Becky | Amitabha Foundation

800th Commemoration of Lord Jigten Sumgon’s Maha Parinirvana

October 15, 2017 by Becky

The 800th Commemoration of Lord Jigten Sumgon’s Maha Parinirvana will take place in Dehradun, India October 19-25, 2017. The main teachings and programs will be live streamed from 19th – 25th October 2017 between 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM India Standard Time. All devotees in every corner of the earth are invited to live steam the teachings and other programs.

This link will be updated automatically to reflect the current live stream over the course of the 7 days program.

For further information, please go to jigtensumgon800th.com, or contact the organizers at: info@jigtensumgon800th.com

International Drikung Kagyu Council
PO 48 Kulhan, Sahastradhara Road, Dehra Dun 248001, India

Ayang Rinpoche’s monastery will be sending lamas, khenpos and monks to Dehradun to participate in the ceremony. You are welcome to help sponsor their travel and offering expenses with a tax-deductible donation. Send your check to Amitabha Foundation, P. O. Box 2572, Aptos, CA 95001 or donate online:

You may also wire your offering directly to Drikung Charitable Society, although this will not be tax deductible in the US.

Filed Under: AF News, Announcements

Ogyen Lhamo passes

August 15, 2017 by Becky

Ayang Rinpoche Carries Out Phowa Ceremony for Ogyen Lhamo

Ogyen Lhamo, the mother of Ayang Rinpoche’s wife True Lhamo, passed away on August 11, Friday at 8:15 am in Bylakuppe, South India. She was 86.

(Left) Ogyen Lhamo and (Right) Ogyen Lhamo with Lama Kalsang Rinpoche, Truelha’s father and founder of Kagyu Nalanda Monastery, India

A Jinsek (fire offering) cremation ceremony for Ogyen Lhamo was performed yesterday in Bylakuppe, South India, by five different monasteries: Namdroling, presided by Lama Sonam Gyamtso; Drukpa Kagyu, presided by Khenpo Nyedon; Karma Kagyu, presided by Terton Samten Lingpa; Sakya, presided by Lama Kunga Lobsang; and Drikung Kagyu, presided by Ayang Rinpoche.

If you would like to make an offering to Ayang Rinpoche’s monastery in memory of Ogyen Lhamo, please do so below, or send a check made out to Amitabha Foundation to Post Office Box 2572, Aptos, California 95001. Donations made through the Amitabha Foundation US are tax deductible in the US. Rinpoche has indicated that all donations made in her name will be used for the 49 days prayer rituals and to build a memorial stupa for her.

Filed Under: AF News, Announcements Tagged With: cremation, Phowa

Bodhgaya Teaching Venue and Logistics

July 11, 2017 by Becky

Phowa Course with Ayang Rinpoche in 2017, Bodhgaya, India

Rinpoche invites everyone, whether or not they can make a pilgrimage to Bodhgaya next year, to make an auspicious connection by sponsoring the teachings. Rinpoche gives the teachings in Bodhgaya every year free of charge, and your US tax-deductible donation will help ensure that these teachings continue for years to come.

Registration for the course is not required, but since Bodhgaya is extremely crowded that time of year, please plan ahead to make arrangements to attend. Here is some Bodhgaya Logistics and Travel Information. The nearest airport is GAYA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT and the train station is GAYA RAILWAY STATION. If people require taxis to be arranged, they can do so through agents in Bodhgaya. Accommodation need to be arranged on your own.

In 2020 the teachings will be held at the Mahabodhi Society of India:

Venue for 2020 Bodhgaya teachings

Filed Under: AF News, Announcements, Teaching schedule Tagged With: Ayang Rinpoche, Bodhgaya, India, Monlam, Phowa, Preparation for Death

Tibet Healthcare Update

May 8, 2017 by Becky

In Honor of Mother’s Day in the US — Save a Mother’s Life!

New Roof, Ayang Clinic in Rima Village, Eastern Tibet

The Amitabha Foundation has been involved in promoting health and education in Eastern Tibet since 2004. Our focus is Safe Home Childbirth, but while we have been improving birth outcomes, we have also been supporting the general health of all the nomads in the Rima Village and surrounding township areas. Click here for background on our project. In 2016 we were able to accomplish so much! Read our Trip Report from the visit to Rima in July, 2016. We will return to the area in August 2017 and need your help. This is what we accomplished last year; see below for our new plans:

Clinic roof replacement, exterior painting, and repair of interior water damage ($17,275)
51 meter well at the clinic ($3,050)
New training program for three barefoot doctors apprenticing with clinic doctor
Training at Yushu County Hospital for two midwives
100 Clean Birthing Kits ($4,000)
Stable infant vaccination program
5-Year evaluation of Community Health Educator program

Villagers watch drilling in the clinic courtyard

Finding water at 51 meters

Clean Birthing Kit

Midwife Vaccinates a Baby at the Clinic

This year we need to raise $15,000 to pay salaries for 2 doctors, 3 medical trainees, 1 midwife and a new midwife trainee, and the head Community Health Educator. In addition, it will cost $6,000 for 150 birthing kits. The clinic staff has also asked us to raise funds to purchase grinding and rolling machines to make their own traditional Tibetan medicines. This is an excellent business idea to bring in much-needed income to the clinic and make it sustainable into the future. The head doctor has all the necessary knowledge and can train his apprentices to identify and harvest herbal compounds for the medicines. He has estimated it will cost $25-30,000 in initial start-up costs.

Many people and organizations have contributed to support our work in Tibet for the past 14 years. You can make a difference in the lives of these nomad families. A small investment can have a big impact on saving the lives of mothers and infants, and on the overall health of an entire community.

Support the clinic with a one-time donation

Make a one-time donation in any amount

Make your gift longer-lasting with a recurring monthly donation

Filed Under: AF News, Announcements, Tibet Clinic & Safe Childbirth, Tibet health updates