HCF Newsletter May 28, 2024

May 28, 2024

Himalayan Children’s Fund News

Warm greetings from Nepal,

This month the first anniversary of the Parinirvana of our beloved Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche was observed at Namo Buddha and Thrangu Centers around the world. Following the guidance of Gyaltsap Drung Goshir Rinpoche, Chöje Lama Wangchuk Topden and Tulku Damchö Rinpoche led the monastic and lay sangha in performing the Burkumkuta and Dorje Drolo sadhanas for one week each, culminating in the Marpa Guru Yoga on Saga Dawa, May 23. Additionally, the new school year is underway for SMD, SMDBS, and Shedra students. This means we are in need of sponsors for new students, including nuns and monks. If you are a sponsor, please consider sharing your joy and delight in sponsoring with a friend (or two!) to encourage their support. Do be sure to see the stories of SMD volunteers on page 4. Please enjoy the news and thank you for your kind support.

~ Debra Ann

The monks at VVI recently received training from their teacher, Tashi Yangphel, in

SMDBS or SMD

*We will always accept any amount toward sponsorships and find additional sponsors to complete the full fee amount. For more information, or to arrange a sponsorship please contact HCF.

himalayanchildrensfund@gmail.com

A second floor was recently added and ceremonially opened above the large Mani wheel pavilion at Namo Buddha, providing a well appointed space for the offering of butter lamps. Hover for video.

NAMO BUDDHA

NAMO BUDDHA

From May 9 to 15, the Meyway Tsepka or Bhurkumkuta sadhana and fire puja was performed at Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery in Namo Buddha. The day began as Thrangu Rinpoche’s very life-like statue was carried in a formal procession to the shrine hall from his residence. The fire puja portion was held outside for three days and followed by four days of the sadhana in the shrine hall. These prayers were offered for the purpose of dispelling obstacles and calling for a swift return of Rinpoche’s Yangsi (reincarnation).

Hover for videos.

The Dorje Drolo Sadhana (also performed to dispel obstacles and call for the swift return of Thrangu Rinpoche) began May 16 and ended on the 22nd. On the 23rd, after the entire sangha circumambulated the monastery and the Namo Buddha stupa, Marpa Guru Yoga prayers were offered in remembrance and observation of the first anniversary ~ calling to Rinpoche himself. Rinpoche’s statue was then returned by procession to his residence. Later in the afternoon everyone returned to the stupa and recited the Thrangu Guru Yoga. As it was the full moon day of Saga Dawa, a distribution of rice and supplies, arranged jointly by the Hong Kong Vajrayana center and Tse Hing Wui Care, was made to the local villagers.

Ukesh Magar was born in 2004 in Thankot and joined SMD in 2012. He has an elder sister and a younger sister who is in Class 10 at SMD. During his years at school he was the second generation leader of HMG (Himalayan Makers Guild), participated in leadership and mass communication classes and was prayer captain~teaching prayers to younger children. During sports days he ran the 100 and 400 meter races and came in 4th in 2022 in the Kathmandu marathon. An art enthusiast, Ukesh enjoyed art class and participated in the Inter-school National Art Competition in the division of sketching. After completing the SEE exam in April of 2023, his mother and father, who garden at Namo Buddha, were encouraging of his wish to give a year of service. He said they feel that the institute gave him a lot and that this is a golden opportunity, also to share what he has been given. Choosing to teach Nepali at SMDBS, Ukesh teaches grades 2 thru 6. He says the students are very cooperative and ask a lot of questions so he finds teaching is learning and ‘makes you strong’! Ukesh plans to attend SMD for 11 and 12 grades and to study finance. He said, “Our economics is down here in Nepal, maybe I could do something to help.”

