In the Autumn of 2020 The Marici Fellowship performed actions throughout the world, benefiting beings in our local communities. During this time, the spread of COVID-19 has caused incredible suffering around the globe. Marici Fellowship members from varous communities around the world have come together, using safe methods of distancing and protection, to shine the light of compassion on those who have suffered the most.
These events not only benefited those in who are in need; simultaneously, these meritorious activities left great impressions to all those who joined the acts of Bodhicitta. We wish to thank all who helped make this event such a success.
Bhutan
With support for youth wth special needs, animal support, and providing assistance to the community, The Marici Fellowship is helping humans and animals alike in Bhutan.
Bodh Gaya
The most sacred pilgrimage destination for Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is where the Buddha manifested his enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. It is also in one of India's poorest states and the Marici Fellowship regularly distributes provisions to those in need in the area. In October, volunteers not only gave out food supplies but also school equipment to local children.
New Delhi
In November, the Marici Fellowship in Delhi received sponsorship from the Bodh Gaya Phuntsok Phodrang Foundation to share supplies with those experiencing hardship in the Delhi area as well as Bihar. Hot meals were offered as well as supplies for families.
Delhi Doggies
The Marici Fellowship also help our animal friends in Saket, New Delhi, with companionship and food. Helping the numerous street animals in New Delhi is part of the Marici Fellowship's charter to shine the light of compassion on all sentient beings.
Hansur
Following Avikrita Vajra Rinpoche's visit to Bengaluru, South India, in April 2019, students were inspired to set up a branch of the Marici Fellowship in nearby Hansur. As well as distributing food to those in need several times in 2020, more recently Marici fellows in Hansur have been helping hungry street dogs in the area.
Lajpat Nagar
Lajpat Nagar is an area in New Delhi. Although affluent in parts, many workers have suffered from the economic impact of the pandemic. A local Hindu temple kindly let the Marici Fellowship use their courtyard in October to distribute supplies to the families in need while maintaining the "physical distancing" required. To those not able to walk to the temple, our volunteers wore PPE and carried supplies to them.
Odisha
Odisha (previously known as Orissa) is a state in the east of India with one Tibetan settlement. To join in the joint global efforts to help those in need, the Marici Fellowship distributed essential supplies to elderly and vulnerable members of the community there.
Tso Pema
Tso Pema (Rewalsar on the map) is a village near Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, India, and a sacred site of Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava and the enlightened Princess Mandarava. Following the bestowal of the Princess Mandarava empowerment by Avikrita Vajra Rinpoche last year, the local branch of the Tibetan Womens' Association and members of the community expressed their wish to support the Marici Fellowship. Rinpoche asked that they do this by doing a garbage clean-up around the lake and caring for those in need. Ever since, the community has been doing that. Supplies and basic funds for monks and nuns on retreat in the caves above the village have been particularly impacted by the pandemic and the Marici Fellowship has been helping support them through this challenging time.
