Students of Maitreya School, Bodhgaya, thank kind donors for their support!

Since 2012, FPMT’s Social Services Fund has been providing vital support to schools in India and Nepal that serve students from Tibetan, Nepali, Sherpa, and Indian backgrounds. This support encompasses essentials such as food, uniforms, school supplies, and teacher salaries, effectively enabling these schools to offer quality education free of charge.

 In 2023, through the Social Services Fund we granted US$260,807.75 to eight different schools. This support has benefited over 1,500 school aged children in India and Nepal.

We invite you to rejoice in our collective accomplishment this year, which is helping to break the cycle of poverty in underprivileged communities. Our efforts are providing essential contemporary education and also integrating the profound teachings of the Dharma and cultural preservation.

Students of Ngari Institute with their tutor.

Located in the remote desert-like region of Ladakh, Ngari Institute holds great importance in preserving the Tibetan way of life, culture, and religion. While Ladakh itself is one of the most sparsely populated areas in India, its cultural and historical ties with Tibet remain strong, despite the majority religious groups being Muslims (46%) and Buddhists (40%). Established in 2010 and inaugurated by His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama in 2016, Ngari Institute currently supports 69 students, accompanied by a dedicated team of 21 staff members. With a larger objective of educating 200 children, the institute specifically focuses on providing opportunities to orphans, children of single parents, those from poor families, and young monks in training. Primary school students are enrolled in government public schools while intermediate and secondary school students attend private schools, with fees being covered by Ngari Institute. After school hours, hired teachers assist the students in completing their homework, while the resident monks impart knowledge of Tibetan language and meditation practices. The Institute ensures that students receive essential provisions including room, board, tuition fees, books, and clothing allowances, as well as access to medical care. In 2023, 30 graduates were pursuing their studies in various fields, including engineering, Tibetan medicine, Sanskrit, and psychology.

Since 2013, the Social Services Fund has been offering assistance to Ngari Institute. This year,  US$30,097.17 was offered to cover all the food for the students and teachers in 2023.

Students of Sagarmatha Secondary School.

Sagarmatha Secondary School, Chailsa, Solukhumbu, Nepal, is located in Solu Khumbu, a picturesque region in north-eastern Nepal that borders Tibet. Since 2015, the FPMT has taken on the responsibility of sponsoring Sagarmatha Secondary School to provide education to 220 students, comprising 125 boys and 95 girls. Sixteen dedicated teachers and eight caring staff members support the students. Most of them belong to the Sherpa ethnic group, celebrating their unique heritage. The management of the school is overseen by the Kopan Monastery, ensuring a nurturing and well-rounded learning environment for the students.

In the year 2017, Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited the school. The whole school community was filled with joy as Rinpoche blessed the school. The children welcomed Rinpoche with a traditional dance, symbolizing their appreciation for his kindness and wisdom. During the visit, Lama Zopa Rinpoche took the time to provide an explanation of the practice of water bowls offering, which has been carefully followed by the school community ever since.

Understanding the importance of meeting the school’s annual needs, the Social Services Fund has offered support since 2015. In 2023, US$45,000 has been allocated to cover the necessary expenses, ensuring that the school can continue to provide quality education and maintain a nurturing environment.

Rinpoche with the students of Shree Sangka Decholing Gonpa School, March 2023.

Shree Sangka Dhechholing Gonpa School is located in Taplejung, Nepal. This area is renowned for its proximity to Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world, adding to the natural beauty that surrounds the school.

Registered in 2007, Shree Sangka School faced challenges in its early years and was not able to function properly until 2014. It was during this time that Ven. Thubten Jikdol, a Kopan Monastery monk, took the initiative to run the school, gradually expanding the grounds in 2016. Over the span of seven years, the school faced various obstacles that are common for the schools in the Himalayan regions. These challenges included developing new curriculums, establishing monastic schools for monks and nuns, as well as creating schools for the lay communities. The aim was to incorporate the Buddhist teachings, focusing on love, compassion, joy, and equanimity, with the goal of nurturing a caring society and fostering the development of good human beings.

Since 2019, the school has been receiving support from the Social Services Fund. Moreover, the responsibility for the school has now been taken over by Kopan Monastery, further solidifying its commitment to the school’s growth and development.

In March 2023, Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited the school and attended the inauguration of the new school building. It was a joyous event, symbolizing the support and belief in the school’s mission and potential. In 2023 we have been able to cover the entire school budget of US$37,280.50 benefiting its 105 students and ensuring its continued operations and that all the students, many who come from underprivileged homes, do not need to pay anything to attend this school. 

Students of Maitreya School receiving school supplies.

Maitreya School, located in Bodh Gaya, India, is one of Root Institute for Wisdom Culture’s social projects. This school plays a crucial role in providing education to underprivileged children in Bihar, the land where Buddha attained enlightenment, situated in India’s poorest state. In this region, encountering children at every turn is a common occurrence (46% of Bihar’s population are children). These children primarily reside in villages that lack essential services like schools and health centers. Without a school like Maitreya, their potential for growth and development may never be fully realized.

During Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s recent visit in January 2023, Rinpoche offered US$4,800 for the purchase of shoes, T-shirts, and tracksuits for all 233 children. Additionally, in 2023, we offered US$34,200 to address the school’s annual needs. Part of these funds has been allocated for maintenance work, specifically waterproofing and plumbing repairs. Maitreya School also recognizes the importance of supporting the professional development of their teachers. Hence, the funding will be utilized for training sessions focusing on the 16 Guidelines for Life, lesson preparation, and effective teaching methodologies.

Students of Rolwaling Sangag Choling Monastery School eating their mid-day meal.

Rolwaling Sangag Choling Monastery School is situated in a remote region of east-central Nepal along the Tibet border. The name “Rolwaling” translates to “valley carved by a plough,” which is apt considering the area’s steep cliffs that resemble furrows created by a plough. This region remains largely unexplored, making it an arduous trek through the mountains. As a result, every April, the school takes the responsibility of purchasing food and arranging transportation. Essential food supplies like rice, lentils, noodles, and oil are sourced from Chetchet, the nearest accessible road point, which requires a two-day walk from the school. These supplies are then transported by porters and yaks. In cases where certain food items aren’t available in Chetchet, they are procured in Kathmandu and transported to Chetchet via bus.

In the Rolwaling valley, timber serves as the primary source of fuel for cooking, and the school follows the same practice. Every year in April and May, timbers are collected and stored. Local villagers are hired for this task, and elder monk-students also eagerly volunteer to contribute to this effort.

The Rolwaling School plays a vital role in preserving the unique local Buddhist tradition by actively participating in the celebration of two major religious festivals in the valley. In January-February 2023, fifteen elder-students, accompanied by teacher Lopon Ngawang Tsenden and Geshe Thupten Jinpa, embarked on an extensive 58-day pilgrimage tour to India. Their journey included visits to sacred sites such as Lumbini, Kushinagar, and Sarnath. Finally, they arrived in Bodhgaya, where they had the privilege of attending the grand Nyingma World Peace Prayer Ceremony.

We are granted US$20,200 in support of the 27 students at Rolwaling School in 2023. This funding will greatly contribute to their educational journey and overall well-being.

Young students of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery School with new school supplies.

Tashi Lhunpo Monastery School, operating under the Tashi Lhunpo Cultural Society in Bylakuppe, South India, embodies the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In this regard, the monastery seeks to integrate traditional Buddhist philosophy education and practice with modern subjects. Therefore, the primary objective of the school is to offer a comprehensive education that combines both basic modern subjects and the monastic curriculum. Currently, the school provides education from classes I to VIII, serving as a home for 164 monastic students and supported by 16 teachers. The teachers instruct a range of subjects including Science, Math, Computers, Tibetan, and English.

However, a recurring challenge faced by the school is the recruitment of qualified and experienced teachers for an extended period of time, mainly due to the lower than average salary. To address this, in 2023, we offered a grant of US$43,880.40 for one year of sponsorship for all the teacher salaries. This is a crucial investment in the school’s mission to provide quality education and uphold its holistic approach to learning.

Students of Gaden Jangtse Monastic College with school books.

Gaden Jangtse Monastic College, situated in South India, is a monastic institution associated with the Gelug lineage of the Tibetan Buddhist. Its primary focus is on providing education and training to monks, with a particular emphasis on Buddhist philosophy, scripture, debate, and meditation. The college is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan Buddhist teachings and values. Within the Gaden Jangtse School, there are currently 570 students and 15 teachers on salary. Additionally, 15 volunteer teachers, who are senior monks in the College, contribute their expertise. We were very happy to extend support to Gaden Jangtse College for the first time, offering US$41,472.48 toward the Teachers Salary Fund. This contribution has been made possible thanks to the generous support through the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund. This donation enabled the college to provide salaries to their teachers and continue providing a comprehensive education to young monks.

Namgyal Tantric College, situated in Dharamshala, India, stands out from other Tibetan monasteries due to its unique purpose. Serving as the personal monastery of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Namgyal Monastery is a non-sectarian institution responsible for upholding and preserving the ritual practices and teachings of all the four main lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.

Recognizing the importance of modern education and following His Holiness the Dalai lama’s advice, the monastery’s Education Committee approached FPMT for assistance in covering the annual salaries of 17 teachers. Currently, the monastery accommodates and educates 113 student monks, providing them with a curriculum that encompasses both traditional Buddhist philosophy and modern academic subjects, including English, math, science, and computer studies.

With great pleasure, we offered US$8,677.20 to support the salaries of these dedicated teachers. This donation has been made through the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund, emphasizing its commitment to fostering compassion and wisdom within the world. The contribution will undoubtedly play a significant role in sustaining the Monastery’s educational activities and ensuring the continuity of spiritual traditions.

We are profoundly grateful for the ongoing opportunity to support all these schools and educational institutes, offering a modern and Dharma education to sangha and students. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors whose unwavering support has made these offerings possible. Your compassion and commitment have truly made a profound impact.

All are welcome to offer toward the Social Services Fund, to help ensure support to the education of those in need in India and Nepal continues far into the future.

The Social Services Fund, established to support Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the FPMT organization, focuses efforts primarily in India, Nepal, Tibet and Mongolia. Funds help children, the elderly, sick, and very poor.