H.E. Nubpa Rinpoche at the land blessing ceremony on the site of the new Lapchi Association building on 14 Mar.

2012 First Quarter Update from Lapchi Association

(Jan – Mar 2012)

Lapchi Association’s New Building

After years of renting office space, Lapchi Association will be constructing a 4½-storey building next to Drikung Kagyu Rinchen Ling Monastery.

H.E. Nubpa Rinpoche and monks of Rinchen Ling performed a land blessing puja on the designated site on 14 March. Please refer to our photo gallery to view the related photos.

The tentative building plan is to have the office, cafe and bookshop on the first floor. The second floor will be quarters for office staff and members of Lapchi Association. The third and fourth floors will be retreat rooms and guest house. The top floor will be Shin Kyong Lha Khang, a shrine hall for Dharma protector, Shin Kyong.

The architect is currently working on the details of the construction plan.

Winter Period

As it’s extremely cold with heavy snowfall in Lapchi during the winter period, no restoration work can be carried out. For some of the retreatants who have come down, most of them will return to Lapchi by end of March to resume their retreats.

Lapchi Dorzin Dondrub Palden Rinpoche returned to Lapchi on 25 March after having spent close to 5 months in Drikung Kagyu Rinchen Ling Monastery. He had also visited India during this period.

Tatopani Retreat Center

The government has built a new road for vehicles that leads straight up to Tatopani Retreat Center. Retreatants no longer have to trek up the steep mountain for 4 hours from Tatopani town. Transporting supplies to retreatants is also a lot easier and more convenient now.

There is also a new police post nearby with 15 police officers. This greatly improves security in the area, reducing petty crimes such as theft. Both the new road and the police post have made the area a lot safer and convenient for retreatants.

Calf Liberation in Tatopani

Last year while spending 3 months in Tatopani, H.E. Nubpa Rinpoche sadly discovered that some local farmers starved their young calves to death or simply hung the calves to death on trees. As it takes time and money to rear the young calves before they become strong enough, most farmers see the calves as a great burden. Most importantly, the farmers want to reserve the cow’s milk for making butter and cheese, which will bring in immediate profit.

Therefore, Rinpoche initiated a calf liberation project. More than 10 calves were bought last year. The younger ones were adopted by willing farmers. The stronger ones are let grazing freely in the field.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the calf liberation funds may contact Karma Woesar, the secretary of Lapchi Association, email: lapchigonpa at gmail.com

In the Footsteps of a Yogi

“In the Footsteps of a Yogi”, a documentary on the 2011 Milarepa Boom Tsog in Lapchi has been produced by a team of volunteers from Malaysia and Taiwan. The team followed H.E. Nubpa Rinpoche to Lapchi to film the whole pilgrimage.

The post production was graciously sponsored and supported by a production company, video editors and talents in Singapore. Sponsors from Taiwan and Singapore have also made it possible to duplicate 2,000 DVD copies of the film for free distribution in Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, USA, Russia, Latvia, Germany, Canada, Nepal, India, etc.

The documentary and its 10 special features are also available on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duz3qQCTvYw

Nubpa Rinpoche at the foothills of Lapchi, Oct 2011

With the arrival of 2012, I’d like to wish everyone a happy new year. I hope that you will achieve great accomplishment in your work, studies and Dharma practice. I’d also like to say “tashi delek” to all the Dharma friends who have been supporting Lapchi Association all these years.

As Dharma practitioners, we have lost one year when we move into a new year. On the other hand, we have also gained a year’s experience. This in fact is a reminder on the impermanence of life. It reminds us of the preciousness of time. Therefore, we should focus on our Dharma practice whole-heartedly.

We held a Hundred Thousand Tsog Offering in Lapchi last year. Compared to 1998 when I first went up to Lapchi, there has been great transformation in Lapchi including the monastery and the retreat center. This is due to the support of all the generous sponsors.

Jetsun Milarepa has once said that the retreatant in the mountain and the sponsor at the foothills will both attain accomplishment together. This is due to the interdependence of dedication. So I’d like to take this opportunity to dedicate all the past merits that I’ve accumulated to all sentient beings, especially the kind sponsors of Lapchi. I hope that they will have physical and mental well-being, improvement in their Dharma practice, and that eventually they will attain the fruition of Vajradhara like Jetsun Milarepa.

