The following article is from the Spring, 1988 issue of the Snow Lion Newsletter and is for historical reference only. You can see this in context of the original newsletter here.

Appeals for Rebuilding Monasteries in India

Lato-Shelkar Chosde monastery, located in Southwest Tibet in 1920, Tibetan Buddhism

Lato-Shelkar Chosde monastery in 1920, Southwest Tibet

SHELKAR CHOSDE GADEN LING

Lato-Shelkar Chosde monastery, located in Southwest Tibet, was one of the largest monasteries in the area, with a population of 300 monks of all ages. With the exception of a few young novice monks, all were taken away to prison camps during the Chinese invasion, where many died from the hardships. The monastery was completely destroyed. The site of this once magnificent monastery is now a garbage dump. In 1983, two monks, Ngawang Chophell and his brother, Losang Samten, were released from the prison camp where they had spent 22 years doing hard labor. That same year, they escaped to Nepal. They have since written a book on the history of their monastery, and are now undertaking its reconstruction in Nepal.


The monastery was completely destroyed. The site of this once magnificent monastery is now a garbage dump.

Their aims and objectives are:

  1. To re-establish the lost monastery
  2. To preserve its religious tradition
  3. To use this place as an institute where modern education and Tibetan medicine can be imparted to the young monks.

So far, the following progress has been made. Losang Samten has received the blessings and advice of H.H. the Dalai Lama for this project. A small piece of land has been purchased with money donated by Tibetans in India and Nepal. The reincarnation of Shelkar Linga Tulku, the head lama of the monastery who died in the Chinese prison, was recognized and blessed by H.H. the Dalai Lama in 1985 in Bodhgaya, India.

Young novices have gradually been enrolled. As of today, there are 34 monks. Currently, the monks, young and old, are living in a tin shack, which provides little shelter from the monsoon rains and wind.

In order to construct a modest monastery on the plot of land that has been purchased, funding is needed. We ask that you donate any amount of money that you are able to. All donations will be kept in a special account and used strictly for this purpose.

Click on the following link to read more about the The History of Shelkar Chosde Gaden Ling.

For up-to-date donation information click here. Thank you for your contributions.

SERA JE TIBETAN MONASTERY

Unlike the Sera Monastery of old, an institution hidden from the world by the snowy peaks of Tibet and her policy of isolationism, the Sera Je of today has had to learn to cope with the modern world. The original 200 monks who settled in South India were each given three-quarters of an acre of land which was intended to provide them each with enough income for food. Today, the original land must support 600 monks and the amount of food which an elder monk receives as his ration must be shared with his students (unless they have sponsors). Of the over 600 monks who now live at Sera Je, about one third are children under 16. The children are trained in the traditions and scriptures of the Tibetan Buddhist monastic order as well as skills that will prepare them for active and effective participation in the world of tomorrow.

Since the re-founding of Sera in South India, lack of water, poor nutrition, and improper medical facilities have made diseases like tuberculosis a common occurrence among the monks. And, as is always the case in such situations, it has been the children who have been hardest hit. The Abbot is planning to deal with these problems with a three-fold program the improvement of nutrition through a better basic diet and nutritional supplements; the improvement of hygienic conditions through the construction of proper facilities and education; and the proffer administration of medical treatment.

Funds are desperately needed for these endeavors. Sponsors for over 100 young monks are still required. A well and water storage tank are urgently needed and the construction of toilets, bathing facilities, a dining room, and teachers' quarters must follow.

The cost of sponsoring food for an individual child is $150 a year. Sponsorship is a truly meaningful way of both helping and creating a strong connection with a young monk. The sponsor receives a photo and short biography of the child, regular letters from the child himself, reports of his progress at the school, and the school newsletter.

If you would like to make a general contribution towards the betterment of food, it would help us get off the ground until the full nutritional program can be implemented. Contributions in any amount towards the water and general building funds are also urgently needed.

Sponsoring a teacher is an excellent way to be of direct help to many children at once. The cost of one teacher is $216 per quarter. As with sponsorship of a child, it is a very unique opportunity for the sponsor to create a personal relationship with the school.

In addition to monetary support, you can be of help by sending us old or used textbooks. We are also in the process of setting up an internship program whereby volunteers can come to live and teach at Sera Je School for periods of six months to a year, receiving free classes in Tibetan language or philosophy in return. If you are unable to help at the moment, don't worry, please keep us in mind. You don't have to be a Buddhist to help. The desire to see healthy children growing up in an open and conducive environment is beyond religion, it is a universal-learning of all mankind.

The click on the following links for information regarding: up-to-date contact information and current projects.

 

REBUILDING TSURPHU

From the inspiration of His Holiness the XVIth Karmapa and his Lineage Holders, Tsurphu Monastery (seat of Karmapas in Tibet) is now being rebuilt. The Chinese government has granted permission for rebuilding the entire monastery, but only a portion of the funds were provided.

Click on the following link for more information about the rebuilding of Tshrphu.

For more information:

H.H. the Fourteenth Dalai Lama

His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama is considered the foremost Buddhist leader of our time. The exiled spiritual head of the Tibetan people, he is a Nobel Peace Laureate, a Congressional Gold Medal recipient, and a remarkable teacher and scholar who has authored over one hundred books.

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