Shall I go to Sierra Leone?
I read your blog every day and rejoice that you may leave Malaysia. Don’t go to the USA, though–it is full of lamas already. Come to my country, Sierra Leone! No lamas ever come here because we have no money, and because of our bad karma which causes life here to be so cruel. If anyone can overcome the problems of Africa, it is you, Rinpoche.
Please have compassion on us!
From: Winston
Dear Winston, Tell me more about yourself.
- Where do you live in Sierra Leone?
- What do you do for a living?
- Are there Buddhists there?
- Does a permit or license needs to be obtained there to speak about Dharma?
- Do you have anything set up?
- What is the weather like?
- Has there been any Tibetan lamas there before that you know of?
- How is public awareness about Tibetan Buddhism there?
- How’s your postal system? I will send you something to keep for your spiritual journey. Send me your reliable mailing address.
Please give me more information. I am intrigued and interested.
Dear everyone shall I go? What do you think? Tsem Rinpoche
Some Wikipedia.com information:
Sierra Leone has a tropical climate, with a diverse environment ranging from savannah to rainforests. Freetown is the capital, largest city as well as its economic, educational and financial center. The second largest is Bo. Other major cities are Kenema, Makeni and Koidu Town.
The country has relied on mining, especially diamonds, for its economic base; it is among the top 10 diamond producing nations in the world, and mineral exports remain the main foreign currency earner. Sierra Leone is also among the largest producers of titanium and bauxite, and a major producer of gold. The country has one of the world’s largest deposits of rutile. Sierra Leone is also home to the third largest natural harbour in the world; where shipping from all over the globe berth at Freetown’s famous Queen Elizabeth II Quay. Despite this natural wealth, over 70% of its people live in poverty.
Sierra Leone is a predominantly Muslim nation at over 60%, though with a large Christian minority. Sierra Leone is ranked as one of the most religiously tolerant nations in the world. People are often married across ethnic and religious boundaries. Muslims and Christians collaborate and interact with each other peacefully. Religious violence is very rare in the country.
The population of Sierra Leone comprises sixteen ethnic groups, each with its own language and custom. The two largest and most influential are the Mende and Temne. The two are about equal in numbers and each comprises just over 30% of the population. The Mende are predominantly found in South-Eastern Sierra Leone; the Temne likewise predominate in Northern Sierra Leone.
Although English is the official language spoken at schools and government administration, the Krio language (derived from English and several indigenous African languages) is the primary language of communication among the country’s different ethnic groups, spoken as a first language by about 10%, but understood by 95%. The Krio Language unites all the different ethnic groups, especially in their trade and interaction with each other.
Between 1991 and 2002 the Sierra Leone Civil War devastated the country leaving more than 50,000 people dead, much of the country’s infrastructure destroyed, and over two million people displaced in neighbouring countries; mainly to Guinea, which was home to around one million Sierra Leonean refugees. The war was resolved in 2002 after the Nigerian-led ECOMOG troops were heavily reinforced by a British force spearheaded by 1st Bn The Parachute Regiment, supported by the British Royal Navy The arrival of this force resulted in the defeat of rebel forces and restored the civilian government elected in 1996. On January 18, 2002 President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah declared the civil war officially over. Since then the country has re-established a functioning democracy.
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
I found your Website .I have a big problem.A girl from Sierra Leone-Helen Lamin-date of birth 12,Dec.82,Sussex Village,has contactet me and ask for help.She told me,that she is living as a refuge in Ghana.She has a consigment with the securitscompany guaranty trust in Spain with about $ 17 Million,stamped,wich her father has deposited,bevor he was murderd by Rebells.She gave me also a depositpaper on the name Chief Harry Lamin.She has send her Passport and a company,wich will clean this money.The name of the company is Skybird Chemicalsinternational.
I have paied a huse amount of money.Meanwhile I know,that this are Nigerian crooks under the Head of a ” Lawyer,called Hesske.”
Is there any possibility to catsch this crooks?please get back to me.
