The Hinman Charity works with its longtime partner, the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center, a Buddhist meditation and study center in the Tibetan Nyingma Tradition, to support the restoration of historic sites in India that are central to the history of Buddhism.

Restoration of Miracle Stupa, Shravasti, India

In 2004, the Hinman Foundation, in partnership with the PBC members, supported the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center in the construction of a stupa, a place of worship that contains Buddhist relics, in Shravasti, India. The holy city of Shravasti is revered by Buddhists due to the importance of the Buddha’s stay there in the time after his enlightenment. The Buddha returned to Shravasti each year during the monsoon season for over twenty-five years to offer teachings. The Miracle Stupa constructed by PBC lies close to the original Miracle Stupa, erected over 2000 years ago, to commemorate the importance of Shravasti. The stupa is a representation of the Buddha and a permanent offering bringing merit to the world. As PBC states, “The Miracle Stupa is intended to last a thousand years, radiating the energy of love and compassion to all beings.”

Orgyen Samye Chokhor Ling Nunnery in Sarnath, India

The Hinman Charity also worked with the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center (PBC) to build the Orgyen Samye Chokhor Ling Nunnery in Sarnath, India. This is a historic city known as the site of the Buddha’s first teachings on the Four Arya Truths. The nunnery is located near the Padma Samye Chokhor Ling monastery in Sarnath, also constructed by PBC. Opened in March 2003, the nunnery is a manifestation of the Venerable Khenpo’s commitment to providing equal access to education for both women and men. Currently, thirty nuns and two teachers from Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkhim, reside at the nunnery, ranging from ages 14 – 35. In addition to their daily monastic practice, the students at the Nunnery study reading, writing, grammar, art, English, and philosophy as well as Buddhist principles.