Delegation visits China & TAR

An 8- person delegation from the STSSC arrived home safely on August 8 th after a successful fact finding mission in China and TAR. The delegation headed by STSSC´s chairman Mr. Sonam Jamyangling left Sweden on July 22 nd and visited Beijing , Qinghai and Yunnan provinces, and TAR where they had discussions with government representatives on Education and Environmental issues. A full report will be presented by the delegation in the near future.

23/11 - The delegation was received at the Stockholm airport late afternoon by School Society representatives and taken to their hotel.(representatives from The Chineses Embassy also came to welcome them). At the hotel the society`s secretary Mr. Lobsang was installed in His Holiness living quarters as a round-the-clock attendant during the whole duration of the visit.

24/11 – The delegation spent the whole day in the town of Uppsala , hosted by Professor Urban Hammar. Uppsala is famous for its university which the delegation visited and had some fruitful discussions with a professor in Sanskrit. They also did some sightseeing.

In the evening they attended a welcome dinner hosted by Soenam Jamyangling , chairman

of the School Society.

25/11 This whole day was set aside for private individual and group audiences with His Holiness. His Holiness met with eminent Lamas, monks and nuns, and lay practitioners, the majority of whom had travelled from abroad especially to meet him. He also met with many of the Tibetan community living in Sweden .

26/11 In the afternoon His Holiness held the opening speech for the School Society`s gala performance being held at the Berwald Concert Hall to celebrate the Society´s successful completion of 108 Schools & Libraries in the rural areas of Tibet. Many dignitaries were present among the 700 strong audience. Several famous Swedish artists performed, and among the Tibetans who performed were two of the delegation members from Tibet . The concert was rounded off with His Holiness, the artists, and the audience chanting the well known 4-line prayer `Wherever the precious Bodhicitta has not arisen, may it arise…etc´.

27/11 In the morning His Holiness gave an Amitayus Long-Life Empowerement in the aula of the International English School to approx.150 participants. His Holiness informed everyone that the empowerment was normally only given once every 12 years in connection with the Monkey-Year Teachings and that this was his gift to Sweden . After lunch in the school dining room His Holiness and the delegation were taken on a tour of the school facilities.

28/11 The delegation visited the School Society´s new premises, The House of Tibet. After lunch His Holiness led the formal inauguration ceremony, cutting the ribbon at the stairway leading to the assembly hall. The assembly hall is for both meditation practices and lectures and houses 1,000 Green Tara statues. His Holiness led the monks in prayer to formally inaugurate the room in front of an audience of 70 invited guests. Later the guests were entertained by a Swedish singer and the two delegation member artists from Tibet .

29/11 The delegation went sight seeing in the old town area of Stockholm before a farewell lunch together with the School Society´s board of directors. In the evening they were hosted for dinner by the Chinese Embassy.

30/11 The delegation departed for Poland .

21/Nov-06

H.E. Druwang Rinpoche`s coming visit cancelled

Just now we received the very sad news that H.E. Druwang Rinpoche`s visit to Sweden has been cancelled. Due to Rinpoche`s health and age, other high Lamas have requested Rinpoche that he under no circumstances travels anywhere at present. Rinpoche sends his greetings to everyone and says that he is sorry that he will not be here to recite Manis on Saturday 2 nd December. Due to this news the Society have made the decision to cancel the Mani-day at the Clarion Hotel. We at the School society wish Rinpoche a long life, and hope that we will be able to meet with him in the near future.

18/ Sep.06

We will celebrate the conclusion of 108 schools project in Tibet on 26 of November at the Berwaldhallen concert hall, in Stockholm

17/augusti-06

31 maj 2006

World Championship in Cooperation

Stockholm May 31 –June 3, 2006

Soenam Jamyangling at the opening ceremony

The School Society´s chairman Shri. Soenam Jamyangling participated in the World Championship in Cooperation by opening the first ever “A Five Days” events and seminars about the theme creativity, innovativeness and entrepreneurship of children and teenagers in the world.

Children from 30 different countries in the world participated in a ceremony called the United Water. They all brought water from their country and it unites in a crystal clear ice-bowl.

A four years old Tibetan boy Dawa P. Arkhang participated in this main ceremony and he represented all the children in Tibet .

Dawa P. Arkhang at uniting water ceremoy

World Championship in Cooperation is a creative meeting between children, teenagers and adults who are a part of the process of society. In an atmosphere of dialogue and cooperation creating a desire to see new things and have the courage to changes which in turn brings a desire to participate in the political process, raising questions and developing the society.

Participators as well as lecturers are representatives from The United Nations, professors, astronauts, cosmonauts and indigenous people.

The whole events are organised by The Globetree.