Everyone leads a hectic life nowadays. Technology and living conditions are being developed swiftly. However, this has also brought about fierce competition. As a result, people are exhausted both physically and mentally. Since we’re living in this world, it’s inevitable that we have to stay in line with the development. However, it is very important that we remain relaxed with our mental state. If not, we will become a slave of social competition. That will be very draining. So I hope that all Dharma friends can remain relaxed.

Lastly, I hope that Dharma friends who haven’t generated bodhicitta will swiftly give rise to bodhicitta. For those who have generated bodhicitta, may your bodhicitta not decline but increase more and more. Thank you very much!

1 Jan 2012
Drikung Kagyu Rinchen Ling Monastery
Nepal

(Oct – Dec 2011)

Milarepa Boom Tsog Completed Successfully

Milarepa Boom Tsog (Hundred Thousand Tsog Offering) was successfully completed in Lapchi in Oct 2011. To find out more details, please refer to the previous special update.

H.E. Nubpa Rinpoche Stepped Down as the Chairman of Lapchi Association

After having fulfilled his 3-year term as the chairman of Lapchi Association, H.E. Nubpa Rinpoche has stepped down from the post. However, Rinpoche will remain as the consultant for the association. He will continue to provide guidance on matters especially related to the direction and restoration projects of the association. The newly elected chairman is Datsering, a long-time member of Lapchi Association and a native of Lapchi. Currently, Datsering is also the main caretaker at Tatopani Retreat Center.

Restoration of Ze Phug in Lapchi

Reconstruction of the retreat house in Ze Phug is expected to begin in March.

New Construction in Sankhu

A Malaysian disciple has sponsored the construction of a new retreat house in Sankhu. The construction is planned to begin around end of January.

Food Garden in Tatopani Retreat Center

The existing food garden in Tatopani Retreat Center will be expanded in April when the weather turns warmer. The purpose of the food garden is to provide more vegetables and fruits for the retreatants.

New Jeep

The newly bought jeep is still in need of NRS600,000. The yearly cost for fuel and maintenance is USD1,000. The Association will greatly appreciate any amount of donation to help defray the cost.

(Remarks: Please visit our Photo Gallery to view the latest 8 photo albums on Lapchi Boom Tsog.)

We traveled in three chartered buses and left Kathmandu at around 6.30am. As soon as we left the Kathmandu area, the ride took us through rural villages, winding valleys and rolling hills. As the monsoon season ended late this year, many parts of the road were still very wet, muddy and bumpy. The three buses “suffered” a broken spring, a fallen exhaust pipe and oil leaks respectively. Fortunately there was no other major damage. We reached our first camp site in Jagat at around 6pm. Everyone rested early after a simple dinner prepared by our six friendly and helpful cooks.

On the second day we started walking towards Lamabagar (a.k.a. Chog Sham) at daybreak. The first part of the walk was along a new road being built. It was relatively easy until we had to trek up an 80-degree steep mountain. After lunch, we continued along the main road for two hours until we encountered a complete road block caused by fallen rocks. We had to detour up to the mountain through a bamboo jungle to get to the other side. The treks inside the bamboo jungle were unclear, steep and slippery. It was a great physical challenge especially for those of us who had little trekking experience. But as Nubpa Rinpoche said, “When your physical body suffers for the purpose of pilgrimage and Dharma practice, it is a great form of purification.”

After close to nine hours of walking, we reached our camp site in the beautiful valley of Lamabagar / Chog Sham in the late afternoon.

On the third day we trekked from Lamabagar to Godavari. This would be the longest and most dangerous trek of our whole journey. We had to walk along cliffs over rapids using bridges and “pathways” made of wire mesh or wooden logs. It took great concentration and faith. Nubpa Rinpoche had advised that when we went on such a journey, we could turn it into an opportunity to train our calm-abiding or shamatha.

As people walked with different speed, it was a great relief when the last batch finally arrived at Godavari after dark. Although many of us had sore and aching muscles, we were grateful to be in Godavari.

The Sanskrit name, Godavari, is called Nya-Yon in Tibetan, which means “left ear”. The name is derived from a self-manifested shape of a human left ear on a rock wall in this area. This place is believed to be connected to Chakrasamvara and specifically, it refers to his left ear.

On the fourth day, we took a break from the trekking as previously planned. Nubpa Rinpoche conducted a tsog offering and smoke offering in the morning. He encouraged us to use the rest of the day to meditate or engage in our own Dharma practice. Rinpoche emphasized that as Godavari was a holy site of Chakrasamvara and H.H. Chetsang Rinpoche had done a 3-month retreat here, the place contained great blessings.

