Transforming Spirituality - Helambu

About Helambu

Helambu is a rural region located 70 km north-east of Kathmandu. There are two indigenous groups living in the region – the Yolmo and the Tamang. Yolmo is considered to be one of the most sacred places for meditation according to Buddhist teachings, and has been a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists for over a thousand years. Milarepa, a Tibetan yogi, chose to meditate in Yolmo.

Activities

As part of the Transforming Spirituality into Action gathering, participants meditated at Dhupudong (Sacred Buddhist Meditation Center) and a Peace Ceremony (Sang Sur Serkim) led by Meme Nawang Rinpoche and then trekked to Nakote, one of the Hyolmo villages in the Helambu region. The District Education Officer, along with 20 teachers from the region, participated in a Helambu Teachers Professional Development Day. A children's program included a cultural show and performance by Nepali singer Yash Kumar. Participants visited other Helambu villages, including Shugenche and Nurbuling before returning to Kathmandu. Basic accommodations were provided, including a shared tent for the youth participants while the adults were housed in homestay style. Jeeps were used to travel to Helambu.