2006-03-24

A talk on Consciousness.

- outlook East & West

The Swedish Tibetan Society for School and Culture arranged a lecture on the subject of Consciousness at The House of Tibet on 24 th of March. The lecture was held by Professor Hans Liljenström, system analyst with interests in researching the consciousness, Professor Uno Svedin, environment researcher, and Lobsang Sherlhokangsar who studied Buddhist philosophy at Sera Monastery in Tibet . People have shown a great interest in the topic and approx. 50 people attended the evening-lecture.

2006-03-23

On 23rd March a meeting took place with the School Society´s chairman Soenam Jamyangling , Oren Lyons and Oscar Motomura at The House of Tibet.

The well known Indian chief Oren Lyons is a professor at the State University of New York. Mr Oscar Motomura is a Brazilian- born business man of Japanese descent and co-founder of the Amana-key consultant organisation in Brazil

The School Society had the honour of inviting them to dinner and had talks about the Societies activities in Sweden and Tibet , and also concerning the guests` activities, mostly in the field of sustainable global development.

Mr. Motomura was especially interested in the Societies child-sponsorship programme as he himself is involved in education projects in Brazil .

Both guests were passing through Stockholm on their way to Åre in the north of Sweden to participate in the Earth Charter conference which is being organised by The Green Cross

Cham-dance, a great hit in Sweden.

The house of Tibet, Sweden invited a cham dancegroup of monks from Gaden Jangtse monastery in south India on 14th-25th November year 2005. The seven monks performed Cham successfully in Stockholm and Gothenborg.

The monks also made Sand Mandala in the Asian museum in Stockholm during the week. Thousands of people visited the museum to see the Sand Mandala.

After the Cham and Sand Mandala, people expressed their thanks to the monks. It really gave them a special feeling of happiness and pease of mind.

School Society´s representative in Tibet to visit Stockholm !!!

At long last, and after several earlier attempts, the School Society´s representative in Tibet, Mr. Namgyal Jamyangling will be visiting Sweden. Mr. Namgyal-la is part of a six- person delegation who will be in Stockholm for a 10 day stay during May/June to visit places of interest in the field of education & culture. On Friday 3 rd June 18.00 the delegation will give a public lecture on Culture & Education at the Etnografic Museum. For more details please contact the Etnografic Museum.

The Society visits EU
Three persons from the board visit Brussels to inform representatives of the EU-commission about our activity and to get information how we in the future can receive financial support from the EU

read more news:

Nubpa Rinpoches visit to Stockholm was a big success.

The evening lecture had over 200 participants and the weekend course 150 participants.

read more news:

2005/11

Cham-dance, a great hit in Sweden.

	Public in the Consert House in Stockholm

The house of Tibet, Sweden (The Swedish Tibetan Society for School & Culture) invited a cham dancegroup of monks from Gaden Jangtse monastery in south India on 14th-25th November year 2005. The seven monks performed Cham successfully in Stockholm and Gothenborg.

The monks also made Sand Mandala in the Asian museum in Stockholm during the week. Thousands of people visited the museum to see the Sand Mandala.

After the Cham and Sand Mandala, people expressed their thanks to the monks. It really gave them a special feeling of happiness and pease of mind.

2005/05

Ani Konchok Khadro's visit to Stockholm,

Ani Konchok Khadro was born in 1966 in Bhaga in Drikungvalley in Tibet. She became nun at the age of 13. After that she got the great honour to become student to many highly learned teachers. She got many precious instructions and knowledge from few great meditators and practiced hard in separate retreat. 1994 she fled to Dehradun , India and live presently in a nunnery called Samtenling, mostly with meditation practices.

Khandro-la has studied Buddhist scriptures and literatures but she is mostly famous as meditation teacher. She has in total meditated in 18 years at this young age. So, H.H Drikung Kyabgon has approached her if she can visit Sweden . It is quite unknown that Khandro-la gives teaching but we are very grateful if Khandro-la can give us teachings. Because it not only inspire the meditators but also we requested her if she can give us teachings and even participate in our meditations and mani evenings if she wishes.

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2005/02
US affiliation meeting

In the beginning of February a delegation comprising of Soenam Jamyangling , Allan Fotheringham and Lobsang Sherlhokangsar were invited by the societies US affiliation to visit New York & Boston . The object was to meet with the board of the US Tibetan Society to discuss future plans, and to give lectures and slide shows to the general public. After a brief visit in New York where the delegation met with representatives from other Tibet organisations, they travelled on to Boston where a rigorous programme had been planned.

