In 1976, during
Lama Yeshe’s and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche’s
second course held in Italy, there was discussion
of the imminent construction of a Buddhist
center in Italy (ILTK), and the consideration
arose that in the West there was a lack of
a social and economic structure in which practitioners
of Buddhism could meet. In seeking to bridge
this gap, two senior students of Lama Yeshe
and Lama Zopa founded Shiné
in 1979, on the basis of a previously existing
economic activity.
Shiné’s goal is to sustain the
activities of the FPMT, and it is therefore
not exactly a Buddhist center with religious,
cultural, and humanitarian objectives, but
an instrument aimed toward serving other centers.
All of its resources are directed to the Monks
and Nuns Fund, to Mandala magazine (the FPMT
magazine), to editorial activities, and to
other projects. One of these is Yeshe Norbu
– Appeal for Tibet, which is concerned
with long-distance adoption of children.
Shiné is located in the same building
as the Lama Tzong Khapa Institute, where it
produces a wide range of high-quality silver
objects: jeweled necklaces, bracelets, earrings,
rings, as well as household and gift items
such as inkpots, pens, magnifying glasses,
letter openers, picture frames, bells for
children, etc., which can be found in many
stores in Italy and abroad.
The Shiné collection can be seen at:
www.shinegioielli.it
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