Orginally from Helena Montana, USA – Venerable Yönten has studied Buddhism for over 15 years and completed Chenrezig Institute’s 5 year Buddhist Studies program as well as spending time in studying Tibetan language in Thosamling Institute in India. She has been an ordained Buddhist nun for over 8 years and enjoys the combination of engaging with the community and current events together with solitary practice, study and retreat. Most recently Yonten was offering service at Chandrakirti Centre. Her main teacher is Khen Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsering.

Venerable Yönten is a full ordained bhikshuni with a great deal of experienced who was a recent guest at the Centre. She was warmly received by those that attended her sessions so we asked her to come be our Resident Teacher! Thankfully her Teacher has agreed and we are now very much looking forward to her arrival in mid May.

The Simplest Miracle

Intraocular surgery can be performed in minutes. First the eye is washed to reduce the risk of infection. A local anaesthetic is injected below the lower eyelid, blocking sensation in the eyeball. After the clouded interior of the lens is removed through a tiny incision on the side of the eyeball, the intraocular lens is inserted into the empty lens capsule. Dr. Ruit has said: “It is the best thing a human can do in five minutes.”

Latest News

In August 2011 Ven.Pemba Sherpa (FPMT Board member, resident teacher and co-director of Cham Tse Ling, in Hong Kong) visited the Amdo Eye Hospital to report on its progress and operations.

Currently there are 24 people working in the hospital, this includes 4 doctors and 4 nurses who visit from the local Government hospital a few times a week to perform the actual surgeries. The hospital is three and half stories high and has 36 beds to accommodate patients.

The full price for cataract surgery is about US$750 (4800 CNY), however for patients who cannot afford it, the surgery is offered for free or whatever amount they can afford. At this stage it is hard to run the hospital totally free of charge, but the plan is to be able to offer more and more free or low cost surgeries, as the hospital expands.

The inauguration of the building was in July 2010, it took a year to equip the hospital and get the necessary documents to be able to perform the surgeries and in August 2011 the hospital was officially opened to the public. In the last 4 weeks the hospital has performed 8 surgeries and 4 of these were offered free. As the hospital becomes better known and receives more funding and equipment it will be able to perform many more surgeries. Currently the hospital is one of the largest hospitals in Xining dedicated solely to performing eye surgery.

The immediate need of the hospital is to purchase a laser surgery machine (Phacoemulsification machine). The cost for one of these machines is US$220,330 (1,280,000 CNY). FPMT is currently fundraising in order to be able to sponsor one, which will greatly help in the hospitals efficiency and will directly benefit those needing the surgeries.

The phacoemulsification machine breaks the cataract into tiny pieces and then suctions those pieces from the eye through a very small incision. Prior to the development of the phaco machine, the cataract was normally removed in one piece, requiring a larger incision, sutures, and more trauma to the eye. By having the phacoemulsification machine the whole procedure is much faster, less than 15 minutes per eye, it allows the patient to walk out of the surgical suite and resume normal activities within a few days.

Amdo Eye Hospital is proudly supported by Kunsang Yeshe Retreat Centre through our regular fundraising events. You can read more about the project on the FPMT website or make personal donations via the secure Amdo Project donation page.

For some years the Stupa was located at Planet Ark in Wentworth Falls, in the garden of our friends Willow and Stefan Mackay whilst plans were considered for its location and completion.

The co-ordinator of the stupa project is Sue Emonson, and under her guidance, and that of artists Nerida McCarthy-Nielson and Sandor Nagy, we had many enjoyable days in Nerida’s kitchen painting the moulds of lotuses, snow lions, double dorjes and other symbols that will eventually be affixed to the outside of the Stupa.

Stage two:

The unfinished Kalachakra Stupa finally returned home to the Centre at Medlow Bath in September 2011. A large crane will be needed to place it on the prepared site in the garden area, but for now it rests facing the driveway entrance for everyone to see.

Feel free to come take a look and offer a flower with a prayer for world peace. Slowly but surely this wonderful project is coming to fruition.

LATEST UPDATE – JANUARY 2012

A large 40 tonne crane was hired to move the Stupa onto the prepared site within the ‘Peace Garden’ (see above) at the Centre’s property in Medlow Bath. Final plans for its restoration and completion are being drawn up with the aim of holding the ritual consecration ceremony performed by Tibetan Lamas in March/April 2012.

We’ll be running a special working bee day to clean and repaint the Stupa in February, so keep an eye out for dates to come join in with this magnificently meritorious project. (Pics soon!)

More details very soon. Watch this space!

Gelug Tradition of Mahamudra – KYRC, 10th and 11th December 2011.

Karma and Emptiness teaching weekend – KYRC, 12th to 13th May 2012

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“Brave Heart, Wise Mind” Public Talk – Carrington Hotel, 30th September 2011

Green Tara Retreat – KYRC, 1st to 3rd October 2011

Glen will lead Wednesday evening meditation. Suitable for all. No bookings required.

Volunteering is a wonderful way to support the centre and we very much appreciate it!

Volunteers are required all throughout the year. Contact the centre for more details.