Volunteer in Dalai Lama's Home, Dharamsala ! Give your Love and Compassion to Children and Animals, Practice Dharma of Dalai Lama Teachings !!

THE DALAI LAMA QUOTE ON HEART SUTRA..Love and Compassion !

" Mother Teresa was a towering embodiment of this human spirit and her great compassion, an inspiring example of the true essence and potential of a kind and spiritual life.

Today's world requires us to realise and develop a sense of universal responsibility and caring. It is obvious that the challenges and issues faced by the global community today require us to cultivate not only the rational mind but also the other faculties of the human spirit; the power of love,compassion and solidarity.

"A visitor to Dharamsala would expect to encounter Buddhists and Hindus but many are surprised to find that our small town in the mountains is home to practitioners of many other religions as well.

In a place where people generally make it a priority to be kind and compassionate to others, everyone regardless of spiritual beliefs seems to get along just fine!".....Cassie Childers.

Photo credit...Jimmy Yakin.

Volunteering in Dalai Lama's home town is a gesture of concern, care, compassion and love. To our minds it is a 'Healing of the Heart'..a soothing balm for all those moments of our lives when we are most vulnerable !

We had been trying to do this page from nearly two weeks and it was depressing for us because everything was going at a snail's pace. Our town was in a frenzy with the rains and Teachings of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama !!..yet it was comforting for us to be with our stray dogs in our Animal Care Center, just doing their little jobs..because we could forget our problems when we mingle with others and feel connected to a bigger world than ours..which is our beautiful Universe !

Our decision to adopt Barnie...our pet Baby Bull who had been left stranded and abandoned from his Herd and Mother, came at a very difficult time of our lives. Surprisingly, Barnie has given to us some of our most 'Happy Moments' when we have felt that our difficulties were very tiny as compared to someone who had 'No Home..!!

Giving the world...An Educated Future !

In the course of crossing International barriers of Communication and Culture.. Volunteers coming to this small sleepy town of the Dalai Lama in exile, have found immense contentment of the Soul by teaching to the young poor childrens of Local Village and Tibetan SOS Village Schools.

'As my stay in Dharamsala comes to an end, Iam faced with a reality of telling my students I will be going home soon. When I first began teaching English I did not expect to create such uniquely strong 'bonds' with any of my students. In finding basic commonalities that all human beings share..my students and I have connected through recognising 'a part of ourselves in the other'. I have begun to experience a natural high from doing 'selfless acts', feeling an immense joy that results in helping others just for the sake of wanting someone to be happy. This is the only path for achieving..Everlasting Happiness !'...Natalie Barr (Volunteer Teaching). Mag-CONTACT

**Volunteering Programs in Dharamsala for Teaching Local Village and Tibetan Schools can be arranged by us. You can come and teach English or ANY other Languages, Mathematics, Science, Basic Health Care and Hygiene, Inter-Community Communication Skills, Sports,Home Science and Art & Crafts.

' Nothing could have been better. Everything was perfect !'

....Comments from Ellen and Bill Oppenheim, New Canon,CT,USA. (Guest of Vidya Niwas, Dharamsala, October 29, 2005. )

Our above guests had come to Dharamsala to visit their young student son, who had been staying with the Monks in the Local Monastery helping them and teaching them English. We were intrigued by their obvious pleasure and happiness which showed on their proud faces by just seeing their son...grow up in the ambience of love and compassion..! Surely while some come here for spiritual mentoring with the Monks, there are those who at an early age have learnt much by sharing and volunteering their services in the abode of the Dalai Lama.

** For Volunteering in Local Monasteries and Nunneries we can help and assist you. Photo credit- Dalit.

Animal Love and Compassion...

..Some of the most basic rules of unconditional Love and Acceptance come from this 'World of Animals', who can communicate with you without speaking your Language...!

There is a Tibetan Nun in Dalai Lama's town in Mcleodganj who goes from House to House every day collecting food for her stray dogs irrespective of rain or snow,...such is the power of Compassion !

Veterinary Care in Dharamsala needs much to be taken care of as it is lacking in basic facilities like Good Vets and Animal clinics. There are many who come here and adopt a stray dog specially the female ones because neutering facilities are not available in Dharamsala and so many females are left stranded without Homes and care.

There are now some private Animal Care Centers like..Noah's Ark,etc where Animal Lovers come from all over the world to Volunteer for their cause and compassion and experience this unique joy ! International Veterinary camps also come here for Medical Care and neutering of female animals in the Villages and urban areas.

