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Organising Committee Releases Complete Financial Statement of 34th Kalachakra

From Left: Secretary Lungtok, Kalon Karma Gelek Yuthok, Chairman, Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk, Vice Chairman, and Finance Secretary Trinley Gyatso of the 34th Kalachakra organising committee at the press conference, 28 June 2017.

Posted By: Lhawang Gyalpo June 30, 2017

Press Release:

Financial Details and Clarifications of 34th Kalachakra

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has gratefully commenced the 34th Kalachakra at the holy Buddhist site of Bodh Gaya from 2- 14 January 2017. The 34th Kalachakra was a successful historic event that has filled devotees with pride and joy. The principal credit of the success of the Kalachakra goes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama along with the hard work and dedication of all members of the staff and leadership.

During the concluding ceremony of the 34th Kalachakra on 14 January 2017, we have promised to publicly announce the complete financial detail (including income, expenses and balance) of the Kalachakra. Therefore, we are making the financial detail of the Kalachakara public through this press conference today. Click here to see the balance sheet.

  1. There were several reasons for the delay in announcing the financial details of the Kalachakra. One of the reasons was ascertaining the source of some of the donations made during the Kalachakra. Moreover, there were some legitimate delays in receiving the expense details from some of the regions based in India, Nepal and Bhutan. As advised by Gaden Phodrang office, the balance amount from the total income of the Kalachakra was distributed towards various welfare projects and initiatives. In that regard, informing His Holiness the Dalai Lama and seeking appropriate guidance for the same took some time.
  2. The 34th Kalachakra received a total income of 30,36,41,034 INR and the total expense of the Kalachakra was 27,26,92,599. From the total expenses and income, there was a balance of 3,09,48,435. There is a slight difference between the financial detail provided earlier and the one being provided now. The difference arose as a result of some outstanding amount of money that was yet to receive and the fluctuation in the rate of foreign exchange.
  3. As directed by the Gaden Phodrang office, President Dr Lobsang Sangay distributed the balance amount towards various welfare projects and initiatives after seeking guidance from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The details are as follows:
  • There are constant reports of some leading teachers and scholars of Tibetan Buddhism succumbing to chronic liver diseases. Therefore, 1,00,00,000.00 INR was allocated to the health department for an emergency project aimed at prevention and treatment of liver cirrhosis prevalent among the monastic community.
  • INR 49,80,150.00 was allocated towards renovating and redecorating old age homes which are under the supervision of Department of Home.
  • INR 40,00,000.00 towards college scholarship of students of Tibetan Homes Foundation. This was done to offset the sudden shortage of scholarship funds as SOS, the chief financial sponsor of the school has suddenly stopped financial aid to THF Mussoorie.
  • INR 20,00,000.00 was allocated towards the annual Himalayan Festival being organised at Dharamshala. This was aimed at fostering harmonious relations through cultural exchange between the local Indian and Tibetan community.
  • INR 350,000.00 was allocated for Shide Khangsar, a de-addiction centre based in Rajpur, Dehradun. The centre houses several Tibetan youths undergoing severe hardships. The fund was allocated for their basic needs like clothing and health.
  • INR 5,93,840.00 was allocated to sustain the Mani chanting practice prevalent in some small and scattered Tibetan communities across northern India. These communities were reported to be facing financial constraints to continue the practice. Therefore, this fund was allocated to sustain this mani chanting practice to earn collective merit for the entire Tibetan people.
  1. The final financial statement of the 34th Kalachakra – including income, expense and balance – will be thoroughly audited by the Auditor General’s office soon. Moreover, as explained in the concluding ceremony of the Kalachakra on 14 January 2017, if any member of the public needs more information, they can contact the organising committee before 14 January 2018.
  2. Clarifications:
  • There is a huge difference between the earlier Kalachkaras and the 34th Kalachakra. Earlier, the entire responsibility of the Kalachakra is on the organising committee and main sponsors of the Kalachakra. However, this time, the chief organiser of the 34th Kalachakra was Central Tibetan Administration. Therefore, the Kalachakra was organised under the direct stewardship of the Kashag.
  • With the aim of organising the Kalachakra as per the aspirations of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the convenience of the devotees in mind, the Kashag has sanctioned an adequate amount for the Kalachakra. Moreover, the tariff for residential tents during the Kalachakra was dramatically reduced by 25% – 50 %. The CTA has also covered the entire Kalachakra expense of over 1000 poor, old and infirm Tibetans.The CTA has also devoted 130 staff that spent between 20 – 90 days at the venue in order to make the Kalachakra successful and incident free.
  • Regarding the overall expenditure, it was contracted beforehand that, in the case overall expenditure exceeds the total funds from our sponsors and public donations, Central Tibetan Administration would bear all the additional expenses incurred. Given the problems of cash crunch post demonetization and travel bans imposed on Tibetan pilgrims coming from Tibet, the committee had apprehended serious problems of cash and transactions. But due to the karmic auspiciousness and blessings of Vajradhara, Lopon Dorje Chang, not only did we have a smooth transaction; we had a considerable amount of remainder fund. Of the total expenditure incurred, 29 percent was contributed by the Kalachakra sponsors and 70 per cent contributed by devotees through donations made as offerings towards the Kalachakra puja.
  • The 34th Kalachakra organising committee was appointed by the 14th The central organising committee of the Kalachakra consist of three Kalons, a representative of Gaden Phodrang, Abbot of Namgyal Monastery, Secretary of BTMC, three Secretaries of Central Tibetan Administration and one Acting Secretary. The representative of Gaden Phodrang and Abbot of Namgyal Monastery are in an advisory role, particularly on matters of religious activities.
  • Till date, the organising committee has held 15 meetings to discuss important matters regarding the Kalachakra teaching. All the decisions made so far have been drawn through in-depth discussion and unanimous vote. In exceptional cases, the Committee has sought guidance and directive from the Kashag, and have accordingly adhered to the directives received.

To sum it up, all the activities carried out by the organising committee in organising the 34th Kalachakra has been in complete conformity with law and order.

The organising committee also feels a huge sense of pride and achievement in being able to serve all devotees during the Kalachakra Initiation. Finally, the 34th Kalachakra organising committee would like to wholeheartedly thank all the members of the organising committee, members of the subcommittee, staff and volunteers.

Organising Committee of the 34th Kalachakra Initiation led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Bodh Gaya

28 June 2017

Members of the Tibetan media at the press conference, 28 June 2017.