The main points of interest were: A lecture and slide show for the members and sponsors of the US Tibetan Society at the House of Tibet Kitchen Restaurant, lectures and slide shows at the M.I.T., Boston University School of Public Health, Boston College , and the LamRim Buddhist Center . All the lectures were well arranged and well attended. The delegates also got the chance to have a formal board meeting with the US members, and informal talks with several Tibetans and Americans interested in the societies projects. The Chairman, Mr. Soenam Jamyangling was also interviewed in Tibetan by Radio Free Asia. During the 1 ½ hour interview people were invited to call in and ask questions directly. Calls came in from Tibetans living in China , the US , Amdo & Tibet! All in all, the interview was a success, as was the trip as a whole.

The delegates hope that they have been able to raise the awareness of the US and Swedish Tibetan Societies work in Tibet , and not least the growing need for child sponsors for the Tibetan children.

Lastly, we would like to thank the US Tibetan Society and the all other hosts for their wonderful hospitality & assistance!

2005/01
Dr Tamdin meets with patients.

The Tibetan doctor Dr. Tamdin Bradley had consultations at the school society premises between 15-19/1. As usual her visit was much appreciated by the approx. 60 patients who got to meet her. Dr. Tamdin will be back with us again in 25-30 May.

2005/12
Project 108 Schools in Tibet has now built/renovated 98 schools

The child sponsorship programme now sponsors 30 students from the Katsel School studying in China , and approx.1,100 other children.

Project 108 Schools in Tibet has now built/renovated 98 schools which offer free education to approx.12,000 children. The Society now has schools not only in TAR, but also several in the Kham, Amdo and Yunnan regions. 67 of these schools now have their own library.

The Societies goal is to finish all the remaining schools & libraries during 2005, making a total of 108 of each.

Forum for Global Development by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sweden.

On November 30th, 2004 Soenam Jamyangling attended the Forum for Global Develpment which began at 8:15 in the morning with three lectures. The first, "Does the World Become Better?" given by Professor Hans Rosling, the second, "Forum for Global Development and Visions" was led Carin Jämtin, Minister of Foreign Aid and the third, "Is Sweden a Global Leader or Just Enough?" by David Roodman. - Other politcal roles and information for the Forum for Global Development was given by various representatives from the Swedish Government. It was an interesting form, however I felt that the Global Development aimed more at developed countries. After attending the forum which ended at 1:00 in the afternoon, I went away with many ideas and hopes that the forum can play an important role so that global development can also apply to not only developed countries but also to those from under developed nations.

Soenam Attends the Roots Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya.

On Saturday the 20 we were given a guided tour of the United Nations in Giri, an amazing place. The Children's Meeting Place, the Mother Tree, was prepared with banners and messages to the whole world to see.

Three persons from the board visit Brussels to inform representatives of the EU-commission about our activity and to get information how we in the future can receive financial support from the EU.

Nubpa Rinpoches visit to Stockholm was a big success. The evening lecture had over 200 participants and the weekend course 150 participants.

H.E. DRUWANG RINPOCHE
and
H.E. NUBPA RINPOCHE

visit Stockholm from the 4th to the 6th of June
Two days of silent meditation and recitation
Friday 4/6 Talk with H.E. Nubpa Rinpoche:

"The Art of Living and Dying"

Place: Clarion Hotel, Ringvägen 98 (Subway station Skanstull)
Time: 19.00
Entrance fee: 100 Skr. (Pay at the entrance.)
The talk is translated to Swedish.

”Visdom and method”

– two days retreat with meditation and recitation
under the guidens of H.E. Druwang Rinpoche och H.E. Nubpa
Rinpoche
Place: Same as above.
Entrance fee: 1.600 Skr (Pay at the entrance first day.)

Saterday 5/6 and Sunday 6/6

The Crown Princess Victoria receives representatives of The Swedish–Tibetan Society for School and Culture at the Royal Swedish Castle

It was with a sense of joy and anticipation that we found ourselves, one Tuesday morning in March, outside of the Royal Swedish Castle. The Crown Princess Victoria had invited representatives of The Swedish–Tibetan Society for School and Culture, since she wanted to learn more about our schools and projects in Tibet. In honour of this special day, we were dressed up in our best Tibetan clothes, and some of us their finest Western suites.

We crossed the court yard, were met by guards of the castle in formal salute, and were received by Elisabeth Tarras-Walberg, responsible for public relations of the Court. Seated in a small room by a large oak table and an enormous chandelier, we awaited the Crown Princess. The meeting turned out to be cordial and truly satisfying.

Soenam greeted the Crown Princess by offering a silk khata from the Potala Palace in Lhasa; the khata had a wish of “happiness in the morning, happiness during the day and happiness at night” printed on it. The Crown Princess found it very precious and admired the silk for a long while. She was pleased that we took the time to come and see her and eager to understand more of our activities; obviously, we felt very honoured and happy that she would take the time to listen to us .

