“I fully support Ms. Shaftel’s endeavours [in Treasure Caretaker Training] and ask all of you who are concerned about the preservation of the living tradition of Buddhist art to offer your full cooperations and whatever support is possible to facilitate this valuable training.”

“Treasure Caretaker Training was extremely helpful to us at Tergar Osel Ling Monastery as we rebuilt after the earthquake in Nepal. We deeply appreciate having the knowledge needed to protect our sacred artwork for many, many years into the future.”

“For decades, Ann Shaftel and the Treasure Caretaker Training project have shared their expertise with many institutions and individuals in the Himalayan region and beyond so that the precious literary and artistic treasures of Buddhist traditions may be skillfully preserved. I am delighted with regard to the new initiative, the Preservation of Buddhist Treasures Resource, which will make this carefully developed and unique skill set even more impactful. I offer my best wishes, blessings, and prayers for the success of this worthy altruistic endeavor.”

“It is a very good project to save precious thangka: it would be very beneficial and good merit to save the Buddha’s image. Keep doing this great job with good motivation to benefit all sentient beings. I will pray for your success.”

“This is a great project that could use your support. Please consider helping if you can.”

Lama Ngodup Dorji is the XVth lineage lama of Shingkhar in Bumthang, Bhutan. Shingkhar Dechenling is one of the eight important places established by Omniscient Longchenpa in Bhutan. in the 1350s. Lama Ngodup graduated with a Master’s Degree in Buddhist Philosophy from Ngagyur Nyingma Institute, established by H.H. Penor Rinpoche in India. He is the founder and chair of Ati Foundation and Longchenpa Center. In 2005 in Bhutan, Lama Ngodup met Conservator Ann Shaftel who was teaching Thangka Conservation there. He now serves as an advisor for the Treasure Caretaker Training.

Hindi Translation and Art History Advisor

Born in Tungi, Nalanda, Bihar; Abhijeet Kumar is an Independent Art Historian. He is well versed in the analysis of formal and iconographic features of Buddhist images with the textual and visual parallels in the of Buddhist narratives found in various periods on historical timelines across many countries.

Hindi Translation and India Country Advisor

Aishwarya works with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Ministry of Culture, on the New India Garden Project under the Central Vista Redevelopment Project of the Government of India. Academically, she is trained in Ancient Indian History, Art and Cultural Heritage of India. She participated in a Preservation of Monastery Treasures workshop and appears in Treasure Caretaker Training zooms. 

Birat Raj Bajrachary is a rising researcher who has expertise in various tangible and intangible heritage. Being gold medalist of Lumbini Buddhist University, he is equally active in non academic field and grounded to culture. He is a translator of Tibetan, Nepali, English and Nepal Bhasa, art promoter and Nepalese manuscript transcriber.

Consulting Conservator

Craig Deller is a Senior Objects conservator based in the United States and elected Fellow with the American Institute for Conservation. A longtime student of Buddhism, he works closely with the conservation community in Thailand as an advocate for the preservation of monastery collections along with the Conservation of Ancient Log Coffins of Phi Man Long Long Rak Cave, Mae Hong Son Project, supported by The U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).

Web Design

Jess McNally is a web designer, science writer and entrepreneur. She is a long-time Buddhist practitioner and former Buddhist nun. She teaches meditation independently and through the Tergar Meditation Community. Her main teachers are Mingyur Rinpoche and Tsoknyi Rinpoche.

Video Editor

Karma Deki is a celebrated female director from Bhutan known for her powerful storytelling and focus on marginalized communities. She is also the CEO of Bhutan Reel Stories, an advocate for greater inclusivity in the film industry, and the President of Women in Film and Television, Bhutan.

Vietnamese Translation

Nguyen Thao Nguyễn was born in Vietnam and has an interest in Buddhist philosophy. She lives in Canada with her family, and works and a financial analyst.

Mandarin Translation and Cultural Heritage Advisor

Tsunma Miao Lin, born in China, was ordained in Taiwan in 2005. She's been following Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's teachings since 2007 and had translated for Rinpoche in numerous Dharma talks and meditation programs. Tsunma Miao Lin also translated two of Mingyur Rinpoche's books "Turning Confusion into Clarity" and "In Love with the World", as well as 4 other Buddhist books from English into Chinese.