Dear Friends,
Himalayan Children’s Fund News
Celebrations are not being observed during the one year period of Thrangu Rinpoche’s passing, hence the absence of Losar greetings this year. The construction of the room and reliquary stupa, however, is well underway for the one year anniversary in May at Namo Buddha.
While SMD students were on winter holiday in January much of the monastic sangha attended the 38th Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya and we have some of their photos to share.
In other news, HCF has again earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (formerly Guidestar) and the 2024 seal is posted on our website .
Thank you for your kind support.
SMDBS
~ Debra Ann
Ven. Lama Sonam Chodar, Thrangu Monastery’s most senior lifetime retreatant passed away peacefully at the age of 93 at Namo Buddha on February 4th. After remaining in Thukdum for 2 days, ceremonies and pujas were conducted for his cremation. In 2022
Thrangu Media created a beautiful film about Lama Sonam’s life which can be viewed here on YouTube.
Wishing to emphasize the importance of eld study for fast and easy learning, SMDBS Vice Principal Lama Tenzin Tsogyal arranged an excursion for all Branch School students in December. The youngest monks visited the Jawalakhel Zoo and had fun at the children’s park while students from grade 3 to 6 visited Bhaktapur Darbur Square, several old temples, and the Tara Devi Temple, interacting with local people to learn about the history of the area. They also visited Thrangu Sekar Retreat Center to receive advice and guidance from Drupon Khenpo Lhabu Rinpoche.
Himalayan Children’s Fund P. O. Box 15644, Beverly Hills, CA 90209 USA 310.395.6616
February 29, 2024
lling Thrangu Rinpoche’s wish for the Tara Abbey Shedra to return to the monastery in Lumbini. In order to accommodate the nuns and teachers it has been necessary to build a dormitory, rebuild the kitchen, and enclose the dining area. These photos show the progress from November 2023 through February 2024. Soon, the external oors will be laid and painting will begin. The Tzu Chi Foundation, which sponsored the repairs to Tara Abbey after the 2015 earthquake, has sponsored the dormitory construction. The kitchen, AC units for classrooms, painting and furnishings are being provided by a generous bequest to HCF.
Himalayan Children’s Fund P. O. Box 15644, Beverly Hills, CA 90209 USA 310.395.6616 himalayanchildrensfund.org HCF Page 2
In January, SMDBS students, 12 years and older, along with their teachers traveled to India on pilgrimage to Nalanda and other holy sites. In each place they recited Guru yoga and prayers for the swift and unmistaken return of Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. In Bodhgaya, they joined the Shedra and other senior monks as well as 74 Tara Abbey nuns in attending the 38th annual Kagyu Monlam. During the monlam HH Tai Situpa Rinpoche gave renunciate vows to the young monks and 30 nuns and organized a special memorial puja for Kyabje Thrangu Rinpohce on the last day.
Himalayan Children’s Fund P. O. Box 15644, Beverly Hills, CA 90209 USA 310.395.6616 himalayanchildrensfund.org HCF Page 3
MONLAM AND PILGRIMAGE
NAMO BUDDHA
Construction of the room which will house Thrangu Rinpoche’s reliquary stupa.