Sakyadhita Nunnery is a haven for the rural girls of Lumbini who would otherwise face a life of child marriage, no education, and hard labour
Metta School (www.servelumbini.org) has been working to provide education for rural girls for the past 7 years and as a result over 500 young girls are attending specially designed educational program at the 2 Metta Schools in Lumbini. Metta School has been running a special girls’ only class for the senior students so that they could continue their education. This year some girls are graduating from the highest grade offered at Metta school. Most of their families do not want to send them to other schools to further studies because these schools are either co-ed or private and therefore too costly. As per the cultural norm they are planning to have them married. By creating this nunnery we are able to offer them the chance to continue their education for a further 2 years.
For a few years we have been trying to establish a girls’ school for the Metta School girls who have completed the highest grade we currently offer. Boys can easily continue their education at many different schools. Metta School children have had a taste of the inner peace and clarity born of meditation and Buddha’s basic teachings on how to lead a meaningful life and many of the boys have chosen to ordain as monks.
Similarly, many of the girls have also had the wish to ordain, but have not had an opportunity to take temporary ordination. It was due to their sincere desire to continue their education and practice living a humble, meaningful life that they requested us to create a nunnery where they could enrich their lives rather than enter into a difficult life of wife and mother while they are still children themselves. Meetings were held with their families who did agree to let them ordain temporarily for 2 years.
Similarly, many of the girls have also had the wish to ordain, but have not had an opportunity to take temporary ordination. It was due to their sincere desire to continue their education and practice living a humble, meaningful life that they requested us to create a nunnery where they could enrich their lives rather than enter into a difficult life of wife and mother while they are still children themselves. Meetings were held with their families who did agree to let them ordain temporarily for 2 years.