COVID 19 EMERGENCY - Support to the Compassion and Care Centre in Rome Dedicated to the Teachings of Dharma and the Preservation of Tibetan Culture

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Project location: ITALY, Rome
Project start date: June 2020 - Project end date: June 2021
Project number: 2020-024
Beneficiary: Campassion And Care Center-giamze Ta Chiong Tene Khang (centro Giamze)

The Compassion and Care Centre - Giamzé ta chiong was created in Rome in 2009 as a Tibetan Dharma Centre (Institute of Buddhist studies and practice), directly connected with the Gaden Jangtse Monastery in Karnataka, South India. The name "Compassion and Care Centre" was personally chosen by the H.H. the Dalai Lama, following the request of Gaden Jangte Monastery's Ven. Abbot. The Centre is dedicated to the study, practice, and preservation of Buddha’s teachings, within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. It offers Dharma teachings, meditation and prayer sessions for deepening the understanding of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and culture. 
The Centre, currently located in the Trastevere neighbourhood in Rome, is run by a Committee led by the Chairman and the executive Chairman and the Monks of Gaden Jangtse Monastery, who coordinate all its ordinary and extraordinary activities and liaise with institutions at the national and international level. All decisions are made unanimously in the presence of the Executive Chairman, the Committee, the resident Monks and Ghesce Lobsang Sherap.
Ghesce Lobsang Sherap, as the spiritual leader of the Centre, gives teachings on special occasions, such as retreats, initiations and the three-years training Course for Dharma Teachers. He also supervises the work of the resident Monks, who, all being approved by the Abbot of Gaden Jangtse Monastery prior to their acceptance for the role, live in the Centre and perform its regular programs and ceremonies, taking care of all the spiritual needs of the Sangha (the community).
On a daily basis, the Giamzè Centre works to promote public awareness on the situation of the Tibetans, particularly Tibetan children and those who have escaped from Tibet through a chain of support and solidarity. Distance sponsoring of Tibetan Monks and children is at the heart core of the work of the Centre, which also supports Tibetan communities in the Himalayan region buying handmade artefacts (socks, hats and shawls) made by Tibetan women during the harsh Himalayan winter months, which are then re-sold on the occasion of special events. 
Furthermore, the Centre is also very active in assisting people affected by terminal illnesses such as the SLA, cancer and ALA. This intense work is made possible thanks to the work of a number of dedicated volunteers. 
The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation has been supporting the Giamzè Centre since its creation.   Due to the ongoing Covid-19 health emergency, all Giamzè Centre’s in-person activities and events have been cancelled since mid-February 2020. The Monks have remained in contact with the Centre’s members through the online Zoom platform, doing their best to continue offering Dharma sessions and allow for the study of Buddhist philosophy and teachings even during these difficult times. From a financial point of view, however, the Centre, which is a non-profit organization run solely on donations and voluntary contributions, has been strongly affected by the emergency and is currently struggling to keep up with its operational costs. 
In response to the Covid-19 emergency, the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation has awarded a grant to the Compassion and Care Centre - Giamzé ta chiong covering its rent costs for one year.

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