AWAM is a Sanskrit word for compassion coupled with wisdom. LING means a place or a land. The goal of the AWAM LING PROJECT is to provide a place for orphans and older people where they are taken care of with compassion and provided with training in wisdom and compassion.

   

In 1999 Khenchen Prachhimba Dorjee Rinpoche started an orphanage and a shelter for older people near Jewo monastery in Tibet. At that point there were 30 children and 10 older people. These children and older people did not have any family to provide for them and there was no support for them from the government. In addition, providing for them was a challenge because of the high elevation and secluded location. Moved by strong compassion, Rinpoche took on the responsibility for taking care of the orphans and older people. First, he started fundraising activities to provide food and shelter for them. He also made arrangements for the children to receive basic education in Tibetan, Chinese and English languages, and meditation. In addition, older people interested in meditation received practice instructions from Rinpoche and spend their days engaging in meditation as yogis and yoginis. It is Rinpoche’s hope for both orphans and older people that their training and practice of wisdom and compassion will come to fruition. For the older people, Rinpoche sincerely rejoices in the progress they are making in their practice. For some of the orphans, Rinpoche hopes that their wisdom and compassion will guide their activity as adults and they will in turn help other children and people in need by teaching and providing for them.

Over the last eight years the orphanage and shelter for older people grew in size. Currently there are 150 children seven to eighteen years old in the orphanage and 30 older people between sixty and eighty years old in the shelter. Rinpoche is very happy about their progress in study and meditation practice but is worried about the future of the orphanage and the shelter for older people because of fundraising difficulties. In order to provide food for the orphans and older people, Rinpoche has to raise $1800 every month - $10 per person per month. This is getting more and more challenging. Therefore, Rinpoche is asking those willing to help to consider making a contribution towards food of his orphans and older people to cover their immediate needs. In the future, Rinpoche also hopes to be able to raise funds for more appropriate housing for the orphans and older people since now they are mainly housed in tents. Any contribution you can provide will be used directly for the benefit of the orphans and older people and will be deeply appreciated. Unfortunately, Rinpoche is in the process of setting up a foundation and is not able to provide tax deductible receipts for the contributions at this time. If you would like to make a donation, please make a contribution to Rinpoche’s account at JPMorgan Chase Bank set up for this purpose (account number 720582469, routing number 122100024) or make your check payable to Prachhimba Dorjee Khenchen. If you have any questions, please write to Rinpoche at khenchenlama@yahoo.com.

May all be auspicious!