Recommendations & Encouragement

H.H. Dalai Lama XIV
It was H.H. Dalai Lama who planted the seed for the founding of the MFI when in 1991 His Holiness encouraged future MFI founder André Kalden in his undertakings.

(see 1 mb short video ).

His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche (1920-2007)

© 2001 MFI ImageBank

On December 8, 1999, Muktinath Lama Wangyal and MFI President Kalden received blessings for the founding of MFI from H.E. Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, teacher of H.H. Dalai Lama (see picture).
H.E. Chogye Trichen Rinpoche gave his advice concerning the members of the board and stressed: "Please write down that on December 8, 1999, I said I consider the preservation of Chumig Gyatsa [Muktinath] very, very important."
During a visit of Kalden on March 13, 2000, Rinpoche handed over a small note to confirm this in writing.

(see 1 mb short video of H.E. Chogye Trichen Rinpoche ).

Lopon Tsechu Kushok Lama (1918-2003)

© MFI ImageBank

In his role as Chief Patron of the All Nepal Himalayan Buddhist Association, but moreover as nestor of the Tibetan Buddhist community in Nepal, Lopon Tsechu Kushok Lama. encouraged the founding of the MFI and spent his precious time on the Muktinath Foundation International on several occasions. In his letter to the MFI of October 25, 2001 he underlined his support and kindly wished: "May many people create great merit by supporting your organization and its goal." Rinpoche passed away on June 10, 2003. (The Diamond Way Website ; a high resolution picture)

R. H. Jigme Palbar Basta, Raja of Mustang

© MFI ImageBank

Muktinath is part of the Mustang District. The MFI had the great honor to receive a letter of the 25th Raja of Mustang, Jigme Palbar Bista. In this letter of recommendation the King expresses his full support of the founding of the Muktinath Foundation International and his personal faith in Muktinath Lama Wangyal.

All Nepal Himalayan Buddhist Association

On May 10, 2000, we got a letter of recommendation from Ang Tsering Lama, Former Minister of Agriculture of Nepal, Secretary of the All Nepal Himalayan Buddhist Association.

Sepo Pema Wangyal, Abbot of Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa

© MFI ImageBank

Sepo Pema Wangyal Lama is head of the Nepali lineage of the Domar family, an unbroken lineage of married lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist Nyingma school who have been caretakers of Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa for centuries. Together with current MFI president André Kalden, Wangyal Lama and the local people of Muktintinath Valley took the initiative for the founding of the Muktinath Foundation.

In his letter of October 15, 2001 he said about the MFI activities:
"The fact that people outside Nepal are helping the traditional caretakers of Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa is a great support for all who feel connected with this holy place: Buddhists, Hindus as well as visitors from other Dharma!"

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The MFI is a nongovernmental, nonprofit, interfaith organization registered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands K.K./C.C. no. 34133018 and officially recognized by the Dutch government as a nonprofit organization under Article 24, ¶ 4, of the Dutch Succession Law of 1956.