After a well-rested day, we started the fifth day in high spirit. Two hours into the walk we passed by Lumnang, the winter place of the Lapchi villagers. Another hour later we passed by a tiny village called Thangchenmu. Nubpa Rinpoche said that the hillsides along this route are filled with beautiful wild flowers every March.

After six hours of trekking, we reached our camp site in an area called Lha-Lung Wong-Ma at 2pm. Lapchi was just four hours away but as planned by the Lapchi Association, it would be much better to stop and rest so that we could adjust to the altitude.

On the sixth day, 15 Oct, we rose early and set off for Lapchi at around 5.30am. As we were approaching Lapchi, we noticed many beautiful clouds in the sky and took these as auspicious signs. When we reached the foothill of Lapchi, we were warmly welcomed by Dorzin Dondrub Palden Rinpoche, Lapchi retreatants, Rabsang Rinpoche and several monks of Rinchen Ling Monastery who had arrived a few days earlier.

Dorzin Rinpoche and the retreatants performed a short puja for Nubpa Rinpoche and served us tea and snacks. Nubpa Rinpoche joyously enjoyed the tea and chatted with the retreatants. After that, we continued to walk up towards Chöra Gephel Ling Monastery, where a team of local monks and monks of Rinchen Ling Monastery received Nubpa Rinpoche with a colorful parasol, the special Lapchi sang (incense) and music of long horns, drums and cymbals. Everyone including the local villagers was elated to be meeting Nubpa Rinpoche again since his departure from Lapchi in March 2009.

We circumambulated Chöra Gephel Ling Monastery before entering the shrine hall. It was a touching moment when Nubpa Rinpoche sobbed as he made aspiration prayers and offered a khata to the statue of Jetsun Milarepa.

We spent the next four days visiting holy caves around Lapchi, as well as retreat houses of H.H. Chetsang Rinpoche and Nubpa Rinpoche. The exhaustion that we experienced from the trekking became insignificant as we immersed ourselves in the blessings of this holy land and all the lineage masters.

A large tent had been put up in front of Dudul Phug, the Cave of Subjugation of Maras, for the Boom Tsog. In the early morning of 20 Oct, the first day of Boom Tsog, everyone was surprised by the six-inch snow that had accumulated on the ground since the middle of the previous night. Nubpa Rinpoche regarded this as an auspicious sign as when Milarepa first arrived in Dudul Phug, snow fell for 18 days and nights and cut off all accesses in the area. Milarepa was trapped inside the cave for six months. Not only did he survive with just one bag of tsampa, he accomplished the practice of tummo.

Due to the snow, we shifted to Chöra Gephel Ling Monastery for the Boom Tsog. The puja was attended by a total of around 100 persons including 42 foreigners, 11 monks from Rinchen Ling Monastery, 18 retreatants from Lapchi, 5 monks of Chöra Gephel Ling Monastery, 24 sanghas from Nepal and overseas, and Tibetan pilgrims from around the area.

Milarepa Hundred Thousand Tsog Offerings in Lapchi

Due to the large turnout, we managed to accumulate the tsog offering mantra a hundred thousand times by the second day of Boom Tsog. We continued with the puja as planned with one day of Vajra Dance performed by the local monks. Nubpa Rinpoche conferred a Four-arm Chenrezig empowerment on 26 Oct and conducted a full-day Dharma Protectors puja on 29 Oct. All the programs went smoothly as planned.

After 18 precious and blessed days up in Lapchi, we left on 2 Nov. Trekking down the mountains was apparently much easier and everyone walked with much ease. We reached Lumnang in mid-afternoon after six hours of walking and rested in the newly restored Lumnang Temple.

On 3 Nov, we trekked for around 8 hours from Lumnang to Lamabagar / Chog Sham. We spent the following day in Chog Sham. Nubpa Rinpoche conducted a tsog offering and conferred an Amitayus empowerment specially for the local villagers.

On 5 Nov, we walked for only two hours before catching our chartered bus back to Nayapati. We  reached Rinchen Ling Monastery in the early evening.

Despite all the difficulties that we had to experience, all the participants were very grateful to be a part of Boom Tsog in Lapchi this year. Many of us also realized that this could not have been possible without the compassionate blessings of Nubpa Rinpoche and all the lineage masters especially Milarepa. May the merits accumulated from this journey benefit all sentient beings and bring peace to the world.

