Milan, Italy

The Kunpen Lama Gangchen was founded in 1989 as an institute for the diffusion and study of traditional Tibetan medicine and Buddhist philosophy. Over the years, it has grown to include the meditative practices of Tantric NgalSo Self-Healing and Peace Education.

The NgalSo lineage transmitted by Lama Gangchen has been passed down directly from traditional teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni. Kunpen Lama Gangchen is also a member of the Italian Buddhist Union.

The centre has always hosted great Lamas who have granted special initiations and blessings to the members and students there. These include Geshe Yeshe Tobten, Gelek Rinpoche, Ribur Rinpoche, Geshe Yeshe Wangchuk, Geshe Tendar, Geshe Nawang Sherab, Geshe Lobsang Tenzin, Professor Dompe Yonten Gyatso and Panchen Otrul Rinpoche. Recently, the institute had the honor of hosting the young reincarnated H.H. Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche.

Many important projects dedicated to peace originated from this centre, including the Lama Gangchen World Peace Foundation, the Spiritual Forum, the Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre (a center dedicated to spiritual retreats on the Lake Maggiore), the Help in Action organization for long-distance adoptions; the publishing house, Peace Publication, and the musical group, United Peace Voices.

In May 2003, during the acknowledgment by the United Nations of the Wesak festival, the Kunpen Lama Gangchen had the honor of hosting the Sacred Relics of the Buddha, for the first time in Italy. Since then, the Kunpen Lama Gangchen commemorates this special event annually.