The Bon Children's Home Newsletter

A Note From Latri Nyima Dakpa Rinpoche To All My Dear Friends and Supporters of The Bön Children's Home (BCH): First of all, I would like to pay my respects and wishes to everyone in Tibetan: Tashi Deleg! This means Prosperity, Joy and Happiness.

This year, on July 1, 2018, the BCH is 30 years old. Since the date of its formation up to now, all of you have been kind and generous supporters, allowing us to administer continuously to serve all these needy children, both boys and girls, at BCH. Without all the help from my friends, students and organizations from different parts of the world and those who trusted me, and the help from my working staff of BCH , which is the strength of BCH and who constantly move forward to accomplish what is needed to be done in the best interest of the children, we would not have made it this long and this successfully.

It is with great joy when our children graduate from 12th grade, and continue on to further their education, to make their own identity and to become the person they would like to be.

This is all possible only because of your support and sponsorships for the children and staff of BCH. Both the children and staff of BCH, including myself, are very thankful to all our compassionate donors, sponsors and contributors. From the core of our hearts we thank you and always keep you in our prayers.

Our supporters are the backbone and hope for the children at The Bön Children’s Home. When someone sponsors a child, it gives the child hope and the drive to study hard and to get a formal education, and to give back. The call for help, for example recent fundraising for the repair of sewer and plumbing of the boys and girl’s dormitory, clinic, computer/library and solar system for hot water and many other needs, was answered with by you with pure compassion, love, kindness and service to others. The children are aware without this support, they would have it worse. So they always pray for their sponsors, they work hard in school and want to give back to someone who is in need.

I personally would like to thank you and give appreciation on behalf of all the children and staff members of BCH family.

Your continued support, compassion and love has given and will continue to give these poor children the opportunity to stand on their own feet with knowledge and to break the history of illiteracy.

With prayers and thanks for your love and compassion.

Yours, Latri Nyima Dakpa Rinpoche.

BCH. Dolanji.

The Bön Children’s Home

July 2018

pg. 2

Gratitude!

The children at The Bön Children’s Home, the staff, Latri Nyima Dakpa Rinpoche, sMenri Monastery, and members of Yeru Bön Center are so grateful for all the help our donors have contributed to the Bön Children’s Home.

For me personally, I am very uncomfortable sending out requests for financial help. But I know it is for the good of the children at the Bön Children’s Home. When I acknowledge the lessons I have learned from these children, the adaptability they constantly must contend with, I think, how could we not help them? They are very bright, respectful, grateful children who have the potential to make so many changes in our world and their community.

You, our donors, are their unsung heroes. Rinpoche and the Staff at BCH are also unsung heroes. If it were not for the Bön Children’s Home and places like it, many, yes more than many could be starving, ill, no education or skill, sleeping in the streets. I witnessed on my trip to India, last year, children sleeping in the streets, begging for money or being enslaved in trafficking. My emotions were all over the map, I wanted to take each child, from Delhi to Solan, back home with me.

When I arrived at sMenri Monastery and greeted by so many beautiful children, dancing, singing “Tashi Deleg” Welcome! I found myself saying, “I am so happy you are not in the streets..” Tears rolled.

During my visit and tour of the Bön Children’s Home, again, I cried. Grateful the children had a safe place to live.

But, I also realized the children at the Bön Children’s Home, although they are safe, have many struggles. Last October, I realized just how bad the plumbing was and the illnesses being created because of the sewer problems.

I realized the kitchen, where they make nourishing meals, was in such need of paint, the plaster was peeling severely, the kitchen was in such terrible condition, storage for food was a problem. Having owned a restaurant here in the US, I know that if an inspector came in, they would have shut it down.

I realized then all the dormitories need plastering. And, well, the list could go on and on.

What also sank in was, the very first dormitory built has been condemned. Yet, because the children needed a place for their library, computer room, and dining hall, the staff and Rinpoche’s office were moved to the condemned building, to make room for the dormitories and other facilities. This showed me their compassion and the love they have for the children.

But! Because of help from donors, sponsors and contributions from beautiful and compassionate people, and other sanghas, the sewer system repair is 90% done, the kitchen has been redone and it’s wonderful. I hope they let me cook while I am there this fall.

