20Y Anniversary KHCP

DOWNLOAD the print version in 4 languages PDF:
DE-20J-Jubiläum-KHCP    EN-20Y-Anniversary-KHCP    FR-20 ans du KHCP   ES-20 años de KHCP

 

20 Years of KHCP

Dear Friends,

In October 2005, Hannah Nydahl sent us to Kalimpong for the very first time, and there we founded the KHCP with Karmapa.
On the occasion of a lecture at the DW Centre in Hamburg during the anniversary month, we took the opportunity to reflect on the past 20 years.

It is important to examine the impact of our work, so let us begin with a question that has been raised with us from time to time:

… is the KHCP a necessary service, or could Tibetans provide it themselves?

Regarding this:

Twenty years ago, there was no first aid organization in the monasteries, little knowledge about preventative care, and no financial resources, so serious illnesses, accidents, and dental care were, and still are, a major challenge for the monasteries.We encountered a highly educated community without Western perspectives on medical care.In many places, there was no infrastructure whatsoever.
The KHCP then began to provide assistance step by step in the monasteries - belonging to Karmapa Thaye Dorje - through medical camps, suggestions, mutual dialogue, and, of course, donations.
We were delighted that all the Rinpoches then joined the KHCP.
A process emerged from providing care to promoting self-care and preventative measures.
This process continues.
What has been achieved in 20 years will be explained in more detail with figures later.
So far, it can be said that it was pioneering work on both sides, enabling tens of thousands of treatments and undoubtedly saving many lives.

The following describes the key aspects of the project in more detail:
The 3-pillar model: Healthcare – Education - Interaction

First, how open and modern do we want to be?

The Karmapa specifically advocated for vaccinations…but also readily agreed to the question of what to do about diseases like AIDS, which are diagnosed in a laboratory.

Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche also supported allowing a gynecologist to visit his nunnery.
Nuns from Rumtek received private instruction from a gynecologist at the Monlam.

Healthcare

Medical camps were established, even in remote locations like Ladakh (Chimey Rinpoche) and Muktinath (Shangpha Rinpoche), both on 3000m altitude.

The centerpiece is the Monlam Medical Camp, founded with Shamar Rinpoche in 2007, offering approximately 300 treatments per day at three locations in Bodh Gaya – taking place for the 18th time in December 2025!
Finally, medical care was available for this major event, similar to what we have at European courses. This large-scale project was made possible with the support of Shamarpa.
In coordination with him, we also opened a clinic room within his retreat center Sharminub in Raniban/Kathmandu.

Later, Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche helped build a clinicroom in Nala, enabling medical care to be provided at large events.
We used another one for our medical camps for Rinpoche´s practitioners during the grand annual Nyungne/Chenresig practice in Swayambhu.

Beru Khyentse Rinpoche also built a small clinic in Bodhgaya behind his Karma Gompa, which is regularly available to medical teams. The KHCP also use this facility.

The KHCP Medical Camps offer a variety of medical services:

Western and TTM Tibetan medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, emergency care, treatment for accidents and injuries, epidemic control, plague prevention, hygiene, dental care, optician services, hearing aid distribution, assistance with surgeries, etc., when the donation budget allows, and for the nuns, gynecological training.

The KHCP has also been active in special cases:

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, we provided specialized medications to various monasteries.
• We provided rapid assistance during the devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2014.
  In two weeks the KHCP raised €190,000 for the monasteries and the people in the surrounding area.
• Cooperation with the University Hospital in Dhulikhel near Kathmandu…we engaged a KHCP doctor there who focused exclusively on the Nepalese monasteries, utilizing the hospital's infrastructure.
• Health insurance for Karmapa´s monks in KIBI.
• Support for lay organizations, such as Spark Children Home and two orphanages/workshops for people with disabilities run by BIA under Chogyal Rinpoche in Kathmandu/Nepal.
• Use of the new clinic in Bodhgaya at the Karma Gompa of Beru Khyentse Rinpoche and Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche.

 

Education

In the East:

Initially, there were many chats and on-site visits…to build trust, as well as the first activities and teachings by our doctors.Promotion of English language instruction in the monasteries.
Monks responsible for healthcare were organized in each monastery.
Promotion of health awareness and preventative care.

In the West:

Photo documentation helped us get to know our Buddhist family in Asia.
In this process, we also found the many medical professionals who have helped us over the years.

Lectures were given at numerous Karma Kagyu centers in Europe, America, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and beyond.
This resulted in a pool of over 1,000 volunteers from more than 40 nations.

In this context, we would like to extend our special thanks to Lama Ole, who provided us with the opportunity to set up information booths and give lectures -  to this day, we are allowed to promote the KHCP on DW (Diamondway Buddhism Centers).

