Jamyang Foundation
The Jamyang Foundation is a non-profit organization based in San Diego that provides educational programs to Buddhist women. Its mission chiefly centers around empowering underprivileged women to create and manage self-sustaining communities.
Currently, the foundation provides for ten study programs across the states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, India. It has also founded three schools in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh. With quality education costing a premium in the Himalayan region, the foundation provides full scholarships to more than 120 students.
Besides funding study programs in the Himalayas and Bangladesh, Jamyang Foundation is also involved in the founding of Sanghamitra Institute in Bodh Gaya. Sanghamitra Institute is dedicated to improving life for women and children, especially those from economically, educationally, and socially disadvantaged backgrounds. After many struggles, Sanghamitra Institute opened its doors in January 2011. After 2600 years, women finally have a place of their own in Bodhgaya! Currently there are more than 60 nuns Buddhist nuns from the Himalayan regions of Kinnaur, Spiti and Zanskar studying at Sanghamitra Institute in the wintertime.
Aside from supporting education, training, and health care, the Foundation offers volunteer teaching programs to those interested in educating underprivileged students. Subjects that may be taught include English, Arithmetic, Gardening, Leadership Skills, Hindi, Social Studies, Accounting, Health Care and Basic Computer Skills.
Programs supported by the Jamyang Foundation
- Jampa Choling Institute (Meeru, Kinnaur)Official website
- Yangchen Choling Monastery (Pangmo, Spiti)
- Denchen Choling Monastery (Pin Valley, Spiti)
- Changchub Choling Monastery (Zangla, Zanskar)
- Khachoe Drubling Monastery (Karsha, Zanksar)
- Namgyal Choling Monastery (Pichu, Zanksar)
- Phakmo Ling Monastery (Skyagam, Zanskar)
- Dorje Dzong Monastery (Dorge Dzong, Zanksar)
- Samten Chöling Monastery (Tungri, Zanksar)
- Pema Chöling Monastery (Manda, Zanksar)
In line with the Foundation's mission, three educational institutes previously founded by the organization are now completely self-sufficient.
External links
Further reading
- Lohuis, Elles (2013). Glocal Place, Lived Space: Everyday Life at a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery for Women in Northern India. Drifting Sands Press.