The library / computer room is beautiful and loved by the children.

Grateful does not seem like enough, but we are so grateful, and want to again thank you for your kindness, generosity, compassion and love you showed to all of the children and staff at The Bön children’s Home.

Deborah Peteler, Administrator Yeru Bön Center The Bön Children’s Home

July 2018

pg. 3

Happy Birthday to The Bön Children’s Home

So hard to believe, on July 1, 2018, The Bön Children’s Home turned 30 years old. Happy Birthday!

In a blink of an eye you realize life has moved so fast. When it comes to the Bön Children’s home, for so many years we have all seen children come and go, kept up with their progress in life, visited some of these children in New York and Minnesota.

Some of the children are now physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, some are working in hotel management. 97% of the children are thriving throughout the world. When I have spoken with some of the alumni of the Bön Children’s Home, they continue to talk about how they are so grateful for all the blessings they had received at the BCH and need to give back. And Yes, they do.

25 Jubilee Celebration

Apart from the children, we have seen the BCH area grow with multiple dormitories, dining areas, and library/computer room. We know there is so much more to work on, but slow by slow, it will happen. Let us see what happens in the next 30 years.

In homage and respect to His Holiness, the 33rd sMenri Trizin’s passing, there was no anniversary celebration of singing and formal event. Instead, they spent this day in dedication of prayer for all of the Yungdrung Bön great masters, dedicating merits to His Holiness, the 33rd sMenri Trizin.

Their prayers also included all of their sponsors and donors who have helped BCH for the past 30 years.

The Bön Children’s Home

July 2018

pg. 4

The Bön Children’s Home Website

If you have not been able to visit the Bön Children’s Home website, we encourage you to please visit.

This website is the official website for the Bön Children’s Home. Designed and managed by Nick Tichawa, where he updates the website as news comes in from the Bön Children’s Home.

If you happen to visit the Bon Children’s Home, we would love for you to share your photos. Nick can put them on their website.

• Children’s News & Blog section which is constantly being updated.

• Sponsorship section where you could sponsor a child.

• Further Education – Many of the children would like to continue their education after they graduate from High School. Many have become nurses, medical physicians, Business, Hotel industry and more.

• Home Needs – Here you can help with building needs of the Bön Children’s Home. Right now we are trying to raise funds for a generator, time is running out for the current generator. Duct tape and lots of prayers is what we believe is keeping it going.

Visit thebonchildrenshome.com

The Bön Children’s Home

July 2018

pg. 5

BCH’s Medical Infirmary The first couple of weeks of September, members of Yeru Bön Center will be going to sMenri Monastery. We will be participating in the homage one year anniversary ceremony for His Holiness, the 33rd sMenri Trizin and the beautiful and joyous enthronement celebration ceremony for our new His Holiness, the 34th sMenri Trizin. But in between both ceremonies we thought, we will be at sMenri, so let us spend time visiting and helping at the Bon Children’s Home.

During our time at The Bön Children’s Home, we are so grateful to have Dr. Bernadette travel with us to visit the children, provide exams and to set up a regular health care monitoring system for the children.

Our goals are: To be able to set up a team of physicians, obtain the needed supplies to have the infirmary fully stocked, teach nutrition, and health maintenance.

To set up a Skype system for the care takers to contact a nurse or physician with any medical questions.

Collecting funds to help cover the costs of supplies, over the counter medications and most importantly the cost of blood tests and x-rays.

To collecting basic medical supplies such as bandaids, gauze, eye-wash and other needed supplies.

If you would like to help with the medical infirmary, blood tests, supplies, please click link below. https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=SX73FR4P5WLAY

The Bön Children’s Home

July 2018

pg. 6

Computer/Library One of the conversations we had with the children in BCH included their desire for books.

Classical Books, music books, books to help with the learning to speak better English.

We recently put out a request for books, and boxes arrived. So excited to be bring these books with us next month to BCH. There is still time to send us books for the children. We particularly need books for the younger children. The older children can read to the younger children.

There was also a call for learning and educational games.

