Intro
  
How it started?
 
The founders
 
Organization

How it started?

After receiving their doctoral degrees, the sisters returned back to Nepal and wanted to get involved in social activism which is the aim of Buddhism. Their teacher Venerable DhammaWati of Nepal had always stressed on the importance of being involved in social activism.

They traveled to various villages in Nepal. During these visits, when local villagers came to listen to dhamma talks, they also confided in them their hardship. They were delighted to meet little girls who showed interest in becoming Buddhist nuns like them. Having heard horrible stories about girl trafficking and thinking that these innocent girls could become victims of girl trafficking, the idea of project Dhamma Moli came up. After doing further research on the girl trafficking problem in Nepal, they came to know about Maiti Nepal - a non-profit organization actively involved in prevention of girl trafficking, rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration of trafficked victims. They visited Maiti Nepal’s rehabilitation center in Kathmandu and upon seeing young rescued girls infected with HIV/AIDS, their idea turned into determination.

The project conceived by Venerable Sisters Molini and Dhamma Vijaya came into fruition in 2004 with the help of some very close friends when the sisters came to the United States on their first teaching assignment. The sisters had a vision to help young girls in Nepal, and an old dilapidated monastery near the Swayambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu that they could use for this project. The state of this monastery at that time was uninhabitable.

They put forward their vision for the project with their dear friends, and with their encouragement and support - the project kick-started. To support the girls under the Dhamma Moli project, the sisters wanted to construct a new building at this location to house about ten girls to start with. Through the project - they would house, clothe and educate the girls free of charge to the families. Later on, if the girls wish to go on to study the Dharma as monastics, they will be provided with an opportunity to go to a sister monastery in Burma (Myanmar) and further their study. Otherwise, the girls will have skills to find work to support themselves and the knowledge of Buddhist dharma throughout their whole lives.

Discussions led to project plan and a decision to raze the old monastery and build a new building where girls could be provided accomodation and home schooled. Architects and Contruction Engineers in Nepal volunteered their time to come up with a new design for the building. Initial financing of the project building was done through personal contributions from friends, and donations made by participants of the various meditation retreats and teachings they led while they were in the US.