Soenam told the Crown Princess of his background, from life in Katsel over the escape to India, through his education in Denmark and Iran, and explained how the motivation of helping his people in Tibet had deepened and grown. Lobsang talked about the sponsorship activities, conveying that The Society now has over a hundred thousand children attending the eighty four schools built this far.

The Crown Princess wondered how the aid was received, of the general sentiment towards it, and Soenam spoke of how rural schools used to look before, if indeed there were any: villagers se the education of their children as a remarkable opportunity for a better future, and for doing something good for their country. The Crown Princess wondered for how long one remains a sponsor, and Lobsang replied that it spans the life of the child for as long as it goes to school. Some move on to higher education and still have sponsors supporting them. Many continue their studies in China and Lhasa, whereby costs are larger than the conventional sponsorship contribution. Because of this the society needs extra donations to fulfil the commitment of their education.

Lennart spoke of the schools where traditional Tibetan craftsmanship is taught, and where kids not so interested in theoretical studies can get professional education in the crafts. The Crown Princess wanted to know about the children's view of the future, and how they felt about it. Do they wish to study abroad? Lodru replied that it is the aim and hope of the Society to develop the potential for children to get higher education inside of Tibet. The Society has representatives in Tibet, monitoring the progress of the work and seeing to that the funds are spent correctly. The Crown Princess, being engaged in the matter of HIV and related educational/informational matters, enquired into the development of this question.

Soenam concluded with an expression of gratitude to the Swedish people for making it possible to run the school and sponsorship program financially. The Crown Princess was given a book about Tibet as a parting gift, and the visit was rounded up with a group photo. We were all very pleased.

Soenam Jamyangling visits Denmark .
On August 8 th , 2003, Soenam Jamyangling was invited by social anthropologist Ditte Seeberg to Århus, Denmark, to inaugurate an exhibition called ” Tibetansk Børne Museum “Museum of Tibetan Children “Sem Zangpo” ( sem zangpo : Tibetan for ‘acting from a good heart'). This exhibition is part of the festival “Images of Asia,” which in turn was inaugurated by Torben Brandi Nielsen. Based around the space of ten rooms, the exhibition aims at describing Tibetan children's experience of everyday life and festivities. One of the rooms is a prayer room with a shrine, in another one the procedures of celebrating Losar , i.e. Tibetan new year, are depicted, and in yet another one kids can try Tibetan clothes out for themselves. There is a movie about a Tibetan boy and an exhibition of photos, the scent of incense permeates the whole atmosphere and the walls are decorated with images of Tibetan views and vistas.
The exhibition was a success and attracted many visitors, was very well executed and highly appreciated by the visiting children. I do hope it arrives in Stockholm soon.

New Sponsoring Project: The Naryapati Hospital , Nepal .

Swedish Ambassador Kjell Anneläng Visits Katsel.

On September 1 st , the Swedish ambassador in China visited Katsel together with representatives of SIDA, to inaugurate the new school of handicraft there. Students of the school received the delegation with flags and khatas , white silk scarves.
The ambassador and the representatives for SIDA were overwhelmed by the school and the warmly welcoming reception.

His Holiness The Sakya Trizin

During the month of July, The Swedish- Tibetan Society for School and Culture was visited by His Holiness The Sakya Trizin, head of the Sakya lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, whose main seat is in Dehra Dun of India. We had the opportunity to talk to him and discuss the work of the Swedish- Tibetan Society and Buddhist practice.
H.H. Sakya Trizin remarked that the two areas in greatest need of attention for Tibet are education and medical care. The most important issue, he said, is to offer education for Tibetan children so that they are empowered to direct and shape their own lives. This is above all imperative in the rural areas where very few people are offered education at present. Due to this, many Tibetans escape to India for education and later return to Tibet to work. It is of great importance that not only the Chinese are offered higher education.
We asked H. H. of his opinion on our inviting teachers from different Buddhist traditions and lineages. He replied that this is all very well, and that it may be of great help for practitioners to receive teaching from a variety of complementary perspectives. It is also beneficial to form connections with different teachers.
The most important thing, he continued, is to maintain a good heart and nourish compassion for everyone we are ever in contact with, and that anything that nurtures this is important to cherish.
H.H. Sakya Trizin concluded with saying that The Swedish- Tibetan Society carries on an excellent and important mission, hoping that it can be further developed and expanded in the future.

Yeshe Drolma and Tenley

Yeshe Dolma and Tenley Palsang visited The Swedish-Tibetan Society for School and Culture during the month of August to plan our mutual work and also learn how we work as an organization.