Stefan Grubits
It is stories like this that explains a lot of what Rinpoche does constantly which is always give gifts to many many people and strangers that Rinpoche comes across through cyberspace. Many people out there due to karmic circumstances and otherwise do not have access to temples, lamas , gurus teachers hence no access to higher knowledge that can alleviate them to a higher level of spirituality and happiness. Rinpoche is so compassionate to give gifts to others tirelessly.
Dear Rinpoche,
I have asked my classmate, who was a based in South Africa for 10++ years prior to becoming a monk, about Sierra Leone. Unfortunately, he has not heard of the place but suggested to contact local Buddhist Centers prior to going would be the best thing to do. He also mentioned about government department that has funds for charitable work (which religion normally belongs to), but I can’t seems to find any as yet.
Anyway, I have looked for some more information for your further reference and considerations. According to “Dharma Web”, there are some Buddhist Temples/Centers in Africa, with most Tibetan Centers located in South Africa. I have reorganized those places into South, Center and West Africa for your easy reference. More detailed contact information can be found at http://dharmaweb.org/index.php/Africa#South_Africa
South
1 South Africa (13 Tibetan Buddhist Centers, mostly Kagyu, 3 New Kadampas & etc + 1 Tibetan Society)
i) Gelug pa
– Good Heart Dharma Group
Durban, South Africa
Contact: Elizabeth Gaywood
Tel: 031-7014307
Email: cormkt@mweb.co.za
Tradition: Tibetan, Gelugpa
Spiritual Director: Geshe Damch Yonten
ii)No mention of Tibetan Buddhist Tradition
– Cape Town Samye Dzong
5 Auburn Road, Kenilworth, 7700
Tel/Fax: (27) 21 761 2978
Email: samye@mweb.co.za
Tradition: Tibetan
– The Lam Rim Buddhist Centre of South Africa (Maybe Gelug pa?)
P.O. Box 1325 Roosevelt Park 2129
Cell Phone: 083 327 0273
Email: kailash@iafrica.com
Web site: http://www.geocities.com/lamrimsa
iii)The Tibet Society of South Africa *
PO Box 2674, Pinetown, 3600, KZN
Tel: (031) 7014307, Fax: 702 4535
Tradition: Tibetan Culture & Assistance
Email: tidbnsa@iafrica.com
Web site: http://www.tibet.org.za
2 Zimbabwe (Kagyu)
3 Botswana
– Botswana Buddhist Association
Tradition: Theravada but open to all Buddhists
4 Kenya (Karma Kagyu)
Centre
1 Tanzania
– Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center
Tradition: Theravada but welcome to all religions & traditions
2 Republic of Congo
3 Zaire
4 Cameroon
West (Ranging from the closest to Sierra Leone from the map)
1 Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) lies in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia.
2 Ghana
3 Burkina Faso (Formerly Upper Volta)
4 Mali Republic
** There’s no Tibetan Buddhist Centre in these 4 areas.
I have also came across “The Sierra Leone Web” (website to archive news) with resources reflecting life in Sierra Leone today, and in history. I thought below info would be helpful, so I specifically highlight them for you. The website url is: http://www.sierra-leone.org/index.html.
– There is an US Embassy.
– Sierra Leoneon residing in Malaysia:
Bockary, Fyeston Mungbay
From Sierra Leone: Brookfields, Freetown
Current location: Selangor, Malaysia
Email: fyest4success@yahoo.co.uk
Finally, some minor but good to know facts from “Lonely Planet” for your information.
1. Entering Sierra Leone
– Need a certificate of vaccination for yellow fever & cholera.
Sorce: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/sierra-leone/transport/getting-there-away#353784#ixzz1nUG6hS3b
2. Dangers & annoyances
– Guinea’s uncertain political future + Liberia’s tenuous security situation
present bigger challenges to Sierra Leone
– Check on the condition near the borders if things in either neighbouring nation deteriorate.
– Bo and Kenema has reliable power supply.
– All hotels have generators.
– Most budget places will only run power from around 7pm to 1am.
Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/sierra-leone/practical-information/health#ixzz1nUIbkuNZ
3. When to go?
– The best time to visit is November, after the rains and before the dusty harmattan winds blow in and paint the skies grey.
Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/sierra-leone/weather#ixzz1nU8hmIdx
4. Visas
– All travellers, except those from Ecowas countries, need visas.
