The ITBCI school poster

Object location: Living room

The Indo-Tibet Buddhist Cultural Institute School was founded by Dhardo Rinpoche in Kalimpong in 1954 to cater for the children of Tibetan refugees and for refugees orphaned by the Chinese takeover of Tibet in the early 1950s. While he was still living in India, Sangharakshita often helped Rinpoche with matters relating to the school. Later, when back in the West, he encouraged members of the Triratna Buddhist Order to help fund the activities of the school. This banner was sent to Sangharakshita by Dhardo Rinpoche's successor, the new tulku, in 2014 on the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the school. In recognition of his services to the school and his exceptionally close connection to Dhardo Rinpoche, Sangharakshita's picture also appears on the banner. Central is the emblem from the school flag.

The three elements of the (school) motto (are) inscribed at the bottom: ‘Cherish the Dharma’ is shown in the Way (of the wafting Banner) and the Wheel, the Triratna and Trikaya; to ‘Live United’ is seen in the three strange animals; while to ‘Radiate Love’ is expressed by the symbol of the sun in the void.

Indo-Tibet Buddhist Cultural Institute School Report, 1963