Most Venerable Bhikkhu Tapassidhamma Thero
Tapassidhamma
Most Venerable Bhikkhu Tapassidhamma Thero
Most Venerable Bhikkhu Tapassi Dhamma is a Buddhist monk belonging to Theravada Buddhist tradition. He is the Founder and Chief Abbot of Charumati Buddha Vihara, a Buddhist temple situated in Kathmandu, Nepal. Most Venerable Bhikkhu Tapassi Dhamma is renowned and respected in the Buddhist community in Nepal as well as international Buddhist forums as one who has been promoting not only Buddhist unity and humanitarian practices but also engaged in conservation and promotion of Buddhist cultural heritages. He entered monkhood in his early teens and since then he has dedicated himself in practicing, teaching and implementing the Buddha’s teachings and Buddhist way of life.
Ven Bhikkhu Tapassi Dharnma was bornas Babukaji Shrestha in 1970 in Balambu village which is at the periphery of Kthmandu valley. His father Mr. Nhuchhe lal Shrestha and mother Mrs. Sant, Maya Shrestha were village farmers. When Babukaji was 10 years old and was a student of grade three, he got interested towards Buddhism He joined Sunday Dhamma classes (pariyatti Education) in Kathmandu’s Ganabahal which was the only place to have this class. He studies Pariyotti Education or two years, walking a long distance from home every Sunday to attend this class. He would listen to Buddhist stories and teachings from monks in the Mara, assist them with whatever he could &t that age a. spend more time with them When he was 13 years of age, he enterd PranidhipumaMahavihara at Balambuas a novice monk, which his parents didn’t approve at first, but had to give permission when he kept insisting to the extreme measures. He studied under the guidance of Most Ven. PragyanandaMahaThero, the first Sangho Nayaka of Nepal, and Most Ven. Bhikkhu Phra Sri VannoThero from Thailand who had come to Nepal for his rainy retreat.
The Words from Most Venerable Bhikkhu Tapassidhamma Thero
Currently, I am the Chief Monk of my Buddhist temple and Founder-President of Charumati Buddhist Mission Nepal which is a social welfare organization associated with my temple. My journey of Buddhist monkhood began 38 years ago when I was just 13 years old. I learned Buddhist Studies and practiced monkhood in Sri Lanka for 10 years under High Priest of Sri Lanka Aggamahapandita Kotugoda Dhammawasa Mahanayaka Thero. After high-ordination in Buddhist monkhood, I returned to my country Nepal as a young monk of 24 years of age. Since then, I have been serving humanity in all ways possible, through my Buddhist temple and through the social welfare organization I currently run.
When I started, I had nothing in my hand except the gems of Buddhist education and my teacher’s instruction to revive the glory of a 2300 years old ancient heritage of Buddhism which is called Charumati Stupa. I started my journey alone, away from my home. I met few enthusiastic local community people who helped me to establish a small 3 roomed Buddhist temple named Charumati Buddha Vihar in front of the ancient Charumati Stupa in central Kathmandu where I started practicing and imparting Buddhist way of living to community people as well as doing social works.
The community people started attending the daily teachings and practices, and found it beneficial in their life. The community people gradually started to join hands with me in doing activities of social responsibility. Today, there are 500 regular members of all age practicing Buddhist way of life and ready to participate in every humanitarian and social welfare activity when and where needed. During especial programs, thousands of people participate. They volunteer, they donate and they facilitate in the social works. Today, I have affiliation with many Buddhist organizations around the world with whom we participate in exchange of cultures and ideas.
Charumati Buddhist Mission Nepal works for community-based services ranging from youth empowerment to vocational training, free healthcare services, environmental protection activities, social awareness programs, disaster-relief campaigns, educational support to community schools in rural and remote areas and many more. Youth mobilization for social service is promoted and encouraged in Charumati Buddhist Mission Nepal. We also provide necessary support to deprived and underprivileged community people to learn skill-trainings so that they can make their life better.
During devastating Earthquake in 2015, we reached 11 disaster-hit districts, rural to remotest, and distributed relief such as temporary rehabilitation materials, medicines and foods and clothing. During Covid-19 Pandemic too, we are continuously providing medical and healthcare equipment to health workers and public servants to fight the pandemic.
We are also involved in conservation, renovation and promotion of Buddhist heritages. One successful example is 2300 years old Buddhist archeological monument Charumati Stupa. We advocated for its renovation, participated actively in the work and are now conserving and promoting it. The stupa carries the history of one of the daughters of Emperor Ashoka named Charumati who was influential queen turned into Buddhist nun. Currently, we are working on a project of constructing International Buddhist Center in rural Nepal which will provide free Buddhist education to novice monks, free education to community children, free community health clinic as well as a community home for orphan children and homeless elderly people. We are in fundraising stage for the cause.
Our organization members, especially the youths, are full of enthusiasm and eagerness to bring positive change people’s lives in all possible ways. My experience says that encouraging youths to eagerly take responsibility of the society is the best way to do it. And we continue to inspire youths and employ them for the betterment of the society we live in.