siddhartha school project newsletter

issue #6

2001

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Welcome School Bus      (return to index)

Bright yellow bus brightens Siddhartha school days

This fall the Siddhartha School community celebrated an event they have been looking forward to for years—the arrival of a new school bus. The bus entered the school grounds to great fanfare. The children lined the road. holding khatags (ceremonial scarves) for Tsewang Dorjay and Padma Dorjay, who had gone to Chandigar to pick up the bus.

The arrival of the bright yellow school bus was further celebrated with a party. Children, teachers and parents shared tea and rice and remembered with fondness the generous donors who had made their dream a reality.

The beautiful new Swaraj Mazda school bus has 32 seats and many features that contribute to the comfort and safety of the children. Most important, the bus’ short chassis enables it to safely negotiate Ladakh’s mountain roads. Heavy duty rail guards on the windows and handle holds on seat backs add to the children’s’ safety. The bus is also equipped with warning lights and sound signals that alert the driver when the entry door is not secure.

The bus is already a hard-working member of the Siddhartha School family. It faithfully picks up students and teachers each school morning and drops them off in the evening. Teachers previously had to walk three to four kilometers to get the public bus back to Leh. In addition, the bus has taken Classes I-V on a field trip to SECMOL, and nursery and kindergarten students on a picnic to Shey.

On Parents’ Day, the beautiful school bus did double duty. It first brought carpets and tables to the school in preparation for the event, then picked up and delivered the parents, themselves!

SSP News Briefs      (return to index)

Ladakhis Lament the Poor Public School Pass Rate

Ladakhis are serious about education, and initiatives like Siddhartha School are very important in helping to raise standards and train leaders for the next generation.

Matriculation results for public schools recently published in Ladags Melong clearly demonstrate the important role independent schools like Siddhartha School play in Ladakh’s development.

Eighty four percent of public school students in Leh failed the government exams for graduation from 10th grade—11 out of 29 of Leh’s public schools had 0 percent pass rate. In Kargil district, 93 percent failed.

On July 12. 1500 students and members of NGO staged a peaceful protest march. The students wore black ribbons and sang “We Shall Overcome” in English. Another large rally, also peaceful, was held on July 20.

*****

Office Improvement

With a new telephone, computer and fax machine, the school office has taken on a new look. It’s also better equipped to handle the demands of a growing school. An Epson printer donated by Laura Kogonis works perfectly with the the school’s new IBM Thinkpad, donated by Bill Kite. The fax machine, a gift from Margot Jarrett is also helpful for making copies for the classroom.

*****

Roerich Painting Donated

Thanks to David Denny who donated an original painting by the Russian master. Nicholas Roerich. The painting, made in the l93O’s when Roerich was in the region, is of the King’s Palace, located near Siddhartha school.

For more information on Roerich and his work go to: www.roerich.org

Special thanks to a special person     (return to index)

Although many generous people contributed to the fund for the school bus, never has a school acquisition depended so much on the generosity of one very special person.

Just days before his departure Geshe-la was sadly trying to figure out how to break the bad news to the children that the school bus would have to wait at least another year.

When contributions fell short of the goal, members of the U.S. board considered taking out a loan for the balance, but decided that, at this point in its development, Siddhartha School could not assume that burden. Then Martha Slocum (who in addition to sponsoring two students had already contributed generously to the bus fund) called to ask how things were going. When she heard that not enough money had been collected to buy the bus, she offered to cover the shortfall, and wrote a check for S 10,000.

Geshe-la, the students, the teachers and the parents are all very deeply touched by this extraordinary act of generosity. Though Martha Slocum could not be in Stok to share their joy on that wonderful day this fall when the new bus arrived, we all hope she will soon be able to visit and see first-hand the difference her kindness has made to the lives of the children.

"Thank You For Your Generosity"     (return to index)

The arrival of the new school bus made this a particularly wonderful year for Siddhartha School.
However, lots of hard work remains to be done. This year we hope to raise funds to complete construction of the classroom blocks so that in future years we can build a science lab, art studio, and upper school library so necessary to the children as they enter the higher grades.

As many of you know, trees planted outside the school walls quickly fall prey to hungry animals. For that reason, we hope to complete the perimeter wall so that more trees can be planted. In addition to providing beauty to the landscape, the fast-growing poplar and willow trees provide lumber (an expensive commodity in Ladakh) and will greatly reduce the cost of the final stages of school construction.

