Shangpa Foundation

Formation of Shangpa Foundation

One of Rinpoche efforts to benefit sentient beings is the establishment of the Shangpa Foundation, which was registered with the Nepalese government in 1996. The Foundation's objectives include promotion of the Dharma and provision of education and health care assistance to the individuals living in remote areas of Nepal.

These works are seen as the continuation of the efforts of his previous life as the 1st Shangpa Rinpoche whose compassion had been so deep rooted that he forgone his winter clothing for the aged.

Projects and Activities

With the support of his disciples and devotees, Rinpoche has completed several projects. Under his guidance, the Shangpa Foundation will continue to strive for the completion of those projects already planned. It will also implement and support future projects and activities in fulfilling the objectives set out in the Foundation. So far, Rinpoche has undertaken the following projects and activities.

Rinpoche Donating Blankets

i) The reconstruction of the monks' quarters at Jangchub Choeling Monastery in Pokhara was completed in 1991. The extended Monastery can now accommodate and provide facilities for the training of more than 100 monks.

ii) The construction of the Vikrama Shila Buddhist Institute on the Monastery ground in Pokhara had been completed in 1996. The Institute can have the educational facilities to enable more monks and laymen to study intensive Buddhist philosophy English and Nepalese languages. Scholarship will be made available for sponsoring the monks in their studies at the Institute.

iii) At the request of the villagers in Mukti Nath, Nepal, a nunnery is under construction on the site occupied by the ruins of the former nunnery built by the 1st Shangpa Rinpoche. The site is Southwest of Kathmandu and can be reached by a 45 minutes flight from the capital or 25 minutes from Pokhara. The construction of the quarters for 50 nuns have been completed while the rest of the nunnery is scheduled to be completed in 1988. An abbess will conduct classes in Buddhist philosophy, prayers, and retreats for the nuns. The villagers will have the opportunity to learn from them.

iv) In 1995, Rinpoche accepted a request by the Lumbini Development Trust to undertake the construction and management of a Monastery cum Institute on a 1500 square meter plot of land within the master plan for the development of Lumbini into a pilgrimage and tourist Centre. The facilities of the Monastery will be used for conducting short Buddhist courses and include provision of sustenance and accommodation for members of the sangha and pilgrims. The construction works are scheduled to commence in 1997.

v) In 1993, Rinpoche had set up a clinic in Pokhara to cater to the health care needs of the villagers. This clinic had been handed over to the villagers for their management.

vi) In Nov 1995, Rinpoche had provided 50,000 exercise books to several schools and given 300 blankets to a hospital in Nepal. These items are much needed by the people living in the remote and mountainous are as of Nepal.

Financial Provisions

The financial sources of the Foundation are basically grants and gifts from the Nepalese government and donations from national and international organisations including the local and foreign individuals.

Distribution of blankets - October 2001

Rinpoche travelled to Birendra Police Hospital, Maharajganj, Kathmandu to distribute Blankets, as part of his work under the Shangpa Foundation. Rinpoche was very pleased to be able to pass on about 200 Blankets distributed for 200 beds. About 70 police staff attended the handing over ceremony.

Rinpoche Addressing The Police Staff - (55kb)

Rinpoche Addressing The Police Staff - (74kb)

Handing Over The Blankets - (80kb)

Salutation! - (49kb)

Awarding of Certificate for the distribution of blankets - 9 April 2002

Rinpoche travelled back to Birendra Police Hospital, Maharajganj, Kathmandu this morning to receive a certificate from a senior police official in Kathmandu, honouring his handover of the 200 blankets the previous October.

Rinpoche receiving the certificate for the
handover of the blankets by the
Shangpa Foundation - (74kb)

Management Committee

A seven-member Executive Committee of the Foundation comprising a Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and 4 members are conferred the necessary powers for the operation of the Foundation. Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche is the Chairman of the Committee.

For further details and inquiries, please e-mail Shangpa Rinpoche, or use the following:

Telephone:
977-14270283

Fax:
977-14278823

Email : Shangpa Rinpoche