AN APPEAL FOR HELP FOR THE HIMALAYAN BON FOUNDATION IN THE UNITED STATES FROM KHENPO TENPA YUNGDRUNG RINPOCHE
First of all, I would like to express my deep respect and prayer for your well-being. It is a great honor for me to have this opportunity to share a few words.
The Himalayan Region is a home for diverse spiritual traditions with different backgrounds of philosophical systems and cultural traditions. This multi-national region has always been tolerant and peaceful among the divergent religious and cultural communities. This is, in fact, the land of the Buddha, the embodiment of Love, Compassion and Wisdom. The people of this region are blessed with the inspiration of peace and harmony.
Despite the impoverishment of material conditions and changes of political climate, the Bon people have faced throughout the history, the value of love, compassion, wisdom and peace has never been lost to our people. This is our fortunate tradition. This spiritual value which is deeply rooted in every individual of the Bonpo society, regardless of gender, social status and power is a great wealth that we can contribute to the world. This is a great instrument with which we can solve the problems our Bon culture and religion. This is a great light through which we can find the right direction. This is our inner most treasure that needs to be preserved for growth of our people, and humanity in general. In the case of Bon followers, these values lie in the core of Yungdrung Bon.
In order to ensure the a happy and peaceful life and better world:
We need to provide education for our children With Love, Compassion and Wisdom. We need to support physical development in our villages With Love, Compassion and Wisdom. We need to encourage economic growth in our country With Love, Compassion and Wisdom.
We need to contribute to build the Himalayan society With Love, Compassion and Wisdom.
Without value of Love, compassion and Wisdom, peace and happiness would remain only a dry word.
Standing firmly on these principals, the ground of humanity, I see the great importance and needs of preserving our precious spiritual and noble cultural traditions. I am inspired and encouraged to pursue this noble goal for our children and future generations.
Yungdrung Bon religion is one of the oldest living religions in the world. Of which Trinten Norbutse Monastery and I represent. Bon has been followed by many in the Himalayan region for thousands of years. In particular, the Himalayan region of Tibet, Dolpo, Mustang, Sikkim and Bhutan have been home for many great Bon masters and priceless ancient Bon treasures.
However, due to geographical remoteness, climatic disadvantage, low-income and lack of infrastructure, the Himalayan Bon people arduously continue the ancient life style, which results in two divergent aspects:
1. The advantage is the ancient wisdom has been transmitted for centuries and has been preserved uninterruptedly to this modern time.
2. The disadvantage is that people are continuing to suffer from insufficient basic needs, lack of health care and inadequate education.
Therefore, it is certain that a solution must be found. The best would be that it would come from the community. The members of community have the best knowledge about the conditions of their land and the people. The Triten Norbutse Institution, Bonpo Foundation, Zhang zhung Meri Bön Cultural Society, Dolpo Bon Society as well as the Tapi Rhitsa School is performing such a role. The need to establish a school where local children are provided with standard modern education along with traditional knowledge of their own religion and culture is vital. This move is important and timely.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank American people for your generosity in supporting the Himalayan Bon Foundation’s efforts to preserve our religious tradition and cultural heritage. As the Abbott of Trinten Norbutse Monastery and as one of the directors of the Himalayan Bon Foundation, I would like to encourage you to continue your kind and noble actions of generosity that promotes harmony in both spiritual and temporal wellbeing of the people of the world.
25TH ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDING OF TRITEN NORBUTSE MONASTERY
December 9th 2012 until January 2, 2013 in Kathmandu, Nepal
Ceremony for blessing healing medicine
The main event will be the performance of the sixteen-day blessing of healing medicine ritual called The Radiating Light-Rays of Consecrated Medicine (sman-sgrub ‘od zer ‘khyil ba) by the monks of Triten Norbutse Monastery. Read more...