– While visas are available at the airport and land borders, it is strongly recommended that you get a visa before arrival to avoid any hassles, as this is a new policy.
Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/sierra-leone/practical-information/visas#ixzz1nUa8784p
I’ve decided to look for these information because one of your prayers kept replaying in my mind that goes something like “When there is no dharma, let there be dharma”. If you finally decided to go in November, according to Lonely Planet, I would love to come with you and help with whatever is necessary.
Humbly yours with best wishes,
adeline
You know so many personal blog in the world, but something I find very interesting in Tsem Rinpoche’s blog is you can get variety of information. For example, that day I took a train went to British Council sat my English assessment test. Then I started read the post Shall I go to Sierra Leone?
That is very funny I am too absorb inside my reading world until I forgot my destination.I no idea about of Sierra Leone. But Rinpoche’s blog had provided a map and very complete introduction of Sierra Leone, I feel very interesting and informative. That why I missed my stop point. haha…
This is my real feeling after I had read the post and also I missed my stop point.Even though already two days passed I still remember some part of this post.
I like to read Rinpoche’s blog because it is informative, always get surprised. Every time I finished a post, I always feel my wisdom be increase again. May be it is a psychological side kick but make me feel good:)
Here’s an informative You-Tube video which I think is very applicable:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjBi1eEaAA
Rats–one character off. Try this instead:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IjBi1eEaAA
Dear Rinpoche,
I did a little research last night into issues about Sierra Leone and the points that Winston lists seem to be right on the money. Clean drinking water is another big issue in Sierra Leone (as their currently still is no capital infrastructure in some parts of the country due to civil war)..and had a thought about what sort of cost effective safe drinking systems could be brought with kecharians? to set up…or help locals in any area they visit.
A friend of Justin’s in the music industry that I met many years ago(and at the wake) is currently working for a company specializing in safe water drinking systems if you decide to proceed further with your train of thought I can get his contact details for you.
I was surfing around on the net awhile back and found an African Therevada Monk on youtube setting up a dharma centre for his people and they were hungry for dharma and was evident to see that dharma can grow anywhere where hearts and minds are open and ready.
Just some thoughts for friends in far off places..
Jason
Thank you Rinpoche! I look forward to seeing you. Here are the answers to your questions:
1. I am from Kenema but live in Bo.
2. I am Mende. I was a teenager during our civil war. (That was in the 1990’s, it is now quite safe except for typhoid and malaria.) Since demobilization I have been working for SLAWS, which works to save stray dogs (there are as many as 100,000 here)
3. Not many. There is a Soka Gakkai group in Freetown. The population is 60 % Muslim, and the rest Christian and / or local beliefs, but there is no problem between different religions, the people here are very tolerant.
4. No, we have freedom here
5. No, but if you came I think masses of people would turn up, and the newspapers would write about you
6. The temperature is 24 to 30 degrees every day all year. The rainy season is May-Oct. Less convenient, but the countryside is greener.
7. I do not think so.
8. Most people are illiterate but the intellectuals would know about the Dalai Lama.
9. Packages can be sent, but usually arrive battered and are often opened. There are also issues with tarriffs. I appreciate very much for your kind and generous gesture, but for something like a Buddha statue (I am guessing), it would be better to bring it in person, when you come.
Happy Losar!
Dear Rinpoche,
The Dharma would definitely benefit Africa, though I suspect there would be many obstacles to overcome in order to establish Buddhism on any appreciable scale.
However, if anyone could make a difference there – it would be you.
You’re right. It only takes a spark to get the fire going.
To think of Sierra Leone a war torn country, we are lucky to be born in a peaceful land, lucky to have a center here, to have a Guru who care and compassionate. But to have luck only is never enough.Opportunity is not an opportunity if it is being valued.
Dear Rinpoche,
I have always loved everything about Africa, nature, animals, culture, good friends…I think that your style of dharma, sense of humour and fun teachings will move minds and hearts and bring peace to many in Sierra Leone (or any place you decide to go). When I read your email I was so happy…but of course if we want to go we need to create the causes for this to happen.
Love n Prayers
Jason