(Note: Our two official photographers have taken a few thousands photos of the whole trip. We are in the process of sorting and selecting the photos. Once ready, the photos will be uploaded.)

H.E. Kyabje Togden Rinpoche (left) and H.E. Nubpa Rinpoche (right)

Empowerments & Oral Transmission by H.E. Kyabje Togden Rinpoche

H.E. Kyabje Togden Rinpoche arrived in Rinchen Ling Monastery on 14 Sep. As previously requested by H.E. Nubpa Rinpoche, Kyabje Togden Rinpoche is giving a series of empowerments and oral transmissions from 18 Sep to 6 Oct, including Yangzab, Nyingthig Yazhi and Mani Kabum.

The event is attended by monks of Rinchen Ling Monastery, Rinpoches and lamas of Drikung Kagyu and other lineages, as well as 24 foreign disciples from 10 different countries (Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Spain, USA, Mexico, Russia, and Germany). A “Request for Long Life Prayer” will be performed for Kyabje Togden Rinpoche on 7 Oct.

Rinpoche will travel to Lapchi by helicopter on 8 Oct for a pilgrimage. He will return to Rinchen Ling Monastery on 13 Oct and leave for H.E. Ayang Rinpoche’s monastery in South India on 16 Oct.

Milarepa Boom Tsog in Lapchi

Thirty-three foreigners and around 20 monks from Rinchen Ling Monastery will be attending the Milarepa Boom Tsog in Lapchi this October. The whole group will leave for Lapchi on 10 Oct.

Retreat Houses in Lapchi

Garchen Institute has sponsored the construction of 4 new retreat houses in Lapchi. Two have been completed while the other two are still in progress.

New Library in Lapchi

Under the instruction of H.H. Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, a new library is being constructed next to Chöra Gephel Ling Monastery. The library is estimated to be completed in one year’s time.

Tatopani Retreat Center

New fences have been set up around the boundary of Tatopani Retreat Center.

New Jeep

Lapchi Association has bought a new jeep on loan. The Association will greatly appreciate any amount of donation to help defray the cost of the jeep.

(Remarks: Please visit our Photo Gallery to view the latest photos.)

Participant who are interested to participate in the Milarepa Boom Tsok event in Lapchi, please do take note of the following:

-         Please bring more warm clothes and sleeping bags (up to -20′C degree Celsius) in view of the extremely cold weather.

-         Participants should be physically healthy and fit for the high altitude. Otherwise, participants are encouraged to gain some experience on trekking prior to this trip.

Regarding the tour expenses, upon registration, please send the amount to the account mentioned in the website (see below for more detailed information) and not to the Lapchi Association account.

Please register before 10^th Sept 2011.

Bank Transfer Information

Bank Name:                Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Ltd

Bank Address: Kathmandu, Nepal

Account Name:           Karma Sherpa

Account no.:                18109714801

Swift Code:                 SCBLNPKA

Western Union Transfer Information

Name:                         Karma Sherpa

Citizen Card no.:         298/2075

Mobile no.:                   +977 974 118 0988

Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche visits Lapchi

From 26^th April to 12^th May, Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche and Lapchi Drubpon Dorzin Dhondrub Palden Rinpoche led a group of disciples to Lapchi for pilgrimage. It was a wonderful trip. They walked to Lapchi and took a helicopter back to Kathmandu on 12^th May 2011. Khenchen Rinpoche and Drubpon Dorzin Rinpoche conducted three pujas at the Rechen Temple: Pakmo Tsog on 5^th May, Dhul dhul Phuk (Milarepa Tsog) on 7^th May and a Damchok Tsog at the Monastery on 10^th May.

Tara Sangchen Drubtä (Sankhu)

Four retreat rooms were completed and three of them are currently used by retreatants. One retreat room will be reserved for the use of H.E. Nubpa Rinpoche when Rinpoche returns from his teaching tour around September.

Tatopani Retreat Center

On-going projects at the Tatopani retreat centre include putting up a new fence around the retreat compound area. There are also future plans to grow fruits around the fence. Currently, there are 9 retreatants at the centre.

Lapchi Restoration

The Lapchi Restoration project team is making plans to build five retreat huts in Lapchi.

