LIGMINC HA2015 INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL REPORT

Preserving Bön Buddhist Wisdom in the World Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche Founder and Spiritual Director 2 LIGMINCHA INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL REPORT 2015

CONTENTS 2 LETTER A Special Message from A message from Geshe Tenzin Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche Wangyal Rinpoche Dear Sangha and Friends, 3 INTRODUCTION Ligmincha International: Creating a I am very pleased to introduce the annual report Worldwide Community of Ligmincha International 2015. This year we have changed our accounting process, so this report covers 4–5 INTERNATIONAL FOCUS the entire calendar year for 2015. Letter from the President; Ligmincha board & officers, centers & sangha Serenity Ridge Retreat Center, headquarters of Ligmincha 6 SERENITY RIDGE International, continues to draw participants from Learn about Serenity Ridge staff, all over the world. I taught at centers and sanghas programs and activities throughout the U.S., Mexico, South America and Europe. Our Board of Directors has been working hard to help us move forward as an organization. This year, I 7 PLACES AND FACES turned over the presidency of Ligmincha International to Rob Patzig, and under An update on Serenity Ridge’s new building & faces of summer his able guidance the organization is growing and flourishing. 8 AROUND THE WORLD During 2015 we have had two important focuses: developing Ligmincha’s physical Highlights of international activities centers and expanding our growing cyber-sangha. We welcomed resident lamas for the Poland, France and Texas sanghas. Lishu Institute in India opened its 9 EXPANDING THE TEACHINGS three-year program for intensive study of the Bön teachings in September. Plans New book, video, webcasts and more progressed for a new building at Serenity Ridge to accommodate the growing 10–11 FINANCIAL REPORT needs of the Ligmincha community. At Chamma Ling Valle de Bravo, one of the An update on Ligmincha’s two retreat centers of Ligmincha Mexico, expansion continued to include building financial status in fiscal year 2014 a new kitchen and dining room, and finishing the Lama House. Having a physical 12 WELCOME, RESIDENT LAMAS space for sangha to gather, practice together and get to know each other is very Welcoming three new resident lamas important for students’ spiritual progress and to build a sense of community. to Poland, France and Texas At the same time, we realize that not everyone is able to attend teachings in person. Building the cyber-sangha, expanding cyber-learning online and Ligmincha International,with headquar- preserving the knowledge and teachings of the Tibetan Bön Buddhist tradition ters at Serenity Ridge Retreat Center in Shipman, Virginia, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit are integral to our mission. In 2015, l expanded my online teachings to include, organization (EIN: 52-1772036) run by for the first time, a free, yearlong online course and monthly webcast series on a group of dedicated volunteer leaders and a small administrative staff. soul retrieval. We are continuing in 2016 with a six-part series on leadership. Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, A growing number of my teachings are on YouTube or can be viewed through Spiritual Director the website Ocean of Wisdom, where a group of dedicated volunteers are

LIGMINCHA OFFICERS translating them into multiple languages. We have recorded more than 140 Rob Patzig, President/CFO hours of an excellent geshe, Geshe Dangsong Namgyal, teaching the Nine Ways Sue Davis-Dill, Executive Director of Bön in Tibetan. We are working to record other geshes’ teachings in the Bob Clark, Treasurer future, and to have these recordings translated into other languages. Maggie Scobie, Secretary I am so happy to see the expanded collaboration among sangha members world- Ligmincha International 554 Drumheller Lane wide and am grateful to all who have been of service with your time, effort and Shipman, VA 22971 financial contributions. I look forward to our continued work together, and Telephone: +1 (434) 263-6355 wish you much joy and fulfillment as you progress on your path of service and www.ligmincha.org www.serenityridge.ligmincha.org spiritual practice. Ligmincha International: With My Best Wishes, [email protected] Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche Serenity Ridge Retreat Registration: [email protected] Spiritual Director, Ligmincha International 3 LIGMINCHA INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL REPORT 2015 Ligmincha International: Creating a Worldwide Community During 2015, Ligmincha International continued to become a true interna- His Holiness Lungtok tional community, with expanded Tenpai Nyima teachings, services and a growing web Rinpoche receives presence that drew students worldwide a visit from Geshe closer together. Tenzin