Phurba Sangpo Sherpa was born in 2004 in Solukhumbu and joined SMD in 2010. His Aunties escorted him the one day walk and one day bus ride to school where his grandfather, Dawa, was working as the gardener and gatekeeper. Phurba Sangpo was a member of the Helping Hand Group and Eco Club. He enjoyed Art class, assisted teachers and studied music, learning Tibetan musical instruments in Class 8. He claims he was a little bit naughty as a small kid but after his first 3 or 4 years at SMD, he realized, with the help of his sister, how to be a good boy! After passing the SEE exam Phurba Sangpo began volunteering at SMDBS, teaching computer classes for grades 2-6. He is also active in the Helping Hand Group ~ assisting monastery guests, putting up posters and managing parking. After completing his year of service Phurba hopes to continues his studies. He says he has come to realize how hard it is for teachers and he really likes being in Namo Buddha and feels that all the monks are very friendly.

Palma Chungda Lama was born in Nar in 2003 and studied in Pokara before joining SMD in 2017. (Her family preferred that she and her sister be enrolled in a Buddhist school.) While attending SMD, Norzin participated in Helping Hand and played ute in the school band. She took the SEE exam and graduated in 2020. During the Covid lockdown she taught school in her village and when it became possible, she returned to SMD volunteering in the Director’s office. Palma Chungda then studied in the science stream at Heartland Academy (grades 11 and 12) graduating in May of 2023. In August of 2023 she decided to give service for another year, this time at Thrangu Tara Abbey where she is teaching English, Nepali and Math to the youngest nuns, helping the nuns attending SMD, and in the evening teaching the older nuns. Palma Chungda says she really enjoys working at the abbey, interacting and talking with the young nuns, learning many new things and gaining Dharma knowledge. Her hope is to enter the 3 year program of Medical lab technology.

Dorje Sherpa was born on the Nepali border with China in 2005 after which his family moved to Kathmandu for better jobs and facilities. His grandparents were already in the city and two of his uncles are Thrangu Monastery monks. Being the smallest in the school at the time, Dorje’s uncle encouraged him to make friends, be independent, and to join many clubs. A member and group leader of HMG, he was also member of Health Club, Library Club and Art class. He enjoyed literature and spelling competitions as well as basketball. Dorje says he was very annoying as a kid but feels things really changed with the Covid lockdown; he had the opportunity to teach and tutor and he became more social. His uncle Pasang Wangdu recommended giving service at Namo Buddha ~ he would have another uncle to help, and he could learn to teach and improve his Tibetan language skills. He has been teaching English and general studies for SMDBS K-6 classes. He says he has been learning about the difficulties teachers face, how to interact with small children and encourage cooperation. Ater completing his service Dorje would like to continue in classes 11 and 12 to study science, computer, chemistry and bio energy.

Phurbu Tashi Gurung was born in 2001 in Dolpo and was enrolled at SMD in 2003 when his mother brought him from the village and discovered that rather than becoming a monk, he could attend a school that teaches the Tibetan language. (She then worked at SMD for 6 years.) While in school Phurbu Tashi worked on the Thrangu Express and was a member of the Tibetan musical group, playing various instruments and participating in Tsedrup dancing. He also volunteered with the earthquake relief program in Sindupalchuk. Phurbu Tashi took the SEE in March of 2018 and volunteered at SMDBS for the 2018/19 school year. Then he studied for 2 years at HMS and after graduation spent 6 months teaching in Dolpo and also completed a 3 month computer course. After visiting Rinpoche in September of 2022, he found that SMDBS needed teachers so he has been serving a second time. He says he is grateful for SMD life~compared to outside life it is very grounded and he is glad to pay back what he has been given

Norzin Yonjan was born in Heatuda in 2004 and enrolled in SMD in 2008 with the help of her Uncle, Ngodrup Gyaltsen, a Thrangu monastery monk. While at SMD, Norzin was a member of HMG, Helping Hand and Art Class. She was a house representative, prayer captain and room monitor for the smaller children. Norzin took the SEE exam and graduated in 2020, then took her gap year, giving service at Thrangu Tara Abbey. She then attended Heartland Academy for grades 11 and 12 and graduated in 2023. In August of 2023 she decided to volunteer again at Tara Abbey while also studying computer science and information technology at Brine College. She teaches Nepali, English and Math to both younger and older nuns. Norzin Yonjan is interested in becoming a website designer or programmer and possibly an AI developer. She says the small nuns are cute, helpful, kind and friendly and the environment at the abbey is one of peace. She feels very grateful to be helping Rinpoche and the Gompa.