We are happy to inform you that as of April 5th, after a long procedure, our Association has transformed itself into the Sangha Foundation ETS, thereby acquiring legal status, a necessary step for its registration within the organizations of the 'Third Sector' and for the management of the association's assets for the construction of the Lhungtok Choekhorling Monastery in Pomaia.
The ongoing operations to start building the Monastery require a stable and certain regulatory framework. However, this stability is not ensured by the current regulations governing non-profit organizations, which will become obsolete once the European Community approves the tax regime for the Third Sector.
Furthermore, the increasingly complex management of assets for the construction of the Monastery would have entailed a worsening of personal liability for individuals actively engaged in business activities on behalf of the association. The transformation addresses this issue by confining the responsibility for debts contracted by the foundation to its own assets.
With the transformation, there was also an opportunity to clarify and expand the objectives of the 'new' entity. They now encompass a commitment to environmental protection, ensuring the preservation of wildlife habitats and the welfare of animals. These aims are in addition to upholding the Dharma and religious practices, as well as fostering collaboration with other humanitarian, cultural, and religious organizations, and supporting dialogue initiatives.
Ultimately, with this transformation we have now been equipped with the most suitable legal instrument to pursue the construction of the Monastery, an initiative strongly desired by the Ven. Geshe Jampa Gyatso, Kyabje Thubten Zopa Rinpoche and blessed by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama.