Lamoteng Charitable Trust Presentation

What is the Lamoteng Charitable Trust?

The Lamoteng Charitable Trust is a non-profit organization settled in the village of Lachen in North Sikkim, India. 

Reg. No. VI Vol. N°1 Items N°2 / DRON Dts. 04/02/2013

Contact number: Janam Lachenpa, Pipon of Lachen +91 9434386015

What activities organizes the Trust?

The Trust has been carrying on the activities of the former called Pang Lhabsol celebration committee created by Lachen Rinpoche in 2009 for Thanggu monastery.

Pang Lhabsol ritual dance

The Pang Lhabsol festival organized in summer every year is a major Buddhist program but it is not the only activity in which the Trust is involved. Together with the Lachen Dzumsa and the Public of Lachen, the Trust has progressively developed charitable actions and occasional initiative for heritage conservation. In May 2015, the Trust resolved to take on the Restoration of the Lachen Mani Lhakhang, damaged by several earthquakes. 

Where is Lachen?

Lamoteng and Thanggu are two important villages inhabited by Lachenpas people in the Lachen valley along the Teesta river, respectively at 2700 and 3500 meters in altitude. Both villages have a Buddhist monastery with a main temple and a Mani Lhakhang (Nyungney). Usually, the lower gompa, Ngodup Chöling Gompa in Lachen is used during winter, whereas the upper gompa called Samten Chöling Gompa in Thanggu is used in summer. Many activities are organized and performed in both monasteries throughout the year by the monks and the villagers together.

Who are the trustees?

Janam Lachenpa, Pipon of Lachen

Zamyang Lachenpa, Pipon of Lachen

Pema Choda, Chutiampa of Lachen monastery

Rinzing Chewang Kazi

Nedup Dorjee Lama

 Chhungki Bhutiani, Lachen Rinpoche’s widow

 

 Thisung Lachenpa Lama

Boom Lachenpa

Sonam Gyatso Lachenpa

 

Pintso Chopel

History of the Trust:

2009 - 2010

Lachen Rinpoche creates the Pang Lhabsol Celebration Committee at Samten Chöling Monastery in Thanggu, above Lachen, in North Sikkim.

The Committee starts receiving donation from Lachen Public in order to organize Pang Lhabsol. Thanks to the fund, the committee acquires numerous items for the success and beauty of the Cham (dance): traditional costumes made of silk and shoes from Kalimpong, helmets and masks from Siliguri, and flags all designed by Lachen Rinpoche. During the festival held in August every year, food is offered to all the visitors.

Cham teachers from Ringhim Monastery come to Lachen for two months in 2009 and 2010 to train local dancers. Total 15 dancers from the Public and 12 monks receive training to perform Pang Lhabsol dance.

Pang Lhabsol is celebrated in August 2009 and 2010.

2011

Lachen Rinpoche decides to change the name of the Pang Lhabsol Celebration Committee into Lamoteng Charitable Trust. However, the Trust is registered later in 2013 under the Association law of Sikkim government.

In September, a strong earthquake hits the region and numerous buildings are damaged, including t he Lachen Mani Lhakhang. The restoration project of the Mani Lhakhang is decided by Lachen Rinpoche with the NGO Tibet Heritage Fund headed by André Alexander with the sponsor of the Prince Claus Fund.

The Trustees took part of the discussions regarding the project but the Trust remained aside, letting the management to the Tibet Heritage Fund in collaboration with the Lachen Dzumsa.

2012

Lachen Rinpoche passes away on the 12^th of September. The Trust continues its activities along with Chhungki Bhutiani (Rinpoche ‘s wife).

Lachen Rinpoche funerals

2013

In respect to Lachen Rinpoche’s will and vision, the Pang Lhabsol Celebration Committee is transformed into the Lamoteng Charitable Trust, registered on the 4^th of February.

A small Puja is organised for Pang Lhabsol but no cham is performed in respect to Rinpoche’s absence.

2014

In May, Lachen Rinpoche’s Kodung is inaugurated in Lachen Monastery. It was designed by Pho Rinpoche from Gangtok to commemorate and whorship Lachen Rinpoche.

Thanggu Chörten which was damaged by the 2011’s earthquacke is repaired by local volunteers coordinated by the Trust.

In August, a big Puja with dance is organized for Pang Lhabsol. Numerous visitors participated in the festival including local and non local. All the visitors are offered food and tea by the Trust during the celebration.

In order to receive donation via bank transfer if necessary, a bank account is opened at SBS bank and a deposit of 5000 rupees is made in the name of the Trust on the 29^th of November 2014.

2015

In April, the Trust decides to support the Mani Lhakhang restoration project that was initiated in 2013 by a German NGO (Tibet Heritage Fund). The Trustees sit together with the experts in murals and wood conservation who participated to the first phase of the project in order to organize funding.

Lachen Nyungney Ams in front of the Mani Lhakhang

In August 2015, Pang Lhabsol puja will be performed in Thanggu monastery thanks to the Lamoteng Charitable Trust. But there will be no chaam because of the loss of Dorje Lopen in September 2014.