Drikung Ratna Shri Institute (Formerly Drikung Dzogchen Center of Arizona) founder Tom Cox has worked for 20 years exhausting his every last resource to keep the Dharma alive in Tucson and is now at the end of his financial rope. He’s turning to the community for help with one month’s mortgage and utilities while we work on a long term solution~

The Drikung Ratnashri institute was always on my radar being a native of Arizona, but it wasn’t until I moved to Tucson one month ago that I reached out to make a connection.

When my family got moved in, I looked up the center and called the number listed. I chatted with Tom, who informed me of upcoming events. He also mentioned a construction project at the center, which I volunteered to help with.

As we worked, I chatted Tom up and started learning some details about his involvement with this center and was blown away. I learned over the din of construction that Tom had spent upwards of $100,000 over the last 20 years for one purpose— to keep the rare and precious teachings of the Buddha Dharma alive in Tucson by bringing high and esteemed lamas from all over the world to teach. All this while he himself lives in a tiny house in the back of the property in very modest conditions. Over the years Tom has hosted none other than H.E. Garchen Rinpoche, H.E. Ontul Rinpoche, Lho Karma Ratna Rinpoche, Ven. Khenpo Dondhup Rinpoche, Yogi Lama Gursam, Jigme Lodro Rinpoche and others. He hopes to keep going into perpetuity, but is now at the very end of his financial rope, and can’t afford to pay the mortgage and utilities for next month.

Meeting Tom and seeing the state of the situation, my heart was stirred and I couldn’t help but do my best to get him out of this position finds himself in. Besides this crowdfunding campaign, we're working on getting diversified streams of income flowing into the center that I myself will run free of charge. Tom is an elder in the community and in the Dharma, and deserves some help for his years of striving to benefit beings.

We only have until the 1st of October to meet our $2000 goal, so every single donation of any amount is extremely helpful. I implore you to take the opportunity to make some merit and benefit beings!