The Story of Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialectics

Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialectics is a non-governmental organization based in the Himalayan Kingdom of Ladakh, in a small village called Saboo. The campus is spread over 20 hectares of desert land, which eventually will be turned into an oasis of learning.

Ladakh has a strong influence of Tibetan Buddhism for over centuries. The simple and harmonious life styles of the people show how deeply the rich Buddhist principles of love and compassion are part of all Ladakhis.

The main goal of the Institute is to empower and enrich monks and lay persons, especially the youth, by providing a balanced learning experience of both modern scientific knowledge and ancient Buddhist wisdom, thus helping them to become efficient and productive citizens.

Under the leadership of its current President, Geshe Tsewang Dorje, an eminent Buddhist scholar and practitioner, the Institute has experienced fast-pace growth in the enrollment of underprivileged children from the surrounding Ladakh region. The Institute currently provides free education, food and shelter for 58 children, with promise to keep educating them until graduation from high school level. The children mainly come from the following background:

Orphans,
Children of single parents,
Children from poor families with many children,
Children with parents, who have little to no income.

In addition to providing education and shelter to under privileged children of Ladakh, the Institute also sponsors programs in Buddhist philosophy for university-level students, who visit Ladakh for summer vacation. Looking toward the future, the Institute is planning on providing higher Buddhist philosophical studies to monks and lay practitioners comprised of both local and foreign students.

Aerial view of Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialectics

The Institute is currently focusing on constructing the remainder of the campus in phases.

List of the existing buildings

The Main Office, Girls’ Hostel, Kitchen
The Boys’ Hostel,
The Monks’ Resident Hall,
The Norling Guest House,
The “Good Life” Clinic,
The Classrooms,
The Library,
The Basketball Court.

List of the buildings under construction

The Main Temple / Meditation Center (Ngari Jamgom Shedrup Thekchog Ling Monastery),
Ten small facilities for individual silent retreat,
The new Dining Hall for children.

List of future projects

Construction of internal roads within the campus,
Construction of new/additional class rooms,
Construction of new Girls’ Hostel,
Upgrade existing Boys’ Hostel,
New landscaping and irrigation system,
Construction of a Museum,
Children Food Fund,
Library Books Fund,
Computer for Classrooms Fund.

The cost to maintain the existing structures and to complete the ongoing and future construction projects is extremely high. In order to achieve our goals and visions, we appeal to your financial support. Any support, regardless of the amount, is very much appreciated by the Institute. You can make the donations directly to Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialectics through its web site “https://ngariinstitute.in/” or through Ngari Institute Foundation and enjoy the tax-exempt benefit.

New Cushions for Ngari Jamgom Shedrup Thekchog Ling Monastery

This monastery is being built for the preservation of Mahayana Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The interior is fully decorated with 1000 Buddhas, with main statues of Buddha Shakyamuni, Atisha and Lama Tsongkhapa. We anticipate the completion of the project in early 2020, and the opening ceremony is scheduled for August 3rd, 2020. His Eminence Gaden Tripa Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin is expected to preside over the inauguration ceremony. Your continued support for the Main Temple project is more critical than ever, not only to ensure its timely completion, but also to guarantee the opening ceremony’s success.

We are currently seeking financial support for the purchase of cushions for the main temple and retreat facilities. This is one of the most critical elements for the final touches of the temple. Please refer to “web link” for details on the purchase of cushions. Please make donations on the Foundation web site today!

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“Go Green” Initiative

The Institute is initiating a project to grow 600 apple trees on the campus, in commemoration of the 600th Anniversary of the Great Tibetan Buddhist Scholar/Teacher Je Tsongkhapa’s Paranirvana. Lama Je Tsongkhapa Losang Drakpa (1357-1419) is also the founder of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism.

Ladakh locates in Northern India and is surrounded by high Himalayan Mountain. The weather in this region is very dry with 90% of its land is covered by desert. Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialectics also situates between two mountain peaks with its share of desert land. Approximately 20% of the campus is now covered with apricot trees, apple trees and other local trees in lower parts, where the irrigated water comes from high mountain’s snow.

“Go Green” Initiative proposes to plant 600 more apple trees between the Ngari Children Hostels and the newly constructed Ngari Monastery. The additional trees would turn another 20% of campus ground into the green plantation. Imagine how beautiful Ngari Campus would be with the new 600 apple trees!

Water source for the trees:

The estimated cost to plant each apple tree is about $15. This amount includes a new tree itself and the cost for installing the water irrigation system. Without water, the apple trees will not be able to sustain in the desert land.

Why do we choose this year to implement “Go Green” Initiative?

Year 2019 marks the 600th anniversary of the Great Lama Tsongkhapa’s Paranirvana. Through his guidance and teachings, Gelug Monasteries were established all over the Himalayan Region, and survived to this day. “Go Green” Initiative would commemorate the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa and create a wonderful opportunity for all benefactors to accumulate merits.

Refer to the web link for details on “Go Green” Initiative. Please make donations to the “Go Green” Initiative on the Foundation’s web site!

Above mentioned expenses are for the year of 2020. We must also factor in an annual increase of 10% each year to support the existing students with their higher studies and the new enrollments in the coming years.

For the sponsorship information, the support cost for each student at Ngari Institute is $1200/- per year. Students who continue their studies outside of Ladakh costs $1400/- per year.

To learn more, please visit Ngari Institute.

Ngari Institute Foundation