1 Construction of a Monastery for the people of Samar - Upper Mustang - Nepal Himalaya

We are very happy that this project has been finished. After the Buddha statues have been restaurated, the wooden shrine has been carpentered and the traditional Buddhist wall paintings have been made last year, the last finishing touches to the completion of the monastery have been given.

Furthermore, the inauguration of the monastery has been prepared. From 25th to 27th of September 2012, the huge dedication ceremony was held by Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche (www.shangpa.org), who is also head lama of this monastery, and Ven. Dupsing Rinpoche. A lama with 2 monks will hold the monastery and fill it with Buddhist exercise. During the very cold winter months, a keyholder will watch this place.

The people of Samar are extremely happy about this revival of their Buddhist culture and tradition. They assured us of this fact several times during our project trip in 2011 and 2012. On any of these trips (mostly 2 times a year), we are very warmly greeted. In 2011, the residents mounted the flags of the 5 Buddha families and the wind horse flags – covering wishes for the welfare of all beings – to the new monastery, together with us. Afterwards, we meditated together on the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, then we had a party and danced until late at night. The mayor's father explained to us that in 1944, the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, as head of the Karma Kagyü lineage (one of 4 schools in Tibetan Buddhism) held a black crown ceremony only 50 m from the current new monastery. A huge camp was built for this important event and Gyalwa Karmapa spent several days in Samar and visited all Buddhist locations in upper Mustang.

In order to maintain the monastery as well as to ensure its survival and the provision for the lamas, the monks and the keyholder, we still need support by donations.