Also this year we must raise $20,000 for salaries. The school now employs nine teachers, a principal, secretary, night guard, bus driver and housekeeper/babysitter/cook. Although $20,000 is a lot of money, it’s a surprisingly low figure when one considers that it covers salaries for nine well-trained, dedicated teachers and a full staff.

Our total fundraising goal this year is $35,000. With the help of our many kind friends in the United States and Germany, we know it can be done.

Many donors choose to sponsor a child for thirty dotlars a month. This is a wonderful way to help an individual child, while at the same time helping Siddhartha School meet expenses. If you already sponsor a child or contribute in other ways, thank you for your continued support into the year 2002. If not, please consider sharing Siddhartha School with a friend or loved one.From everyone at Siddhartha School, many thanks and—

Jullay!

To make a donation click HERE.

Siddhartha School honored             (return to index)
by the auspicious visits of Buddhist dignitaries 

The Karmapa blesses school,teaches importance of loving-kindness
by Geshe Lobzang Tsetan

On September 10, 2001, the Karmapa and his delegation visited Siddhartha School. His Holiness blessed the school. The children and parents lined the path to the colorful Welcome Gate that had been set up. When he arrived, he came to the office and we served him tea and rice, traditional auspicious food for welcome.

I told him the story of the school. Then he blessed the office. He had a cup of tea and tasted a little rice and a little fruit. I invited him outside to give a public talk. When he sat down, the children sang “Zatmet Yonten,” the prayer of immeasurable qualities.

After the prayers finished, I asked him to give oral transmission of Om mani padme hum and the mantra for Guru Rimpoche, Om ah hung vajra guru padma siddhi hung, and also to give for them Manjushri prayers for increase their knowledge. Manjushri is the manifestation of all Buddhas’ knowledge. So he gave these prayers and transmission.

After that he gave little talk for the public about how important it is not to waste this life’s opportunities:
to take care practicing a spiritual path, cultivating loving-kindness, and learning how to live joyfully and harmoniously, then doing whatever you can study and daily practice, like taking refuge and generating altruistic mind.

Then he said he was very happy to come to Ladakh and see the school and the monasteries and meet all the Ladakhi people.

He then gave a bunch of blessing knots for the people. He gave 4000 rupees for the school, and also left the money from people who had given him donations, about 9,200 rupees. Then he asked me to have a photo with him and soon after his delegation left.

Rimpoche Bakula was also there for about two hours. Even though he is a man of advanced years and walks with difficulty, he made the great effort to come to our school.

After the delegation left, we served tea and divided the blessing food and the blessing knots among the children, teachers and parents.

It was the second most auspicious day at Siddhartha School after the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1998.

Return of Rimpoche Bakula to Ladakh is a joyous occasion
by Kathleen Kernell

Rimpoche Bakula, Ladakh’s elder statesman, is less well-known in the West than is the Karmapa. Recognized in childhood as a reincarnation of one of the sixteen Arhats (disciples of Buddha responsible for preserving the teaching), Rimpoche studied in Tibet, earning the Lharampa Geshe degree, the highest degree in the Tibetan monastic system.

Returning to Ladakh near the time India gained independence, he entered politics in 1949 at the request of Pandit Nehru. During the many years in which he represented Ladakh in the assembly in Kashmir, relations among the different religious groups in Ladakh were remarkably harmonious.

After serving for 8 years in the Indian parliament in Delhi, Rimpoche represented Ladakhi Buddhists in the Indian Association on Minority Religions.

Rimpoche Bakula’s contributions extend beyond India. As Indian ambassador to Mongolia, he played a significant role in assuring peace and stability during Mongolia’s transition from communism to democracy. In June of this year he was awarded the Polar Star, one of Mongolia’s highest state orders, an honor rarely conferred on foreigners.

Interestingly, Mongolian folktales foretell the coming of ‘Arhat Bakula’ to restore Buddhism after a period of its near destruction in Mongolia. a belief echoed by prayers to ‘Arhat Bakula’ composed by monks in the late 19th century.So when Rimpoche Bakula arrived in Mongolia there was great rejoicing, even though at the time Buddhism was still suppressed under communist rule.

