Introduction:
Sera Mey Thosum Norling Monastic University is a branch of Sera Theckchenling Monastery, one of the most important Buddhist monastic academic seats of learning. It is re-established in exile at Bylakuppe, Karnataka, South India. Sera Mey Social Service Society is a non- profitable health care center that caters to the need of monks as well as local Indians and Tibetans.
In 1949 China entered Tibet from the east and gradually began its occupation. H.H. the Dalai Lama did everything within his means to bring about an amicable solution beneficial to Tibet and China alike but without any success. Communist China would not relent as they only wanted to annex Tibet, and completely ignored the humane aspect of the Dalai Lama’s proposition. As the situation in Tibet deteriorated, H.H. the Dalai Lama escaped Tibet into India with a few thousand Tibetans in 1959 and sought refuge in India.
After arriving in India, Tibetans were deployed on road construction. The younger generations were sent to temporary schools, and with 1300 monks who escaped to India a monastic Institute was started in the eastern part of India. On 13th December of 1969, around 300 monks were shifted to Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement in Karnataka and Sera Theckchenling Monastery was thus established. Thereafter, new monks were recruited from the settlements to start a proper monastery. Since 1982, with the influx of new arrivals from Tibet after China relaxed its policy in Tibet, the monasteries in the exile Tibetan settlements got many new recruits who have now become senior monks at those monasteries. Now, there are we around 4500 monks in Sera Monastic University.
Unfortunately, as Tibetans who newly arrived from Tibet were not accustomed to the climate and water in India, and due to deprivation of proper nutrition, many of them suffered from various diseases. To add to the problem, there was no proper hospital nearby. Thus, to make up for what is not properly available, initially in 1987 a social service group was started to treat minor wounds and infections, and to provide some form of medical service. A few years later, with the gracious donations from philanthropists abroad, they were able to invite a visiting doctor for half a day on a daily basis. Gradually a temporary clinic to diagnose illnesses and treat patients was established. However, there was no permanent doctor or health workers at that time. Fortunately, we had some volunteers from the west whose contribution truly helped in those difficult days.
As there was insufficient space to store medicines and medical equipment, our monastic school provided two rooms that served as a clinic for all who needed some immediate medical care. Mr. H. Poitner, a member of Norling Dharma Centre, from Germany initiated and assisted in the construction of a full fledged hospital. In 1998 the construction of the present hospital began under the supervision of Geshe Jampa Wangden. The exterior of the hospital has traditional Tibetan architectural design and the interior has modern architectural design.
The hospital is a building with two floors. On the ground floor, there are separate rooms for consultation, X-ray, echocardiogram, patients’ record, treatment and orientation room for health workers, dental clinic, laboratory and dispensary.
On the first floor there is a conference room, traditional Tibetan medical clinic (a branch of Tibetan Medical and Astro- Institute, Dharamsala) with a dispensary for Tibetan medicine, store room, management office, staff quarter, and a store room.
In the year 2000, before Gyalrong Khensur Rinpoche’s first visit to Taiwan, the management of the Sermey Social Service approached him and apprised him of the need to construct a guest house and a restaurant to provide accommodation for relatives visiting Sera, western guests or pilgrims and others visiting Sera monastery. Gyalrong Khensur Rinpoche assured the management of his assistance and soon a guest house with 24 rooms and a restaurant became a reality due to his generosity. The guest room has a small garden in its front. In August 2001 the branch clinic of Astro and Medical Institute was established in collaboration with Mentsekhang.
On 1st December 2002, when H.H. the Dalai Lama inaugurated the new Sermey Thoesam Norling Monastic University, he also briefly visited the Sermey Social Service Hospital to bless it.
The management of the Sermey Social Service Hospital keeps a record of the donations so received, as per government regulation.
Sermey Social Service Hospital provides medical service to the monks, local Tibetans and the Indians alike.
- Diagnosis and consultation
- Laboratory
- Dispensary
- X-Ray
- Dental clinic
- Treatment
- Orientation
- Ambulance
Social Service:
- The Sermey Social Service Hospital provides free diagnosis, treatment, medicines and X-Ray facilities to all around Sera Monastery, especially to the poor and needy locals.
- The hospital staff make daily visits to those suffering from tuberculosis to give them medicines
- If the ambulance is needed, the patience needs to pay only for the fuel.
- In order to maintain a clean environment around the monastery, garbage is collected twice a day
- Purified treated water is available for free
- Free clinical consultation and medical help are provided during large gatherings at the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Staff:
At the Hospital office there are two coordinators, a cashier and a secretary. The two coordinators are elected by the monks for a term of three years. The hospital has a doctor and nineteen health workers and five people to maintain cleanliness within the monastic compound. In total there are now twenty nine staff members.
Dr. Daniel and his wife Dr. Kris from America are the chief medical officers at the hospital. Since 2002, they have provided their medical service with complete sincerity and dedication. During emergency they even visit patients at their places. Those monks in our monastery who wish to serve as health workers are required to get the consent of the abbot and disciplinarian.
Purpose:
- To help the poor monks, local Tibetans and Indians in emergency so that they go get better treatments at standard hospital.
- To improve environmental cleanliness by means such as collecting plastic bags and bottles for recycling.
Request for Help:
| S.No | Particulars | Amount in Rupees | Amount in US $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annual drugs and medicinal expense | 17,59,000.00 | 27,060.00 |
| 2 | Emergencey & medical support for Sera Mey Monks | 2,55,000.00 | 3,925.00 |
| 3 | Medical equipment, office stationery etc for annually | 5,04,000.00 | 7,754.00 |
| 4 | Environmental project for yearly | 6,50,000.00 | 10,000.000 |
| 5 | Electricity and fuel for power per year | 5,03,000.00 | 7,738.00 |
| 6 | Salary for Doctors, Staffs and Health Workers per year | 15,00,000.00 | 23,077.00 |
Coontact:
Sermey Social Service Society
P.O Bylakuppe 571104
Mysore Dist
India
Phone: +91 8223 258452
Fax: +91 8223 258476
Email: meysservice@yahoo.com, ssservice@rediffmail.com
Bank:
Sermey Social Service Society
State Bank Of Mysore
LSTS Colony Branch
A/c No: 64021444888
Electronic Transfer No: SBMY0040545
Current Officer:
- Geshe Lobsang Thupten (Administrator)
- Geshe Lobsang Jangchup (Administrator)
