Former Utahn helping kids in Katmandu

Eleven years ago, when Luke Hanley had the opportunity to interview some Buddhist monks as part of a TV production class at Park City High School, he realized he'd found what he wanted to do with his life.

Not interview Buddhist monks.

But become one.

He eventually made his way to Katmandu, the capital of Nepal, where he enrolled in a monastery and learned Buddhism at the feet of a lama.

He was taught the broad Buddhist perspective on the world and on humanity, including the basic tenet of Buddhism that everyone should be treated as if they're your own children or parents.

Luke took that literally. So literally, that when he passed the ubiquitous beggar children in Katmandu on his way to and from the monastery — kids who sleep in the jungle and eat garbage off the streets — he saw them as his own children sleeping in the jungle and eating garbage off the streets.

That realization caused him to rethink his path to official monkdom.

Instead of returning to the monastery for more meditation, he chose instead to form an organization he calls Padma — the Sanskrit word for "lotus" or "blooming flower" — that is dedicated to getting those kids off the streets.

Meet the fledgling Father Flanagan of Nepal.

"When I saw those kids, I felt my choice was made for me," says Hanley, 26, of the decision to dedicate his young life to Katmandu's orphans.

In August, he partnered with Anjit Bista, a fellow Buddhist, to open a small orphanage called the Optimistic Children and Youth Home of Nepal, or OCAYHN for short. So far they've pulled in 15 kids from the jungle to live at OCAYHN. By the end of this month they hope to double that to 30.

After that, who knows?

Luke has been back home since September, raising money. This Friday at the Fuego Italian Bistro and Pizzeria in Park City, beginning at 6 p.m., he will oversee an evening-long party and auction that he hopes will keep the orphanage going and growing. Tax-deductible donations will be accepted at the door, and a number of items will be auctioned, including ski days with Olympic and pro skiers.

Also, an aspiring Eagle Scout from Heber City, Spencer Lowe, will be gathering winter clothes and toothbrushes for the kids in Nepal.

You can see pictures of the orphan kids and learn more information about the project at www.padmanepal.org.