Gaden for the West

Gaden for the West is an international organization of Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche, his students, and meditation centers, created for the express purpose of bringing, interpreting and integrating Gelugpa Tibetan Buddhism to the western world. Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche created this vehicle to make Gelugpa Tibetan Buddhism accessible to as many people as possible. People in the west are different from Tibetans in their culture, customs and psychology. Western minds need the teachings of Buddha presented from a different point of view.

Goals of Gaden for the West

Adapt Gelugpa Tibetan Buddhism for western students. Promote the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, the Gelugpa tradition in the west in a way that is relevant to the recipients of the teachings.
Translate and publish Dharma books, adapting them for the western mind, changing the gender specific words and meaning.
Encourage lay people to practice Dharma.
Promote Dharma in action, socially engaged Buddhism.

Gaden Relief Projects

Helping to preserve Tibetan culture in India, Mongolia and Tibet. Gaden Relief has become famous, despite its modest size, for its efforts in channeling medicine and funds to the Tibetan refugee community-in-exile and to monasteries in Tibet, India and Mongolia. Gaden Relief has raised over $500,000 in donations, of which over 95% reached Tibetans and Mongolians in the form of direct aid. Our very low overhead is possible because we are run 100% by volunteers.

Some of the institutions we have supported

Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Ulan Bator, Mongolia
Delgeruun Choir, Gobi Desert, Mongolia
Chuchikjall Nunnery, Zangskar, India
Drepung Loseling University, Mundgod, India
Geden Choling Nunnery, Dharamsala, India
Samten Choling Nunnery, Dharamsala, India
Sera Jhe Health Care Centre, Bylakuppe, India
SerJey Denma Khangtsen, Bylakuppe, India
Zuru Monastery, Kham, Tibet

For more information see http://www.gadenforthewest.org