| Ngawang Palgon's letter |

TCC fund drive to raise money for a sick monk at Drepung Gomang a great success.

The Tibetan Cultural Center is very happy to announce that the Ngawang Palgon Fund Drive was a great success. Due to the kindness and generosity of so many of you, we have raised $1,947 to help pay the bills for his heart surgery. All of this money will be delivered to him personally during the first week in December by a volunteer from the TCC. UPDATE!!! The money was delivered on December 5th. Mary Pattison says that "He was very, very sweet and very, very grateful. He is okay now but still looks a little bit fragile." We'll have some photos to show you when Mary returns from India.

Other friends of Ngawang Palgon living in New York and Colorado have also been busy raising money to help him pay his bills. We have been assured that the total contributions will equal the $3,000 that he owes the doctors and hospital in India.

We thank you for all of your kindness to Ngawang Palgon. Although he lives on the other side of the world, he is close to all of us because his needs are our needs, his sufferings are our sufferings, and his joys are our joys.

Here is a translated letter from Ngawang Palgon.

My Tashi Delek to all uncomparable support group! Having received your gifts from Venerable Ngawang Wangchuk and Ama Mary, I would like to thank you very much from the depths of my heart. It was a great help for my medical expenses.

I am praying always for your successful and healthy life.

Ngawang Palgon
16/12/2002

Our original request for funds:

Ngawang Palgon, a Gelugpa monk from Drepung Gomang Monastery in south India needs your help. Recently, he had open heart surgery and his bill is 250,000 rupees (about $5,100 U.S.). Drepung Monastery will pay part of his bill but he and his friends must raise about $3,000 (U.S.). Since he he is a monk, his resources are very small, and since he is still ill, it is not possible for him to work and earn money. Drepung Monastery has very limited funds and more than 1,500 refugee monks to support. Please help out this monk by sending your contribution to the Tibetan Cultural Center, P.O. Box 2581, Bloomington, IN 47402 - Attn: Ngawang Palgon Fund. We will send you a receipt for your contribution. Below is a brief biography of Ngawang Palgon.

Ngawang Palgon was born in Lithang, Tibet in 1965 to his mother Yangdol and his father Longchok. He went to a small school in his native district at the age of 12 until the age of 16. At 18 he entered the monastery and became a monk. He has been put into prison twice by the Chinese Communists for demonstrating again the Chinese government. In 1990, he escaped into India and joined Drepung Gomang Monastery. He has been studying Buddhist philosophy and plans to obtain his Geshe degree in about 8 years.