Dear Friends,
Himalayan Children’s Fund News
It has been an active time for the schools and monasteries. In addition to end of the year exams, the annual Namo Buddha Seminar concluded April 5th and now, the 32nd Thrangu Mani Puja has also come to a close. Shedra monks have returned to Namo Buddha from VVI and new, young monks have just arrived at VVI from Nepal. The new school year will begin soon for SMD and all monastics - much motion and change, appropriate to the season!
Please enjoy and share the news.
And if you can, please help us out and give HCF a wonderful review on: Great NonProfits!
Thank you for your kind support.
~ Debra Ann
INAUGURATION OF THRANGU RINPOCHE ACADEMIA INDUSTRY B
In May of 2024, Thrangu Monastery signed a Definitive Agreement with Kathmandu University to build the Thrangu Rinpoche Academia Industry Block in Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, facilitated by Academia-Industry Cooperation, KU. Construction of the four story building has been completed and an inauguration ceremony was held on April 15th. The bottom three floors belong to the University and will be used for research and conferences while the top floor belongs to and will be managed by the monastery. This space will house a library of Buddhist works with special focus on Thrangu Rinpoche’s vast repertoire of writings and teachings with room to study and meditate as well as to have presentations and give instruction. Support for the $350,000.00 USD project was jointly offered by Himalayan Children's Fund and Thrangu Vajrayana Buddhist Center in Hong Kong. We offer a deep bow of gratitude to the many donors!
CURRENT NEEDS
The world situation has caused a huge jump in the cost of living in Nepal prompting cut backs for the schools and monastery. SMD is accommodating with small changes such as not providing all students with new uniforms as would normally be the case this year - only as necessary - and one vegetable curry at lunch alongside the rice and daal instead of two. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and can be made by check or on our HCF website Designate either SMD or Tara Abbey.
* SMD - uniforms for new students, teachers and support staff. Teachers and staff receive 2 pairs of pants or chubas (for women) and 2 shirts - one set ≈ $43.00; students receive 2 pants and shirts, a jacket, sweater and shoes - one set ≈ $56.00.
* SMD has 72 new students needing sponsorship and there are also many new nuns and monks to sponsor. Please contact HCF if you would like to know more about sponsorship.
* Thrangu Tara Abbey needs to do preservation/restoration painting and maintenance which has not been done since the 2015 earthquake. (The estimate is $14,000.00 and a few thousand have already been donated.)
VVI
New monks spend their first year of study and training in Sarnath, India at Vajra Vidya. The new 2026/2027 batch recently traveled from Nepal by bus with their teachers, stopping for meals along the way.
SMD
From April 8 - 17 the 32nd Thrangu Mani Puja was held at Shree Mangal Dvip Boarding School. Attended by nuns and monks of the monastery as well as the local lay community, the 10 day accumulation of Mani recitation offers meals and free health-care services to all who attend. Student volunteers, Thrangu Lhaksam Nepal, medical monks and nuns all contributed to the smooth running of the program along with the Compassion Action group from Hong Kong.
