TASHI LHUNPO MONASTERY UK TRUST
The Tashi Lhunpo Monastery UK Trust (Charity No. 1100175) is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, a historic Tibetan Buddhist institution originally founded in 1447 by the First Dalai Lama in Tibet. Following the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959 and the Cultural Revolution's destruction of monastic institutions, the monastery was re-established in Bylakuppe, India, in 1972 under the patronage of the 14th Dalai Lama. The UK Trust supports its exiled monastic community in safeguarding Buddhist teachings, rituals, and traditions.

Activities and objectives
The charity focuses on three key areas: education and training, overseas aid, and cultural preservation. It provides grants and human resources to sustain the monastery's operations and promotes awareness of Tibetan Buddhist culture through events such as sacred music performances and masked dance tours. These activities, including planned European tours in 2024–2025, aim to celebrate 100 years of Tibetan monastic culture in the West and raise funds for the monastery's preservation efforts.

Cultural preservation
Central to the Trust's mission is the revival of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery's religious and artistic traditions, including the restoration of lost scriptures, statues, and ritual practices. The monastery, now home to 300 monks in exile, remains a vital centre for Mahayana and Tantric Buddhist scholarship. The Trust collaborates with partners to organise international tours and educational initiatives, ensuring the continuity of Tibetan Buddhist heritage for future generations.

Governance and outreach
Operating throughout England and Wales, the Trust assists vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and Tibetan communities. Its work emphasises grant-making and direct services, aligning with broader efforts to sustain Tibetan identity and spiritual practices in exile. The charity’s activities underscore its commitment to cultural resilience amid ongoing challenges faced by Tibetans in diaspora.

[1] https://www.tashi-lhunpo.org.uk [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3999336/contact-information [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3999336/what-who-how-where [4] https://www.eventbrite.com/o/tashi-lhunpo-monastery-uk-trust-6537128809 [5] https://www.accessallareas.info/artist/tibetan-monks-of-the-tashi-lhunpo-monastery/