Himalayan Children’s Fund News
Dear Friends,
It has been quite a full-tilt time of activities for the monasteries and schools. Between the prep for exams, final exams, results day, the end of the Arya Kshema, the 29th Mani Drupchen, teacher training, SMD admissions and the start of the 2023/2024 school year ~ it is a bit dizzying to try to fit it all into a few pages! Please enjoy the news.
Thank you for your kind support.
ARYA KSHEMA UPDATE
~ Debra AnnSMD RESCUE GEAR UPDATE
We are just $214.00 short of meeting our goal of $1,800.00 to provide earthquake rescue tools for SMD Boarding School!
To support with any amount, by check or online, Designate: SMD rescue gear.
Congratulations are in order for Tara Abbey shedra students! At the conclusion of the 7th Arya Kshema, Thrangu Thoisam Dhargyeling achieved first position in Dudra debate, Ani Sherab Chokyi took second position in questioning and Ani Tsering Dolkar took second position in answering. The nuns were awarded a trophy and checks from the office of HH Karmapa for support of the abbey and individual use. The nuns enjoyed their time in Sarnath and said goodbye to VVI with a luncheon before returning to Nepal. They are currently in the process of moving the shedra back to the monastery in Lumbini where it was located before the arrival of COVID 19.
MORE TARA ABBEY NEWS
New nuns begin their education at the Abbey, learning to read and write with the help of SMD seniors. When they pass a test given by Khenpo Chogyal, they are ready to attend SMD. Seven young nuns recently passed the test, received their backpacks and are ready to join the other SMD nuns on the
Final exam results for shedra students were announced at Tara Abbey on April 24th. Chöje Lama spoke to the assembly which was also attended by Khenpo Chonyi and many other Lamas. Additionally, nine nuns who requested to join the shedra after completing their education at SMD were ceremoniously accepted.
HOLIDAY FOR YOUNGER NUNS
While the older nuns were busy taking exams and participating in the Arya Kshema, the very young nuns were treated to a holiday picnic. 47 students and 8 teachers and other staff visited Whoopee Land ~ a nearby water park ~ for a day of fun and relaxation. Hover for video
SMD BOARDING SCHOOL
Tsewang Topgyal, fondly known as Kaji, is the new Vice Principal at SMD. Born in Kathmandu in 1989, Tsewang attended a private school through grade decided, with the approval of his family, to become a monk. He says it was natural for him since many family members were monks and one uncle was already a monk in Thrangu Gompa. Joining the monastery in 2001 he spent one year learning in the monastery before attending SMD. After graduating Class 10, Tsewang Topgyal taught at SMDBS in Namo Buddha for 2 years before entering the Shedra. Upon completing the 8 year course of study he began teaching Tibetan language classes at SMD in 2017. This past fall Tsewang was appointed as Vice Principal for SMD. When asked about his new post, Tsewang Topgyal explained that he found it very different than teaching ~ “it is a new experience and I am learning day by day.” He assists the Principal, Acharya Karma Sangpo, with bookkeeping, school records and reports as well as other administrative duties ~ including keeping an eye on school cleanliness and how classes are managing. Tsewang feels it is a chance to help more students than in the classroom and says: “I am learning and doing my work to to do my best to help SMD School.”
SCHOOL EXAMS
In-school exams (for all but grade 8 and 10) began on March 24th and Result Day was held on April 7th. With 92% of students passing all exams the day was a celebration of both teachers and students. Grade 8 and 10 exams are prepared by the government. The Basic Level Examination (BLE) is a final exam for grade 8 students and they took the exam at SMD March 19th. The Secondary Education Examination (SEE) for Grade 10 is always offered at an outside location. 40 SMD students walked to a nearby school for the exam every day from March 31st through April 9th. Though they completed the exam successfully, the results will not be posted until July.
29TH THRANGU MANI PUJA
The Mani Drubchen is an annual 10 day event held at SMD school and attended by the monastic and lay community. The intention is to accomplish the recitation of 100 million Mani mantras, dedicating the merit to the subsiding of disharmony, illness, war and hunger in the world.
From April 11th through the 20th, the daily prayers were offered between 6 AM and 5 pm and all participants were offered breakfast, lunch, and dinner by the monastery. 20 SMD students assisted the adult staff with serving and other necessary tasks and enjoyed participating so much that they have asked to volunteer again next year.
