Frequently asked questions: Who is Ringu Tulku and what is his connection to Rigul? Ringu Tulku is a Tibetan Buddhist master of the Kagyu Tradition. He was born in the region of Rigul and was recognised as the reincarnation of the Abbot of Rigul Monastery by HH the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. His family, and many of the people of Rigul, had to leave the area following the Chinese takeover. Rinpoche (Ringu Tulku) was just under five years old when he left and he has been unable to return since. For more information about Ringu Tulku and his work please see www.bodhicharya.org Where is Rigul and how many people live there? Rigul is a region situated in Kham, South Eastern Tibet, about 40 km (25 miles) south-east of Nangdo on the right bank of the Za-chu (Yalong) river. The altitude is 3,900 meters (12795 feet).The population is made up of 150 to 200 people over a large region, as well as 60 monastery and 40 shedra monks. The local people make a living out of cattle (yaks) and crops (barley, potatoes and some other vegetables). What was Rigul like before Ringu Tulku left? In many ways it was the same as can be seen in Francois photographs. It was a simple life where Buddhist values were a way of life. The people were proud Khampas who loved horses and being free. Rigul always had a close relationship to nearby Dzogchen Monastery and was fortunate to have access to many renowned Buddhist teachers. What happened in Rigul after he left? We dont know for sure what happened, but it is understood that the people suffered severe hardships and many did not survive. Most of the teachers and monks left or were killed or imprisoned. The remaining villagers moved into the monastery which prevented the Chinese from destroying it completely and they were able to save a number of precious relics, thangkas (religious paintings) and rupas (statues), by hiding them. They were told that Ringu Tulku and his family were dead. What help has been sent so far? Until relatively recently, little news had been heard from Rigul since the 1960s. But in 1992 Ringu Tulku was able to start sending money to enable the people to restore the monastery and to build a shedra, a teaching college for the monks. A generation of Buddhist teachers had been lost following the Chinese takeover and it was Rinpoches wish to help restore the teachings in the area. The monastery was repaired and the shedra built. Teachers from Dzogchen Monastery came to give teachings to the monks and help them in their studies. A Health Clinic was also started in 2001 by a young nun, Ani Choden, a relative of Ringu Tulku, and more funds were sent to help her and pay for the doctor. Rinpoche also wanted to encourage a lay school for the local children and sent money to help pay for teachers. In 2003 a monk from Rigul travelled to India to see Ringu Tulku. He was a newly qualified Khenpo (professor in Tibetan studies), a product of the Rigul Shedra, and he explained that much of the Shedra had fallen into disrepair. Rinpoche asked him to return to Rigul to build a new Shedra and he would provide the necessary funds. We also learned that the Health Clinic had become a great success and quite famous in the region. Many people had benefited from the traditional herbal medicines as prepared by Ani Choden and the doctor was very skilled in both Tibetan and Chinese medicine. But the clinic was housed in one room in the doctors residence and needed more space. Rinpoche promised to send enough money to build a small building for the clinic. In 2004 funds were sent to start the construction of the new shedra as well as the clinic. What help is needed now? In July 2004 Francois and Arnaud were able to visit Rigul and brought back the first photographs we have had in many years as well as more news. The building of the Shedra is ongoing but proving more expensive than the Khenpos first estimate, in fact three times as much. We also need sponsorship for all the monks and teachers and money to pay for their books. As well as the Shedra, the Monastery needs help, especially for the roof. The precious thangkas and rupas that have been kept safely all these years also need restoring. We already have sponsorship for Ani Choden, but need sponsorship for the doctor as well as enough funding to run the clinic. We also need to build a lay school! The children are currently being taught in the open air. The teachers need paying and the children need books, pencils etc. Why is the Shedra so important? The Dharma (the Buddhas teachings) is the heart of Tibetan people. The monks and teachers help keep this alive. A whole generation of teachers was lost to these people and we are now helping to educate the young monks and give the area back its teachers. The Shedra will ensure a traditional training for the monks and produce enough teachers for the region and beyond. Please see our page About Helping Rigul above.