Harish Golay Tamang (officially known as Harish Lama) was born on December 13, 1997, in Tistung-12, Thaha Municipality, Makawanpur, Nepal. He has devoted his life to promoting Buddhist principles, engaging youth in spiritual and community work, and preserving the cultural heritage of Nepal, particularly the Tamang Buddhist community.

Leadership Roles and Contributions:

Currently, Harish serves as the General Secretary of the Tamang Buddhist Federation Nepal, a position he has held since August 03, 2023. In this role, he collaborates with local and national stakeholders to protect the values, traditions, and teachings of the Tamang Buddhist community. His responsibilities include overseeing cultural preservation programs, religious education, and community empowerment initiatives. He organizes events, advocates for Tamang representation in socio-political spheres, and manages projects aimed at addressing the socio-economic needs of the Tamang people.

From March 1, 2016, to till now, Harish served as the Senior Secretary of the Shree Boudha and Melamchi Ghyang Guthi, responsible for managing the UNESCO World Heritage Site Boudhanath Stupa in Boudha, Kathmandu. His role involved overseeing the administration of the stupa, ensuring its preservation, organizing religious festivals, and coordinating with government and international organizations to promote its significance globally. He played a key role in maintaining the site’s spiritual sanctity while ensuring it remained a beacon of peace and Buddhist teachings.

In 2017, Harish founded the Maitri Buddhist Youth Society, where he serves as the Founder President. The organization aims to inspire young people to engage with Buddhist teachings and community service. Through this platform, Harish has led various programs focused on spiritual education, youth leadership, and community-building, promoting values like compassion, mindfulness, and social responsibility among the Tamang and broader Buddhist communities.

Additionally, since December 25, 2020, Harish has served as the Secretary of the Nepal Buddhist Nyingma Palyul Association, which promotes the Nyingma tradition of Mahayana Buddhism in Nepal. In this role, he works with spiritual leaders and community members to preserve religious teachings, organize prayer ceremonies, and ensure the sustainability of Palyul traditions within the community. His duties include managing religious events, facilitating communication with spiritual leaders, and engaging with international Buddhist organizations.

Educational Background:

Harish is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) at Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, in Kathmandu, a program he began on June 20, 2018. His academic focus lies in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, where he studies subjects that deepen his understanding of Nepalese history, culture, and social structures.

Before his university education, Harish completed his Higher Secondary Education at Laligurans Rastriya Secondary School in Kathmandu from July 1, 2014, to February 28, 2017. He earned his School Leaving Certificate from Tri-Padma Vidhyashram Higher Secondary School in Lalitpur, where he studied from November 1, 2008, to June 13, 2014.

Research and Publications:

In 2018, Harish write a book Published by Government of Nepal, National Federation for Indigenous Nationalities in 2018)

a significant research work titled “Golay Samajko Maulik Parichaya,” which focuses on the Golay caste within the Tamang indigenous community of Makawanpur District. The book is the result of a year-long research project exploring the historical background, social structures, and economic conditions of the Golay Tamang community, aiming to document and preserve their cultural heritage while offering solutions for their social and economic development.

International Conferences and Seminars:

Harish has participated in several international forums focused on youth empowerment and sustainable development. In January 2018, he took part in the 3rd Asia Pacific Youth Exchange in Bangkok, Thailand, where he engaged in workshops on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), social entrepreneurship, and project management. In March 2021, he participated in the Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) Youth Forum as a country facilitator, discussing post-COVID-19 recovery and the role of youth in achieving sustainability. He continued his involvement with the APFSD Youth Forum in 2022, where discussions centred on digitalization and inclusivity. In 2022, he also attended the Southeast Asia Development Symposium organized by the Asian Development Bank, focusing on economic resilience, climate action, and social inclusion.

Honours, Awards, and Certificates:

Throughout his journey, Harish has received several honours and awards for his contributions to community service, leadership, and cultural preservation, including:

• Winner’s Certificate from Nepal National Teacher’s Association (2008)
• Second Place in Quiz from Tri-Padma Higher Secondary School (2011)
• Honour Certificate for Seminar Against Drugs from Durable Group Nepal (2013)
• Recommendation Letter from the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Youth & Sports (2017)
• Empowerment Certificate from His Eminence Lhatul Rinpoche, Chief Patron of Nepal Buddhist Nyingma Palyul Association (2020)
• Honour Certificate from the Nepal National Tamang Ghedung (2021)
• Participant certificate in 3rd Asia Pacific Youth Exchange Thailand (1Oth to 26th January 2018)
• Certificates of Appreciation & Participation at Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) Youth Forum (14th to 16th March 2021)
• Certificates of Participation at Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) Youth Forum and the Asia and the Pacific Regional ECOSOC Youth Form 2022 (19th to 21st March 2022)
• Participation Certificate in Consultation on Skills and Employability oy UNICEF (24th August 2021)
• Attendance Certificate in Southeast Asia Development Symposium 2022 by Asian Development Bank (16th to 17th March 2021)
• Participation Certificate in Asia Pacific Youth Symposium (12th to 27th August 2021)
• Participant as a High-Level Delegation at The 6^th World Buddhist Forum, Mount Xuedou, Ningbo Zhejiang, China by; The Buddhist Association of China, 13^th Oct. to 19^th Oct. 2024.

Skills and Interests:

Harish has developed strong leadership and organizational skills through his work. He is fluent in Nepali and Tamang, with proficiency in English (B2 level). His hobbies include documentary-making, photography, Meditation & Spiritual Practices and exploring creative outlets such as music, art, and poetry. Harish is also interested in digital advancements and continually seeks to improve his project management skills.

His journey has been one of service, leadership, and learning, and he remains committed to preserving cultural heritage, empowering the next generation of Buddhist youth, and promoting sustainable development within his community.