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As
a result of the Chinese occupation in 1959, Tibet's cultural
identity has been continually threatened. Recently this threat
has increased dramatically and the Tibetan identity now faces
extinction. For the last 40 years there has been a constant
exodus of Tibetans as they seek refuge in other countries
throughout the world.
Pema
Ts'al was founded as an educational institution for children,
a place where students can study both the teachings of the
Buddha and a comprehensive Western curriculum in order to
prepare them for their future role as leaders of the next
generation. The school will also accept blind students from
Mustang and the exiled Tibetan community to be educated using
the newly invented system of Tibetan Braille, which has been
pioneered at Pema Ts'al's sister school in Mundgod, southern
India.
Schools
currently operate in both India and Nepal, and future plans
include a Buddhist Monastery for girls. An educational institution
for Western adults opened in February 2001 in New York City.
Pema
Ts'al Monastic Institute, Pokhara, Nepal
 The
survival of Tibetan Buddhism, and therefore the survival of
Tibetan culture, depends on opportunities for monastic education
offered to the children and families of the Tibetan population
in exile, as well as to the residents of the Mustang region
in Nepal.
The
Pema Ts'al Monastic Institute, originally located in the outskirts
of the Kathmandu valley in Nepal, was established in March
of 1999 with 25 children representing almost all the different
villages of Mustang and five of the Tibetan refugee settlements
around Kathmandu and Darjeeling in India. In February 2002,
the children moved to their new home in Pokhara, Nepal, when
the First Phase of construction on the new Institute was completed.
Mustang, a remote border region in northwest Nepal, was once
a part of Tibet, both culturally and ethnically, and is one
of the smallest Buddhist kingdoms. Because of its isolation,
it was protected from the Chinese invasion of Tibet and has
remained entirely Tibetan. It is one of the rare places where
Tibetan Buddhism has survived the destructive effects of communism,
but since the occupation of Tibet by the Chinese in 1959,
Mustang has lost the spiritual and cultural patronage it once
received from Sakya, Tibet.
Until
recently, Mustang has remained one of the most isolated and
inaccessible areas of the world. Mustang is one of the few
places where social and spiritual life has remained virtually
unchanged for centuries. Mustang's exposure to the outside
world will undoubtedly bring greatly needed improvements in
such areas as water, sanitation, and health, but this will
also present new challenges to the survival of its rich Tibetan
Buddhist culture. These challenges have already been forseen
by Mustang's spiritual patrons - His Holiness Sakya Trizin
and the eminent Sakya masters His Eminence Chogye Trichen
Rinpoche and Ludhing Khen Rinpoche. The institute has been
running under the blessing and guidance of HH Sakya Trizin.
In
Mustang, as in Mundgod, the support for a Tibetan education
is limited, and the education provided by the Nepalese government
excludes a Tibetan language curriculum for the children of
Mustang who are ethnic Tibetans.
The
primary objectives of the Pema Ts'al Monastic Institute School
are:
- To
provide free education and complete care for the Tibetan
children of the most destitute families in Mustang through
traditional monastic training combined with a modern education.
- To
create a model for the community, where education is highly
valued by providing a better opportunity for learning through
discipline, dedication and hard work.
- To
inspire an awakening among the community to preserve its
cultural identity and ethical values in this changing world.
-
To awaken a consciousness in the heart of the students so
they will be a responsible part of the larger community
and uplift all humanity through prayers and blessings.
- To
establish this institution in all fields of study as the
future Mustang University.
Students
study both traditional Buddhist scriptures and texts, and
learn a traditional Tibetan Buddhist curriculum, but they
are unique in that they are also learning Western subjects
such as English, math and science. Each child is encouraged
to remain in the monastic order, but each is given the opportunity
to decide for himself whether he wishes to pursue further
monastic training. Regardless, each child will be equipped
to survive in the modern world, whether as a monk or a lay
person.
Construction
Begins on the New School
In
February 2002, the children of Pema Ts'al moved to their new
home in Pokhara, Nepal, when the First Phase of construction
was completed on their permanent home and school. In May 2003,
a commitment from a generous donor allowed construction of
the Second Phase to begin. The Second Phase consists of the
kitchen, dining hall, storeroom, living quarters for the cooks,
and the reception area.
The
Third and Fourth Phases will consist of 14 and 22 more bedrooms
for additional 70 students. The Fifth and final phase will
be construction of the main Temple and surrounding buildings,
as well as the purchase of additional land. Click
here for more information on the school and construction.
Sponsor
a Child
If
you would like to sponsor a child in Nepal or India, please
click on the "Sponsor a Child" button to the right.
Please fill out the form and mail to the address at the top.
If you would like to make a general donation to the school,
please click on the "Make a Donation" button at
the top of this page. Thank you from everyone at Pema Ts'al.
Ways
your money can help:
$25
- Feeds 20 children for a day, 60 meals total
$30 - Buys a cupboard for a student
$50 - Provides a teacher with a table and a chair
$100 - Provides a bed and a table for a student
$150 - Pays a teacher's salary for two months
$250 - Builds a cupboard for the classrooms
$1000 - Provides a bedroom for a child or a teacher
$1300 - Builds a bathroom
$3500 - Will build a classroom
You
can also dedicate a room; e.g., with a $3500 donation you
can have a classroom dedicated to you or the person you designate;
for $1000, you can do the same with a bedroom. When you send
in your donation, please state in writing that you would like
this done.
All
money donated is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed
by law. The Vikramasila Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable
501(c)(3) organization, tax ID #22-299-8005.
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