcome in Buddhist monastry.

3. Most of the teachers travel overseas and get donations from their follower to build monastry and to expand their Dharma activities.So they bring $$$ to back home and introduce Nepal as a Land of Buddha. If you go to Purutotwa Vibag in Maitighar, you will see 90% of export items related to Buddhism. Statues like Tara, Buddha, Padmasambhava and many thankas gets stamped before exporting overseas.

4. Finally, it contributed alot to local economy.....from construction, to purchasing daily foods and employing locals in managing Gompas.

I would rather see young and helpless kids join monastry and learn words of Buddha than become street kids and later on joining gundas like YCL and some other associations.

Being a buddhist from Helambu and living in Connecticut, I had a chance to attend Kalachakra this summer at Palyul retreat in Upstate New York. It is  500 plus acres and the main hall that can accomodate over 1200 people. This is Once in a Life Time opportunity to receive such teaching. Over thousand follower received teaching that has been passed on from the time of Buddha. I was amazed by the vision of Penor Rimpoche. So many people could formed Sangha and listen to dharma all at the same time. If lama had not build such a grandior place, it would have been difficult for Buddhist lay person like me to receive teaching and also meet other Dharma friends. At the end, I prayed that Rimpoche live long life and expand his activities for the sake of humanities. I hope I can do it again next year. You can learn more about this at www.palyul.org.

So my friend Krishna Dalrami, I hope you learned something today. May I recommend the book  "Way of Boddhisattva" by Shantideva. ShantiDeva was one of those Mahasiddhi from India who studied in Nalanda University. You will learn a lot, and perhaps your life will be more enjoyable and see things differently going forward. Here is one quote from the Book," All the joy the world contains comes from wishing Happiness to others...All the misery comes from wanting everyone for onself."

Peace and a great weekend.