Wangyal Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche traveled the the world, offering teachings in 12 Rinpoche in October countries worldwide – the U.S., Mexico, 2015 at Menri Brazil, Chile, Austria, France, Germany, Monastery in Dolanji, Hungary, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and India. The Netherlands. In October, he also trav- eled to Lishu Institute and then to Menri Monastery in India to spend time with His around the world to receive Bön teachings. Holiness Lungtok Tenpai Nyima Rinpoche, OUR MISSION Ligmincha’s cybersangha has grown who was having health problems. Ligmincha’s mission is to and developed through expanded Internet courses and online webcasts. In 2015, Ligmincha Poland and Ligmincha preserve the ancient teachings, Rinpoche offered a series of monthly Texas celebrated their 20th anniversa- transmissions and sacred ries. Ligmincha welcomed new resident webcasts and an accompanying course on practices of the Tibetan Bön lamas for sanghas in France, Poland and soul retrieval, translated into up to 12 Texas, bringing to six the total number Buddhist tradition and transmit languages. A new website, Ocean of of resident lamas, including two in them in a way that is clear Wisdom, offered videos of teachings in Mexico and one at Serenity Ridge in and relevant for practitioners multiple languages. Virginia. Ligmincha has sanghas and throughout the world today. At Rinpoche’s request, Rob Patzig practice centers in 19 countries. was named president of Ligmincha Lishu Institute in northern India International during the annual Summer opened its doors in the spring for two training programs of Tibetan teachings in Retreat at Serenity Ridge, headquarters practice retreats and began a three-year a secular, contemplative way in the U.S., of Ligmincha International. The Ligmin- curriculum of Tibetan Bön Buddhist stud- Latin America and Europe. cha International Board marked its first ies in the fall. Lishu is the fulfullment of Plans for a new multipurpose building anniversary during the summer. Rinpoche’s vision of providing a center at Serenity Ridge were completed, with The board and many volunteers and program for Western students to do groundbreaking set for summer 2016. throughout the world continue to help in-depth study and practice of Bön. The facility, to include a dining hall, multi- the worldwide community move forward, Another affiliated program, The purpose room, media center and offices working together in service and preserving Three Doors Academy, began its fifth for Ligmincha International, will provide the wisdom of Tibetan Bön Buddhism for year of facilitating two-and-one-half-year expanded opportunities for practitioners the present and future generations.

Left: Serenity Ridge Retreat Center in central Virginia is the headquarters of Ligmincha International.

Right: Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche prepares to teach at Chamma Ling Poland in Wilga, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2015. 4 LIGMINCHA INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Ligmincha International A Letter from Ligmincha International President Board and Board Chair Rob Patzig H.E. Yongdzin Tenzin Dear Dharma Family, Namdak Rinpoche, Director Emeritus: This 2015 Annual Report reflects many changes that have His Eminence is Tenzin been two years in the making: (1) We have changed our Wangyal Rinpoche’s root teacher and fiscal year end to match the calendar year; (2) We have mentor, and the most senior teacher of changed from a cash-based accounting system to an accrual the Tibetan Bön Buddhist tradition. system; (3) We have replaced our chart of accounts with a new, simpler chart of accounts that more accurately reflects Geshe Tenzin Wangyal our income and expenses. The last major change that is a part of this process Rinpoche, Founder will be visible in next year’s report, when we show the income and expenses for and Spiritual Director, Ligmincha International and Serenity Ridge separately. Ligmincha International: Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche These changes to our reporting are to simplify stewardship of our financial is a respected and beloved Tibetan Bon resources and make financial statements more transparent. This undertaking has Buddhist teacher to students throughout engaged many of our staff and volunteers. I especially want to thank Pam Rode- the United States, Mexico and South heaver, Sue Davis-Dill, Stella Richards, Victoria Gershik and Toni Durham, all of America, and Europe. Also an acclaimed whom have put many, many hours into this project and who continue to support author, Rinpoche founded Ligmincha these activities. Institute in 1992. In his letter for this annual report, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche talks about the Rob Patzig, Board Chair, USA broad focus of Ligmincha International in this past year, and the expansion of A student