Himalayan Children’s Fund News
Dear Friends,
We are saddened to inform you that the AmazonSmile program for supporting charities is coming to a close on the 20th of February. I know it is disappointing to our sponsors who have happily shopped on our behalf, but it is also discouraging for the charities that receive the donations. For HCF, it means that another stream of income that helps pay our expenses is disappearing. Over time, others have gone by the wayside, and our donations from the CFC campaign have been steadily decreasing over the last few years. This means we will need to search for new funding sources and also do more promoting of our annual fund.
We thank each and every one of you who have been using AmazonSmile on behalf of Himalayan Children’s Fund over the years! Please enjoy the newsletter.
~ Debra Ann
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YOUNG MONKS IN INDIA
When the annual Hevajra retreat for senior monks and nuns is held at the Pullahari monastery, the young monks move out and join the other first and second year monks at VVI for studies and exams. Among other things, they are tested in handwriting, memorization, and Kagyu Monlam etiquette which includes wearing and folding their robes. Khenpo Gendun says all are doing well and has shared some scenes. Hover for videos.
THRANGU TARA ABBEY
These winter months have been a busy time at Tara Abbey with the Kagyu Monlam, (which concluded with a beautiful Marme Monlam or lamp prayer), the annual examination for Thrangu Thoism Dargyeing shedra students, and dharma classes for the young nuns taught by Khenpo Chogyal. Next will be the long Mahakala puja for Losar as they also prepare for the Winter
VAJRA VIDYA INSTITUTE
December 26th to January 25th, Shedra and other senior monks attended the Winter Dharma Gathering and Debate of Kagyu monks at Bokar Sheda Obar ~ Bokar Rinpoche’s monastery in Siligiri. It was inspirational for the attendees to be able to meet in person again for this, the 23rd Kagyu Guncho.
SMD ACTIVITIES
After a 3 month postponement, the popular inter-house soccer tournament was played in December. During the two-day event the girls compete between their 3 houses and the boys do the same. The winning house for the girls was Sagarmatha House (blue) and for the boys it was Sambhota House (yellow).
ANNUAL SPORTS MEET 2022/23
On January 13th, the annual sports day competition began with a ‘March Pass’. Boys and girls from each of the 3 houses, Sagarmatha, Sambhota, and Srongtsen, marched in front of all in attendance, wearing sashes of their house color. Next was an aerobic dance with ribbons, followed by prayers, the national anthem and speeches. The Karate class gave a demonstration, setting the stage for the track and eld events and other games. Points are awarded for all the various activities and the score tallied on a large white board. The best house of the day was Srongtsen House (red) with 540 points. It was a great day and nice way to start the 2 week winter vacation!