**We can arrange for Volunteering for 'Animal Care programs' in Dharamsala.

Animal Conservation in Dalai Lama's Town...

Our Himalayan region has the most unique Flora and Fauna. Along with this our beautiful pine and cedar forests are home to many magnificent animals and birds. Many migratory birds come during springtime.

In Dharamsala, Angling is a popular activity, however it is done with responsibilty..Fish breeding on a regular basis, Angling for fun where the fish is returned back to the Water by the tourists . There is a strict practice in our region of banning Fishing for two months in a year (June/July) during the breeding season . No sale of fish is allowed in the Market. There are many Holy Lakes where you can earn Karmic credit by feeding the Ancient Fishes !

Due to deforestation everywhere in the world, our Forests are slowly fading away, specially in the Himalayas.. so is our beautiful wildlife! Here in Dharamsala to conserve the wildlife, there is a Himalayan Conservation Park,which houses the Himalayan Bears, Deers,Leopards,Pheasants. In keeping with the Dalai Lama's concern for Wildlife and Environment many Volunteers and Local NGOs make sincere efforts for this cause!!

Celebrating a GREEN Earth in Dalai Lama's Town, Dharamsala..

Thirteen Grandmothers from all over the World gathered together to fulfill a prophecy ringing in their ears, to find ways to revive the traditions, rituals and medicines which could help preserve our 'cultural heritage' and in saving the Earth's environment. The Princess of France Constance De Polignac is the Ambassador of the International Council of Thirteen Indegenous Grandmothers, while the inspirational force are the Dalai Lama's Green Earth Teachings for this Universal Endeavour !

In the early 1990s,the garbage problem had increased so much that it became a cause of concern for Community Groups all over the world. On June 05th, 1994 the Tibetan Welfare Office under the kind guidance of the 14th Dalai Lama launched a program called " Clean Upper Dharamsala ". The four major projects addressing the Pollution problems with increased Tourism in Dharamsala are :1. Waste Management/ Public Sanitation. 2. Recyling 3. Paper- Making 4. The Green Shop

Today, along with the involvement of Local, International and Migrant Communities these projects are all doing very efficient work. The usage of Plastic bags in Dharamsala is totally banned while all essential plastic wrappings and wastes are re-cycled and sold in the 'Green Shop' and other projects like the Domaling Nunnery Project, Tapovan Project and some private missionary schools where school children are involved in this work.

There are also regular 'Clean Dharamsala Drives' and 'Tree Plantation' programs organised by 'Clean Upper Dharamsala',private social clubs and associations.

Soil erosion and Environmental conservation initiatives are taken by Community projects like 'Sanskriti', 'Vipasana' & 'Nishta', where Solar Energy, Eco-friendly Water Harvesting, Stopping Illegal Mining & De-forestation of the Hills, along with the help of Interantional Volunteers and Local Communities is an ongoing process...!

Compassion into Action in the Town of 14th Dalai Lama ..."There is no better International Language than that of the Human Heart which can cross all International Boundaries !"...

There are many Community Development Projects which help bond The International Communities with each other. In helping the Local people and the Tibetan refugees there is an exchange of learning and personal growth.

'Sanskriti'( Dedicated to "Working Together", is founded by Indian Travel & Hospitality professionals, Sangeeta and Arvind Gurung. 'Vidya Niwas' is a part of this Himalayan Vision and God permitting we will share this with the Global Community at the right time, in the near future.

A Helping Hand...in Dalai Lama's Abode !

There are many International FIT/GIT travellers who come here to learn, enjoy and help. Some combine their Holiday activities with Volunteering services..while some come primarily for just 'Volunteering'..and stay for a longer period developing their own inter-personal relationships with the local communities.

" All my Group members enjoyed their stay in Dharamsala, learning Buddhism and interacting with the Tibetan refugees."..Tibet-Aid Group USA, June 2004.

" It was a marvellous trip and well organised. I enjoyed family hospitality and mountain rides. 'Music in the Skies' program is fantastic. Hope to be back again with family and friends."

..Marcelo Julio Martin - de Rosario, Argentina, Volunteer POLIO Drops Campaign, INDIA, February 2007 ( House guest of Vidya Niwas, Dharamsala).

**For organising Volunteering programs with your personal vacation we would require a minimum prior notice of two to three months.

Volunteer at Dalai Lama's Abode ! Contact us at...

Community & Cultural Exchange...at Village Fair - Kandi !

"Inner Peace is the first step towards World Peace"

..His Holiness, The Dalai Lama

Volunteering spreads love. Visit Taekwando Network to learn more on how volunteer teachings helps others.