of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche opportunities for practitioners around the world to receive the Bön teachings. since 2010, Rob has The year 2015 marked our first-ever yearlong free webcast series with Rinpoche. served as Chief Financial Those teachings were a huge success, and we will continue to offer live teachings Officer for Ligmincha and on a regular basis. Many thanks to the dozens of volunteers who make these Serenity Ridge since 2012. events possible. He was named chair of Just as we are expanding the presence of the teachings online and in multiple the Ligmincha International Board in 2014 languages, we also are expanding Serenity Ridge, one of our retreat centers and and president of Ligmincha International the headquarters of Ligmincha International. After five years of discussion, in 2015. A yoga teacher who spent 19 planning, fundraising and preparation, we anticipate this new building to years as a chief investment officer/ be ready in time for our 25th anniversary celebration in summer 2017. The senior director, Rob left his work in 2014 new building is designed to benefit all of us. It includes a recording studio for to devote himself to practicing dharma. Rinpoche, other geshes and lamas, and our Western teachers. It also will include a kitchen and dining hall, practice space and offices for Ligmincha International. Anneke Dekkers, The Netherlands: Ligmincha exists to support the precious Bön teachings, teachers and students. Anneke met Tenzin Wangyal Our mission is not only to preserve the teachings in an authentic way, but also Rinpoche in 2005 and to present them in ways accessible to Westerners. Our many activities include finished The 3 Doors Acad- retreats around the world, the creation of books and practice materials, online emy in Europe in 2014. courses, live Internet webcasts, and translation projects from Tibetan and English She became treasurer of the board for into many other languages. We are able to provide these services through the Ligmincha Netherlands in 2009 and generosity of time and money of practitioners like you. Please consider making a board chair in 2012. She is a member donation to this effort today at ligmincha.org/en/donate.html. of the Founders Circle, a project “finding In Service to Bön, a home” for Ligmincha in Europe. She Rob Patzig began her career as a child psychologist President and Board Chair and since 2007 has worked at the Com- prehensive Cancer Centre. 5 LIGMINCHA INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Carlos Madero, Mexico: Ligmincha Officers Carlos Madero encoun- The officers of Ligmincha International Centers and Sanghas tered the dharma in 1995 implement and oversee the goals Ligmincha International has numerous and met Tenzin Wangyal and objectives set by Tenzin Wangyal practice centers and communities Rinpoche in 2003. In 2006 Rinpoche and the Board of Directors. around the world. Learn more below. he became director/founder of Chamma Ling Torreon, home of the first Bön stupa President/Chief Financial Officer: Rob Patzig The Americas in the West. He is an umdze (meditation Executive Director: Sue United State of America leader) for the Torreon sangha. From California: california.ligmincha.org/ Davis-Dill 2010–2012, Carlos was director of en/california-home.html Sue met Tenzin Wangyal Colorado (Chamma Ling): colorado. Ligmincha Mexico, organizing the Rinpoche in 1996 in Calif- ligmincha.org completion of the Bön Stupa for World ornia and soon moved to North Carolina: facebook.com/ Peace in Valle de Bravo. He is on the ligminchanorthcarolina Virginia to immerse board of Ligmincha Mexico. Texas: ligminchtexas.org herself in his teachings. She received Virginia (headquarters of Ligmincha Justyna Przondo, Poland: her B.S. in applied mathematics from International): serenityridge. A student of Tenzin Wangyal UCLA and her M.A. in counseling ligmincha.org Rinpoche since 2003, psychology. Sue managed the Ligmincha Washington (Ligmincha Northwest): bonpacificnorthwest.wordpress.com Justyna became board Institute Bookstore and Tibet Shop from chair of Ligmincha Poland 2000–2010, expanding it to include an Mexico: ligmincha.mx/en/ Chamma Ling Valle de Bravo: in 2012. She has a graduate degree in online store. Sue became Ligmincha’s ligmincha.mx/en/stupas-and-centers/ sculpture and painting from the Academy executive director in 2010. chamma-ling-valle-de-bravo-mexico.html of Fine Arts in Wroclaw, Poland, and Chamma Ling Torreón: ligmincha.mx/ Treasurer: Bob Clark creates ceramics and jewelry. en/stupas-and-centers/chamma-ling- Bob began studying with torreon.html Pam Rodeheaver, USA: Tenzin Wangyal South America Pam has been a student of Rinpoche in 2002, after Brazil: ligmincha.com.br Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche a connection to Tibetan Colombia: facebook.com/ since 1994 and was trea- Buddhism that began in ligminchacolombia surer of Ligmincha from India in 1994. He