Sponsor a Monk

STANZIN MAYO

Year of Birth: 2017

Family Background

Stanzin Mayo journey to the monastery is a story of love and resilience. From Zanskar, Ladakh, his family has faced many hardships. His father, a taxi driver, struggles with an unstable income, and the family was deeply affected by the loss of Stanzin’s mother a year ago. Stanzin has one brother and two sisters, all in public school in Ladakh. His father finds it increasingly difficult to support all four children. The decision to send Stanzin to the monastery was made with a heavy heart but with the hope of offering him a better future. His father’s unwavering love and desire to secure a stable future for him guided this difficult choice.

Current Profile

In May 2024, he joined Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. He is now studying in class 3 and is 9 years old. He finds great joy in playing with toys, especially car toys, and watching cartoons, which brings a smile to his face. Stanzin is gradually picking up new skills and knowledge, enjoying every moment of his school time. The supportive environment and new friendships have helped him settle in well, and now he is flourishing with a joyful spirit at the monastery.

Your sponsorship will support him in his life in the monastery.

LOBSANG NORBU

Admission Number: UK2026524
Year of Birth: 1973

Lobsang Norbu was born Sharkhumbu in between Tibet and Nepal border. His father passed away when he was a child, and his mother is now very old. He has 3 siblings. He joined Tashi Lhunpo Monastery when he was just 8 years old. He has obtained all the basic education in Buddhist philosophy. He has also acquired the degree of Tsosokpa. He stayed in Nepal for 5 years when our monastery organized a prayer community in Nepal many years ago.

He has a great singing voice which as a monk is useful during prayer sessions, and as a result of which he was assigned as a chanting master (Omze) for many years. Later he was in charge of the Tantric section of our monastery for three years, and is Board member of our monastery.

Now he is the head of the Health department of our monastery, where his role is to look after our monastery Dispensary for when our monks faces health issues, and is responsible for the budget for our monastic medical expenses and all related to medical assistance. Regarding his health, he has some health issues with his leg for a long time and as a result he finds it difficult to walk. Despite his health issue, he is a hardworking monk.

Your sponsorship will support him in his life in the monastery.

TANZIN TAKPA

Admission Number: UK577
Date of Birth:  2nd March 1983

Tanzin Takpa was born in Ladakh.

He attended school in Ladakh from  the age of 7 to 15 years. In 1992 he joined Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.  He has completed all the basic Buddhist philosophical studies.

He is a very humble, dedicated and hardworking monk, and instead of studying to a higher level, he dedicated himself to serving the monastery. For many years until now he has been been in charge of the monastery’s various construction projects. He is also responsible for water distribution to the various parts of our monastery from our main water reservoir.

Despite being very busy at work, he continues to carry out his prayers every day. Our monks adore him for his diligence and selfless nature.

Your sponsorship will support him in his life in the monastery.

LOBZANG DAWA

Admission Number: 512
Year of Birth: 1970

Lobzang Dawa was born in Nubra, Ladakh. He joined a local monastery at the age of 8, and at 13 years of age came to study at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. He has held a number of responsible positions in the monastery including as Disciplinarian, Temple In Charge and Tantric College master. During the seven years of the new temple project he acted as the Accountant. Lobzang Dawa suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure and is taking regular medication.

Your sponsorship will support him in his life in the monastery.

TENZIN LUNGTOK

Admission Number:  UK2026897
Date of Birth:  8 August 1999

Tenzin Lungtok was born into a small family in a very remote village of Langme in Ladakh, Northern India. He has an older brother who is a college student. His father is a hospital helper in his village Hospital. His mother is a farmer. His father’s income can hardly manage to feed the whole family. As a young boy, he always saw the noble work of the monks in his village and he was inspired to be a one.

In 2009 he came to Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. He was appointed to the role of school prefect, and took responsibility for maintaining school discipline and helping students in various ways. He loves helping others in need because it makes him happy and satisfied, but feels upset when he sees students being teased and bullied. His favourite subject is Buddhist logic and he enjoys debating. He spends time playing football during his leisure time with his friends and also loves reading books. He wants to become a Buddhist philosophy teacher when he completes his studies.

Your sponsorship will support him in his life in the monastery.

STANZIN GEYLAK

Admission Number: UK20261169
Date of Birth: 12 December 2018

Stanzin Geylak comes from the village of Ruk Ruk in Zanskar, District Kargil, Jammu & Kashmir. His father works as a taxi driver during the tourist season, while his mother is a housewife who also takes care of their small farm. During the off-tourist season, his father helps with the farm. He has an elder brother and an elder sister, both of whom are students.

