Top photo: Young children playing near Sumang. Photo by Marvin Ross.

Left photo: Prayer Flags

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Shambhala
Throughout history, men and women have aspired to create societies that enabled them to express the dignity of human existence and to lead meaningful lives within a flourishing culture. According to the Shambhala tradition there is a natural source of radiance and brilliance in the world, which is the innate wakefulness of human beings. This is the basis, in myth and inspiration, of the kingdom of Shambhala, an enlightened society of fearlessness, dignity and compassion. It is from this tradition that the global Shambhala mandala established by the Venerable Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche takes its name:

Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche is the head of the Shambhala Mandala and founder of the Konchok Foundation. He is the  author of the national bestseller Turning the Mind into an Ally. “That his teachings are finally available to a wider audience is wonderful. That they will benefit all who read them, I have no doubt. I am glad that many more people will now be able to experience the clear and precise wisdom of my heart friend and precious teacher.” – Pema Chödrön, bestelling author of When Things Fall Apart.

The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya
One of the most extraordinary architectural achievements of the Buddhist world outside Asia, this 108-foot high Stupa rises in the Colorado Rockies at Shambhala Mountain Center. Bob King, the Stupa project manager, has carried out the technical survey for the Surmang Düdtsi-til Monastery construction.

The Surmang Foundation
Surmang Foundation is committed to poverty alleviation in rural Tibet and ethnic Tibetan regions, places with acute health crises, lack of education and lack of basic human rights. The Model Clinics Program is based on the creation of a network of remote healthcare.  Our existing clinic, in place for 12 years, treats over 800 patients a month for free.  Our focus on Mother and Child health, is to overcome sub-Saharan-level infant and maternal mortality rates.  We hope to empower Tibetan women and bring their culture back from the edge of cultural dispossession.

Weyching Gompa Nunnery and Kyere monastery
Weyching Gompa nunnery and Kyere monastery are part of the Surmang group of monasteries in Tibet. Weyching nunnery was started in 1995 by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche's cousin, Karma Senge Rinpoche. There are now 60 nuns in residence getting the same traditional Tibetan education that monks receive. The land where it is located was recognized by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche as a place where auspicious events were likely to occur.

Kyere monastery is located in the same vicinity as Weyching, in the former kingdom of Lhato approximately fifty air miles south of Surmang Dutsi Til. The abbot of Kyere, Damchö Tenphel Rinpoche, the younger brother of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, remained in seclusion in this remote area along with other members of his family in the years following the Chinese invasion of Tibet. Since approximately 1980, he has led the re-establishment of Kyere.

The Konchok Foundation has begun to provide some support for Weyching and Kyere.