If you would like to send either books or games to the children at the BCH. Please send them to: The new library where the elder students study

Yeru Bön Center C/o Deborah Peteler 12800 Whitewater Drive, Suite 100 Box 124 Minnetonka, MN 55345

The Bön Children’s Home

July 2018

pg. 7

Letter from the BCH Secretary ~ Sewer and Plumbing For The Bön Children’s Home Tashi Delek!

Hope this mail find you all with a very good in health by bless of all mighty god. Here in BCH, all the children and staff members are very good in health and children enjoying their study with new school teacher.

It’s been quite long since I have written about the renovation of boy’s bathroom, toilet and sewerage pipe. As per our thought, the work will complete at the end of month of May but once we started the work, it’s not easy as we thought and it is taking lots of time to demolish the old concrete, which is very hard and thick.

Therefore, till date we have finished the more than half of work and work is under process. We are planning to finish the work before the 30th Anniversary of BCH. Our contractor is putting extra working hour to complete the work as soon as possible. Here I am sending you some of the latest photo of work.

At the end, thank you so much for your love and support.

With Good wishes Phuntsok Dhargyal Secretary Bön Children's Home, Dolanji

The Bön Children’s Home

July 2018

pg. 8

Further Education Letter from Phuntsok, Administrator of BCH

Dear All, Tashi Deleg! Hope this mail find you all with very good health and having a good time with dear and nearby bless of all mighty god. Here in BCH, the entire children and staff member are very good in health and children are doing their best in every field.

Here I would like to inform you all that children of class Nine to Eleven, they have finished their final exam of year 2017 to 2018 school sessions and now waiting for their result. The result of class Nine and Eleven will be declare on 7th April and their new school session will start from 9th April 2018. The result of class 10 will declare at the end of May 2018. Therefore, all the class 10 children left for vacation to their respective home to meet their family and relative. They will return back to BCH on 20 th May 2018.

About the children of class 12, they have one exam has left to complete their school education and that exam will held on 25th April 2018. There after they will leave BCH for their further study in different colleges, University and Institution. If there is any children, who wish to continue their further study under the scholarship program of BCH, they can apply for scholarship.

At the end on behalf of BCH family would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude and thankful to all the board members and supporter of BCH for all your love and unconditional support for BCH and its children since many years. All your love and unconditional support will always remember in heart of our children and every day prayers. Thank you.

With Good wishes Phuntsok Dhargyal Secretary, Bön Children's Home, Dolanji

Students must qualify for Further Education Grants. There are strict guidelines for students, such as excellent academic standings, sports, responsibility and more.

To help encourage these beautiful children to continue their education, please click on link below. https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=KE2NHEKFAB67U The Bön Children’s Home

July 2018

pg. 9

Graduating Class of 2018 (Letter from Phuntsok, Administrator of BCH)

Hello, On April 21st, 2018 from the office of Bön Children's Home has organized a farewell party to those children of BCH who has graduate from Central School for Tibetan Dolanji. This year 16 children of BCH have completed their school education from CST Dolanji in field of Humanity Subject (Arts Stream).

This year farewell parties begin with speech from Mr. Phuntsok Dhargyal (Secretary) in the present President of BCH Latri Nyima Dakpa Rinpoche, and followed speech from other staff as well.

During the farewell party, Rinpoche has introduce children about the importance of education in today's world.

Continuing their education, earning a degree takes hard work and dedication, but he has faith and trust they understand a formal education can open doors for them to live a good life. To remember all of the help they received and the best way to show gratitude is to continue their formal education. Yes, they need to combine their spiritual practice, their dedication and education, but in the end, they will be rich with knowledge and can become anyone they would like to be. He also mentioned, whatever situation might you all go through in each life, never stop learning. Always, try to continue their study where ever they wish, and BCH will be always there to support.

During the farewell party, children have shared their feeling and experience during the period they have spent in BCH. Party last for around two hours and end with the photo session.

On behalf of Rinpoche and family of BCH, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and thankful to entire members of Foundation, Organization, sponsors and all the supporter for your unconditional love and support for BCH and especially towards the children BCH for shaping there life and giving them opportunity to study.

Without the support of you all, it won't be possible for BCH to educate them and support them in a best way.

