2009 YEAR-END PROGRESS REPORT

and

Request for Support

 

“Surmang is Trungpa, Trungpa is Surmang.”

(--Vidyadhara the Ven. Chögyam Trungpa XI Rinpoche, from the book The Mishap Lineage)

 

Surmang shedra.  The 2009 construction season at the shedra complex drew to a close in October.  Approximately fifteen construction workers were present at the shedra this past summer.  Among the tasks accomplished were the waterproofing of the shedra roof,  laying of the stone flooring in the residential areas, work on various masonry and stucco details, completion of interior plastering, and the construction of a retaining wall in the hillside at the rear of the shedra.

There remains a large amount of painting, artwork, and other finishing work before the shedra can be consecrated.  Whether the construction work on the shedra can be finished in 2010 will depend principally on the availability of funds.

Northwest corner of shedra complex with Shelabum’s castle in background   2009

Chökyi Senge Trungpa XII Rinpoche, currently 20 years old, has been studying at Serta in eastern Tibet for most of the past year and a half.  Serta is a great dharmic institute established by H.H. Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, with more than 15,000 students.  Trungpa Rinpoche also spends time at Surmang, learning its particular dharma traditions.  In September/October of 2009, he studied the Chakrasamvara dance, and will be participating in the annual Chakrasamvara Dance at Surmang after Losar (Tibetan New Year).  In addition to performing practices and spending time with the Surmang monks, Trungpa Rinpoche accompanies the monks on visits to local villagers, doing prayers for those who are sick or dying.

Trungpa XII Rinpoche performing the Chakrasamvara Dance at Surmang  2007

photo by Khenpo Tsering Gyurme

 

Once the shedra at Surmang Dutsi Til is completed, which includes living quarters for him, Trungpa Rinpoche will assume his seat and begin teaching there.

Konchok Foundation is providing annual financial support for Trungpa Rinpoche’s living expenses and education.   Support for the Surmang monks in retreat at Dorje Khyung Dzong and Dechen Choling is also provided yearly.

Education program for children of Surmang.  Surmang was able to have an education program in the past year that included most of the children in the village from ages 6 through 12.  This took place from November 2008 through spring of 2009 thanks to support from a group of European patrons. 

Donation gifts.  Several generous patrons have made it possible for Konchok Foundation to offer some wonderful new gifts to donors, in addition to those that are already displayed on the Konchok website: 

All donors for the next several months will receive a beautiful 4x6 photo of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, courtesy of James Hoagland.  To see this photo, please click here.

For donors of $25 or more, we can offer sets of five beautiful hand crafted greeting cards donated by Alexandra Shenpen.  These can likewise be seen on our donation gifts site.  Please indicate your request for this gift—numbers are limited!

For donors of $50 or more, we are able to offer copies of the new book by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, “The Mishap Lineage: Transforming Confusion into Wisdom.” This book, based on a seminar given in 1975 about the Trungpa lineage of Surmang, is most appropriate reading for those who are supporting the rebuilding of Surmang.  These copies have been made available by the generosity of Carolyn Gimian and Shambhala Publications.  Please indicate your request for this gift—numbers are limited.

Thank you to the many donors who have continued to support the Surmang shedra and the other activities of the Konchok Foundation, even during these difficult economic times.  Your contributions make these efforts possible.

To make a donation.  To make an on-line credit card donation from anywhere, please visit www.konchok.org.  If you would like to specify the Mishap Lineage book as a gift, please indicate this in the “instructions to merchant” in the donation process.  In the U.S., donation checks can be made out to Konchok Foundation and sent to Ginny Lipson, Shambhala Center, 1345 Spruce St., Boulder, CO 80302.  In Canada, please make checks payable to Shambhala International with “Konchok Foundation” in the memo line and mail to: Terry Rudderham, Shambhala International, 1084 Tower Rd, Halifax, NS  B3H 2Y5.

 

Surmang Dutsi Til  2009