What We Have Accomplished So Far
The Ripa Ladrang Foundation, through our charity projects, has been a driving force for good around the world for many years. Our efforts continue to help people around the globe in several main areas:
Preserving Traditions and Teachings
The New Treasures Project – our major effort to build the Rigon Tashi Choeling Monastery in Nepal – was completed in November 2005 after 6 years of fundraising and construction. It represents a huge achievement in preserving Buddhist tradition, teaching and culture. It houses over 100 monks and acts as a crucial center for the Ripa Lineage and Buddhist thought in Nepal and throughout the world.
Our commitment to preserving Buddhist knowledge and culture continues with our Text Translation program, aimed at making the ancient Buddhist texts available for western students. To date we have been able, through this program, to provide the texts for 14 years of teaching programs throughout the United States. Our next goal for the next 3 years is to complete the translation into English of the full cycle of the Gesar, Warrior King of Tibet, texts as authored by His Eminence Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche.
Donate to the Text Translation Program
Aiding Local People
A major part of our ongoing activism is dedicated to aiding local people in need in Nepal, India and around the world. The Malaria Prevention fund has distributed hundreds of mosquito nets to people without shelter in India, and our Monk and Elders sponsorship programs are dedicated to improving the living conditions and education of both the young and the elderly in Nepal, India and surrounding areas. We have been able to provide proper toilet facilities to elder communities, build homes, and provide books for hundreds of students. But there is still much more we can do, and all of these programs are ongoing – so please help us to be able to continue and further our efforts!
Malaria Prevention Fund Elders Sponsorship Project
Providing Clean Drinking Water
The Pure Water Project is our major effort to build wells to provide clean water for communities where even such a basic human need is scarce. The project to date has provided clean drinking water for over 11,000 people – through building three clean water wells for communities in Odisha, India, and Nepal. Our goal is to build 6 more wells for villages and tribal hamlets without drinking water over the next 3 years.
Donate to the Pure Water Project
Restoring Local Fish Populations
The Ripa Ladrang foundation has released hundreds of captive fish into local waters as part of our fish release Pujas. A sacred ritual that strengthens our connection to the Dharma and animal beings – this Puja also serves the community and the world by restoring and strengthening fish populations in local waters for small fisherman and villages. We wish to conduct a few of these Fish Release Pujas per year, and can use your help to do so!