Shamarpa and Jigme Rinpoche, in particular, provided invaluable support and guidance. And in Nepal, we are especially grateful to Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche, Shangpa Rinpoche, and Dupseng Rinpoche have been exemplary in their assistance.

To ensure quality, we developed a code of ethics with experienced medical professionals, which remains the standard for our medical camps.

It is mandatory for everyone participating in the KHCP.

 

Looking to the Future

As part of a shift towards more project-based work, we are currently planning the following projects:

• A new high-power generator for the Shedra Complex Kalimpong, including guesthouses and the Karmapa's house, which we completed in April 2025.
• Nunnery Rumtek - Here, we are in the planning phase for the reconstruction of the monastery for 30 women following severe earthquake damage.
  Details will follow our visit to Rumtek in October 2025.

Fundraising is planned in consultation with Karmapa and Jigme Rinpoche in spring 2026 and with the assistance of the Friends of the Rumtek Nuns in Switzerland.

In summary, the KHCP's achievements in numbers – compiled for the KHCP's 20th anniversary in October 2025:

• 24 monasteries/nunneries + 3 orphanages of the Karma Kagyu lineage
• 1,100 volunteers – approximately 500 medical professionals from over 40 countries across all Kagyu sanghas
• Every volunteer, including PiaPeter, has worked without pay and without expenses to date. This means that the total activity amounts to 116,000 hours or a value of approximately 13 million Euros, plus all out-of-pocket expenses such as flights, hotels, meals, etc.
• Founders Pia and Peter gave 135 film presentations and lectures in 21 countries, organized 150 medical camps with over 100,000 treatments, raised approximately €1.6 million in donations worldwide, and contributed over 60,000 volunteer hours over 20 years.
• The work in the medical camps led to numerous Buddhist refuges (17th Karmapa) and Buddhist weddings performed at the camps.

Legitimation

Selected letters from H.H. 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje, the Monlam Committee, Lama Ole and Hannah, the Karmapa's letter of thanks to KHCP donors following the Nepal earthquake, Beru Khyentse Rinpoche, Dupseng Rinpoche, and Maha Vihar Kalimpong (Shedra) on the 20th anniversary of KHCP.
See www.karmapa-healthcare.org

Here are a few notes for your understanding

Especially in the initial phase of the project, our work was a balancing act between East and West as well as buddhists and non-buddhists.

From our perspective, it was a huge learning process, navigating the different viewpoints between Western hyper-rationality and the very relaxed approach in the East.

The ongoing support from Karmapa and Shamarpa was invaluable.

Regular exchanges with both and their important insights were extremely helpful.

Here are a few of his key instructions for KHCP.

Quote from Karmapa:

• “Do what the people need”
• “Bring the people together”
• And finally, expanded upon by Karmapa in Singapore in 2025:
  - “Do it smoothly”

We began in Kalimpong and consciously embraced everything.

What we all have available in terms of Buddhist teachings and practices, be it Guru Yoga and Mahakala, and above all, the truly palpable sense of being a global family.

In the realm of so-called cultural appropriation, one initially succumbs to the beauty of Eastern things, spends months in Kalimpong, wears a Tibetan dress for the first time, and Karmapa smiles at you… This is how mutual trust developed.

This initial phase has helped us in our work to this day, while simultaneously maintaining our European methods. The learning process is always reciprocal.

Through film and photo documentation - also at Karmapa's request - Peter created unique documentation of rituals etc. … Karmapa watched it and once said to Peter… “Yes, that is Tibet.”
Mutual interest fosters identification and friendship, without which our work would not be possible.

Karmapa supported us greatly during this process; without him, it would not have been possible.
Then, during the initial phase, Lama Ole and Hannah also provided support through email correspondence.

The openness of all the Rinpoches in Nepal and India then greatly helped us with our expansion.

At this point, we would like to acknowledge the special help and support of Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche; his wise advice has been invaluable. His tireless work on all levels has always been a great inspiration to us and we all will greatly missed him.

After 20 years, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone involved. 

Pia and Peter Cerveny
(Board of Karmapa´s Healthcare Project e.V)

 

Karmapa´s letter - with it we start the project in Oct. 2005

 

Letter of the Monlam Commitee
KHCP Monlam Medicalcamp happens for the 18th time this Decembre 2025

 

Letter of Beru Kyentse Rinpoche
regarding 20 years anniversary of KHCP

 

 

Letter of Dupseng Rinpoche
regarding 20 years anniversary of KHCP

 

Letter of Diwakar Buddhist Academy Kalimpong
regarding 20 years anniversary of KHCP

 

 

We still need your financial support
to successfully continue our medical activities.