2025 Report
Visit of the Six Kopan Geshes to Sri Lanka
This year has been extraordinary and deeply meaningful. As Sri Lanka continues to face uncertainty, Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vision of a Healing Buddha for the island has become ever more relevant. After three years of dedicated effort, the Medicine Buddha statue was fully consecrated and installed in the heart of Colombo—an important and auspicious milestone.
Consecration of the Medicine Buddha Statue
The arrival of the six monks from Kopan Monastery dissolved every hardship that preceded it. The consecration ceremony, conducted by Lama Namgyal Rinpoche together with the Geshes, was intentionally kept low key due to concerns about potential backlash. Nevertheless, it was performed exactly according to Tibetan tradition and marked a complete and meaningful conclusion, as affirmed by Lama Namgyal Rinpoche.
A Historic Meeting of Sangha Traditions
Tara Lanka Foundation was honoured to help bring together one of the largest informal gatherings of Mahayana and Theravada Sangha in recent memory. Pujas were performed that have not been witnessed in Sri Lanka in modern times. The atmosphere was historic and deeply moving. The support of the Theravada Sangha was noteworthy, with strong evidence of closeness and mutual respect.
Gathering with the Tara Lanka Community
A particularly joyful moment was the gathering with the Tara Lanka community, during which Lama Namgyal Rinpoche offered a short teaching. His style was clear, warm, and accessible, encouraging questions that participants greatly appreciated.
Naga Puja at Kelaniya Temple
One of the most unexpected highlights was the Naga Puja at Kelaniya Temple, which already has a shrine dedicated to the Nagas. The senior monk who welcomed us—having spent many years in India and met both His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Karmapa—was entirely at ease with the Tibetan robes and practices. While many local people were unfamiliar with the Naga Puja in a Mahayana context, Nagas are well known in the Theravada tradition. The emphasis on balancing the water and earth elements resonated strongly, especially during these challenging times.
Receiving the Bodhisattva Vows
A small group of participants had the rare and precious opportunity to receive Bodhisattva vows at Kelaniya, a site believed to have been visited by the Buddha himself. This deeply moving event rekindled the seeds of Bodhichitta from a distant past. Tara Lanka students Hirushan Fernando and Dilini Wijesekara, representing the local community, made this request to Lama Namgyal Rinpoche, who very kindly agreed.
Healing Day for Disabled Ex-Army Personnel
The Healing Day for disabled ex-army personnel was attended by 250 participants, although many more wished to join. Due to funding and logistical constraints, numbers had to be limited. The Kopan monks conducted a Medicine Buddha puja while participants meditated in silence and reflection. The sincerity of the atmosphere was palpable. The Brigadier in charge of the unit travelled four hours to attend. Plans to include both ex-army and ex-LTTE participants were postponed due to media sensitivities, but our commitment to future collaboration remains strong, with ongoing discussions focused on peace and reconciliation.
Guru Bumtsok Puja at Abhayagiriya
Another historic moment followed: the performance of a full-day Guru Bumtsok puja at Abhayagiriya Temple—a prominent Theravada site. Accompanied by bells, drums, and ritual instruments, this Guru Rinpoche practice was unlike anything previously seen in Sri Lanka. A Sri Lankan attendee, Kumari Kumaragamage, remarked that hearing the sounds of bells and drums echo through the surrounding area made her momentarily wonder if she was still in Sri Lanka.
Kandy
We were honoured to be granted an audience with the Most Venerable Mahanayaka Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter. The Geshes also paid a visit to the Sacred Tooth Relic, which left a deep impression on them.
One of my long-held aspirations had been to meet the heads of the Asgiriya or Malwatte Chapters, given their considerable influence on religious and public life in Sri Lanka. Acceptance of the Tibetan Sangha by the Theravāda Sangha carries profound symbolic importance and is one of the most effective ways of easing public uncertainty and doubt. On this occasion, all conditions came together. Upon meeting the Geshes, the Most Venerable Mahanayaka Thero remarked, “I met the Dalai Lama in Bodhgaya, and I am very happy that his students are here in Sri Lanka.” Each party then offered prayers for the other’s good health and long life.
Clarifying Sacred Iconography
On the return journey to Colombo, Geshe Sherab gently clarified the identity of several misidentified temple icons. Figures believed to represent local kings or Hindu deities were, in fact, the Bodhisattvas Vajrapani and Manjushri. He explained that worldly gods would never be enshrined alongside the Buddha, and this clarification was warmly received.
A Journey Marked by Warmth and Devotion
Throughout the journey, the monks were welcomed everywhere with genuine warmth. Their presence, prayers, and humility touched all those they encountered.
Recognition by the Nepalese Embassy
The Ambassador of Nepal formally acknowledged the Geshes and their contribution to the people of Sri Lanka by hosting an official reception at the Nepalese Embassy. The event honoured the first official group of Tibetan Buddhist monks from Nepal to undertake an extended tour of Sri Lanka and marked the gifting of the Medicine Buddha statue.
Reflections from the Kopan Monks
Geshe Sherab
“My recent trip to Sri Lanka was truly transformative. I felt deeply fortunate to visit the sacred Bodhi Tree in Anuradhapura and to pay respects to the Buddha’s relic at the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Meeting highly venerable monks was an honour that left a lasting impression. What moved me most was seeing how deeply the Dharma is woven into everyday life. The kindness, devotion, and generosity of the people made this journey unforgettable.”
Gen Khunken
“My visit to Sri Lanka was truly wonderful. I was deeply touched by the beauty of the land and the devotion to the Three Jewels—Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Ven. Ani Lekdron, Sanjaya and his family, Hirushan, Joan, the Mahinda family, and the entire organising team. Your care and generosity made this journey so meaningful.”
Looking Ahead
As the year drew to a close, it was clear that 2025 had been one of the most demanding and productive years of our work in Sri Lanka. While the visit of the Six Kopan Geshes was a major highlight, much of the year was shaped by substantial work behind the scenes.
We completed the Medicine Buddha prototype, with painting, mantra filling, and consecration carried out at Kopan before its successful shipment to Colombo. At the same time, we were given just two weeks’ notice to vacate our Hokandara centre, requiring a rapid relocation and the transfer of all materials to Colombo. I am deeply grateful to everyone who made that transition possible under significant pressure.
This year also marked an important scholarly milestone. We signed a contract with Wisdom Publications to publish Manjusri Vasthuvidya, a unique historic Sri Lankan text translated by Professor Marasinghe and finalised with the assistance of Bertram Liyanage, PhD candidate at Temple University, Philadelphia—ensuring this rare work will be preserved and shared internationally.
Toward year’s end, a spontaneous collaboration with Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Singapore enabled a swift response to devastating floods and cyclones. Over USD 5,000 was donated, allowing food offerings and relief across multiple locations on the auspicious day of Lama Tsongkhapa’s parinirvana. A full report on this aid will follow shortly.
I am profoundly grateful to Dr Nilmini Fernando and John Teshendorf for their steady support, and I join my palms in thanks to everyone who contributed to this work. This year marked ten years of my service in Sri Lanka—a deeply personal milestone. Change is possible, even when slow and hard-won.
May the Healing Buddha statue project continue to be a source of protection, strength, and renewal for Sri Lanka until Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vast vision of the fifteen-metre Buddha is fully realised.
