Chhairo Gompa (Dharma Chakra Upakar Samaj Sewa /DharmaChakra Welfare Service Society)

Dharma Chakra Upakar Samaj Sewa (DharmaChakra Welfare Service Society) has been established to support the upkeep of the small monastic community that has been re-established at Chhairo Gompa. The renovation works have been ongoing since 2004/5 supported by Restoration Works International.

The head lama hopes that the gompa can now maintain a monk community after decades of being empty, and once again provide services to the local community, for deaths, births, festivals, holy days and other religious affairs.

Although the physical reconstruction is almost complete, making the gompa habitable still requires much work. Decoration of the bare walls and timberwork is needed. Furnishing of kitchen, study and bedrooms is required. Furthermore religious decorations which double up as accessories for religious occasions and 'costumes' for tsam (religious) dances which are conducted during community festivals, are all needed. Las but not least, salaries for teaching and caretaking staff for the little monks is required, since working at a gompa is no longer considered sufficient renumeration in the 21st century.

The final aspect which makes this effort unique is the particular skill of the head lama and his brother. But now in their 70's, they are from a family of lamas, as well as sons of reknown religious artist. They both draw and paint thangkas and have been working on the frescoes in the gompa. A visit is a unique opportunity to watch them at work.