the need for ngari institute
Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialectics is a nongovernmental organization based in the Himalayan Kingdom of Ladakh, in a small village called Saboo. The campus is spread over 20 hectares (49 acres) of desert land, which eventually will be turned into an oasis of learning. It was founded by the first group of Ladakhi students studying at Sera Jey Monastic University, South India, in the 1990s. Our original aim was to serve the people of Ladakh and take responsible steps toward the preservation of Tibetan Buddhism.
In 1993, the institute’s secretary, Geshe Dawa Jigmet, went to Ladakh at the request of the other senior monks in the group to check on land donated to the institute by the local people of Saboo, where Geshe Dawa was born. This generous donation made the development of Ngari Institute possible.
To protect the property for future use, our then-president registered the land under the name Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, in accordance with state law. After the unfortunate passings of Geshe Chowang to illness and Geshe Dawa Jigmet in a tragic road accident, Geshe Lobsang Thinless and Ven. Kunsang Namgyal-la took temporary responsibility for the land, building modest quarters for the monks and a surrounding compound
In 1993, the institute’s secretary, Geshe Dawa Jigmet, went to Ladakh at the request of the other senior monks in the group to check on land donated to the institute by the local people of Saboo, where Geshe Dawa was born. This generous donation made the development of Ngari Institute possible.
To protect the property for future use, our then-president registered the land under the name Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, in accordance with state law. After the unfortunate passings of Geshe Chowang to illness and Geshe Dawa Jigmet in a tragic road accident, Geshe Lobsang Thinless and Ven. Kunsang Namgyal-la took temporary responsibility for the land, building modest quarters for the monks and a surrounding compound
MAKING THE DREAM COME TRUE
In 2007, Geshe Tsewang Dorje was invited to take full responsibility for this project. (The title “Geshe” is like “Professor”; it is a degree available in Buddhist monastic education, and Geshe Tsewang is a Lharampa Geshe, meaning he has earned the highest level of geshe degree.) Geshe-la eagerly accepted and began to gather resources to start the construction of the girls’ and boys’ hostels, the library, and the primary classroom building. In order to tell people about this project, Geshe-la and other monks tour Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America, offering mandala tours and teachings; Geshe-la is very thankful for the help given to the children of Ngari Institute.
Also in 2007, Geshe-la and 4 other Ngari Institute members had an audience with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in His Holiness’s summer palace in Choglamsar, Leh, Ladakh. This was an important turning point for Ngari Institute. In accordance with His Holiness’s inspiration and instruction, we modified our aims to provide lay students and young monks with a balanced learning experience of both modern scientific knowledge and ancient Buddhist wisdom, thus helping them become efficient and productive citizens. We immediately acted upon His Holiness’s request.
In 2010, Geshe-la appointed a group to search for children who would otherwise miss educational opportunities, especially orphans and extremely poor children from throughout Ladakh. In 2011, the first group of 25 students enrolled, consisting of 18 girls and 7 boys ranging in age from 5 to 10. Today, over 80 orphaned, poor, and needy children, regardless of their religious beliefs, are enrolled with Ngari Institute. We run the program as a hostel, sending primary students to government public schools and paying fees for higher-level students to attend private schools like SOS Tibetan Children’s Village in Choglamsar, Lamdon School in Leh Town, and Siddhartha Higher Secondary School in Stok. We hire teachers to help students complete their homework, while our monks teach them Tibetan language, meditation, and so on. We take care of their daily needs, giving them room, board, tuition fees, book and clothing allowances, and access to medical care. We continue to sponsor them after they graduate from 10th grade, because their socioeconomic status prevents them from paying for continuing education.
MEMBERS
The official members of Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialectics are
Geshe Tsewang Dorje (PhD, Sera Jey Monastery), President
Geshe Lobsang Thinless (PhD, Sera Jey Monastery), Vice President
Ven. Dr. Ngawang Yeshi (PhD, Sarnath), Secretary
Ven. Shastre Kunsang Namgyal (Shastre, Sarnath), Accountancy
Ven. Ngawang Gyatso (Government Teacher), Member
Ven. Lobsang Dhamchoe (Supervisor)
Geshe Tsewang Dorje (PhD, Sera Jey Monastery), President
Geshe Lobsang Thinless (PhD, Sera Jey Monastery), Vice President
Ven. Dr. Ngawang Yeshi (PhD, Sarnath), Secretary
Ven. Shastre Kunsang Namgyal (Shastre, Sarnath), Accountancy
Ven. Ngawang Gyatso (Government Teacher), Member
Ven. Lobsang Dhamchoe (Supervisor)