The Tergar Mandala Year Ahead
A shared reflection on where we’ve been and where we’re going.
Guided by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, we offer a Mandala-wide view of the collective work, aspirations, and unfolding priorities across Tergar organizations in 2025–2026.
The Tergar Sangha encompasses the spiritual community of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. It includes the ancient unbroken lineage and experiential teachings, the teachers (past and present), and the practices and rituals that support the path — along with the wider community of monastic and lay practitioners around the world.
At its heart, the Tergar Sangha is about the people, the teachings, and the shared journey of practice. The organizations within Mingyur Rinpoche’s mandala exist to support and sustain the Sangha’s activities.
What is the Tergar Mandala?
The Tergar Mandala is a global network of 10 independent, mission-aligned nonprofit organizations working together to alleviate suffering, support the recognition of innate well-being, and care for our natural environment — all under the guidance of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche.
Dharma & Study Organizations
Social & Environmental Engagement
Mandala Highlights: 2025–2026
A Mandala-wide reflection highlighting collective impact in 2025 and shared priorities for 2026.
Dharma & Study Organizations
2025 Impact
- Advanced construction of the main shrine hall, laying a strong foundation for its completion.
- Provided structured Buddhist education for our sangha through the ongoing programs of the Tergar Shedra.
- Hosted two major practice events: the profound Ngatso Drupchen and an extensive 7-day global teaching for devotees.
- Joyfully inaugurated the new Tergar Cafe, enhancing community space and hospitality.
- Successfully organized and hosted Kagyu Guncho, the special Kagyu Winter Dharma Gathering.
2026 Priorities
- Taking full initiative to organise the Kagyu Guncho (Kagyu Winter Dharma Gathering).
- Finalize construction of the new kitchen and dining hall facility, greatly improving our infrastructure for residents and visitors.
- Complete the main shrine hall and host its grand opening ceremony, a landmark moment for Tergar monastery.
- Organize a historic visit with teachings and events by His Holiness the 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa.
- Celebrate the 4th Graduation Ceremony of the Tergar Shedra, honoring the dedicated study of our sangha members.
2025 Impact
- 253 individuals supported, including monks, teachers, and local staff
- Free primary education provided for Buddhist children (LKG–Class 6)
- Ongoing pathway for students to continue studies at Osel Ling Shedra
2026 Priorities
- Construction of small monks’ rooms and classroom facilities to support growing educational needs
2025 Impact
- Graduated our first cohort of 19 students from our Certificate Program in Applied Buddhism
- Successfully delivered our first collaborative courses with Tergar Osel Ling and Tergar International
- Offered our newly iterated Social Impact Project program to our incoming cohort of students, Fall 2026
- Launched the Living Dharma Podcast, featuring guest speakers such as Mingyur Rinpoche, Roshi Joan Halifax and Joseph Goldstein
2026 Priorities
- Launch the Living Dharma Ecosystem on our website, featuring the podcast series, blog and student project features
- Design our first post-graduate Vajrayana course focusing on Karma Chakme’s Mountain Dharma
- Iterate the Social Impact Project program for our second and third year students
- Expand our notoriety amongst Buddhist Studies programs throughout North America and Europe
2025 Impact
- 400+ participants welcomed at the first major gathering at Tergar Samadhi, Portugal
- Continued short and monthlong retreats at Karuna Retreat Center
- Growing international and local community engagement
2026 Priorities
- Opening of campground at Tergar Samadhi
- Beginning construction of three-year retreat facilities
- Expanded short and monthlong retreat offerings
- Continued quiet-phase capital campaign development
Meditation & Practice Communities
2025 Impact
- Two international retreats serving 800+ in-person participants
- Cross-language volunteer teams supporting programs across Asia
- Tens of thousands of online prayer offerings and over 100 deceased prayers completed
- Continued expansion of online teachings connecting students across cultures
2026 Priorities
- Rinpoche teaching across 9 Asian regions
- Historic opening of Tergar Osel Ling Monastery
- Global celebration of Rinpoche’s 50th birthday
- Deepening cross-regional practice networks through hybrid offerings
- Joy of Living Mobile App launched, making meditation accessible on smartphones worldwide via the App Store and Google Play
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Joy of Living Cohort Model introduced, transforming self-paced learning into connected, supported communities
- Nearly 500 participants from 36 countries served across multiple cohorts
- Measurable well-being outcomes achieved within 6–8 weeks, including improved focus, resilience, and sustained engagement
-
Meditation Teacher Program expanded globally, serving practitioners across all time zones
- ~250 students enrolled, with nearly 200 graduating in 2025
- Vajrayana Online courses launched in Chinese, removing language barriers to authentic lineage transmission
2025 Impact
2026 Priorities
-
Young Adult Initiative
- Developing meditation programs designed to meet the mental health, resilience, and life challenges facing young adults today
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Changemakers & Influencers Initiative
