KF-India

KF is making special efforts to revive the Buddhist heritage in India, the source of the great river of Buddhism—the place where Shakyamuni Buddha was born, achieved enlightenment, and taught for 45 years before passing into parinirvana. In line with Rinpoche’s wish to expand the Foundation’s support for new projects in India, and to facilitate present activities, KF-India was incorporated by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in October 2011, held its first board meeting in Bodhgaya in October 2012, and received tax exempt status in November 2012.

“There are few places in this world where all Buddhists come together under one umbrella—from the pilgrim who offers orchids fresh from Thailand to the Tibetan who has journeyed by bus or train from the Himalayas with a mandala offering of turquoise and coral or the westerner who meditates under the sacred Bodhi Tree. They all share a common commitment to understanding and deepening their relationship to this sacred place — the Mahabodhi Mahavihara, the great Temple at Bodhgaya.” — Richard Dixey, associate director of the Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International and an advisor to Khyentse Foundation

“Being a KF board member has not only made it possible for me to connect to people who are engaged in extraordinary work in Buddhist studies — be it research or the work of translation — it has given me an opportunity to meet amazing teachers of Buddhadharma. Rinpoche has always inspired me to explore the great Nalanda tradition and recognize the hidden jewels there.”

Raji Ramanan

Advisor to KF-India, KF board member

“At Pune, we wish to create a modern seat of learning by combining indigenous talent with modern scholastic methodology. KF’s visiting professorship facilitates the interaction of India’s budding scholars with the global stalwarts in the field of Buddhist Studies through special teaching programs and joint research.”

Professor Mahesh Deokar

Head of the Department of Pali, University of Pune

India Projects

Light of Buddhadharma Foundation

Khyentse Foundation has been supporting the Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International (LBDFI) in its mission to revitalize the Buddhadharma in its motherland of India. One of its primary activities is the annual Tiptaka International Chanting Ceremony in Bodhgaya. Theravadin monks travel to Bodhgaya to chant sutras from the Pali canon. Grants from Khyentse Foundation have supported the international travel of monks who gave Dharma talks at the ceremony and the printing of the Dhammapada that was distributed in Nagpur and Delhi and other Tipitaka Chanting ceremonies sponsored by LBDFI that take place throughout India.

Youth Buddhist Society

YBS Members With His Holiness Karmapa at Dharamshala

YBS is a volunteer, nongovernmental, nonsectarian, nonprofit, and nonpolitical people’s development movement based on engaged Buddhism. Established in 1986 in Sankisa, Uttar Pradesh, India, YBS has brought about grassroots initiatives, involvement, and development of mind among thousands of villagers in India. KF-India grants have supported a variety of YBS projects.

DKCLI Medical Camp

By Nisheeta Jagatani

For ongoing care, everyone is welcome to come to the clinic at the shedra.

Since its inauguration in 2006, Dzongsar Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö Institute (DKCLI) has become an integral part of the surrounding communities. The institute is located in the foothills of the beautiful Dhauladhar range of the Himalayan mountains in Himachal Pradesh, close to the town of Chauntra. The Tibetan settlement near Chauntra houses two Tibetan schools and a home for the elderly. Several other small villages surround Chauntra; the primary occupation of the villagers is agriculture.

DKCLI has an on-campus medical clinic, supported by KF-India, with a full time nurse and visiting doctors who are on site twice a week. The clinic serves the primary and preventive health care needs of the monks and nearby villagers. An average of 657 visitors come each month with a variety of ailments such as colds, flu, and gastric and respiratory problems. They are also invited to an annual dental camp held at the clinic for the monks’ dental health and hygiene. The clinic has recently invested in a computer and system to properly document and maintain patient records. From November 11 to 17, 2013, KF-India organized a free medical camp at the institute for the second consecutive year. Free consultation and medicines were provided to a total of 488 patients suffering from ailments such as influenza, colds, diarrhea, and asthma. “Based on the success of Khyentse Foundation’s medical week held last year, many villagers returned this year,” said Dr. Abhishek Sharma, the doctor in charge. “This year we saw more children, women, and senior citizen patients.”

As the word spread, groups of elderly Tibetans from the neighboring villages as well as students from TCV School Chauntra took advantage of the medical camp. Several villagers traveled quite a long distance to seek treatment. “I heard that you are giving us good quality medicines,” said Ashok Ram, a rural farmer. “That is why I took a bus with my grandson to treat him here. He is 5 years old and is suffering from a dry cough.” Because the medical camp has proven to be very beneficial to the Indian and Tibetan communities, KF-India intends to continue funding the initiative in the coming years. Related Story: Update on DKCLI Clinic

Pune University Partnership

KF Visiting Professor Program Takes off

With Khyentse Foundation funding, Vice-Chancellor of Savitribai Phule Pune University has appointed six professors who will come to the Department of Pali as KF Visiting Professors. This is the beginning of a groundbreaking new partnership. “We are extremely thrilled about it,” said Mahesh A. Deokar, Professor and Head of the Department of Pali. “We are looking forward to a new era in the department with the gracious support of the KF.”

The department was established in 2006 and currently offers fifteen courses, ranging from certificate programs up to PhD programs. Because of Indian law, the university cannot hire foreign nationals as professors. “That limits our choices in terms of recruitment,” said Professor Deokar. “But now with this KF fellowship we are able to invite international scholars who have expertise in different areas of Buddhism — Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana.” The visiting professors will teach the courses of their choice, and carry out research projects. The six professors selected are at the top of their field and will bring new perspectives on Buddhist Studies to the more than 300 students enrolled at the university.

KF-India Team

Deepa Thakur, Board Member
Rajiv Sharma, Board Member
Suresh Jindal, Advisor
Raji Ramanan, Advisor
Prashant Varma, Advisor
Isabel Pedrosa, KF Liaison
Pema Wangchuk, India Liaison

FCRA

FCRA Receipts