Stanzin Geylak’s journey to Tashi Lhunpo Monastery began in January 2024, marking a significant change in his young life. One of the monks, who has a close relationship with the Geylak family, played a crucial role in this transition. Aware of the more favourable weather conditions at the monastery compared to the harsh climate of Zanskar, the monk suggested it as a suitable place for Stanzin’s upbringing and education.

Since his arrival he has made very good friends in the monastery. He enjoys drawing and playing hide-and-seek games. During monastery holidays, he gets to watch TV and enjoys watching action movies. He is currently studying in Class 2.

Your sponsorship will support him in his life in the monastery.

STANZIN WANGNON

Admission Number: UK20261184
Date of Birth: 18th April 2015

Stanzin Wangnon is from Karsha, Zanskar in Ladakh. His father is a taxi driver, and his mother is a housewife. He has three siblings, an elder sister who attends a government school in Ladakh, a younger sibling also in school, and another one in kindergarten. As the only boy in his family, Stanzin decided to pursue a life as a monk, believing it would lead to a better future, a choice supported by his parents.

At the age of 5, he went to a government school in Ladakh and completed up to 3rd grade. On 19th August 2024 he joined Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, and is now in 5th grade, and his studies are going very well. His favourite subject is Tibetan. He loves to play football in his free time. He has made new friends here and is enjoying a peaceful and fulfilling life.

Your sponsorship will support him in his life in the monastery.

STANZIN DEASAL

Admission Number: UK20261188
Date of Birth: 1st April 2016

Stanzin Deasal’s parents are farmers, and he is one of five children. Life has not been easy for his parents, as they have many responsibilities in providing for all their children. With limited resources and opportunities, they have often struggled to meet everyone’s needs. In hopes of securing a better future for Deasal, his parents encouraged him to join the monastery, believing it would offer him a better life and education.

Stanzin Deasal joined the monastery in October 2024 and has been actively participating in its spiritual and monastic activities. He is currently pursuing his education and is in Class 3, balancing his academic responsibilities with his monastic training. He enjoys playing sports during his free time. After completing his studies, he aspires to become a Kachen and dedicate his life to serving the monastery.

Your sponsorship will support him in his life in the monastery.

KARMA LEKSHED

Admission Number: UK20261197
Date of Birth: 24th May 2012

Karma Lekshed was born in Padum in Ladakh. He grew up in a nurturing environment where family values and traditions were highly cherished. His parents encouraged him to pursue the path of a monk, reflecting their commitment to preserving Buddhist heritage and values.

Karma Lekshed joined Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in 2024. Over the past year, he has gradually been learning and embracing the teachings and practices of monastic life. His ability to make friends from his home town adds a sense of comfort and familiarity to his experience, fostering a strong sense of community and support. With his studies progressing well, Karma Lekshed appears to be on a fulfilling journey of spiritual and personal growth within the monastery environment. His favourite subjects are Tibetan and English, as he believes both are very useful in achieving his goals in the future.

Your sponsorship will support him in his life in the monastery.

LOBSANG TSERING NEGI

Admission Number: UK2026858
Date of Birth: 8 April 2000

Lobsang Tsering was born in small village in Kinnaur, a beautiful town in Himachal Pradesh. He has a younger brother who is still at school. His father runs a small grocery shop in his village and his mother is a housewife, looking after the household chores and working on their small plot. Since he was a child, he always wanted to become a monk. He attended his village school until class 2 and in 2007 at the tender age of 7, he came here with one of a monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, who is his present Tutor/Guardian.

When he first came to the monastery he found life a little hard as he had to learn Tibetan language and he missed his parents as it was the first time he had travelled away from home. However he is now happy in the monastery, studying in the 9th year of his philosophical studies (Lobnyer) and is a bright student. It will take another 10 years to complete his degree and become a Kachen Lharampa. After he completes his studies, he wants to contribute his effort to the community by volunteering and looking after animals and destitute people. He also wants to travel to teach dharma around the world.

Your sponsorship will support him in his life in the monastery.

TENZIN CHOEPHEL

Admission Number: UK2026965
Date of Birth: 20 October 2006

Tenzin Choephel was born in Zanskar, Ladakh. He has three younger brothers. One of his younger brothers is in school and one in college and the third is also a monk. His father serves in the Indian Army and his mother looks after the house and their farm. He always admired the simple peaceful life of the monks in his village, and the respect in which they were held, and he also wanted to be a monk.

Tenzin Choephel joined Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in 2012. He is a very hardworking boy, full of curiosity about learning new things. He is excellent at memorizing and oratory skills which are very necessary qualities in monastic education. His favourite subject is English because he says it’s an International language and he wants to master it. He enjoys public speaking and during his free time, he likes reading story books. He wants to be a teacher when he grows up.

Your sponsorship will support him in his life in the monastery.