December 29, 2024
Himalayan Children’s Fund News
Dear Friends,
We have some lovely stories to end the year, not the least of which is the success of the fundraising we did for SMD. The $20,0000.00 matching grant challenge announced October 28, was completed on December 11 with a bit extra. Thanks to everyone who participated, SMD will be granted $42,744.97 for the requested specific needs.
It is heartening to see such kindness and generosity. We are grateful to all our sponsors and donors, new and old, and hope you feel as uplifted as we do. Thank you for your enthusiastic support.
There is still time to make a year-end contribution if you missed the match! Warm wishes of the season,
~ Debra Ann
VVI
Shedra monks returned by bus to Sarnath in late November, resuming their studies and preparing for a packed calendar of winter activities. The 5th Annual Thrangu Guncho Chemo was conducted December 9-13. This is an opportunity each year for practice, discussion and formal debate, just within the Thrangu monastery shedra. Currently, the monks are preparing to host the 25th Annual Kagyu Winter Debate, between 8 Kagyu monasteries, from December 31 through January 29. They also are preparing in many ways, including discipline and conduct (see video), for the upcoming 39th Kagyu Monlam, February 1—12 in Bodhgaya. Hover for videos.
Drawing of Thrangu Rinpoche by Tenzin Palden, 8th year Shedra student of Thrangu Monastery.
SMD
The entrance to SMD School has been reimagined with a beautiful mural and seating area for visitors. At the request of the principal, four SMD grads who are currently earning Fine Art Degrees, painted the wall portraying the story of SMD. Children from the seven Himalayan regions of Nepal are shown in their traditional dress and set among the mountains, stupas and other cultural icons throughout the length of the wall. The final section shows happy kids in SMD uniforms or monastic robes near a depiction of the school.
At the end of the wall is a new seating area for parents and visitors which hosts a map of Nepal, pointing out the cultural regions SMD students call home, and a picture of Thrangu Rinpoche, under which his three aims for the school are written in Tibetan ~ 1) To provide a quality, modern education for children from the Himalayan region. 2) To preserve the culture and language of the Himalayas while fostering good habits, and 3) To nurture students with a comprehensive understanding of Buddhism, enabling them to lead meaningful lives. Hover for video.
THE ARTISTS AND THE PROCESS
Ashok Tamang, Sangye Lama, Nyima Dorje and Tamdin Tsering are all former SMD students who graduated Grade 10 in past years, have given service, and gone on to complete the plus two grades in the field of Fine Art. Nyima Dorje has recently earned his BFA and the others are in various stages of their BFA studies.
The four young men were eager to fulfill the request of a mural and brainstormed how to create the message of Himalayan culture and tradition, doing days of research and sketching on paper and iPads. They decided on a cartoon style of drawing to relate to small children and when the design was approved, a blue background was chosen to allow the color of the clothing to stand out. Next, they had to draw the outlines on the wall, measure well, and then in five days they painted the full mural with Asian Acrylic paint and a weather coat.
Of the experience, they said: “Although it was challenging to work on a larger scale and sometimes the weather interfered (they had to erect a makeshift tent), it was great to have the collaborative experience.” The former students also expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to show their gratitude for SMD and would like to do it again in the future.
Hover for video.
THRANGU TASHI YANGTSE
From November 16 through 22, Namo Buddha was vibrant with the joy of the 18th Thrangu Tsedup ~ the first one since 2019. The annual Tsedup is held for seven days, ending on the sacred day of Labap Duchen with the bestowal of the Amitayus (long life) empowerment in the morning and the Thrangu Monastery Lama Dance in the afternoon. Zuri Rinpoche, who sponsored ciate along with Tulku Damchö Rinpoche and many Khenpos. Over 650 monastics and lay students attended and the Thrangu Guru yoga and prayers for swift return were recited every evening. Hover for videos.
