Introduction
Sherpa people have been coming to New York in vast numbers. From only a handful in the mid-eighties to almost two thousand now, our community has grown considerably.
With the growth of our community, came along, naturally, the social need of gathering for communal celebrations such as Losar celebration, Buddha Jayanti celebration, wedding, birthdays, Nauran, and various other gatherings. Every time such need arose, Sherpa people have been renting halls or restaurants. And in such gatherings, and in private, topic of need for a place of our own has been discussed.
The growth of our community also brought out the vital need for a place of worship – a monastery. It can be an Educational center which can function as a school where our young generation of Sherpas can learn our language and culture. There's no doubt it will help us preserve and foster our culture and customs.
Seeing this need for the community, first major step towards building or buying a community center was taken by the board members of the 4th Sherpa Kyidug. The dream was again revived by the current board members of 7th Sherpa Kyidug; United Sherpa Association (Kyidug) of 2006 –2008, and decided to form a Sherpa Cultural Center Committee. In a board meeting of the Kyidug on June 24th , 2007, a decision was reached to form this committee which will work under the umbrella of the Kyidug and their term will be for five years, ending at the Losar Party of the year 2013.
At the meeting of the September 23rd, 2007, 21 board of trustees were chosen for various duties for the newly formed committee to buy or build a Sherpa Cultural Center in New York.