lives in Charlottesville, Costa Rica: facebook.com/ligmincha.cr 1995–2014. She served on the Ligmincha Virginia with his wife and two daughters Peru: facebook.com/Ligmincha-Peru- Council for many years and also is on the and is a humanities teacher and Director 233727036687173/?ref=ts Serenity Ridge Executive Committee. of Religious Life at St. Anne’s-Belfield Europe: ligmincha.eu Pam is retired from the University of School. The son of a landscape nursery- Austria: ligmincha.at Virginia in Charlottesville, where for 32 man, he finds creative expression through Belgium: facebook.com/ligmincha- years she was a medical researcher and tending a boxwood meditation garden. belgium-202713853102938 managed a wound healing lab. For 10 of Czech Republic: ligmincha.cz/en Secretary: Maggie Scobie those years she also worked with UVA’s Denmark: ligmincha.dk A longtime student of Center for the Study of Complementary Finland: ligmincha.fi Tenzin Rinpoche, Maggie and Alternative Therapies. France: ligmincha.fr has a B.A. in psychology, Germany: ligmincha.de Oliver Wirtz, Germany: M.S. in counseling Berlin: berlin.ligmincha.de Oliver first met Tenzin psychology and is a Hungary: ligmincha.hu Wangyal Rinpoche in 2008 therapist in Northern Virginia. For the Poland (Chamma Ling): ligmincha.pl and in 2010 became past 28 years, she has been a faculty and Netherlands: ligmincha.nl board chair of Ligmincha board member at the Institute for the Russia: garuda-bon.ru Deutschland. He leads the Founders Circle, Advancement of Service in Alexandria. Slovakia: facebook.com/ Ligmincha-Slovensk%C3%A1- a project to find a place for Ligmincha in She has coordinated a nonprofit republika-243364022479334 Europe. Oliver works as an executive in organization to support the orphans Spain: ligmincha.es the financial services industry. He lives in several countries. She lives with her Switzerland: ligmincha.ch in Hofheim am Taunus, near Frankfurt. family in Lovettsville, Va. 6 LIGMINCHA INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Ligmincha International Retreats and Activities at Serenity Ridge Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche teaches four Serenity Ridge Retreat Center, located seasonal retreats at Serenity Ridge. This in the foothills of the Blue Ridge year’s topics included The True Source Mountains near Shipman, Virginia, of Healing: Soul Retrieval in April; Dream is the headquarters of Ligmincha Yoga in June and July; The Five Elements: International. Ligmincha International at Connecting with the Living Universe Serenity Ridge serves the dual roles of in October; and The Experiential facilitating Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s Transmission of Zhang Zhung, Part 2: teachings worldwide, while maintaining Introduction to the Nature of Mind in an active retreat center that welcomes December. Service retreats at Serenity visitors from throughout the world to Ridge were held before the spring and retreats with Rinpoche and others. after the fall retreats. Geshe Tenzin Yangton is the resident Resident Lama Geshe Tenzin Yangton lama at Serenity Ridge, where he offers taught a Ngondro Practice Retreat in meditation sessions, retreats and other January and Zhang Zhung Part 2 in May. services to the sangha and community. He also co-taught Trul Khor 5 (Tibetan yoga) with Alexandro Chaoul-Reich and Geshe Tenzin Yangton, resident Staff at Serenity Ridge assisted at other retreats. Ligmincha International Executive lama at Serenity Ridge, conducts Serenity Ridge was fortunate to Director Sue Davis-Dill works closely a smoke ritual at Serenity Ridge have the renowned Yangton Lama Tashi with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and Retreat Center. Gyaltsen Rinpoche, Geshe Yangton’s the Ligmincha International Board of uncle, in residence for several months Directors to support the mission and during the year. Lama Tashi taught on functions of Ligmincha International. came onboard as the new registrar The Invocation of Tapihritsa. Operations Manager Stella Richards (living and working from her home The center welcomed members of and a small administrative staff, along in Connecticut). Serenity Ridge had the Ligmincha International Board of with residents and volunteers, oversee four participants in the Resident Directors during the first week of the activities at Serenity Ridge, with Program, two arriving in the spring and summer retreat. assistance from an Executive Committee two arriving in the fall. The Resident Serenity Ridge also co-hosted formed in 2014. Program now welcomes those who retreats offered by other organizations, This year Serenity Ridge welcomed would like to live, work and deepen including three retreats with The Three Maria Quintana as Head of Housekeep- their practice at Serenity Ridge for two Doors Academy, a multi-year program ing, a new position. Chelsea Canedy to six months. founded by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche.

Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and students gather in the Serenity Ridge gompa (meditation hall) for a group photo following the annual Winter Retreat held in December 2015. This was the second in a five-part series of dzogchen teach- ings offered each winter at Serenity Ridge. 7 LIGMINCHA INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Facilities and Grounds It will house a new kitchen and During 2015, Serenity Ridge improved dining hall with covered dining its grounds and facilities with hundreds terrace, media studio, large of daffodils, new paint and new linens. multipurpose room and an open The facility continued to improve energy air meditation deck. efficiency by installing new water meter Groundbreaking was held and replacing bulbs with LEDs. during the 2016 summer retreat. Final plans for a new building at Completion is expected by the 2017 summer retreat. Serenity Ridge were completed. The new The new building at Serenity Ridge will be facility will be located next to the Lama Funding is still needed for located next to the current dining hall. It is House/dining hall. the new facility; to contribute, expected to be completed by summer 2017. The building will contain 12,000 visit serenityridge.ligmincha.org/ square feet on two-and-one-half levels. donations.

The Faces of Summer The annual Summer Retreat at Serenity Ridge is always a special time, where friends old and new come together from around the world. These photos are from the 2015 annual fund- raising banquet and the following morning. 8 LIGMINCHA INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Around the World Left: Geshe Sherab Ligmincha International teachings and communities expanded throughout the Lodoe from Menri world in 2015. Here are some highlights. Monastery teaches students at Lishu. Lishu Institute Opens Below: The Lishu Lishu Institute in northern India near Dehradun opened its doors for two building; Sangmo short retreats in the spring and the start Yangri and students of a three-year intensive program of on the porch by the study in September. This first year of meditation hall. study focused on The Nine Ways of Bön with resident teacher Sangmo Yangri, Ph.D., and other visiting teachers. Students also learned the Tibetan language. The second year will focus on the Ma Gyud teachings, one of the major tantric cycles in the Bön tradition. Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche visited Lishu in October. Europe Fourteen countries in Europe have Berlin in May, and senior teacher Marcy visited and taught in Belgium, Spain and Ligmincha practice centers or sanghas. In Vaughn offered a teaching on Sherap Switzerland during the year. 2015, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche visited Chamma, organized by the German, eight of them including, for the first time Finnish and Dutch sanghas, in April near in 14 years, a visit to Hungary, where he Dusseldorf, Germany. taught Dream Yoga. Poland celebrated its In France, Rinpoche taught The True 20th anniversary in August, with Rinpoche Source of Healing in Paris to about 200 teaching The 21 Nails to about 200 participants in April. France’s resident participants from many different countries. lama, Geshe Khorden Lhundup Gyaltsen, The retreat was followed by the first of a over the past couple of years helped four-part Trul Khor (Tibetan yoga) series grow a small community of practitioners with Alejandro Chaoul-Reich. into a sangha that moved into a new Ligmincha Germany hosted the 9th location in September. International Sangha Practice Weekend In May, 120 participants from in February with participants from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech throughout Europe. During the retreat, Republic, Belgium and Austria attended Rinpoche taught Part 1 of The Twenty- a teaching with Rinpoche on Awakening One Nails. Rinpoche also taught in the Sacred Arts. Tenzin Rinpoche also

Left: Geshe Lhundrup Gyaltsen with the German sangha. Right: Tenzin Rinpoche and Geshe Lhundup with the French sangha. Above: Poland celebrates its 20th. 9 LIGMINCHA INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL REPORT 2015

