Charity

Samten has been set up to build a global compassionate community. Our aim is to increase happiness, alleviate suffering and to change the mindset of the world.

Key to the vision is that 50% of the company's profits will be donated to charity, namely Rokpa Trust - a registered charity which has three main areas of activity: spirituality, humanitarian aid, and therapy. Their activity extends around the world through an international network of projects and centres. Another charity which will be helped by Samten is Samye Foundation Wales, a mindfulness and wellbeing organisation.

The Headquarters of Rokpa Trust are at Kagyu Samye Ling - the first Tibetan Buddhist Centre to be established in the West was founded in 1967 by two spiritual masters, Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche and Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. In addition to the headquarters in Scotland, there are Kagyu Samye Dzong branch centres in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff, Scarborough, The Highlands and Surrey, as well as affiliated centres worldwide.

Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, the brother of Akong Rinpoche, is Chairman of Rokpa Trust and holds the title of Abbot of Kagyu Samye Ling. The link between Rokpa Trust and samten is provided by Gelong Thubten, founding partner of Samten. Thubten was taught and mentored by Akong Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe and other spiritual masters and is now Director of Kagyu Samye Dzong Scarborough and a Trustee of ROKPA International.

In furthering his purpose of spreading meditation teachings in the world, Thubten developed Samten with Jamie Watkins. In donating 50% of the company's profits back to Rokpa Trust and the Samye Ling centres, as well as to Samye Foundation Wales, the founding members will continue their aim of spreading compassion and alleviating suffering.