Written by Laurence Brahm - Published by Hongkong Culture on 03/03/2007

Tsurpu Monastery can be found in a lonely valley, just a half day driver from Lhasa. Villages there are sparse. The occasional yaks cluster on grasslands. White eagles circle in the sky over a celestial burial ground in the deepest corner of the valley.

In winter Tsurpu Monastery is difficult to reach because the valley is locked by snow. In summer to reach the monastery one must travel by jeep driving through babbling rivers gushing from melting glaciers overflowing the winding dirt road. White clouds rush across a pure blue sky overhead.

Tsurpu Monastery is the seat of His Holiness the Karmapa, most senior lama or “Living Buddha” in the Kadju branch (sometimes called “White Hat Sect”) In 1999, the Karmapa left Tsurpu in the dark of night traveling by foot over hazardous mountain passes finding his way to Sikhim in search of the sacred “Black Hat” symbol of his secular authority kept in a heavily-guarded monastery there. Unable to return to China, he wandered to India remaining there since.

Since the Karmapa’s departure, Tsurpu Monastery has been neglected, falling into disrepair. Monks are dispirited without their secular leader. Disciples visit less and less meaning donations have dried up. In this atmosphere of decay meditation practice becomes more difficult.

According to tradition, lamas here upon reaching a certain level of meditation skills will undertake a meditation retreat isolating themselves for a period of three years, three months and three days. During this time they will be subject to strict monastic rules and have no interaction with the outside. Monks will enter small caves with blocked entrances, receiving only food and water at specific times. In this state of darkness and isolation they will strive toward an enlightened state.

However, without sufficient funds even this practice at Tsurpu was facing extinction. As one group of lamas finished their retreat in spring 2006 the monastery faced the practical problem of how to feed the next over another three-year retreat. The problem was raised quietly by Rigdzen Dorje Rinpoche a senior lama during a visit to Tsurpu by Shambhala members who committed to support the monks over their three-year retreat period.

Shambhala directors view these retreats by senior monks as an important aspect of Tibetan Buddhist practice and philosophy, a cultural tradition which should be sustained. After finishing their retreat such monks are even more committed to their own people and as learned figures to who Tibetan aspire, they are in a position to positively give to their communities. In Tibetan culture monks and nuns provide many of the functions of social workers, psychologists, and traditional paramedics enhancing a network of community outreach often lost when a society is either physically uprooted or modernizes to quickly without preserving such traditions. So supporting this important stage of their own path within the Kadju branch of Tibetan Buddhism by providing food and drink over the three year period, Shambhala felt this endeavor to be intimately ethnic diversity and cultural sustainable development initiatives.

Carol Wolfson, fund raising director of Shambhala, organized a Tibet evening at her home in Shanghai inviting a cross-section of the city’s socially concerned. The movie Shambhala Sutra was shown as the key event and a call to support the monks was received with an overwhelming response. Within one night the funds exceeding RMB10, 000, enough to cover all meals and tea over the three-year retreat period for over a dozen monks was raised in a single night.

Carol Wolfson joined me in Lhasa, for the journey to Tsurpu in time for the spring meditation retreat changeover of monks. The welcome was far beyond expectations. A massive Buddha thanka painted on canvas was unraveled across the side of a mountain facing Tsurpu. We were invited by Norbu Rinpoche, dead lama of Tsurpu and one of the most intimate confidants of the Karmapa before he left Tibet, to view the thanka display from the balcony of Karmapa’s own apartment on the rooftop of Tsurpu. There stood a large Dharma wheel flanked by two deer said to be the first disciples of Buddha right after his enlightenment when others were not willing to listen. The Karmapa’s apartment was left childhood toys of Karmapa were still placed on shelves with veneration alongside Buddha images.

We were then led to meet with Barong Rinpoche, an eminence of the Karmapa, making him one of the highest ranking lamas of the Kadju branch after the Karmapa himself. An audience with Barong Rinpoche is considered a special privilege. Even at his young age of thirteen, Barong is known for his insightful wisdom and many ask for his advice. He expressed support for the work of Shambhala in Tibet and blessed us. He was then led to the main courtyard at Tsurpu to lead chanting for peace before hundreds of monks gathered before him. It was one of the most moving events we have ever attended.

Shambhala has since donated a computer to Barong Rinpoche to assist with his studies as he likes to use Internet to further awareness of the world outside of Tibet. The computer was presented on a separate visit a few weeks later to the same valley. Barong Rinpoche at thirteen has the astuteness of a very mature adult and a commitment to helping his people. Realizing the world is changing, understanding that change is part of assuring the sustainability of his people’s culture. He represents hopes for a new future of Tibet, one that will preserve tradition but evolve lifestyle with the changes of our own times. However, needless to say, Barong Rinpoche will not be able to take his computer on three-year meditation retreat. Then he will be expected to get on life and surf the net with his mind only.

Shambhala is a social enterprise committed to promoting and supporting initiatives for ethnic diversity and cultural sustainable development. For more information go to www.shambhala-action.org

Laurence Brahm is a global activist, international mediator, political columnist and author. He is the leading advocate of a fresh development paradigm - The Himalayan Consensus - an innovative approach to development.

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