A Chronological Overview of the Shangpa Foundation

1994 — Establishment of Shangpa FoundationThe Shangpa Foundation was officially founded in Kathmandu, Nepal, to support Buddhist preservation, humanitarian relief, healthcare assistance, education, and the welfare of monastic and lay communities. From the very beginning, the Foundation embraced the principle that Dharma practice must be accompanied by compassionate action for the benefit of all beings.
  • 1990s — Early Humanitarian & Dharma Support Activities
  • During its formative years, the Foundation began supporting:
  • Monasteries and nunneries in Nepal
  • Buddhist education and retreat activities
  • Food distribution to disadvantaged communities
  • Assistance to elderly homes and orphanages
  • Medical aid for remote Himalayan communities
  • 2000–2010 — Expansion of Welfare & Monastic Support
  • As the Foundation expanded its activities, support increased for:
  • Jangchub Choeling Monastery in Pokhara
  • Kagyu Institute of Buddhist Studies in Kirtipur
  • Tharpa Choeling Nunnery in Muktinath
  • Retreat centre and Dharma facilities
  • Monastic education and Sangha welfare
During this period, the Foundation also continued regular charitable activities including food offerings, blanket distribution, medical assistance, and aid to remote communities in Nepal.
  • 2015 — Nepal Earthquake Relief Efforts Following the devastating Nepal earthquake in April 2015, the Shangpa Foundation mobilized emergency humanitarian relief efforts across affected regions.
  • The Foundation distributed:
  • Food supplies
  • Emergency necessities
  • Blankets and shelter materials
  • Relief aid for displaced families
  • Assistance to monasteries and villages damaged by the earthquake
These relief missions extended into remote Himalayan areas where aid access remained difficult.
  • 2016–2019 — Continued Community Welfare Activities
  • In the years following the earthquake, the Foundation maintained ongoing charitable outreach by supporting:
  • Hospitals and healthcare centres
  • Children’s homes and welfare centres
  • Elderly care institutions
  • Rural Himalayan communities
  • Monastic communities and retreat practitioners
  • 2020–2022 — COVID-19 Humanitarian Assistance
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Shangpa Foundation undertook extensive humanitarian relief operations throughout Nepal.
  • With support from international benefactors and friends from Singapore, China, and other countries, the Foundation organized:
  • Distribution of food and daily necessities
  • Medical support for remote communities
  • Emergency healthcare assistance
  • Delivery of oxygen concentrators and medical equipment with the help from China Jade Temple along with a few other non-profit organizations in China
  • Support for hospitals overwhelmed during the pandemic
These efforts reached vulnerable populations in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Mustang, and remote Himalayan regions during one of the most difficult public health crises in recent history.
  • Ongoing Activities — Preservation of Dharma & Compassionate Service
  • Today, the Shangpa Foundation continues its dual mission of humanitarian service and Dharma preservation through:
  • Support for monasteries, nunneries, and retreat centres
  • Medical and social welfare assistance
  • Educational and spiritual programme
  • Support for Buddhist study and meditation practice
  • Humanitarian aid for underprivileged communities
  • Current and ongoing Dharma-related projects supported by the Foundation include:
  • Jangchub Choeling Monastery in Pokhara
  • Kagyu Institute of Buddhist Studies in Kirtipur
  • Drubgyud Choeling Monastery in Lumbini
  • Sarangkot Retreat Centre
  • Kutsab Ternga Monastery in Jomsom
  • Dharmakaya Buddha Mandala Project
The Shangpa Foundation continues to uphold the compassionate activities of Shangpa Rinpoche by serving both the spiritual and material needs of beings with dedication, humility, and care.