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Newsletter - July 2024 A Changing of the Guard and Other News
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Dear kind sponsors and friends of Root Institute,
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I'm writing to remind you all that we are still here, and we love you all very much!
Root Institute is ever ready to welcome and offer you a haven whenever you come to Bodhgaya.
As an old student of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche who hails from Delhi, with a long-standing engagement with Root Institute, I'm the chair of the board of trustees (pictured, right).
I've been filling in for a short while as interim director, and so this is my opportunity, before I go, to give you an update on the latest developments at the centre.
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Kabir Saxena, chair of Root Institute's board of trustees and interim director
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Sally Dudgeon, our director from mid-2022 to March this year
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Ugyen Shola, newly appointed director, starting in September |
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Root Institute has been here at this site in Bodhgaya since 1987, at least the initial trees have been! And the astounding effort of the long list of directors has been commendable beyond words. The long list of challenges working here, from heat, mosquitoes, incorrect electricity bills, to daily domestic issues running the institute, the school, clinic, and around 50 staff, requires tremendous determination, staying power, courage and dedication. It is really something to rejoice in!The latest to offer service has been Sally Dudgeon, who served as director here from mid-2022 to March this year. For her, "once bitten, twice shy" did not apply, as she had served a previous stint as director in 2006–2007, and bravely came back to the Root to have another go at one of the most efficient and (almost) unforgiving purification/accumulation directorships in the FPMT mandala. I would personally like to thank her for holding the fort at a very tricky time when a lot of readjustments and sorting out of processes were necessary, some of which at times seemed intractable.Our newly appointed director, Ugyen Shola, will take up the role in September. He was born in Tibet, raised in India, and graduated with a BA from Panjab University. He speaks English, Tibetan and Hindi. Ugyen has had a long-term commitment to preserving the Tibetan heritage and fostering community projects, most recently a home for the elderly in the US, where he has resided for the last few decades. In the late 1980s, he worked with the International Office of the FPMT as well as with Tushita Delhi centre, and we are delighted that he is going to join us as director before the coming winter season starts.
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A recent acquisition which will help our director's work flow efficiently, with a focus on lower running costs and being friendly to the environment, is our new electric bike: no driving licence required, no pollution, top speed 25 km per hour.
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Rejoicing in serving the Guru
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We are in the off-season now, which means cleaning, painting, small additions, and attention to domestic matters are to the fore, as well as planning for the upcoming busy winter season.
Monsoon is here, and that translates to hot, humid, and uncomfortable conditions, and the need to drink copious amounts of water to replace the sweat.
On the positive side, the discomfort is far outweighed by a great sense of gratitude in being here and fulfilling Rinpoche's wishes at this holiest of places, as well as deep appreciation of the literally thousands of kind well-wishers, friends, and generous sponsors without whose support we could not continue.
Rejoicing in the generosity of our sponsors
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Recently, going through the lists of people who donated to the latest Festival of Lights & Merit (FLAM), it was so encouraging to see so many new, unfamiliar names, as well as names I recognised, some of whom have worked at Root in the past. The generosity of our friends, especially in Singapore and Taiwan, has been amazingly consistent.
We bow down before all of you with folded hands!
Festivals of Lights & Merit
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Earlier this year, we had the opportunity to dedicate for the sponsors of the Festivals of Lights & Merit at Tibetan New Year and Saka Dawa (Buddha Jayanti).
On the 9th of July, on the occasion Chokhor Duchen, commemorating the first teaching given by the Lord Buddha at Sarnath, we offered 10,000 lamps at the Mahabodhi Stupa.
We also recited the light offering prayers, King of Prayers, and the names of all our kind benefactors with their dedications.
We hope you enjoy these pictures, just a few of those taken on these auspicious occasions.
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L to R: Kunal, Rajesh, (Centre Manager), Gopal & Karan hanging prayer flags at Muchalinda Pond where Buddha meditated during stormy weather.
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10,000 lamps offerings to the Mahabodhi Stupa – a stupendous sight!
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After making the 10,000 lamp offerings for Chokhor Duchen, L to R: Ven. Dekyi, Ven. Dekyong, myself, Siddharth, a visitor on the day, and Rajesh.
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At present the school has 11 teacher
and 275 enrolled students from Lower Kindergarten (LKG) up to Class 8 (14-15 years).
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We will soon be engaging in more intensive teacher-training, a must at a school that is committed to fulfilling Rinpoche's wish to incorporate the 16 Guidelines for Life into the curriculum, especially by seeing how the 16 are connected with the whole spectrum of school subjects, as well as daily behaviour.
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With the passing of Lama Zopa Rinpoche in April 2023, staff and students took time to remember his generosity and love for the students, and the blessing of his many visits to the school. All join in praying for his swift return.
In the long term, Rinpoche often used to express his wish for a Buddhist School here, and when I lazily mentioned more than a decade ago that it would not be easy, Rinpoche almost seemed to lift off his cushion as he intensely said: "That's why we must have it!" If not in Bodhgaya, then where?? And once during a Guru Puja break, Rinpoche said that education was so important, and that he wanted schools "in every village." I got the sense that Rinpoche meant just stop whining and get on with this most essential of tasks. Our school is a start, a seed just beginning to emerge from the earth. So much yet to be accomplished!
Each one of the 16 Guidelines is so precious, and challenging to practise. We need more trainers and teachers, suitably trained and motivated. This is by no means an easy task these days. But when has it been more needed than in this present time of constant conflict, famine, and disease, when trust and kindness are in such short supply?
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The school's celebration of His Holiness's birthday
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On the 6th July we celebrated His Holiness the Dalai Lama's birthday at the school by speaking of His Holiness and Tibet during the assembly, and offering a lunch to all students and staff.
Vast numbers of pooris (deep fried chapatis, kind of!) were prepared with the other items, potato and garbanzo beans in the Root Institute kitchen.
Starting with a student procession offering flowers, through to the hearty meal enjoyed by all, it was a lovely celebration, giving thanks for our good fortune to live in a world with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's as a guiding light.
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Our clinic continues to serve about 100 patients per day.
Much needs to be done to increase the motivation and skill of some of the staff, but a good beginning has been made, and we are trying to restore the mobile clinic and education programmes run by the clinic which were a strong feature of its activities prior to the covid pandemic.
Patients come from far and wide to a healing environment where there are no high fees nor long lists of medications that patients are made to feel that they have to buy. The poor are often at a loss in rural areas, and we do provide a much-needed service.
When the health education programme expands we will be even more beneficial for the local community.
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Staff of Shakyamuni Buddha Clinic, including see health educator, Mr Kaushal, fourth from left, Doctor Pramod (with the gong), and clinic head, Doctor Khan, second from right.
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Patients receive attention at the clinic six days per week. |
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With this, I bid you a fond farewell!
Keep Root Institute in your prayers to be most beneficial for beings!
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Kabir Saxena
Interim DirectorRoot Institute for Wisdom Culture
Saxena Road, Bodhgaya, Gaya District, Bihar, 824231, India
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