This year, we are delighted to be celebrating 25 years of Karuna-Shechen. It’s an opportunity to look back at this great collective adventure. We are guided by altruism, commitment, and solidarity as we take concrete actions together with our many communities.
I’ve been lucky enough to live in the Himalayas for over fifty years. For the first twenty-five years, I was aware of the needs of the people, but without the means to act. That all changed with the publication of The Monk and the Philosopher. Inspired by my spiritual master, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, who dedicated his life to helping others, and guided by the ideal of altruism in action, I decided to use all my royalties to fund humanitarian projects. I then did the same with all of my books, conferences and photographic exhibitions.
From 2000 onwards, we carried out around forty projects – schools, bridges, dispensaries, homes for the elderly, – in Tibet, Nepal and India. Then, in a bid to offer lasting help to vulnerable populations, we officially founded Karuna-Shechen. Karuna means compassion in Sanskrit, the quality of the heart that drives us to alleviate the suffering of others. With enthusiastic friends and loyal benefactors, we put our ideals into action. Little by little, our organisation has grown, adapting to changing needs and evolving in harmony with our environment.
As I look back on the road we have travelled, I feel immense gratitude towards all those who have helped my dream become a reality. In twenty-five years, Karuna-Shechen has grown from a modest initiative to a structured and professional organisation, faithful to its mission: to relieve suffering by cultivating cooperation and benevolence.
Over the years our projects have multiplied. We have built schools and dispensaries, designed women’s empowerment programs, and provided emergency aid. After the 2015 earthquake in Nepal we supported more than 200,000 people in 220 villages. Most recently, we launched a Resilience program, which helps social workers and carers avoid burnout through an altruistic presence.
In the space of a quarter of a century, we have seen villages transformed thanks to the commitment of their inhabitants. We’ve helped thousands of children get a quality education, supported women to become economically self-sufficient, facilitated access to healthcare, and encouraged the development of sustainable vegetable gardens. Each project strengthens the autonomy and resilience of communities, giving them the means to build their own future. Each year, Karuna-Shechen projects benefit 500,000 people directly and almost a million indirectly.
We are convinced that altruism is a concrete response to the challenges of our time and a path towards a more caring world. Karuna-Shechen invites each and every one to cultivate this benevolence, through spiritual training and practical commitment.
This creation of Karuna-Shechen is above all a story of cooperation. Nothing would have been possible without our teams on the ground, or without the trust and support of those who work with us.
The challenges remain immense. Inequalities, social injustice and climate change are worsening, reminding us of the urgent need to act together. But we remain convinced that altruism, benevolence and cooperation are the keys to a better future.
As we celebrate 25 years, we renew our commitment to serving others to the best of our ability.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart
To our teams in India, Nepal and France, who work with humility and determination to improve the lives of thousands of people.
To our volunteers and partners, who give their time and energy to help this human adventure grow.
To our benefactors, whose generosity transforms altruism into action.
Together, let’s continue to sow the seeds of goodwill and hope.
Since its creation, Karuna-Shechen has been committed to reducing poverty and enabling the most vulnerable women, men and children to express their full potential. It’s not just the story of one organisation: it’s the story of a collective movement driven by thousands of people – donors, volunteers, partners and beneficiaries – united by the same vision. Throughout 2025, don’t miss the personal stories of those who illustrate this shared trajectory.