August 25, 2026
Himalayan Children’s Fund News Dear Friends, Yarne, the summer rains retreat, is now half way through and donations are greatly appreciated. In Nepal, the Lhaksam Tsopka group (former monastics) has been preparing delicious and nutritious meal offerings that sometimes include momos. We have some special news regarding Sarnath, India and big thank-you from the monastery in Lumbini. We hope you enjoy and share the news and please give HCF a wonderful review on: Great NonPro ts. Thank you for your kind support.
~ Debra Ann
Striking the Ganti at Namo Buddha. A short video of Tara Abbey Yarne photos.
SARNATH RECOGNIZED AS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE On July 25th, the 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee inscribed Sarnath, India on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Located in Varanasi, the ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath is where in the sixth century BCE, after attaining enlightenment, the Buddha met his rst disciples and gave his rst teachings. (Click for announcement) The World Heritage property names two components: the Chaukhandi Stupa and the Archaeological Remains of Sarnath ~ which includes Dhamek Stupa, Dharmarajika Stupa, and other archaeological relics. The area is widely know as ‘Deer Park’ and has a long Buddhist history. Sarnath remains an active international pilgrimage destination and a symbol of the Buddha’s teachings of wisdom, compassion, and liberation. Sarnath is also the location chosen by Thrangu Rinpoche to build Vajra Vidya Institute and VVI was built right next to Deer Park. This photo of Rinpoche, with the Dhamek Stupa in the background, was taken in in 2018. The Director and Representative of the UNESCO Regional Of ce for South Asia, Tim Curtis offered this congratulatory statement: “On behalf of UNESCO, I warmly congratulate the government and the people of India on the inscription of the Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath, on the World Heritage List. For more than 2,500 years, Sarnath has been a place of pilgrimage and inspiration for Buddhists around the world. It is here that the Buddha delivered his rst sermon, sharing teachings of compassion, wisdom and peace that continue to resonate today. Its temples, stupas, and monasteries bear witness to centuries of faith, devotion, and shared human heritage. Safeguarding this exceptional site is our collective responsibility for present and future generations.”
SMD CONSTRUCTION Thanks to HCF and other donating groups SMD school is in the process of updating and expanding their capacity for rainwater harvesting and ground water recharge. Hover for video.
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Himalayan Children’s Fund P. O. Box 15644, Beverly Hills, CA 90209 USA 310.395.6616 himalayanchildrensfund.org
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TARA ABBEY SHEDRA The Tara Abbey nuns doing shedra studies at the monastery in Lumbini have been managing with a very old car handed from monastery to monastery for many years. After it nally passed beyond repair earlier this year the nuns have had to rely on taxis for everything from food shopping, to airport runs, to hospital visits which was quite problematic. Thanks to HCF support the monastery now has a new Scorpio that seats 7 and can carry a good amount of supplies. With nearly 80 people in residence, a working vehicle is a must and a great relief! The nuns and monks in Lumbini send their heartfelt thanks. Hover for video.
SMD With new machines provided by Inter-Community School Zurich, sewing classes are now being taught by Miss Yangzom, an SMD teacher. Here, students are making covers for cushions they use for mediation and watching television. Hover for video.
Pullahari and VVI Young monks in India participate in the Yarne retreat and continue their classes. Hover for video.
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Himalayan Children’s Fund P. O. Box 15644, Beverly Hills, CA 90209 USA 310.395.6616 himalayanchildrensfund.org