December 23, 2025
Himalayan Children’s Fund News Dear Friends, If you have not already received the news, we are happy to report that our recent challenge grant of $20,000.00 for VVI was not only met, but surpassed by $2,597.73! We are most grateful to all of our donors ~ old and new ~ who helped to provide this extra support of $42,597.73 for the monks living and studying at Vajra Vidya Institute in Sarnath, India. The end of the year has been busy with senior monks and nuns attending the Kagyu transmissions at Benchen Monastery, Shedra nuns attending the 10th annual Arya Kshema, Shedra monks holding the 6th Thrangu Guncho at VVI and at SMD: a special graduation, exams and a public speaking competition ~ in 3 languages. Just to name a few of the activities! AND ~ There is still time to make a 2025 donation if you have not already done so, or to give a gift in someone’s name~ send a check to the address below or donate online: https://www.himalayanchildrensfund.org/. Please help us out and give HCF a wonderful review on: Great NonPro ts! With a bow of gratitude for your kind support and warmest wishes of the season. ~ Debra Ann
Young Nubri monks attended a play about Tibet’s great yogi Milarepa in Kathmandu.
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS 12 GRADS December 3rd was a day of excitement and celebration for Class 12 students and the entire school. Since grades 11 and 12 were added to the SMD curriculum 2 years ago, this is a milestone ~ our rst Class 12 graduates! Chöje Lama Wangchuk was in attendance to help hand out diplomas and gifts of a pen, Thrangu Rinpoche’s picture, and two books of his quotes. 19 of the 22 grads have been long time SMD students while three had joined from other schools just for grades 11 and 12. Congratulations to all students and Staff!
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Himalayan Children’s Fund P. O. Box 15644, Beverly Hills, CA 90209 USA 310.395.6616 himalayanchildrensfund.org
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SMD students have been busy with 2nd term exams, an Inter House Football Competition (won by Sagarmatha House), an Edulift program, a public speaking competition (in three languages) and on Lhabab Düchen, the entire SMD family (over 600) made a pilgrimage to Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery in Namo Buddha to pay respects and receive the blessings of the Reliquary Stupa of Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. Hover for video
TARA ABBEY SHEDRA 57 shedra nuns and teachers from Tara Abbey attended the 10th Annual Arya Kshema from November 21 to December 18 in Bodhgaya, India. Under the directive and guidance of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa and Gyaltsab Rinpoche the nuns from various monasteries engage in ritual practice, study and debate. One of our Tara Abbey teachers was also a judge. Please use this link if you would like to know more about the history and activities of the Arya Kshema. This link is their video of a Tara Puja.
Himalayan Children’s Fund P. O. Box 15644, Beverly Hills, CA 90209 USA 310.395.6616 himalayanchildrensfund.org
VVI
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Shedra monks at VVI held their 6th Annual Thrangu Guncho Chenmo from December 1-15 ~ a time of study, practice and debate within the Thrangu Shedra itself. Soon they will be heading to Bodhgaya for the annual Kagyu Monlam. The monks also visited the Mahabodhi Temple in Sarnath for a viewing of the Buddha’s relics and joined prayers at the Mahabodhi Society. They also enjoyed a picnic and swimming holiday in the beginning of December. Hover for videos
Himalayan Children’s Fund P. O. Box 15644, Beverly Hills, CA 90209 USA 310.395.6616 himalayanchildrensfund.org