Support Australian monk in Tibetan Buddhist Tradition.
Donation protected
Hi, we’re raising funds for living expenses to support an Australian born Buddhist monk in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, who is studying a doctorate equivalent degree at Sera Je Monastic Institute, India.
Nicholas Kelly, ordained as Jampa Chopel, is a friend of mine of over 20 years and a Buddhist monk for 14 years. His journey of spiritual growth and philosophical and scientific study of Buddhism continues, having begun his journey at Buddha House, Adelaide in the 1990’s he continued at Tibetan Buddhist Institute, Adelaide and then on to advanced studies SeraJey Monastery in India in 2010 where he continues today.
A recent highlight was his scoring over 90% in his debate examinations.
He has studied under several renowned teachers including:
- His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama (who gave his full ordination vows)
- Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche
- Khensur Kangyurwa Lobsang Thubten Rinpoche (who gave his novice monk vows)
- Geshe Yama Rinchen (his current principal teacher)
- Tserkobg Tsenshap Rinpoche
- many others
As a Western monk in a traditional Tibetan setting, Jampa faces unique challenges, such as learning classical and spoken Tibetan. While he’s overcome the non financial ones, due to changing family circumstances he needs new sources of financial support.
While Jampa has been awarded a prestigious Tsadra Foundation scholarship starting March 2025, it wont cover all expenses and he faces immediate challenges that need our support, including paying back a loan of $1050 AUD which he needed for emergency medical and visa expenses recently.
A rare opportunity has emerged for him to receive teachings from one of Tibetan Buddhism’s most respected teachers, but this requires immediate funding for travel and accommodation.
Jampa needs funds for:
- Annual visa and legal fees for staying in India
- Healthcare, clothing and personal hygiene costs not covered by the monastery
- Expenses for educational materials and technology, such as internet
- Basic living costs beyond what the monastery provides for proper nutrition and personal care
- If we can raise enough funds quickly Jampa will be able to afford to travel to special teachings
The upcoming teachings in Bodhgaya are particularly special because Jampa is close to the esteemed teacher Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche and the teachings are on the significant topic of mind training, which is a teaching widely taught in the west and used by Buddhists in daily life to deal with the vicissitudes and difficuties of life and develop a warm heart, love and compassion for all sentient beings.
I’ve observed Jampa is a tried and tested monk in there for the long haul, donating to him is a great investment in the Dharma teachings of the Buddha, which benefit not only Buddhist but many non-Buddhist who learn meditation techniques they can apply in a secular manner for mental and physical well-being and happiness.
I’ve benefited from Jampa’s excellent in-depth knowledge of Dharma, he’s given insightful responses to my Dharma questions, and has helped with Buddhist prayers and rituals for me when I became sick years ago. Jampa would like to connect with supporters and offer to make special prayers or dedications for you or your loved ones for health, happiness and success, or upon the passing of a loved one. He’s also available to answer Dharma or Tibetan language questions. These are all things which will have to fit in around the monastery schedule, which is very busy with study and practices, so best to contact me on my details below so I can coordinate this efficiently.
Your support can make a crucial difference to Jampa’s ability to continue his studies and eventually bring these profound teachings back to the West. Your support mean he won’t be forced abandon his studies or disrobe due to lack of funds.
Please donate, even $1, and please share this fundraiser and Jampa’s story with others who might be interested in supporting. Every contribution, no matter how small, is most gratefully received and really helps Jampa focus on studies rather than financial concerns. If you're unable to donate, please share this with your friends or anyone who may be able to help. I really hope to raise enough for several years of expenses, this is how your funds would be used, for example:
- $10 is internet access for 2 weeks
- $50 pays for a month’s worth of personal health, supplementary food and hygiene items or a set of monastic robes
- $100 would go towards annual visa renewal fees
- $250 would contribute to his attendance at the upcoming Bodhgaya teachings starting Jan 3rd 2025.
- $500 contributes medical funds for Dr appointments and travel to them, dentistry, eye checks and medicine to treat various vitamin deficiencies.
As you may know, the climate and environment in India presents many health challenges, especially for people who haven’t grown up there.
By supporting Jampa, you’re helping more than one person, you’re contributing to the preservation of Tibetan Buddhist scholarship and building bridges between Eastern and Western Buddhist traditions. This is something western Buddhists need, Buddhist teachers with experience growing up as westerners.
Many other Australian and western monks have left Sera monastery for various reasons and some have disrobed. However Jampa has remained very determined to overcome any obstacle he faces to continue studying as a monk.
I personally know Jampa loves being a Buddhist monk and that he needs financial support in order to do that.
Giving generously to a worthy cause like this, with a good heart and pure motivation helps not only Jampa, it also gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing to the survival of the religious and cultural tradition of Tibet.
From my heart, I encourage you to be part of a meaningful journey in Dharma. If you have any questions, please contact myself or Ben (contact details below). We will respond as soon as practicable, given I have a permanent disability which causes my level of functioning to fluctuate, and Ben runs his own small business.
Please also friend request Jampa on Facebook at and we’re thinking of setting up a Whatsapp and/or Messenger group for supporters if you’re interested. Please let me know what type of connection you’d like to make with Jampa, and which format would suit you. For example would you prefer group chats, personal correspondence, online question and answer sessions about Buddhism, meditation, life in the monastery or something else? Let us know which platform would you prefer, Zoom, Youtube, other. If you're tech savvy (cos I'm not) and can assist with online groups or meetings please contact myself or Ben, we'd love to hear from you.
Part of the ethics of fully ordained Buddhist monks and nuns is that they try to avoid directly asking for specific things. Jampa and I had been communicating and I became aware his family circumstances had changed and realised he was in need of new sources of funding in order to continue to be a monk and study Buddhism. With that in mine I said I'd like to fundraise for him and make connections for ongoing support. I asked Jampa to tell me what his regular expenses are, how much, and for what.
While I hope to raise enough for several years, I’m also keen to find people who can offer a regular amount of $5 to $10 AUD per month to give a more secure future for Jampa. We’ve discussed ways to provide proof of expenditure, with receipts when receipts are given, or with photo evidence, etc. (many purchases don’t come with receipts in India)
with many thanks and best wishes, Lily Pearce.
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Contact details:
Questions or suggestions about fundraiser please contact Lily or Ben
Lily Pearce
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lily.pearce.12
Email: [email redacted]
Ben Aitchison
Email: [email redacted]
To connect with Jampa on social media:
Co-organizers (1)
Lily Pearce
Organizer
Holland Park West, QLD
Ben Aitchison
Co-organizer