Top: Construction of the Surmang Shedra, 2004.

Left: Chakrasamvara (wheel of supreme bliss) lama dancer at Surmang. Photo by Khenpo Tsering Gyurme.

KONCHOK FOUNDATION SHEDRA PROJECT
Surmang Dutsi Til, Tibet

Summer 2005 UPDATE

“This (Surmang) is our Shambhala heartland.”

Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of donors, the rebuilding program at Surmang continues. The focus at this time is on construction of the shedra (monastic school).

Finishing this phase. We've already forwarded more than $100,000 to Tibet this year for construction plus additional funds for the Trungpa tulku and monks. WeÕre trying to raise an additional $25,000 to finish the current phase of construction by early October. If you can help, please go to the donations page. Thank you!

Construction. Shambhala construction experts Bob and Lindy King, who were at Surmang this summer, report that the current construction focus at the shedra is on the walls and roofs of the living quarters. Architectural trim details to be used on the lhakhang (main shrine hall) are also being poured. 34 people are presently working on construction on-site, plus others are involved in the delivery of materials. Sand and gravel for concrete are delivered from local villages but the delivery of cement, rebar and other construction materials from Xining, 600 miles away, is extremely arduous. Bags of cement have to be transferred from large to smaller trucks in Jyekundo, more than half of the trucks suffer breakdowns, such as broken axles, while crossing passes or fording rivers, and, even at cut rates, transportation costs more than the materials' purchase price.

Khenpo Tsering Gyurme of Surmang oversees the shedra effort on-site including payment of all of the local expenses. Khenpo Tsering is fluent in both Tibetan and Chinese and is becoming increasing proficient in English. This is most helpful since he uses all three languages every day in the course of managing the project.

Climactic conditions at the 12,500' altitude of Surmang limit the construction season to approximately May through early October. Heavy snow in the 16,000' pass that provides access to Surmang slowed the start of construction by one month this year since building materials couldn't get through until the pass opened.

Funding. Sakyong Mipham has dedicated his marathon runs over the past year to raising support for Konchok and Surmang. The Boston Marathon run by the Sakyong this spring successfully reached its $108,000 goal for donor support. Konchok Foundation has received $150,000 in donations thus far in 2005. Some five hundred donors have participated in providing support this year. All donors of $108 or more are receiving a relic from the Surmang Kargenma, the castle where the Trungpas had resided.

Education. Although the construction of the shedra will continue for another two to three years, the Sakyong already began discussions in 2004 with the Surmang leadership about the shedra educational program. Sakyong Mipham and Khenpo Tsering announced last year that the school will be open to both nuns and monks, both lay people and monastics, both young people and old. The curriculum will include secular as well as dharma subject matter. The Sakyong performed the traditional hair-cutting refuge ceremony last fall for 255 young people who committed to attend the shedra once it is open. At present, there are no schools in the Surmang valley.

Infrastructure. There is no telephone service or mail delivery to Surmang and no electricity except by gasoline-powered generators. The gasoline, along with other supplies, must be brought in from the nearest town, Jyekundo, by means of a difficult 12-16 hour drive which includes fording two rivers. Konchok Foundation has provided a satellite phone to Khenpo Tsering but it must be used sparing because of the difficult in getting it recharged. The shedra plans do include a small-scale solar power capability.

These and a host of other questions are part of the initial practical steps toward creating better integration between the Shambhala heartland in Tibet and the Shambhala mandala in the West.

Trungpa XII Tulku. Chškyi Senge, the twelfth Trungpa tulku, is now 16 years old. He has recently been alternating his time between his home in Derge and monasteries where he has been receiving dharma teachings, including Palpung, which is the Tibetan seat of Tai Situ Rinpoche. Konchok Foundation is providing annual financial support to him.

More Shambhala heartland efforts in addition to Surmang Dutsi Til: ÑWeyching and Kyere. Karma Senge Rinpoche and Damchš Tenphel Rinpoche, the Sakyong's cousin and uncle, are leading the rebuilding efforts at Weyching nunnery and Kyere monastery, which are part of the Surmang group. Information is available at www.weychinggompa.org. ÑWayen. This Nyingma monastery in eastern Tibet is closely associated with Mipham Rinpoche and has been visited by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Information is available at the Wayen page.

Providing help. For information about providing financial support for any of these efforts, please go to the donations page or to get involved as a volunteer, please contact Ginny Lipson at ginnylipson@comcast.net or (303-494-7852).

A colorful 17-minute DVD of Surmang is available to those who would like to show it in their local area.