An Expanding Presence Left: Ligmincha Mexico on the Web sangha members gath- In 2015, for the first time, Rinpoche er outside the stupa at offered a free, yearlong course on the Chamma Ling Valle de topic of Soul Retrieval, based on his Bravo. new book. Free live webcasts were held Below: Tenzin Wangyal monthly, including two daylong web¬ Rinpoche during an casts. The accompanying course included everything from free monthly live interview in Brazil. webcasts to multi-language discussion forums, recorded webcasts, MP3 audio Latin America recordings and downloadable print Mexico has two of Ligmincha’s five materials. Due to its strong success, retreat centers, Chamma Ling Torreon in 2016 Rinpoche offered a free six- and Chamma Ling Valle de Bravo. At Valle month course and series of webcasts de Bravo, expansion continued, to include on Transforming Your World Through building a new kitchen and dining room Service. Rinpoche also continued to give and finishing the Lama House. Rinpoche online webcasts during the four seasonal taught Part 1 of Twenty-One Nails there retreats at Serenity Ridge. in March. He taught The True Source of A new website, Ocean of Wisdom, Healing in Guanajuato in November. designed by sangha members and volun- In South America, Ligmincha has Ligmincha International teer Paris Smithson, began offering videos communities in Brazil, Colombia, Costa in the Media of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s teachings. Rica, Chile and Peru. Rinpoche taught A one-hour documentary on Bön ,“The The website is staffed by volunteers who at two locations in Chile in January, Light of the Golden Sun,” was released translate the teachings into multiple offering Purification Through Mantra at Feb. 21 on Ligmincha’s YouTube channel languages. Many of Rinpoche’s teachings Curarrehue and Access to Inner Refuge in (www.youtube.com/user/ligmincha) to also are on YouTube. Santiago. He taught on Sleep and Dream coincide with Losar (Tibetan New Year). Rinpoche also offers online teach¬ Yoga in Sao Paolo, Brazil in February. The film, by Rogelio Jaramillo Flores, tells ings through Ligmincha Learning and Colombia, which offers several yearly about the rich history of Bön, how GlideWing International. Ligmincha retreats and weekly group practice in it came to the West and the role that Learning offered three online courses Bogota, moved closer toward becoming Ligmincha has played in recent years. It during the year: a six-week course on The an official sangha with development of a was shown at sanghas during a world¬ Three Heart Mantras of Bön, a seven- new Facebook page. wide Losar webcast. week online course on Transforming Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s new Our Emotions Through the Six Lokas USA book, The True Source of Healing: How and a seven-week course on Healing In addition to Serenity Ridge in Virginia the Ancient Practice of Soul Retrieval with Form, Energy and Light. Six three- (see page 4), the USA has centers in Can Transform and Enrich Your Life, or four-week workshops were offered Colorado and Texas and sanghas in was published during summer 2015. through GideWing, including a brand- California, North Carolina and Washing- Published by Hay House, it is available new workshop on Healing from the ton. In 2015, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche through Ligmincha International’s Tibet Source: Meditation As Medicine for Body gave teachings in Los Angeles and Shop at ligminchastore.org. and Mind. Berkeley, California; Crestone, Colorado; The online magazine Ligmincha Both the courses and workshops, Garrison Institute in New York; and Europe and newsletter Voice of Clear Light which have been designed and crafted Houston, Texas. Ligmincha Texas cele- continued to share Rinpoche’s teachings by Rinpoche, feature video teachings, brated its 20th anniversary and finalized and keep readers informed about guided meditations, journal writing, plans for arrival on January 3, 2016, activities in Europe, the United States and activities, and an opportunity to interact of new resident lama Geshe Denma throughout the world. Spanish and Portu- with senior mentors and classmates from Gyaltsen. guese translations of VOCL are available. around the world. 