Our history
The different projects and activities now grouped together under the name Songtsen were all initiated and inspired by Kangyur Rinpoche, as well as some of the most highly respected Lamas of the Tibetan tradition, including, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche, and Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
The present directors are Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche and Pema Wangyal Rinpoche.
The organization's development projects began with the inspiration of Kangyur Rinpoche. And although dedication to helping those in need began with Kangyur Rinpoche's benevolent work since the 1930s, and the preservation efforts began in the 1950s, it was not until the mid 1970s that the organization was officially formed, coming to life in the form of KRF development. (KRF origins)
After KRF development, the next of Songtsen's activities to be officially established was the Association du Centre d’Étude de Chanteloube (ACEC), the department focused on study and practise. Chanteloube was formed under the spiritual leadership of Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche and Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, considered to be two of the greatest representatives of the Nyingmapa School, the oldest tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and both of whom were teachers of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. By the year 1980, the first three-year retreat had begun under the close guidance of these great Tibetan lamas (see Chanteloube origins).
The next department to take shape was Padmakara... (see Padmakara's history)
And finally, although the sponsorship of Tibetan refugee and Himalayan children had been in action for several decades, Siddhartha was officially founded in 1980. (Siddhartha origins)
Later, the various departments of activity directed by Kangyur Rinpoche's son, Pema Wangyal Rinpoche, came to together under Songtsen. The name Songtsen encompasses the range of the organization's humanitarian work, as well as the various departments dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture and wisdom, including Chanteloube, KRF Development, Padmakara and Siddhartha.
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