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      MAJOR PUSH TO COMPLETE SHEDRA

              SAKYONG TO RUN MARCH 2, 2008 MARATHON

Exterior painting at Surmang shedra

“I have decided to run the Napa Valley Marathon to show my mind and body support for the final push to completing the Surmang Monastery....I felt that I needed to run one final marathon to support this project. So let’s make one final push for this year so that we can open the dharma gates of the Surmang Shedra in 2009.”  --Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

The shedra (school) is by far the most important element in the re-establishment of Surmang Dutsi Til, the home monastery of the Trungpa lineage of teachers in eastern Tibet.  It will provide a seat for Chökyi Senge Trungpa Rinpoche, who will be 19 this year.  In addition to monks and nuns, the shedra will provide a crucial opportunity for education for local lay people, both children and adults.

March 2 Napa Marathon.  Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche has announced that he is dedicating what will probably be his final marathon for the completion of the Surmang shedra.  His run, which will take place in Napa, California, will kick off the 16 month drive to complete the shedra.

Donations in honor of the Sakyong’s marathon may be made by clicking on MAKE A DONATION in the right hand red column of the Fund Raising page.

Surmang shedra with the kargenma ruins (Shelabum’s castle) and grazing yaks in the background    Fall 2007

Consecration planned for summer 2009.  Khenpo Tsering Gyurme, who is overseeing the Surmang construction, has announced that, if sufficient financial support can be provided from the Western sangha, the shedra can be completed, consecrated and opened to students in summer 2009.  In addition to invitations to teachers, the consecration will be open to all sangha.

Crew working in shedra courtyard   October 2007

Now is the time...  More than 1600 different individuals have already contributed to the Surmang shedra, many of whom have given several donations.  This wonderful support has made the construction to date possible.  Now is the time to bring this project to fruition—please, if you have ever considered a donation, or an additional donation, to the shedra, this is a crucial time to do so. 

Masonry work on the 25,000 square foot complex is now largely completed.  However, a tremendous volume of finishing work is required before the building is ready for occupancy.  This includes additional plastering, flooring, interior and exterior painting, furnishings, and artwork.

Shambhala construction expert Bob King has worked closely with Khenpo Tsering to calculate the budget needed for completion, which totals $415,000 plus solar heating panels.  Sixteen months will be a tight timeframe in which to accomplish all that still needs to be done.  It will only be feasible if funds are in hand soon in order to have a large crew at work this summer and to place orders for needed items.

After breaking ground in late spring 2004 for a planned five year construction process, the shedra project is quite close to being on schedule.  Meanwhile, the need continues unabated for the shedra to serve as a crucial source of secular and dharma education for the local Tibetans, who have very low levels of income and literacy.

Rear view of shedra complex.   Solar power site is across the road.     October 2007

Trungpa Rinpoche.  At present, Trungpa XII Rinpoche, along with Garwang Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsering, and other Surmang tulkus and teachers, is in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, receiving the Surmang Hearing Lineage transmission from the venerable Tsotru Rinpoche.   Konchok Foundation continues to provide support for Trungpa Rinpoche’s education and living expenses.

Wayen.  Following up on the trip made to Wayen monastery in Golok by Konchok Foundation board members Lama Chonam, David Bolduc, Bob King, and Lindy King, construction planning is proceeding.  Wayen monastery is closely identified with Mipham Rinpoche.

Karma Senge Rinpoche.  A number of individuals have provided support through Konchok Foundation for the teaching activities of Karma Senge Rinpoche, the nephew of the Vidyadhara, Trungpa XI Rinpoche.  He is responsible for a group of monks at Kyere monastery and of nuns at Wenchen nunnery, which are part of the Surmang group.

To make a donation.  To make an on-line credit card donation, or for information about making a donation by check, please go to the Fund raising page and click on MAKE A DONATION  in the right hand column.