Once again thank you all for everything you all have done for BCH and we hope all your love and support for BCH will remain continue forever.

We like to wish all the children who have graduate this year 2018 for their better future and get lots of success in coming life. !!!Good wishes!!!

Thank you Phyuntsok Dhargyal Secretary Bön Children’s Home Dolanji The Bön Children’s Home

July 2018

pg. 10

Appreciation Luncheon for the teachers and staff members of Central Tibetan Administration School On 21st April, 2018, the Tibetan Settlement Office, Yungdrung Bön Monastic Center Society and Bön Children’s Home Society jointly organized an appreciation function at sMenri Monastery Library, Dolanji in the honor of all the Teachers and Staff members of C.S.T family for their invaluable service towards the children of Tibetan Community since many decades under CTSA, New Delhi.

The Chief Guest of this special event was His Holiness, 34th sMenri Trizin, the spiritual leader of Yungdrug Bön , the guest of honor H.E. Ponlop Rinpoche, Rev. Latri Nyima Dakpa Rinpoche, the Vice Chairmen of LAC and founder of BCH and Mr. Lodhen Nyima (Tibetan Settlement of Officer, Dolanji ) The function was ended with an offering appreciation plaques and kataks.. And a special lunch for invited guest.

Thank you with Regards Phuntsok Dhargyal Secretary Bön Children's Home, Dolanji

The Bön Children’s Home

July 2018

pg. 11

Yeru’s Help For Tibetan Children Yeru Bon Center is a 501 ©3 non profit organization. Our mission is to promote the teachings of Yungdrung Bon, an unbroken lineage dating back approximately 18,000 years.

Yungdrung Bön has rich traditions and sophisticated philosophy and teachings. These teachings and practices help to cultivate the heart-mind of compassion and wisdom. They promote healing, forgiveness, clarity, peace, and ultimately lead to enlightenment.

The founder of Bön is Tonpa Shenrab Miwo, who, according to Bön tradition, first brought the Bön teachings to what is now Western Tibet 18,000 years ago.

Yungdrung Bön can be categorized into three main sets of teachings. These three sets are known as the Outer, Inner, and Secret teachings (Sanskrit Sutra, Tantra, and Dzogchen.) Each of these sets of teachings is a complete system of spiritual development that can lead the practitioner to attain enlightenment. Yungdrung Bön practitioners may choose to practice one, or more, of these sets of teachings, based on their capacity of understanding and the suitability of the practice.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has acknowledged that Bön is the native religion of Tibet, and one of the five core spiritual traditions of Tibet. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has further said that to understand Tibetan culture and history completely, one must understand Bön, and both support and preserve it. This acknowledgment confirms the role of Bön in the historical and current religious and political life of Tibetans.

Our second mission is to help cultivate the well -being of children located at Thethe Bon Children’s Home.

We help provide sponsorships, donations for buildings and repairs. Further education and the needs these children might have.

The Bon Children’s Home provides a safe environment for Bon children, mostly Tibetan but some from surrounding countries, whose family are not able to provide for them, or who are orphaned.

The Bön Children’s Home

July 2018

pg. 12

They are given meals, clothing, education, accommodations, the knowledge of their Tibetan Culture and spiritual growth.

Founded by Latri Nyima Dakpa Rinpoche, the BCH is managed by funds raised to help approximately 200 children from ages 4-19. The children are encouraged to continue their education in to a trade school or college. They are encouraged to know their self-worth, be kind and to be of service to others.

There is still so much help needed. Imagine what it takes to take care of your children or grand children. These children only receive minimal love and family attention from their home life. At the Bon Children’s Home, its not like a warm and fuzzy home life, but it is safe, they have a place to sleep, study, meals and clothing. They develop a sister and brother community, Many of the alumni students who have come to visit Yeru come as a group. They graduated together and have stayed together where they are living while they continue their education.

They are strong and are always asking how they can help with the children at the BCH. They are grateful every day, they study hard to show their gratitude.

If you are able to help, please donate to: http://thebonchildrenshome.com/ https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=LB8KGPMEKZENE

The Bön Children’s Home

July 2018

pg. 13

The Bön Children’s Home

July 2018

pg. 14