Khyentse Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by the revered Bhutanese lama, filmmaker, and author Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, announced that it has begun accepting applications for Ashoka Grant funding for projects and individuals working to benefit the Buddhadharma. The application window will be open until 15 August.
“If you’re passionate about making the timeless wisdom of Buddha Shakyamuni more available for everyone, we’d love to hear from you!” Khyentse Foundation said in its announcement. “The KF Ashoka Grants are currently accepting applications, and we can’t wait to hear how your initiatives will create an impact on propagating the Dharma. Do you have any transformative ideas in mind? Head over to our website to learn more about the Ashoka Grants and how to apply.”
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche founded Khyentse Foundation in 2001 with the aim of promoting the Buddha’s teaching and supporting all traditions of Buddhist study and practice. The foundation’s activities include major text preservation and translation projects, support for monastic colleges in Asia, a worldwide scholarship and awards program, development of Buddhist studies at major universities, training and development for Buddhist teachers, and developing new modes of Dharma-inspired education for children.
Khyentse Foundation accepts Ashoka Grant applications twice each year: from 15 January–15 February and from 15 July–15 August. The grants are open to organizations and individuals who are actively engaged in projects supporting Buddhist study or practice. The Ashoka Grants Committee, which reviews applications, grants the funding based on the strength of the proposal, and the scope and needs of the project.
“Ashoka Grants support organizations and individuals who are seeking ways to preserve and promote the Dharma and are working to increase Dharma activity around the world in innovative and enduring ways,” Khyentse Foundation noted. “These grants are for programs and projects that fall outside the criteria for Buddhist Studies Scholarships, Individual Practice Grants, or other KF awards.” (Khyentse Foundation)
The program is named after the Mauryan emperor Ashoka (r. c. 268–c. 232 BCE), whose empire encompassed much of the Indian subcontinent and who was a key figure in the propagation of Buddhism throughout South and Central Asia. Ashoka is also credited with initiating the construction of thousands of monasteries, stupas, and other Buddhist monuments across the region.
“The Ashoka Grants committee considers applications from organizations and individuals who are actively engaged in projects related to Buddhism,” Khyentse Foundation added. “ The foundation does not accept applications that are for building and construction projects, applications that are incomplete or that do not adequately explain the scope of the project, or applications that have no relevance to Buddhism or Buddhist activity. We are not currently accepting applications for film projects.”
Click here for full grant application details
Khyentse Foundation’s achievements over the last 20 years include: more than 15 million pages of Buddhist texts preserved and made available online; education provided for the children of more than 1,000 families; support for Buddhist studies at more than 35 major universities through endowed chairs and professorships, graduate support, and the establishment of Buddhist studies centers; more than US$1 million in sponsorship for Buddhist teacher-training granted; sacred Buddhist texts translated into more than 15 languages, thanks to the efforts of 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha, the Kumarajiva Project, and the Khyentse Vision Project; over US$1.8 million in funding granted to uphold Buddhism in its mother countries, including grassroots partnerships to revitalize interest in Buddhism in India; more than 2,000 scholarships and awards in recognition of excellence in Buddhist study and practice; support for over 3,000 monks and nuns to maintain the tradition of Buddhist scholarship in a monastic setting; and more than 120 open-access Ashoka and Trisong grants distributed to support Dharma and well-being programs.
Born in Bhutan in 1961, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche is the son of Thinley Norbu Rinpoche and was a close student of the Nyingma master Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910–91). He is recognized as the third incarnation of the 19th century Tibetan terton Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820–1892), founder of the Khyentse lineage, and the immediate incarnation of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö (1893–1959).
Rinpoche’s projects and initiatives include: Khyentse Foundation, established in 2001 to promote the Buddha’s teaching and support all traditions of Buddhist study and practice; Siddhartha’s Intent, an international collective of Buddhist groups supporting Rinpoche’s Buddhadharma activities by organizing teachings and retreats, distributing and archiving recorded teachings, and transcribing, editing, and translating manuscripts and practice texts; 84000, a non-profit global initiative to translate the words of the Buddha and make them available to all; Lotus Outreach, which directs a range of projects to ensure the education, health, and safety of vulnerable women and children in the developing world; and Lhomon Society, which promotes sustainable development in Bhutan through education.
Every single word spoken by the Buddha is excellent and precious. — Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
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Khyentse Foundation
Khyentse Foundation (Facebook)
Grants & Scholarships (Khyentse Foundation)
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