10 LIGMINCHA INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Financial Report lodging and other events, compared est income and in 2014 consisted of an for Fiscal Year 2015 with $412,143 in the prior year. Gross insurance settlement for damage to our sales from our retail store were $73,883, roof during a severe storm in 2013. Ligmincha Institute is a 501(c)(3) down from $121,067. Unrestricted The following two graphs depict the nonprofit organization founded in 1992 contributions of $73,698 and restricted sources of Ligmincha’s income. The first to preserve the ancient teachings, trans- contributions of $516,367 provided the graph compares the current year’s in- missions and practices of the Bön Bud- remainder, compared with $169,205 come to the prior year’s, and the second dhist tradition of Tibet. We endeavor and $201,750, respectively, in 2014. graph represents the income in 2015 to provide transparency in our financial Other income in 2015 was largely inter- proportionally. activities and consistency in reporting activities and to practice good steward- ship of all funds entrusted to us. As of January 1, 2015, we have changed our fiscal year to coincide with the calendar year. This report restates 2014 results for the calendar year for comparison with 2015 results. Prior Annual Reports have been based on a Fiscal Year ended September 30 and are no longer directly comparable to current results. Summary of Results For the year ended December 31, 2015, Ligmincha reported net income of $295,500, compared with net income of $233,576 in 2014. This growth resulted in an increase in our asset base of $422,494, a result of donations received during the year and a slight increase in program income at Serenity Ridge. As of December 31, 2015, our unrestricted net assets were $454,456, compared with $220,879 at year-end 2014. We had $785,903 in obligations for board-restricted or donor-restricted projects at the end of 2015, compared with $323,916 in 2014. The majority of our restricted assets, $682,130, are allocated toward the new building fund at Serenity Ridge. We ended this past year with $961,343 in cash and cash equivalents. Income For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015, Ligmincha generated income of $1,093,375, compared with $992,134 in 2014. In 2015 Serenity Ridge produced $424,983 in revenue from retreats, 11 LIGMINCHA INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Expenses that have yet to be funded. At present, of restricted and unrestricted donations Our total expenses in 2015 were the building campaign at Serenity Ridge held on our balance sheet at the end $797,875, compared with $758,557 represents the vast majority of all of calendar years 2014 and 2015. This in 2014. Our direct operating expenses restricted assets. includes detail on the specific programs for Serenity Ridge and Ligmincha The following chart shows the value that received contributions. International were $569,150 in 2015, compared with $482,549 in 2014. The increase came primarily from additional staff to support Serenity Ridge, repairs to the retreat center and an increase in insurance costs. The sole grant in 2015 was aid given to Nepal and Triten Norbutse monastery in the aftermath of the earthquakes that shook Nepal in 2015. Grants in 2014 were primarily made to Lishu Institute, our sister orga- nization in India. Balance Sheet Because of the strength of donations received for the new building project at Serenity Ridge, our balance sheet grew from $3,190,000 in net assets to $3,533,000. Of our current assets, $516,367 was in restricted accounts, and the rest was unrestricted (free for discretionary use by our Spiritual Direc- tor and the Board of Directors). At year- end, 2015, we had $961,344, compared with $518,540. The majority of all other assets consist of Serenity Ridge Retreat Center, the property and its buildings. Profit & Loss Statement Year Ended December 31, 2015 Donations andObligations The year 2015 was significant in FY 2014 FY 2015 Ligmincha’s history in terms of the Program Income $412,143 $424,983 sangha’s financial generosity. As noted Bookstore $121,067 $73,883 above, we received unrestricted con- Restricted Donations $201,750 $516,367 tributions of $73,698 and restricted Unrestricted Donations $169,205 $73,698 contributions of $516,367. Other Income $87,969 $4,444 Unrestricted contributions are Total Income $992,134 $1,093,375 those in which the donor(s) or the board has not attached to a specific Operating Expenses $482,549 $569,150 funding