Footprints of the Karmapas
Eastern Tibetan Areas

Whilst ROKPAs activities in Tibetan areas are concentrated on providing education and healthcare to enable the poorest to prosper, a small but vitally important aspect of its work is the preservation of Tibetan language and culture.

From the 24 July - 18 August 2012 I am planning to take a group to the eastern Tibetan areas to visit many of the spiritually significant sites connected with the Karmapas including the birthplace of the 1st Karmapa, and monasteries established by the 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa, and the 2nd Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (atop the sacred Punri Mountain). Along the way we shall also visit meditation caves of Guru Rinpoche and the Karmapas. A highlight of the trip will be visiting the Parkhang printing works in Derge, which houses a vast set of wooden printing blocks containing all Buddhist teachings and texts. We shall also stay a couple of days at Palpung monastery, spending time in the shedra and visiting Jamgon Kontruls monastery nearby where the relics of the 1st and 3rd Jamgon Kontrul Rinpoches are kept. Depending on the availability of travel permits in 2012, we may be able to visit spiritually significant sites around Chamdo and visit the sacred peaks of Kawa Karpo. There will be an option for a Lhasa extension leaving the main group in Shangri La on the 15th or 16th of August, returning to europe on the 22nd August (there is no cost price for the Lhasa extension as yet).

Dr Akong Rinpoche, President of ROKPA, will be visiting the projects in the area at the time and will join the group for big events - the inauguration of the Guru Rinpoche statue in Tagong and a Kangyur prayer ceremony near Gansu.

If we receive travel permission, we shall visit Akong Rinpoches monastery, Dolma Lhakang, in Chamdo. We will change the itinerary to allow this.

Commitment to Rokpa

This trip will be unique in its access to sites sacred to the Kagyu school, many of which are not accessible or open to regular tourists (or locals), and we are only able to visit because of Rokpas support. Preserving these sites and ensuring their heritage is available to generations to come, is an important part of Rokpas commitment to preserving the Tibetan culture. Therefore, I am asking that participants each commit to raise £2,000 in donations for Rokpas cultural projects in the Tibetan areas (the trip will provide a couple of opportunities for sponsored walks to high altitudes, which will be an easy way to get started fundraising. This amount is in addition to the cost of the trip.

• Ideas for fundraising
• Publicity: Displays/ Leaflets and Newsletters
• ROKPA T shirts with our colourful logo
• Collection Boxes and Buckets
• Information on particular projects
• We can advertise your event on this webpage
• AND you can create your own webpage on www.justgiving.com/rokpauk/raisemoney