Mongolians are deeply grateful for Rimpoche’s help through the period following the Communist collapse, and revere him as "Elchiin agsha,” the “teacher ambassador.”

Still, Rimpoche Bakula was much missed in Ladakh, where he has always been a voice for tolerance and harmony and is revered by Buddhists and Muslims alike. His return is an occasion of great joy, and his visit to Siddhartha School is indeed an auspicious event.

Film company captures smiles     (return to index)
for Siddhartha School video

Rob McGann and Brian Staudt, from avenue e productions spent a day in Stok this past August filming activities at Siddhartha School.

On a bright summer day, with Siddhartha School parents and Geshe Tsetan attending, Rob and Brian filmed students playing on the school’s recently leveled cricket field, as well as a special performance by the nursery class. The New York City film crew also shot interviews with Geshe-la and the school’s principal, classroom activities, children going home from school, and panoramic views of Siddhartha School to the mountain background of Stok Kangri.

The footage will be used to create a promotional film for Siddhartha School that will include striking cultural images from the 110 hours of footage taken in Ladakh by avenue e for a documentaty this summer. Rob has also generously offered to assist in editing the material, using his journalism background to help structure the fundraising video to present the school’s message clearly and effectively.

avenue e plans to begin work on the Siddhartha School film in March after completing the daunting task of editing their own 75 minute documentary on Ladakh’s oracle tradition.

The film, “Oracles & Demons of Ladakh," will be released to film fes:ivals in early 2002, then to television outlets later in the year. Preview clips of the film and additional information on the culture and geography of Ladakh can be viewed on the project website: www.avenueeproductions.com

Afghan and J & K situation reinforces      (return to index)
importance of Siddhartha School initiative

As friends of Siddhartha School, you may be wondering how recent events, especially the war in Afghanistan, are affecting Ladakh and Siddhartha School.

Be assured that the school is thriving and the children are safe. But there have been serious conflicts in the region, and current events in Afghanistan will only serve to exacerbate them.

Ladakh, whose population is roughly 60 percent Buddhist and 40 percent Muslim, is part of the
province of Jammu and Kashmir, a territory long disputed by Pakistan and India.

The precarious political situation in the area makes building a strong educational system essential. As different groups seek ways of living together ir harmony, Ladakh will need well-educated leaders, and the public school system, with it's uisma! lu percent pass rate for tenth grade, will not be able to provide them in the near future. Independent schools like Siddhartha School have an important role to play in helping to raise standards. The value of your gift to Siddhartha School goes far beyond the smiling faces of the children. It is an investment in the survival of one of the last pockets of Tibetan Buddhist culture and in the stability o one of the most sensitive regions of the world.

With your kindness, Siddhartha School is flourishing and its students are receiving the strong education tha will help them live at peace with their neighbors in a rapidly changing world.

For more information about Ladakh history and politics, visit our Ladakh page.

Web Update             (return to index)

Since early August the SSP website has a new address and a new look, it now has an easily accessible navigation bar on the left side of the main pages and has been redesigned to load a bit faster.

On the updated site you will be able to access infbrmation about Ladakh and the Siddhartha School, all our recent newsletters, information about making donations, as well as information about Geshe Tsetan 's teaching schedule.

Many thanks to Steve Mason, who created the original website, and who made the transition to the new site an easy process for its new caretaker, Bruce Nichols.

Schulprojekt Ladakh is a key to      (return to index)
school's continued good health

In September, Mrs. Ursula Emy (Uschi), founder of Schulprojekt Ladakh, SSP’s sister organization, visited the school along with Dr. Gunter Koke and Dr. Harald Neugebauer. Drs. Koke and Neugebauer checked each of the children for health problems and administered Hepatitus B vaccine tc the new students. The physicians were pleased to find the children in better health than in previous years. Uschi, Dr. Gunter and Dr. Harald were at the school for Parents Day, so they joined Siddhartha School families for that joyous celebration.

In Germany, Uschi has been an innovator in generating interest in Siddhartha School. In July she organized a exhibition of Dr. Gunter’s photographs of Ladakh. The exibition was held in an old water tower renovated into an exhibition space by a German NGO. Uschi chose about 80 of Dr. Gunter’s photos of Ladakh, and decorated the tower inside and out with about 50 meters of prayer flags. She also displayed Ladakhi dresses, handmade shoes, cups, and other artifacts, as well as the letters and drawings that Siddhartha School’s Class V students have exchanged with Class V students at a German school. The exhibit drew 500 visitors in 5 days. After the exhibition, Uschi raised funds for the school by selling the exhibited items.