need or project. When a con- Cost of Goods $75,534 $121,076 tribution is marked as restricted it can Grants $135,772 $27,851 be used solely for the intended purpose Depreciation $64,702 $79,797 and no other. The consequence is that, Total Expense $758,557 $797,875 while Ligmincha may at times hold significant amounts of cash, much of Net Income $233,576 $295,500 that is already committed to programs 12 LIGMINCHA INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL REPORT 2015 Welcoming Three Resident Lamas to France, Poland and Texas Geshe Lhundup Gyaltsen (France) Geshe Yungdrung Gyatso (Poland) Geshe Denma Gyaltsen (Texas) Geshe Khorden Geshe Yungdrung Geshe Denma Lhundup Gyaltsen Gyatso has been Gyaltsen is the is the resident the resident lama resident lama of lama of Ligmincha of Ligmincha Ligmincha Texas. France. He lives Poland since March Born in north- and teaches in 2015. He lives at ern Nepal, he began Paris. the Chamma Ling studying for his Geshe Poland center in geshe degree at Lhundup was born in Tibet in Damranji, Wilga, near Warsaw. Menri Monastery in 1981, where he a small village in Kham, to a nomadic Geshe Gyatso was born in 1980 in received teachings from His Holiness family. At age 12, he made the decision in a small village in the Dolpo region of Lungtok Tenpai Nyima Rinpoche and to become a monk and went to Patsang Western Nepal. His father is a doctor of His Eminence Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Monastery in Kham. In 1993 he fled Tibetan medicine and Bönpo lay prac- Rinpoche. After receiving his Geshe Tibet, first arriving in Kathmandu at titioner, and his mother is a Nyingma degree in 1996, he became a senior Triten Norbutse Monastery and then, practitioner. At age 9 he became one of teacher at the monastery. He served as encouraged by His Eminence Yongdzin the first monks to begin study at Triten the first abbot of Zhu Rishing Yungdrung Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche, continuing Norbutse Monastery in Kathmandu, Kundak-Ling, a Bön Monastery in Sikkim, on to Menri Monastery in India to study under the guidance of His Eminence India, for two years and also was active for the Geshe degree. Geshe Lhundup Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche. until 2008 in assisting with the Bön received his Geshe degree in 2009. In 1994, he began studying for his Children’s Home in Dolanji, India. After studying English in Dharamsala, Geshe degree at Menri Monastery and Geshe Denma has traveled many India, he traveled to France, got a received his degree in 2009. During and times to the USA, Austria, Poland, Can- residency card and began working in a after his studies at Menri, Geshe Gyatso ada, Russia, Belarus, Germany, Switzer- bakery. Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche began traveling and teaching through- land and Holland to teach, raise funds contacted him in 2010 to suggest that out Europe. In 2010 and 2011, while he and learn. Several years ago, Geshe he begin working with Rinpoche’s was a member of the board of Triten Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, founder and students in France. With the assistance Norbutse Monastery, he came to know spiritual director of Ligmincha Interna- of Rinpoche’s students, Geshe Lhundup Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche well. tional, asked Geshe Denma to become began learning French and teaching In 2013, Rinpoche asked Geshe the resident lama of Ligmincha Texas. yoga. He began working more directly to Gyatso if he would like to stay in He and the sangha have been work- teach students in France in 2013. Poland and teach in the Polish sangha ing toward that goal during 2015 and He has helped grow the small group and other European sanghas. Geshe were pleased to welcome Geshe Denma of practitioners to a sangha that moved Gyatso officialy became resident lama of as Ligmincha Texas’s first resident lama into a new location in September 2015. Chamma Ling Poland in March 2015. in early January 2016. Ligmincha France website: Ligmincha Poland website: Ligmincha Texas website http://ligmincha.fr/en http://www.ligmincha.pl/pl www.ligminchatexas.org

LEFT: Geshe Lhundup and Geshe Tenzin Wangyal. RIGHT: Geshe Yungdrung with His Holiness the 33rd Menri Trizin; Alejandro Chaoul-Reich with Geshe Denma.