Appeal for Donation for Purchasing a Jeep

The Lapchi Association will be buying a jeep for the following purposes:

a) To travel to and fro Kathmandu and Lapchi (which is around 170km) for purchasing food supplies for retreatants.

b) To travel to the Tatopani retreat center from Kathmandu (a 4-hour drive) to send food supplies for retreatants.

c) To travel to Tara Sangchen Drupdhe (a 2-hour drive) from Kathmandu to deliver food supplies for retreatants.

d) To facilitate H.E Nubpa Rinpoche’s travelling and other needs from the city when Rinpoche is in Nepal.

The cost for the purchase of the jeep is US$43,500 and the Lapchi Association will be purchasing the jeep through a bank loan as the price will increase after 5^th July 2011 due to a government tax and price revision.

The Lapchi Association would therefore like to appeal for donations to support the jeep purchase.

COMMUNITY BRANCH

Steel Roofs for Lapchi Villagers

In 2007, H.H. Chetsang Rinpoche donated steel sheets to the Lapchi villagers to cover the roofs of their homes. However, as they lacked the funds to hire laborers, the steel sheets were not distributed until July 2010. The actual installation of the new steel roofs began in May this year. This precious gift from H.H. Chetsang Rinpoche is greatly appreciated by the villagers. Nubpa Rinpoche also hopes that by creating a more conducive living environment for the Lapchi people, they will remain in Lapchi and not migrate to other places, thus preserving the community of Lapchi.

(from left to right: Rabsang Rinpoche, Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche, Dorzin Dhondrub Palden Rinpoche, Jason)

H.E. Nubpa Rinpoche will be leading a Milarepa Boom Tsok (Hundred Thousand Tsok Offering) in the holy place, Lapchi, starting 20 Oct 2011.

Rinpoche explains that Boom Tsok is the most effective method for us to accumulate merits, to pray for the long life of our gurus, and to purify our samaya with our gurus. When this tsok offering is performed at a holy place such as Lapchi, it brings great blessings and benefits to all sentient beings. Rinpoche hopes that Dharma friends from around the world would have the favorable causes and conditions to travel to Lapchi to participate in the Milarepa Boom Tsok this year.

If you would like to participate in the Milarepa Boom Tsok, kindly refer to the information below. If you would like to take this auspicious opportunity to contribute to the Milarepa Boom Tsok, any amount is greatly welcome and rejoiced.

Itinerary

Day 1:  From Kathmandu to Shingati by bus, 7-8 hrs / Lodging: Guest house

Day 2:  From Shingati to Jagat by walking, 7-8 hrs / Lodging: Guest house

Day 3:  From Jagat to Lamabagar by walking, 7-8 hrs / Lodging: Tents & small guest house

Day 4:  From Lamabagar to Godavari by walking, 7-8 hrs / Lodging: Tents & retreat huts

Day 5:  From Godavari toward Lapchi by walking, 7-8 hrs / Lodging: Tents

Day 6:  Toward Lapchi Chöra Gephel Ling Monastery by walking, 7-8 hrs

Traveling Dates

1. The actual Milarepa Boom Tsok is from 20-30 Oct 2011
2. You may choose one of the following dates to leave Kathmandu for Lapchi: 11 Oct, 12 Oct, or 13 Oct 2011
3. You may choose one of the following dates to leave Lapchi for Kathmandu: 1 Nov, 2 Nov, or 3 Nov 2011

Traveling Group Size

Due to logistic and safety issues, each traveling group is restricted to a maximum of 5 persons and a minimum of 4 persons. For participants who have less than 4 companions, you will be combined with other smaller groups to reach the required group size.

Expenses

1. 5-person Group: USD400 per person
2. 4-person Group: USD450 per person

            [Includes 2-way expenses for guides, porters, cooks, meals, guest house & tents]

1. Trekking permit USD150 + Conservation Park entrance fee USD30 = USD180 per person
2. Bus fare from Kathmandu to Shingati: 400Rp per person (1-way)
3. Or hired jeep from Kathmandu to Shingati: USD250 per jeep (1-way)
4. Or hired helicopter from Kathmandu to Lapchi (the trip takes only 45 min):

            A 20-seater helicopter: USD14,000 (1-way)

            A 6-seater helicopter: USD4,000 (1-way)

Notes

1. The USD180 (for trekking permit and conservation park entrance fee) applies to all participants, whether you’re going to Lapchi by walking or by helicopter.
2. Traveling from Kathmandu to Shingati is subject to road conditions. You may be required to alight in Dolakha if the road from Dolakha to Shingati has been damaged during the monsoon season. You would then spend the first night in a guest house in Dolakha and the next day walking from Dolakha to Shingati. That means it will take one more day to reach Lapchi.
3. The walking trips will set off at 7am daily.
4. Meals will be taken at guest houses when such facilities are available. During the last part of the journey when there is no guest house, meals will be prepared by the accompanying cook. All meals are vegetarian with some canned food.
5. Once you reach Lapchi, you will stay in Chöra Gephel Ling Monastery and share meals with the community, free of charge.
6. Your luggage weight limit is 35kg.

