April 17, 2020
Himalayan Children’s Fund News Dear Friends, Nepal just added 12 more days to their complete lockdown and India has extended until May 3rd. While reports in the news are unclear regarding Tibet, Khenpo Dawa has confirmed that all are doing well at Thrangu monastery and nunnery in Tibet. As you may expect, everyone is extremely mindful, careful, and full of compassion for the world. Outwardly, monks and nuns have also been helpful in the community and we are glad to be sharing some of their work. Thrangu Rinpoche remains well along with the monks at VVI. With gratitude for your kind support and prayers for the well-being of all. ~ Debra Ann
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TARA ABBEY While remaining sequestered and observing safety measures, the nuns have performed pujas on behalf of all who have lost their lives to COVID19, and also offered relief aid for families of daily wage laborers in the Sitapaila area. Coordinating with the local government, they fill and deliver bags containing rice, dal, salt, cooking oil and soap.
NAMO BUDDHA NEWS SMDBS monks are continuing their studies while maintaining healthy daily procedures. The young monks are monitored by the clinic and school staff, and have the freedom of being in the clear mountain environment during the country’s lockdown. The rock and brick walls edging the inner road of the monastery have been recently adorned with paint and new auspicious symbols and mantras. During the recent full moon, 108 small fires were lit as part of the offering of prayers for the world.
Himalayan Children’s Fund P. O. Box 15644, Beverly Hills, CA 90209 USA 310.395.6616 himalayanchildrensfund.org
PHENDE CLINIC
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The medical monks and staff at Namo Buddha have been participating with the local government agency in response to the coronavirus and remain in operation to serve the monastery and surrounding community. All precautions are adhered to and the staff wear full personal protection equipment while administering to patients. They have been instructing the population in the necessary protocols while still attending to their other health needs. Temperatures are taken and symptoms recorded, and they recently discovered two villagers with the virus and delivered them to a hospital in Dhulikhel. Wangchuk Rapten is also authorized to travel during the lockdown and has been disinfecting the monasteries and SMD. At Tara Abbey he has instructed a few nuns in the proper PPE and method of sanitizing. They could use more funds for more PPE if you are so inclined!
Vajra Vidya Institute Congratulations to the 8 monks and one nun just graduating from shedra! The daily schedule at VVI now includes early morning and late afternoon gardening and cleaning. Once a week, shedra monks are helping the young monks to thoroughly clean their dormitory and surrounding area, including all their bedding, in an effort to protect the children’s health. The nyerpas, in charge of managing food and supplies, can order most staples to be delivered but must travel between 3:30 and 4:00 am to buy vegetables and fruit before the Indian police (sometimes in coronavirus helmet) enforce the daily ban on travel. It is a little difficult but they are managing well. On April 5th, the monks joined all of India in the ‘9 Minutes of Darkness to Light’. Only candle light or flashlights were used as social distancing was maintained and prayers were offered to light lives with hope.
Himalayan Children’s Fund P. O. Box 15644, Beverly Hills, CA 90209 USA 310.395.6616 himalayanchildrensfund.org
2019 SMD GRADS FINISHING THEIR YEAR OF SERVICE AT SMDBS
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Graduates who have been giving a year of service before continuing their education share their stories. All have expressed gratitude to Thrangu Rinpoche, SMD staff, and sponsors for making their life extraordinary. (Note: Football=Soccer) Namkha Tseten was born in Tsum valley in 1998 and has 5 siblings. He was enrolled by an uncle who is a monk in 2004. While in school he was a member of Peace Pal and Health Club, played drums in band and was class captain. A talented artist, Namkha was part of the after school art group and participated in several art exhibitions. He played in the basketball tournament in Class 9 and performed Tibetan dance in many cultural shows. Namkha also volunteered, assisting Global Dental Relief staff for 4 years. After completing the SEE exam, he felt he wanted to volunteer during his gap year and his family was very encouraging. Serving at SMDBS he teaches Nepali, English, math and computer for the classes 2, 3 and 5. Namkha says: “It is very cool here in Namo Buddha. I get a chance to learn more Buddhism, everyone is good, kind, respectful, and the environment is so clean!” He was interested to teach but found it to be tougher than he thought. He does feel, however, that he and the other volunteers ‘did their best to give students what we have learned”. Namkha hopes to study computer management in Nepal and continue with his art.
Tsewang Palden was born in Nar, Manang in 2004. His mother carried him to Kathmandu and he joined SMD in 2008. He has two older sisters and an uncle who is a monk. While at SMD he played football and basketball, participated in Roots and Shoots, Peace Pal and did story reading for the younger children. Tsewang was encouraged to give service since his older sister had already done so after her graduation from SMD. While serving at SMDBS he has been teaching English, Nepali, math and computer for grades 1-6. He also managed the Tibetan competition between the 3 student houses~ Marpa, Milarepa and Gampopa. Tsewang says that living in the monastery was difficult at first, not knowing the monks daily routines, and also being unfamiliar with teaching, since he was new to it and had not really been in front of many people before. Having gained some experience, he now enjoys it. Coming from a Buddhist family he says he finds the environment to be good, also quiet, and with clean air! Tsewang Palden hopes to continue with high school and possibly study computer.
Hiran Rai was born in 2002 in Okhaldunga division of Solukhumbu and was admitted into SMD in 2011. During his years at SMD he was an Eco Club member, played drums in the school band, was a hostel captain, house captain, prayer captain, and a Peace Pal member. Hiran also played football and badminton, and arranged the house tournaments for basketball and badminton. After taking the SEE exam to graduate, Hiran decided for himself that he wanted to volunteer for one year: “To give back to Rinpoche.” While in Namo Buddha he teaches Nepali, English, math and computer for classes 4 though 6. He says that at first it was a bit hard to be at SMDBS and Namo Buddha, but the student monks were so friendly that within one month it became much easier. Hiran also commented that his experience here in Namo Buddha is very good. “The people are very friendly. We have the same background so it is very good.” Hiran would like very much to continue his studies and is considering science and physics.
Karma Mendup was born in Dolpo in 2000, adopted by his grandmother, and joined SMD in 2012. While at SMD he liked sports ~ basketball and especially football. He was on the school team and did after school training. Karma also was a member of Eco Club, a room captain, attended Leadership Class and read bedtime stories for the young SMD children. He also participated in the after school art club. Upon completing the SEE exam his brother, who had previously given a year of service, encouraged Karma to volunteer telling him he would gain many important experiences. Now, he says, his time at Namo Buddha has built up leadership skills, making him more confident to speak with others where before he was shy to speak. He has been teaching English, math and computer for classes 1, 2 and 3 and gave extra classes for monks during the yarne retreat. He has enjoyed learning more dharma, prayers, torma making and playing ritual instruments and also joined the Chinese language class offered by Malaysian volunteers. Karma says that taking teacher training at SMD before coming to Namo Buddha was really helpful. With his love of drawing, sketching, and painting ~ especially landscapes ~ he has a dream to study Humanities and the arts in Kathmandu.
Himalayan Children’s Fund P. O. Box 15644, Beverly Hills, CA 90209 USA 310.395.6616 himalayanchildrensfund.org