The Venerable Lama Sherab Dorje, representative of His Holiness Kalu Rinpoche at Kagyu Ling in Burgundy, France, has announced the founding of a Buddhist Medical Institute. The Institute, a long-time wish of Kalu Rinpoche, is an aspect of Kagyu Ling's Shedra in the Marpa Institute. A Shedra is a Tibetan Buddhist institution of higher learning, similar to a university, in which the traditional curriculum of philosophy, language, grammar, calligraphy, etc. is taught.

H.H. Kalu Rinpoche was himself a physician and the son of a physician. During his last visit to Kagyu Ling he predicted that Kagyu Ling would become a second Bodhgaya. Rinpoche made the wish that Buddhist medicine also be among the many aspects of the Dharma taught and practiced at Kagyu Ling, which include daily rituals, an eight-year course of Buddhist Philosophy, and the traditional 3-year, 3-month retreat.

This has finally come to fruition due to the kindness and generosity of the Government of His Royal Highness Jigme Wangchuck of Bhutan. It was they who granted Dr. Pema Dorje a leave of absence from his post as administrator of Bhutan's first hospital to come to the West to share with us the traditional medicine of their Himalayan Buddhist Kingdom.

For further information on Dr. Pema Dorje, this program, or any other program at Kagyu Ling, interested parties may contact Venerable Lama Seunam TMieupd, Kagyu Ling, 71320 La Boulaje, France. Tel. 85.79.43.41.; FAX: 85.79.43.09