Things to Bring

1. Personal clothes and toiletries
2. A good sleeping bag, a good jacket and a raincoat
3. Two pairs of good trekking/walking shoes and one pair of sandals (Your shoes will get wet crossing streams and rivers along the way. Therefore a second pair is necessary.)
4. Personal cup (For meal times and tea offering during puja. This will help reduce the use of plastic cups)
5. Torchlight
6. Personal first aid kit and medications

Other Information

1. The altitude of the peak of Lapchi is around 4,000 meters (13,123 ft) from sea level.
2. The altitude of lower Lapchi is 3,900 meters (12,795 ft) from sea level.
3. Night temperature in October will drop below 0ºC with possible snowfall.
4. There is water supply in Lapchi.
5. There is no electricity, no internet connection, and no mobile phone network in Lapchi.
6. There is a satellite phone in the Monastery for emergency use.

Registration & Deadline

1. For inquiries and registration, please contact Karma Woesar, the secretary of Lapchi Association, email: lapchigonpa at gmail.com
2. Please indicate your preferred traveling date to Lapchi, your group size and your preferred mode of transport.
3. Please include a scanned copy of your passport (the page with your photo and particulars) and a separate scanned copy of your passport size photo. These are needed for the trekking permit application beforehand.
4. Please send USD180 through bank transfer or Western Union for the trekking permit and conservation park entrance fee.
5. Please send us the above required information, documents and fees by 10 Sep 2011. The rest of the expenses may be paid when you arrive in Nepal.

Bank Transfer Information

Bank Name:                Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Ltd

Bank Address: Kathmandu, Nepal

Account Name:           Karma Sherpa

Account no.:                18109714801

Swift Code:                 SCBLNPKA

Western Union Transfer Information

Name:                         Karma Sherpa

Citizen Card no.:         298/2075

Mobile no.:                   +977 974 118 0988

Lapchi Restoration Project www.lapchimilarepadk.org

Ze Phug

The restoration work of Ze Phug will begin in mid-April 2011. H.E. Garchen Rinpoche who has visited Lapchi suggests to build a toilet there. It will be funded by the Garchen Institute in USA. A new temple will also be built in Ze Phug.

New Stupa in Lapchi

Lapchi Drubpon Dorzin Dhondup Palden Rinpoche intends to build a new stupa near the Jangchub Stupa in Lapchi. He is currently in Kathmandu to source for consecration materials. He will travel back to Lapchi sometime in April.

Saga Dawa Puja

A 1-month puja will be conducted in Lapchi during the auspicious month of Saga Dawa in June, signifying the day of Buddha Shakyamuni’s birth, enlightenment and parinirvana. The puja is specially dedicated to the long life of the two Drikung Kyabgon Holinesses. It is sponsored by Lama Sonam Chopel Rinpoche and Ferdinand Rinchen Phuntsok. All the necessary items for the puja have been purchased and prepared.

COMMUNITY BRANCH

Steel Roofs for Lapchi Villagers

In 2007, H.H. Chetsang Rinpoche donated steel sheets to the Lapchi villagers to cover the roofs of their homes. However, as Lapchi Association lacked the funds to hire laborers, the steel sheets were not distributed until July 2010. The actual installation of the new steel roofs will begin in May this year. This precious gift from H.H. Chetsang Rinpoche is greatly appreciated by the villagers. Nubpa Rinpoche also hopes that by creating a more conducive living environment for the Lapchi people, they will remain in Lapchi and not migrate to other places, thus preserving the community of Lapchi.

School

In July 2010, empty rooms in Chöra Gephel Ling, the main monastery of Lapchi, were converted into school for the Lapchi village kids. Currently there are around 7 kids attending the school. Other kids are kept at home by their uneducated parents to help out with chores. Lapchi Association hopes to improve the situation by communicating with the local parents as well. Another school will be created in Lumnang for the kids to continue schooling during winter time as Lumnang is warmer in the winter. It is also the residential area for the villagers in winter.