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Tibetan Aid Project

Join us in the rebuilding, preserving and perpetuating of Tibet's cultural and spiritual heritage for He founded the current Nyingma Monlam Chenmo in 1989.

The Tibetan Aid Project (TAP) is an operation of the Tibetan Nyingma Relief Foundation. TAP was founded in 1969 by Tarthang Tulku—a leading Tibetan master and teacher—to support the efforts of Tibetans to survive in exile and re-establish their cultural heritage. The Tibetan Aid Project helps Tibetan people by providing them with important resources like books, art, and tools for practice and educ

ation. They work to preserve Tibetan culture and support communities in need and Tibetan refugees in exile. Taste and Tribute is a Tibetan Aid Project event where exquisite chefs cook special meals, and people come together to enjoy the food and raise money. Attendees provide support through:

Meal tickets sold
Silent auction
Live auction
Monetary donations

This event has made a significant impact by bringing in much-needed funds, which support the education, practice and cultural preservation efforts for the Tibetan people. Through these efforts, the project helps keep Tibetan traditions alive and supports the well-being of their communities. For example, TAP and its sister organizations have distributed over 5.5 million sacred texts, 176,250 prayer wheels, and over 4 million sacred art prints to Tibetan communities in exile. These efforts help sustain Tibetan cultural practices and education across the Himalayas. The books, sacred texts, and art distributed by the Tibetan Aid Project (TAP) are produced through a collaborative effort involving various Tibetan and international organizations. Here’s an overview of the process and locations involved:

1. Dharma Publishing: This organization, founded by Tarthang Tulku, plays a key role in producing many of the sacred texts and art prints. Dharma Publishing operates in the United States and works to print and distribute these materials. They are located in Cazadero, California, and have been a significant partner in supporting TAP’s mission.

2. Tibetan Communities in Exile: Some of the texts and art are produced within Tibetan communities in exile, particularly in India and Nepal. Monasteries and cultural centers in these regions are actively involved in the preservation and production of traditional Tibetan art and literature. These centers ensure the authenticity and accuracy of the materials being produced.

3. Collaboration with International Partners: TAP collaborates with various international partners to fund and support the production and distribution of these materials. This includes fundraising events like Taste & Tribute, which provide the necessary resources to continue these efforts.

4. The sacred texts and art are shipped from Dharma Publishing in the USA to the Mahabhodi temple in Bodh Gaya India, where they are distributed to monks, nuns and laypeople at the Monlam Chenmo. The shipment is supported financially via Tibetan Aid Project's Taste and Tribute event. The Monlam Chenmo, or the World Peace Ceremony, is a significant annual event in Tibetan Buddhism, held in Bodh Gaya, India. Tarthang Tulku has played a significant role in organizing a contemporary form of the Monlam Chenmo in Bodh Gaya, especially in connection with large-scale book and practice materials distributions. Here are the key points:

1. Modern Monlam Chenmo: The modern Monlam Chenmo in Bodh Gaya, as organized by Tarthang Tulku and associated organizations, includes large gatherings of monks, nuns, and lay practitioners who engage in prayer, meditation, and teachings. This event has revitalized the traditional prayer ceremony in a contemporary context.

2. Book Distribution: One of the unique aspects of the Monlam Chenmo organized by Tarthang Tulku is the distribution of sacred texts. These texts include sutras, commentaries, and other important Buddhist scriptures that are distributed freely to monks, nuns, and practitioners. This effort helps preserve and disseminate Buddhist teachings widely.

3. Cultural Preservation: Initiatives through the Monlam Chenmo aim to preserve Tibetan Buddhist culture and education. The distribution of texts ensures that monastic communities have access to essential teachings, supporting their spiritual practice and study.

4. Global Participation: The event attracts participants from around the world, fostering a sense of global Buddhist community and shared purpose in preserving and promoting Tibetan Buddhism. For more detailed information on these activities, you can refer to sources like Dharma Publishing and the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo website, which provide insights into the events and their impact.

12/09/2025

Thank you to everyone who came to the 22nd Taste and Tribute Benefit Gala this past Saturday! We are so blessed to have such a generous and loving community. We want to give a special thank you to for all of the amazing food and tea, and a special shout-out to her amazing team that helped pull this off.

06/20/2025

Registration now open for this year's special event: https://mailchi.mp/tibetanaidproject/taste_and_tribute_2024-10338638?e=7ca3469c5a

04/17/2025

For more information about our Jeong Kwan Sunim, be sure to check out her Chef’s Table episode on Netflix, or her New York Times article! We hope you will join us in enjoying an amazing meal prepared by her this upcoming December.

