SURMANG UPDATE 2008

“This year, as everyone knows, there have been demonstrations in Lhasa and elsewhere; but in the Surmang and Jyekundo area, there have been no demonstrations. The lives of the people there have not been affected much by these situations.  The shedra project is still going on but slowly.  So please continue to give us your support.”

--Khenpo Tsering Gyurme of Surmang

Sichuan earthquake.  In addition to the tragic enormous loss of life, the disastrous Sichuan earthquake caused a massive amount of property damage.  Surmang is fortunate to have been hundreds of miles from the epicenter and thus to have felt no effect from it. However, the costs of construction materials, along with most other things, had already been rising rapidly in China.  The huge rebuilding needed in Sichuan is already starting to have a further impact on construction costs in China.

Funding.  The successful accomplishment of the $75,000 goal for Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s Napa Marathon in March was most helpful.  Thank you to everyone who participated!  That campaign provided the money to kick off the building season at Surmang this year.  However, there is still more than $300,000 needed to finish the shedra, including the highly detailed interior and exterior painting, and a steady inflow of funds is needed to continue the construction.

Support for Trungpa XII Rinpoche and monks in retreat is also provided each year and planning work continues for the project at Wayen in the Golok area.  Trungpa Rinpoche, who will be 19 this year, is starting to take more of a role in the leadership of Surmang.

To help support the Surmang shedra, and Konchok Foundation’s related work, please go to www.konchok.org and navigate to the donations page.  The rebuilding of Surmang is only possible because of your support, and that of the other patrons.  Thank you.

Construction status.  This year’s construction season got underway at the end of April.  During May, the water line from Chakrasamvara creek to the shedra was installed.  It is sufficiently deep underground that it shouldn’t freeze in the winter.  Insulation in the main shrine room of the lhakang and plastering of those walls is now in progress.  Fifteen tons of granite floor tiles have been purchased and are awaiting installation.

               Local people installing the water line to the shedra   May 2008        photo Khenpo Tsering Gyurme

Khenpo Tsering performs a crucial role with the construction.  Per the usual arrangements in the region, the principal contractor only provides for labor, and that only for the main construction.  The project manager, in this case Khenpo Tsering, must purchase all the necessary materials in Xining, nearly 700 miles distant, and arrange their shipping first to Jyekundo, and then from Jyekundo to Surmang.  Each material purchase is individually negotiated with a dealer in that specific product, such as rebar, and must be paid for in cash.  Additionally, the project manager must negotiate with and oversee other contractors at the site, such as the solar heating contractor, the windows contractor, and the painting contractor.

Khenpo Tsering is in the U.S. right now.  However, even during periods of time when he is not at Surmang, there is still a great deal of work that can be done in his absence, provided that sufficient funds are available.   Khenpo Tsering is now arranging for others, including Aten Rinpoche and trusted monks, to substitute for him in project management wherever possible.  Also, it will be possible to work on the closed-in indoor areas next winter, again subject to funding availability.

Shambhala Mountain Center Peace Run.   Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche is holding this new and special running event on the morning of July 20, Shambhala Peace Day at the Great Stupa, for the benefit of the Surmang shedra and Konchok Foundation.   A number of runners will be participating in either the 5K or 15K distances at Shambhala Mountain Center.  To find out more about the SMC Peace Run, how to participate as a runner, or to make a donation in conjunction with the Peace Run, please go to: http://www.konchok.org/PeaceRunattheGreatStupa.html

Special Vidyadhara thangka.  Last summer, Khenpo Tsering commissioned a local artist near Surmang to make a thangka of the Vidyadhara, Chögyam Trungpa XI Rinpoche, working from a photograph.  The original of this thangka will hang in the Surmang shedra.  He then had additional thangkas made from this original, using high quality prints on fabric, with each print mounted on brocade, complete with a wooden dowel, and blessed by Khenpo Tsering.  There are still 50 of these inspiring thangkas available as gifts for donations of $250 or more.  To find out more about them, including the meaning of the iconography and how to receive one for a donation, please go to http://www.konchok.org/donation_gifts.php

Previous update reports from the Konchok Foundation are posted at www.konchok.org. 

Thank you.