Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Yarchen Gar (aka Yaqing)
Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a Buddhist monastery made up of almost entirely nuns. Living in very basic conditions they are devoted to following the faith and entering a life of sacrament. Established in 1985, Yarchen Gar (aka Yaqing) is located in Baiyu county in the Garzê Tibetian autonomous prefecture. 4000m above sea level and not easy to reach but is home to over 10,000 devotees and the largest congregation of monks as well as nuns in the world. The monastery has come under pressure from the Chinese government since 2016 due to “an unfolding political strategy” aimed at controlling the influence and growth of these important centres for Tibetan Buddhist study and practice.
A rest from the work and prayer a group of nuns joke together. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
After afternoon prayer many of the nuns go to eat or buy snacks and have an hours rest before their chores start in the afternoon. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
For 100 days in the winter the nuns will inhabit these small shacks for meditation and to show their resolve in their faith. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Nuns walk to morning prayer at the main temple. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Waiting to get a look at the visiting Lama, His Holiness Lama Nam Khay Nying Bo, the nuns wait with eagerness grasping their prayer beads and Tripitakas. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Small symbols of seniority adorn the robes of senior monks showing their wealth. Even in the buddhist monastery wealth and power are salient. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Every morning the nuns collect water from the pipe that constantly flows from the river. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
The conditions at Yarchen Gar are very basic with no running water or toilets. Huge investment has been made to modernise the monastery. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Nuns prepare to haul bags of firewood across the monastery. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Nuns often "Kowtow" to absolve their sins. They raise their arms three times in prayer, take two steps and then touch their forehead to the ground. The route these young nuns are taking covers almost a mile. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Young nuns "Kowtow" to as atonement for their sins. They raise their arms three times in prayer, take two steps and then touch their forehead to the ground. The route these young nuns are taking covers almost a mile. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Nuns often "Kowtow" to absolve their sins. They raise their arms three times in prayer, take two steps and then touch their forehead to the ground. The route these young nuns are taking covers almost a mile. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
A nun carefully attaches ghee leaves to the ornamental decoration that will result in the completed Ghee Flower. Ghee is made from clarified butter and painstakingly crafted into ornaments. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Taking a break from making Ghee flowers. Ghee is made from clarified butter and painstakingly crafted into ornaments. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
As a gift from the visiting Lama the nuns are given a truckload of fresh vegetables. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Food is prepared for a visiting VIP, His Holiness Lama Nam Khay Nying Bo. Senior nuns are in charge of the cookhouse. Many have been at the monastery for over 20 years. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Senior nuns are in charge of the cookhouse. Many have been at the monastery for over 20 years. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Senior nuns are in charge of the cookhouse. Many have been at the monastery for over 20 years. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Yarchen Gar is almost completely self sufficient with the nuns and monks sharing the work load. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Repairs are done by the nuns of the monastery. Yarchen Gar is almost completely self sufficient with the nuns and monks sharing the workload. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Yarchen Gar is almost completely self sufficient with the nuns and monks sharing the workload. The monks often take care of the heavy construction tasks however. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
In the evenings the nuns can be seen in the many small shops that surround Yarchen Gar. The stores are mostly run by the monks and nuns themselves. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
In the evenings the nuns can be seen in the many small shops that surround Yarchen Gar. The stores are mostly run by the monks and nuns themselves. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
At the main temple the nuns clean constantly with the flow of believers going in and out it's a constant challenge to keep immaculate. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
On a hot summer's day two nuns use small spoons to fish out insect larvae from a drying puddle. They will be working on this task for as long as it takes to save as many as they can before the puddle dries. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
On their way to the monastery the nuns carry their Tripitaka and Mani wheel. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
The conditions at Yarchen Gar are very basic with no running water or toilets. Huge investment has been made to modernise the monastery however for the time being the toilet facilities are very basic. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
In the surrounding hills nuns go to meditate and escape the hectic living quarters they are housed in. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Nuns practice the "Zang Dung". They will gather to practice every evening after prayers. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Living in Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is basic with each nuns having only on average three metres square to themselves and with no running water. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Almost all the nuns have access to smartphones and enjoy playing games or watching speeches by religious leaders. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
An elder monk shows off his jewellery. A collection of items that hold value to him. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
It's not uncommon to see monks and nuns with physical afflictions in Yarchen Gar. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Nuns collect water for cooking in the early evening.Stream water is almost drinkable in the mountains. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Young nuns joke over their lunch while listening to Buddhist chants on their radio. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Small snack shacks are speckled around Yarchen Gar for the nuns to buy between prayers. This shack offers a spicy potato chip. A traditional food in the south west of China. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Early morning the nuns and monks practice walking meditation. A route that is roughly a mile long around Yarchen Gar and the surrounding hills. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.