While Uschi organized the exhibition, Dr. Gunter Koke finalized his photo calendar for 2002. Last year he produced a calendar using the photos he has taken during his many trips to Ladakh. It was a huge success. The first copy of this year’s calendar was presented to the private office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala. 2,000 copies of the unique calendar have been printed, and Uschi believes afl
will be sold.

Siddhartha School on Air      (return to index)

In April, Siddhartha School children presented a program on the radio station in Leh. The program, called "Siddhartha School On Air," consisted of four segments. In the first, "Magical Melody," students in Nursery class and Lower Kindergarten recited rhymes in Ladakhi, Hindi and English. In "Gift From Grandma," Lobzang Tsering of Glass III shared a folktale told to him by his grandmother. Next came "Laugh Laugh Laugh," a group of children jokes collected by Kunga Rabzes (I), Lobzang Tsering (III) and Rigzin Norbu (IV). Finally, Class V presented “Out In the Garden One Fine Day, “a play they had written themselves. The program was a huge success and the children left the radio station with an open invitation to return anytime.

Special Gifts      (return to index)

This year Siddhartha School received grants from the Weatherspoon Foundation and from a family foundation which prefers to remain anonymous. The school also received a substantial gift from friends of Mr. Hans Noetzli in honor of his 60th birthday. Mr. Noetzli feels that he has everything he needs, so for special occasions he picks a charity and asks friends to make donations in lieu of sending gifts.

This year for his birthday celebration he chose Siddhartha School, because, he says, “I like to choose something where I know the money will go to charity and not just disappear into the organization.” His daughter, Sarah, is also a longtime Siddhartha School volunteer.

Parents are the building blocks that      (return to index)
make our school stand strong

Siddhartha School parents have been busy this year, as every year, helping improve school facilities.

This Spring, their hard work resulted in telephone service to the school (previously the nearest telephone exchange was three kilometers away). Parents installed the necessary cables on existing telephone poles and, for the last kilometer, erected the poles themselves—sinking twenty poles a foot or more into the hard ground. For the last 200 meters parents dug trenches and laid cables underground.

In the summer, the parents undertook an equally difficult project— they spread 40 truckloads of sand on the ground between the two buildings. Their goal was to create a smoothed-surfaced playing field the students could use for team sports and as a place of practice for interschool athletic events—like the cricket match with Maha Bodhi. (See School Sports Update)

The playing field was a smooth success. Now the children practice on a surface where balls bounce straight up and down instead of ricocheting off tucks and pot holes.

As the end of the school year neared, the parents gathered once again, this time to clean the campus. They also worked many hours putting fresh mud on the classroom roofs to give the school added protection from the rain.When, during their work, the school served them lunch, the parents generously offered to bring their own food the next time to save the school money. Siddhartha School parents say they are ready when called upon to do whatever the school needs.

Although many SS parents lack the education necessary to help their children with homework, they are deeply committed to their children’s education and happy to be able to contribute in any way they can to the school.

School Sports Update         (return to index)

July 16th the Siddhartha School cricket team played its first match, against Maha Bodhi in Choglamsar. The match was held on the cricket field adjoining the Ladakh palace of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Siddhartha’s team of first to fifth graders took on a team of mostly fifth graders and acquitted themselves well, though Maha Bodhi won the game.

This year the school held its first annual Interhouse Marathon. Teachers chose girls and boys from the school’s three “houses,” or intramural teams. About thirty students participated. The older children ran four kilometers and the younger children two.

Distance running is an important sport in Ladakh. Because of the high altitude, Ladakhis have extremely good endurance, and India’s top marathon runner is a Ladakhi woman.

turning the wheel
is a publication of the Siddhartha School Project.

Geshe Lobzang Tsetan,
Founding Director

Address all correspondece to:

Siddhartha School Project
P0. Box 524
Freeport, ME 04032-0524

Donations should be made payable to FOTWA/SSP and mailed to:

Siddhartha School Project
P0. Box 524
Freeport, ME 04032-0524

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The Siddhartha School Project
P.O. Box 524
Freeport, ME 04032-0524
tel. (207) 523-9388