- Engaging leaders, educators, and influencers whose contemplative practice can create ripple effects across organizations and communities
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Full Joy of Living curriculum in the mobile app
- Expanding the app into a complete meditation training platform for mobile-first learners
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Expanded language access & community support
- Continued growth of multilingual offerings, strengthened support for 120+ global practice groups, and resources for specialized communities (aging practitioners, neurodivergent individuals, parents, and climate-concerned practitioners)
Social & Environmental Engagement
2025 Impact
- 50,000 tree seedlings growing at 3,900m in Samdo nursery
- 70% reduction in potato wart disease in Samagaun & Samdo
- Emergency veterinary response serving 823 animals across Tsum & Nubri
- Expansion of sustainable livelihoods (yak cheese production, rose hip exports)
2026 Priorities
- Drone-assisted reforestation & planting 20,000 trees
- Waste management initiatives in Manaslu & Samagaun (with Queen’s University)
- Second Nubri Trail Race
- Expanded animal sterilization & vaccination campaigns
2025 Impact
- One-year anniversary of Philim Kindergarten serving 45 children
- Employment and training of six local women educators
- Educational support reaching ~200 children across remote Himalayan valleys
2026 Priorities
- Child sponsorship expansion (28 children seeking sponsors)
- Mobile health outreach in Hyolmo region
- Playground construction for Philim Kindergarten
- Exploration of a Buddhist pilgrimage fundraiser
- Education & care at Tergar School Kathmandu: Ran a full academic year educating and fully supporting 82 students, providing meals, clothing, and holistic care, while employing 13 teachers, 15 care staff, and 3 administrators.
- Showcasing the Tergar Schools model: Presented a comprehensive overview of our contemplative, child-centered approach at Stanford University’s Contemplation by Design Summit, highlighting the integration of mindfulness and experiential learning.
- Teacher professional development: Delivered ongoing professional development sessions for Tergar School, Kathmandu teachers, strengthening pedagogical skills and resilience-based teaching practices.
- Foundational preparation for Yolmo School: Completed all preparatory work to begin construction in early 2026, including land preparation, administrative frameworks, and government permissions.
- Global profile and philanthropic presence: Raised awareness of Tergar Schools as a social impact initiative within Mingyur Rinpoche’s mandala to the wider Global Tergar community and beyond.
2025 Impact
2026 Priorities
- Sustain excellence at Tergar Kathmandu: Continue delivering high-quality education and holistic care for existing students, maintaining staff development and wellbeing.
- Advance Yolmo Campus Construction: Begin building the Yolmo Campus, including the medical building, residential quarters and initial classroom spaces.
- Prepare for Yolmo School launch: Begin foundational planning for student admissions and staffing, targeting a small cohort of students in early 2028.
- Expand teacher training and professional development: Deepen teacher mentoring and ongoing professional development to strengthen skills within our schools in Nepal and more broadly across contemplative education, strengthening educational quality within our Nepal schools and contributing to the wider field of contemplative education.
- Increase global engagement and support: Further raise the profile of Tergar Schools internationally, strengthening connections with donors, the global Tergar community and the public to secure sustainable support for future growth.
2025 Impact
- Convened leadership meetings in Portugal bringing together the Tergar Mandala of organizations to strengthen coordination, expand communications, and develop joint initiatives.
- Collected donations for Tergar Retreats in support of Tergar Samadhi Retreat center and its Welcome Celebration gathering. The Yongey Foundation now receives donations for 8 of the 10 Tergar Mandala organizations (Dharma, Education & Social engagement)
- Forged new publishing agreements for the release of upcoming books written by Mingyur Rinpoche.
- Started the planning process for the Osel Ling Grand opening ceremony collectively with the other Tergar Mandala of organizations.
2026 Priorities
- Continue educating the broader Tergar Sangha about the Tergar Mandala—strengthening our shared commitment to Rinpoche’s vision while honoring each organization’s unique mission and impact.
- Develop a framework for the Mandala Year Ahead Annual event
- Convening additional monthly leadership meetings for the Tergar Mandala of organizations following the Osel Ling ceremony in Kathmandu.
- Implement a mandala wide scheduling and calendar system.
- Expansion of donation systems and pathways to provide greater clarity for donors and the projects they wish to support via the Yongey Foundation and Tergar Sangha websites.
- Support the creation of Tergar Osel Ling’s Grand Opening Documentary featuring Mingyur Rinpoche and the Tergar Mandala
Making an Offering
The Yongey Foundation collects donations for Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche’s global Dharma, Education and Social Engagement activities. We can designate your charitable contribution to a specific project or organization at your request or you can support the Mandala wide initiatives through our General Fund.
Stay Connected
Stay connected with project updates, reminders, and Mandala-wide news shared throughout the year by the Yongey Foundation.