Aims & Intentions

With the growth and expanded activities of the Mindrolling lineage and many students of the lineage living in different parts of the world, it became increasingly important to create a central base that could provide clear, accurate and direct communication on all matters concerning the Mindrolling lineage and its activities. In the spring of 2004, on the tenth day of the second month, Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen Jurme Künzang Wangyal, the 11th Trichen of Mindrolling, gave his blessings to form and establish the Mindrolling International Foundation, under the direction of Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche and Mindrolling Jetsün Dechen Paldrön.

The Mindrolling International Foundation serves as an instrument in realizing the visions and wishes of Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen in furthering the ideals and traditions of the Mindrolling lineage as set forth by its founders the great Chögyal Terdag Lingpa and Lochen Dharmashri.

The Mindrolling International Foundation also oversees the various dharma activities, centers and charitable works and projects that have been established under the direction and guidance of the Mindrolling Ladrang. Mindrolling International and its branch Samten Tse International functions as the official and only recognized base for all activities of the Mindrolling Family.

Activities of Mindrolling International

Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen continuously inspired those around him to work towards the accumulation of merit through the generation of wisdom and skillful means. Kyabje Rinpoche taught the importance of exerting effort in staying free from the trappings of the eight worldly dharmas of praise and blame, pleasure and pain, gain and loss, fame and infamy. Kyabje Rinpoche always emphasized the need for monks, nuns, and practitioners of buddhadharma to be mindful of the fact that the essence of a practitioner's life is in simplicity.

It is crucial for practitioners to understand the immense importance of engaging in actions of merit and virtue and not simply to adopt an intellectual approach to the dharma. Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen's teachings stressed upon the need for each practitioner to examine whether there is a meeting of the view of the dharma with one's daily conduct and activities.

"The absence of the light of wisdom that one acquires within the teachings in one's conduct is an indication of lack of devotion and lack of understanding of the preciousness of the opportunity one has in this life to realize buddhahood."

Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen taught that one must always exert effort in cultivating the view of dharma in our daily lives. In order to unite view with conduct, it is important to practice and engage in actions that are imbued with wisdom and skilful means. The activities of the Samten Tse Charitable Society (STCS) are based on these ideals and are therefore intended not only as a means of benefitting those who receive help in various forms but also of providing an even greater foundation of merit for those who are able to practice the paramita of generosity by contributing to the various projects.

 

Projects

The Vajra Vidyadhara Project

The Varja Vidyadhara Project under the direction of Mindrolling International is named after the great dharma master and founder of the Mindrolling lineage, Rigzin Terdag Lingpa.

The objective of the activities under this project focus on serving the buddhadharma in both the east and west. The Varja Vidyadhara Project has been sponsoring some of the most profound and precious transmissions of Tibetan Buddhism including the very precious Rinchen Terdzöd.

It is also under this project that the branch centres of the Mindrolling lineage are directed. The centres serve as the base for the growth and flourishing of the Nyingma lineage in general and the Mindrolling lineage in particular.

 

The Shri Dharma Sagara Project

The Shri Dharma Sagara Project under the direction of Mindrolling International is dedicated to the great master Lochen Dharmashri, one of greatest scholars of the Nyingma lineage and brother of Terdag Lingpa. The activities of Shri Dharma Sagara are aimed towards the development, education and continued practice and study of authentic Buddhadharma. The Shri Dharma Sagara Project has been able to provide the building and furthering of monastic institutions, as well as the sponsorship of practitioners to further their study and practice of Buddhadharma.

 

The Shri Dipam Project

The Shri Dipam Project is dedicated to Jetsün Mingyur Paldrön, one of the greatest female masters within the Mindrolling lineage and of all of Tibetan Buddhism. The activities under the direction of Shri Dipam Projects are aimed towards the development of community and the preservation of the Tibetan culture. Under these works, efforts have been made to work with women's associations in the strengthening and growth of various communities of Tibetans settled in exile. The Shri Dipam Project has also funded the development of much-needed infrastructure in communities and settlements where basic necessities such as water and shelter are lacking.

 

The Ayujnana Project

The Ayujnana Project under the direction of Mindrolling International is aimed towards the development of medical care and sponsorship of education. The activities under this project have been able to provide funding for the building of medical clinics and to help provide better medical equipment in local clinics and dispensaries.

The Ayujnana Project also oversees the funding of education for a group of selected and qualified students throughout their educational career. The first charitable project developed under Samten Tse Charitable Society (STCS), the Hansens Disease Project, to aid better living conditions for those suffering from leprosy is also under the direction of Ayujnana Project.