Just after Losar (Tibetan New Year), Project Denjong representative Dathup Lachenpa, packed up and traveled to Himachal Pradesh, where he would be spending the next 6-weeks interning at the Deer Park Institute, in Bir. 

As an integral part of investing in our youth, is providing them with opportunities and experience to be inspired, to build skills, and to bring that knowledge and energy back home. We hope Dathup’s experience is the first step in a series of opportunities we can offer.

The Deer Park Institute aspires to re-create the spirit of Nalanda, a great university of ancient India in which all traditions of Buddhism were studied and practiced, alongside other schools of classical Indian philosophy, arts and sciences. It is a valuable space for individuals and organizations from India and the world over, to study and explore the Buddhist philosophy, which has been preserved in Pali and Sanskrit traditions. A space that accepts everyone, and makes these unique traditions accessible without cultural or historical trappings. Since opening in March 2006, the Institute has hosted teachings by great masters of all lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as courses and retreats in the Zen and Theravadin traditions. Courses on other classical Indian philosophy, such as Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and Kashmiri Shaivism, are gradually being integrated into the program.

Dathup’s time at Deer Park is focused on community empowerment and the integration our wisdom heritage into our everyday life. He has supported Deer Park staff in ecology workshops with local schools and monasteries in the area, as well as building upon his own previous experience as a teacher to teach English to Deer Park staff. He’s also had time to participate in some programs such as the recent Sacred Calligraphy Workshop: Traditions, History, and Techniques, as well as travel to Dharmsala to visit the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.

We look forward to hearing more about his time in Himachal Pradesh upon his return in the next few weeks!