03/23/2025

The date for our annual Taste & Tribute is finally here- as well as the announcement of this year’s chef! Clear your calendar for December 6th and spend it with Jeong Kwan Sunim and the Tibetan Aid Project for a night of generosity and great vegetarian cuisine!

03/19/2025

Taste & Tribute is officially on for 2025! Stay tuned for announcements about our chef, the official dates, and auction items! We are thrilled to continue this long-standing event and can’t wait to celebrate with all of you soon.

12/31/2024

Thank you all for the amazing year! Wishing you all an amazing 2025, exciting updates about our upcoming World Peace Ceremony coming soon!

12/03/2024

Preserving Tibetan Culture, One Gift at a Time 🌟 - https://mailchi.mp/tibetanaidproject/thank-you-for-a-successful-event-a-delicious-soup-recipe-10333966

11/11/2024

Last Call for the Post-Event Auction! 🏺 - https://mailchi.mp/tibetanaidproject/thank-you-for-a-successful-event-a-delicious-soup-recipe-10333219

11/09/2024

Join Our Team: Help Organize a Gala with a Renowned Chef for Tibetan Aid Project

See our volunteer ad and application at CoolWorks: https://www.coolworks.com/nyingma-institute/highlighted-job/69413-event-planning

Are you looking for a hands-on experience while exploring Tibetan Buddhism? Join our established non-profit, Tibetan Aid Project, for a unique six-month work-study program focused on integrating mindfulness with event planning and community service. Participants need not identify as Buddhists, though a sincere interest in self-reflection, developing one’s potential, and the spirit of service are essential. We are seeking motivated, diverse, and talented applicants who are mature, grounded, and enjoy contributing through their work.

About the Program: As part of this program, you'll assist in organizing our signature event, the Taste and Tribute benefit gala, which supports education projects in Asia. This opportunity combines meaningful work with personal growth, offering participants the chance to engage in the spirit of service while living in a serene, meditation-oriented environment.

We are a Buddhist center with a welcoming orientation; open to those seeking meaningful ways of working and living. Our online and hybrid classes, workshops and retreats are free for our full-time work-study participants.

This program includes housing in a beautiful, serene setting in Berkeley; vegetarian meals; free classes; free Wi-Fi in a unique community living and working experience! We also include a stipend of $300 per month for basic living expenses. We are a volunteer-run and staffed organization; come join us for 6 months or more.

Volunteers for the Taste and Tribute gala will be housed and work at the Nyingma Institute, our sister organization, located in the serene foothills of Berkeley, California, just one block from the UC Berkeley campus. As part of the program, you'll experience community living in a beautiful, peaceful setting with breathtaking views, all while contributing to the success of a meaningful event.

Key Responsibilities May Include:

Assist with planning and logistics for the Taste and Tribute gala

Solicit donations for the benefit auction

Create and manage social media content for the event

Organize auction items and assist with on-site signage

Use our donor platform for ticket sales and registration management

Collaborate with the team on fundraising efforts

Other Duties:

Participate in day-to-day operations of the Nyingma Institute Buddhist center

Support various tasks such as marketing, administrative work, and helping with retreats and classes

What We Offer:

Housing in a peaceful community setting in Berkeley, California at the Nyingma Institute

Freshly prepared vegetarian meals (organic when possible)

Free access to online and hybrid classes on meditation, K*m Nye Tibetan Yoga, and Buddhist Studies

A $300 monthly stipend

The opportunity to live and work in a supportive environment, with access to classes, workshops, retreats.

Skills & Qualifications:

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

A genuine interest in event planning and Tibetan Buddhism

Flexible and proactive attitude

Comfortable working both independently and as part of a small team

Please note that this is a full-time, intensive program with 6 days of structured work practice per week, with opportunities to participate in classes, workshops, and retreats.

We are currently accepting applications on a rolling basis.

If you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you!

If you’re looking to make a difference while gaining valuable event-planning experience in a mindful setting, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and join us in making the Taste and Tribute gala a success!

More Details:
Year-round
Event Planning
Nyingma Institute
Location
Berkeley, California: We are located at 1 block from UCB with sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Mount Tamalpais
Volunteer
Experience Level
No experience required
Job Start Date: NOW!
Seeking Volunteers for Tibetan Aid Project's Benefit Gala, Taste and Tribute