KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 11

The Thangkar Dechen Choling Monastery held a launch event for the recent Nepali translation of 'Live Strong and Happily,' a book authored by Khangser Rinpoche and translated by Prof. Milan Shakya, which aims to provide guidance on achieving peace of mind, on Sunday.

With mental health issues such as depression, substance abuse, and suicidal tendencies on the rise globally, the translation comes at a critical moment as young people face growing threats to their wellbeing.

'People often inquire what I believe the most important thing in life is. My response is that attaining peace of mind should be one the highest priority in one's pursuits. This book aims to illuminate the path of achieving mental peace', said Khangser Rimpoche while addressing the crowd.

The event hosted several notable guests, including Nepal's Health Minister Mohan Basnet as chief guest and Mrs.Madhusha, a representative from the Sri Lankan embassy to Nepal. In addition, the Dean, faculty of Buddhist Studies, Lumbini Buddhist University Dr. Manik Ratna Shakya was in attendance, along with hundreds of devotees who came to receive blessings from Khangser Rinpoche.

During his address, Health Minister Mohan Basnet touched on the value of living a healthy, balanced lifestyle - an emphasis that runs throughout Rinpoche's work. 'At a time when many diseases can be linked to mental health, the wisdom of this book will be relevant to many people', said health minister Basnet in his address.

The dignitaries noted in their speech that accessibility and relevance of 'Live Strong and Happily' could be vital in equipping young people with the insights they need to navigate mental health challenges. As Dr. Manik Ratna Shakya noted, Khangser Rinpoche has a unique ability to connect with younger audiences with clear and practical discourses.

With the Nepali translation now available, the monastery hopes to distribute copies free of charge to make it accessible to everyone. Tackling the mental health crisis will require addressing root causes, not just symptoms - and 'Live Strong and Happily' gets to the very roots of peace and human mind.