| LNA and Laywomen |
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 Beginning in 2000, LNA has started offering trainings on Buddhist instructions to Ladakhi laywomen. The first seminar, held in December 2000, was particularly meaningful as it was the first time in Ladakh that a Dharma teaching was offered exclusively to laywomen and over 60 attended. In the years since, the Dharma teachings for lay women have also included teachings on death and dying, on Buddhist approach to the prevention and cure of diseases, and on meditation. Responding to the requests of village laywomen, in 2004 LNA initiated a women’s literacy program. Each year, it sends two nun teachers to several villages throughout Ladakh for one month courses in literacy. The nuns teach the school children (during winter holidays) in the mornings and women in the evenings. Since 2005, nuns at the LNA center in Leh are offering literacy classes for laywomen in the vicinity areas. On 21 October 2007, on the commemoration of Dr.Ambedkar’s endorsement of Buddhism, members of LNA were invited to share the experiences with the Samata Mahila Society, an Indian women activist group based in Nagpur. It was the first time we connected with this remarkable group. On November 18, 2007 women from the Ladakh Women’s Alliance (W.A) visited LNA for a day of dharma teachings from various teachers. The W.A has provided excellent support to LNA for twelve years now. LNA and ForeignersIn 2006-2007, a Meditation Course for the foreigner tourists was organized. It was attended by around 25 people. LNA plans to continue such programs to help the visiting friends in complimenting their retreat with meditation and other communal activities.
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