Revitalizing Buddhist Traditions
” An ecumenical or nonsectarian attitude to the teachings of the Buddha is so necessary.”
– Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
In some countries today, the practice and study of Buddhism is threatened by political, economic, and social challenges. To help ensure the survival of all the great Buddhist lineages and schools, as well as the Buddhadharma in general, Khyentse Foundation is exploring opportunities to support Dharma study and practice in countries such as India, Cambodia, Bhutan, China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mongolia, and Bangladesh, where there is an evident yearning for Buddhist teachings and a desire to revive traditional forms of Buddhism.
KF especially recognizes the importance of the Theravadin tradition as the foundation of Buddhist practice, and in true Rimé spirit supports efforts to ensure the survival, preservation, and revival of Theravada in countries where it was once a thriving tradition. Because the situation and needs of every country are different, KF partners with organizations that have already developed effective programs, as well as supporting groups and individuals engaged in innovative ways of restoring and renewing Buddhist traditions in their countries.
Countries
Revitalizing Projects by Country
India
Light of Buddhadharma Foundation
Tiptaka International Chanting Ceremony
LBDFI is dedicated to revitalizing the Buddha Sasana in India. As one of its primary activities, LBDFI sponsors the annual Tiptaka International Chanting Ceremony in Bodhgaya, now in its 11th year, where Theravadin monks from 10 countries travel to Bodhgaya to chant sutras from the Pali canon. In 2014, LBDFI received two grants from Khyentse Foundation, one to support the international travel of monks who gave Dharma talks at the 10th International Chanting Ceremony, and another to support the printing of the Dhammapada that was distributed in Nagpur and Delhi.
Youth Buddhist Society
YBS Members With His Holiness Karmapa at Dharamshala
YBSA 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. Khyentse Foundation grants have supported a variety of YBS projects.
Cambodia
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche visited Cambodia in 2004 and was greatly touched by the condition of monks living in makeshift structures. Deeply concerned that the Cambodian Theravadin tradition is in real danger of perishing if no effort is made to support and revive study and practice, he decided that Khyentse Foundation should help wherever possible.
Mr. Keo Vichith, field coordinator, with scholarship recipients Vens. Chamroeun Chhen, Sok Theavy, and Suy Sovann.
Since 2006, KF has partnered with the Khmer-Buddhist Educational Assistance Program (KEAP) as part of our commitment to help revitalize the Theravadin Buddhist tradition in Cambodia. KEAP was established in 1988 by Peter Gyallay-Pap to address the challenges of Buddhist renewal following decades of war and social upheaval, including the near-destruction of Buddhism and all forms of religious and spiritual life. Although this renewal is surely taking place, there is still no opportunity for Buddhist postgraduate study in the country. Through KF scholarships, KEAP is sending highly qualified Cambodian monks to Sri Lanka to pursue masters’ degrees and doctorates in Buddhist Studies at some of the best Theravadin institutions for higher learning in the region. After completing their studies, the monks return to Cambodia prepared to teach both lay and monastic students.
Bangladesh
Ven. KL Dhammajoti received a KF grant to provide Buddhist education to the young Bangladesh sangha through the Compassion Buddhist Institute.
Students and teachers at Compassion Buddhist Institute, Bangladesh.
Ven. Dhammajoti writes, “The Bangladesh Buddhists are among the most underprivileged in the Bangladesh society. The Sangha members barely have the opportunity of receiving education. The Compassion Buddhist Institute (Bangladesh) has been established to provide systematic Buddhist education for the young Bangladeshi monks and novices in order to elevate their level of understanding of the Dharma and prepare them for efficient Buddhist educational and missionary services both within Bangladesh and internationally. It is the FIRST and ONLY monastic educational institution in modern Bangladesh, and is affiliated with the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka.”
Mongolia
Buddhism is deeply embedded in Mongolian history and culture, but 20th century communist rule and religious purges killed many monks, destroyed most monasteries, and sent Buddhism underground. Under today’s democracy, Mongolians are able to study and practice dharma, and they are also exposed to a variety of life choices offered by religious freedom and socioeconomic changes since 1990.
Mongolian Camp group photo.
Joint funding from Khyentse Foundation and the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies supported Mongolia’s first Youth Buddhist Summer Camp in August 2011. The two-week camp offered 20 university students Buddhist teachings and meditation classes to make Dharma meaningful and accessible in their urban lives. The camp demonstrated to its participants that Buddhadharma is not an outdated tradition of their grandparents, but contemporary and relevant to Mongolia today.
“May the virtue accumulated from this wholesome event be a sublime cause of bliss for those who assisted and supported and a cause for generating wisdom and compassion for those who participated and a cause of happiness for those who heard and rejoiced!”
Keeping Traditions Alive
Many ancient wisdom traditions and lineages are at risk of becoming lost or broken. A little support can go a long way in keeping these traditions alive and intact. KF is supporting the study and practice of the Manipa-Buchen tradition in Spiti to help in its revival in Ladakh through a grant to Tsewang Dorjey, whose grandfather was one of the great masters of this spiritual and cultural lineage.