Building The Sherpas' New Present in the Age of Globalisation

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“Religion [i.e the Dharma –E.B.] is the most powerful agency of social service and all the activities of the people are guided by the idea of the religion.”

Ang Dorje Lama(1940-1992)

A leading Sherpa ‘big man’, Ang Dorje lama was the spokesman of the group of three influential Sherpas who were deeply commited to the urgent tasks of the revial of the sharpas’ religious and cultural traditions. These three personages represent the major driving force that was to set into motion the remarkable process of revitalisation under the guidance of the clerics, which can be witnessed today. Their main effort was to lead the construction of the Sherpa Seva Kendra, the Sherpa Community Center in Bodinath,KTM. This community institution is the arena in which the novel tradition is being created, strengthened and reaffimed.

Ang Dorje Lama, along with his wife and several relatives, lost his life in the tragic Thai Air Crash at Gosainkund in the year 1992. “We are a people in the midst of change, and what will happen in the future is hard to say. But so far, though together, and there has not been much intermarriage with outsiders.”

Tenzing Norgay(1914 or 1915-1986)

Tensing Norgay, along with the late the Edumund Hillary, reached the summit of Mt. Everest on 29 May 1953. His far- sighted observation was mentioned in his first autobiography (1955,p. 108).

“It is important to remember, however, that Tibetian Buddhism especially the form followed by the Ryning ma pa, is intended for the multiplicity of metaphors and tutelary deities lies in the fact that there must be a practice suited to every sentient creature somewhere. Forms or metaphors that were relevant yesterday may lose their efficacy in the changed situation of today.”