Geshe Sangye's News...

Many may remember Venerable Geshe Sangye... he was my second Tibetan student on the computer... when he came to stay with us for six weeks a few summers ago. Geshe Sangye was the brilliant Sand Mandala master on the Tour with Gaden Lhopa Kangsten. He created the rarely done WHEEL OF LIFE sand mandala - which was more of a sand painting rather than a mandala.

Geshe Sangye has been one of my greatest inspirations and the first recipient of a brand new Dell Laptop which Tibetech.org donated to him - through the generosity of my dear sister and partner, mary Mary never contrary.

When Geshe Sangye came to stay a few summers ago we also discovered he had been the Teacher - for over 10 years- of the nun, Tenzin Yangdon with whom I work with at the Jangchub Choeling nunnery (a website we just completed http://www.jangchubchoelingnunnery.org). What is the chance of that happening???? I will never forget his face as he casually looked through my scrapbook, when he came upon that nun's picture...

As soon as Geshe Sangye settled into D&S's hospitality - the very first day, he presented me with his archaic laptop and asked me what was wrong with it... that is itself is a whole other story but here is the kicker, when I put the Tibetan conversion software on his machine - a program which converts the keyboard to Tibetan (but does not translate) he memorized all the keystokes in less than a week. That's over 100 keystroker. That is when the light bulb went ON for me regarding Tibetans and their understanding of the technology. Its innate.

Alot has happened since that time and recently we received this news from Geshela....

"These days I am busy with my regular duty in school,because I become new principal of Gaden Shartse university. It voted by whole monks of gaden shartse monks. It's been now two months. Actually,it will be for two years.

In our school there is more then 500 students. They are lower middle and higher education. Age from 6 to 25. There is about 40 teachers. And there is also two exam in year. One is half year exam and onother is annual exam.

Our main subject is- Philosophy,Tibetan grammer,history,and etc.also english and mathematics. There is many standards. Unlike other government primary school. It has about 17 class which has different name on each class. And our timing is from morning 8.30 am to evening 5.00 pm. Monday is our holiday instead of sunday. So, I got time to e-mail you on monday only.

Now our Lhopa khangtsen construction is coming on 3rd floor. Totally it is about 4th floor. One floor there is about 10 rooms and kitchen for every rooms. There is special rooms for our lama two tulku. Also there is library. I think it will finished within ten months.

Stay happy and be healthy with Many many love and regards......
Geshe Sanye, Gaden Lhopa Khangsten"

Thanks a Latte

No apologies this time for not blogging regularly. Lots of work to do. Recently we added a donation button to the Gaden Monks website - www.gadenshartsetour.org as well as the ability to Sponsor a monk right off the site. The light didn't actually go on until in the first few weeks 2 monks were sponsored immediately.

Thanks so much to the people sponsoring these monks. $20/month - that's the equivalent of giving up one latte a week for myself - can make a tremendous difference in the life of a Tibetan Refugee living in Nepal or India. Yep, that's all that stands between me and dental care, eye glasses, food, clothing and shelter for a Tibetan refugee. One Latte a week.

The Gaden Tour is doing very well and we are building quite a list of those wishing to stay connected to the monks. This will enable us to notify folks of the Tours progress and travels. I spoke to my friend Tenzin yesterday and the advancement in his English was astounding. We actually had a conversation. The monks are so happy!!! Here is a picture of Tenzin - who worked the door with me at the Tours last events here in Grass Valley. A Comedian by nature... now at least I can understand what is so funny to him!