A group of Tibetan Buddhist monks from Gaden Jangtse monastery in south central India visited Worcester from August 17 - August 23, 2008 while touring North America to share the dharma and their culture. They also raised money to maintain the monastery, preserve Tibetan culture and to help resettle and educate Tibetan refugees.
Gaden Jangtse was originally founded in 1409 In Lhasa, Tibet. It was destroyed by the Chinese in 1959, but the Indian government allowed the monks to rebuild in south India. Up to 7,000 monks lived in the original monastery prior to is destruction. When the monastery was rebuilt, only 300 monks remained. Today it is now home to 2,600 monks.
Jhamtse International members helped to support activities including a dharma talk and fundraising event at the First Unitarian Church in Worcester. The Worcester sangha and people from the area met with the monks at the Vietnamese Buddhist Temple at 16 Ruthven Avenue in Worcester. There, the monks also created a sand mandala which was open for viewing through the week.
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