Gesar

Launched in 2008 on land that Rinpoche had purchased more than a decade earlier, the Sarnath Institute aims to build a bridge of goodness between cultures and people in a wide range of disciplines. Its learning focus is the study and dissemination of the Buddhist teachings upheld in the classical languages of Pali, Sanskrit, and Tibetan. But like a blossoming lotus flower, other petals will unfold over time, including the development of traditional Buddhist arts, medicine, culture, and positive engagement in society.

After nearly five years of extensive planning and building, SINI held its official opening on December 13th, 2013. The occasion was marked by an auspicious and sacred gift from the Sri Lankan Sangha, in honor of the meritorious work of LBDFI: a sacred sapling from a cutting of the original Bodhi Tree. Over six hundred monks from the International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony and two hundred lay practitioners participated, representing nine South Asian countries. Also in attendance were students from the Nyingma centers, who supported the opening of their sister Insitute and participated in a short pilgrimage to Bodhgaya, Rajgir and Nalanda.

Prior to the opening, SINI had already completed a major international project: the painting of a series of murals based on the life of the Buddha in the SINI temple, a project guided by the renowned artist Kaveri Singh and her husband T.J. Singh, with the participation of more than thirty artists from around the world. The largest of the five mural panels measures 45 feet by 23 feet. For a detailed account of this project, see www.paintandpattern.com/sacred-murals-sarnath-india.

One of SINI’s primary goals is to establish a robust language studies program to facilitate the spread of the Dharma. This spring SINI successfully completed its first academic program toward this end, sponsoring and housing an entering class of ten monks and khenpos (abbots), from Tibet. The students joined the program to improve their English, with the ultimate goal of teaching and translating the Dharma internationally. Our experienced teachers were deeply moved by the students’ commitment, and found this teaching as rewarding as any they had ever done.

Another step toward establishing the academic vision of SINI took place in March, 2014, when we hosted an international program on the Four Noble Truths to explore the Buddha’s teachings in today’s world. The five-day program included over twenty participants from India, Thailand, Tibet, the USA, Puerto Rico, Holland, and France, representing an array of professional fields, including renowned scholars, journalists, and psychotherapists. One of the co-creators of the program, George Schouten, made it the basis for an hour-long documentary that aired on June 8, 2014 on the Dutch Buddhist Broadcasting Network: http:// tinyurl.com/l2b2cp9.

SINI has also offered support for the editorial work of the Yeshe De Project by having khenpos in the Language Training Program proofread texts. In another gesture of support, SINI housed the final production process for the Kanjur prayer wheels in 2013, carried out by a team of volunteers from California, our own residents, and many monks from the surrounding area.

In 2013, Tarthang Rinpoche asked SINI to host the first Annual Tibet Peace Ceremony, following the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo in Bodhgaya. Held from February 14-17, 2004, it was attended by over 2,000 monks, nuns, and lay practitioners from all over the Himalayan region and representing all schools. The prayers chanted at the four-day ceremony were dedicated to peace and harmony and to honor those who have sacrificed their lives in the recent self-immolations in Tibet. Thousands of butterlamps were offered daily in their names, and their photographs were posted. In connection with the ceremonies, more than 3,000 Kanjur prayer wheels were distributed at the Dhamekh Stupa. We were especially honored to have the head of the Nyingma School, Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, open the ceremony and offer blessings, and to welcome the incarnation of Dudjom. Rinpoche, who blessed the new library. Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche presided over the ceremony, and many of his senior monks helped with preparations.

In another arena, in 2014 SINI launched the SINI Sewing Project, an in-house business venture with a staff of seven employees that supports the development of local artisans while also establishing a revenue stream that contributes to SINI’s self-sufficiency. We have established client relations and sold inner meditation cushions to Lotus Design, operated by our European centers. In-house projects include the creation of over 200 sitting cushions for the meditation hall and a large public tent capable of sheltering over 2,000 people. The sewing team also designs and makes traditional Tibetan tents, door hangings, clothing, and meditation cushions, all of which are also available for sale in our new gift shop.

We recently completed two projects documenting our work with the hope of inspiring outside interest and participation. “The Sacred Sapling” is a short video about the sapling-planting ceremony.