Bodhicitta Malta has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support a second visit to the island by Tibetan Buddhist Lama Chamtrul Rinpoche.

The newly-registered voluntary organisation, which aims to spread awareness about Dharma in Malta, has invited Rinpoche for a second time to deliver public teachings in early 2019, based on the success of his previous visit last March. These teachings will once again focus on various topics including spirituality, philosophy and psychology, as well as spreading the enhancement of inner peace of mind through Dharma in Malta and around the world.

Chamtrul Rinpoche has spent a lifetime studying and teaching Buddhist philosophy. Based in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, where he runs the Bodhicitta Dharma Centre in Dharamkot, Rinpoche regularly travels around the world teaching, offering guidance and giving empowerments and transmissions.

Bodhicitta Malta hopes to raise €2,500 through a crowdfunding campaign on local platform Zaar.

“We had been complaining for 20 years that there are few Buddhist teachings in Malta, and so we decided to do something about it,” said one of Bodhicitta Malta’s founders. “Last year, Rinpoche was hosted by one of our founding members, but since she cannot afford the costs again this year we are looking for other sources of funding, including government and foreign sources if possible.”

The organisation believes that others beyond those who attended Rinpoche’s previous teachings in Malta will be interested in supporting the campaign. “Buddhists believe that sponsoring Dharma (Buddhist) events brings enormous merit, as long as it is done with the intention of benefitting as many beings as possible.”

There are a number of offers available for supporters of the crowdfunding campaign. With a €5 donation, the backer receives free membership to Bodhicitta Malta for one year, while for €10 they will also receive a Tibetan offering scarf known as a Kata. For €25, the backer will receive all this plus a one-day seat reservation for Rinpoche’s teachings. With a €50 donation all these rewards will be received along with a seat reservation for all days of Rinpoche’s teachings, and, for 15 backers only, a €100 donation will give them all this as well as an invitation to dinner with Rinpoche himself.

For more information and to make a donation, visit www.zaar.com.mt.