In 1959 His Holiness the Dalai Lama escaped from Tibet into exile in India.

Over one hundred thousand Tibetans have followed him since then. Facing systematic persecution in Tibet, they continue to flee to this day.

From the beginning, India kindly offered land to the Tibetan refugees.In the southern state of Karnataka many Tibetans live in refugee settlements and monasteries. The difference in climate was a severe shock to the health of many people, and much illness has resulted. TB remains a major problem for the refugees in both the lay and monastic communities.

The Tibetan Government in Exile re-established two Tibetan monasteries in the area, at Mungod:
one for Ganden Monastery and one for Drepung. Maitreya Charity Trust, through its director, Ven. Panchen Otrul Rinpoche, is associated with Drepung Monastery.

These monasteries are similar to large universities. Monks study logic, metaphysics, Buddhist philosophy along with their religious texts. Many also study Tibetan medicine, astrology, metal work and thanka painting (Tibetan religious paintings).

Gungru Khantsen
Gungru Khantsen was the starting point for Maitreya Charity's involvement with Tibetan Refugees in India. It remains one of the poorest living areas within the larger Gomang Monastic Complex in southern India. 150 monks live in Gungru Khantsen

Completion of an additional hostel in 1997 (with the assistance of Rinpoche's UK and Irish Charities) eased the great overcrowding. The general health of all the monks has improved.

Financial help received is used to assist improvement in general living conditions: In 2004 showers were repaired and drainage improved to closer meet sanitation requirements. A leaking roof was repaired and a new well sunk to provide good water for the hostels at Gungru.

Monks Still Arriving
Monks still arrive from Tibet. Beds, mattresses and sheets are the priorities at present.
Two monks are seriously ill with TB. One monk is in hospital in Dharamsala, quite
a distance to the north.

Six Mongolian Monks who were ordained by Panchen Otrul Rinpoche in Mongolia and who are now studying at Gomang, are also provided with a dwelling to live together.

Maitreya Charity's involvement has grown through the years to include at present: + individual sponsorship + support for advanced students of Buddhist Philosophy + Mongolian students + capital projects + special fund for medical treatment

The crisis of accommodation continues to grow, as more monks arrive regularly from Tibet. Monks flee persecution in the hope of safety and refuge in the India. Second generation refugee monks, born in India of Tibetan refugees, have their own set of difficulties that come from being born and living in refugee camps all their lives.

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Maitreya Charity provides sponsorship for individual monks.
Monastic living provides only the most basic needs. Most are chronically ill.

In addition, Maitreya Charity has established two special funds for the monks of Gungru Khantzen: The Geshe Fund (£5 per month) provides support for the training of the next generation of Tibetans. This is crucial to the cultural and spiritual survival of Tibetan culture. The Geshe Fund helps monks studying for their Geshe Lharampa degree to complete the rigourous training over several years (Geshe Lharampa is the equivilent of a Doctor of Philosophy). Otherwise the cost of completing the course would make achieving it beyond a monk's reach. The Medicine Fund (£5 per month) makes all the difference in medicine being available when and where it is needed. Most conditions can be helped by standard medicines. A small fund is held to provide this.

If you can contribute to any of these programmes,
please contact us immediately

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