Charitable Activities

Puja to bless the site of the Stupa of Complete Victory at Kopan Monastery

We are so excited to share the news that the Stupa of Complete Victory being built at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return is well underway. 

Extensive work underway for the Stupa of Complete Victory at Kopan Monastery.

In October 2023 special pujas for the groundbreaking and blessing of the area and asking permission from the local spirits were carefully conducted by Kopan Lama Gyupa monks. These elaborate pujas are very important for the overall success of the project and auspiciousness.

Video of the blessing of the site where the stupa will be located:

Area where the Stupa of Complete Victory will be built, Kiopan Monastery.

In December, the area where the stupa will be built was carefully marked out, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi, Gen Tenpa Choden, and Gen Shenphen were present with the main builders for this important step.

Gen Shenphen with the main builder of the Stupa of Complete Victory.

 The stupa will be located on the northeast side of the Stupa Garden at Kopan Monastery where the stupas of Geshe Lama Konchog and Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lhundup are situated.

This stupa will be facing exactly mid-way between Swayambhunath stupa and Boudhanath stupa. Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s stupa will be built from the level below, enlarging the whole area and enabling for there to be two retreat rooms under the stupa.

In late December extensive excavation of the project began, digging into the hill, removing the vast amount of soil, and then placing the pilings and foundations for the building on which the stupa will be built.

In January 2024 the building continues, Gen Shenphen and Gen Tenpa Choden are the main people overseeing this incredible project.

Video of the building work underway:

We expect that the building below the stupa will be finished in about 4-5 months and then the building of the actual Stupa of Complete Victory will then begin. The building of the stupa will take some time due to all the extensive artwork. We are hoping the stupa will be finished in about a year.

The excavation site for the Stupa of Complete Victory.

All of this effort and the building of this stupa is dedicated to the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

We rejoice in this incredible work, in all those working on the stupa, the kind donors, and in this beautiful new holy object that will soon grace the Stupa Garden in Kopan.

We will keep you updated on this progress. Please consider supporting the building and completion of this incredible stupa: https://fpmt.org/projects/fpmt/lzr-complete-victory-stupa/

Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.

The incredible thangka, which is 75 feet (23 meters) high and 87 feet (27 meters) wide depicts, in stitched appliqué, the Padmasambhava merit field in the center. Displayed during Guru Bumtsog at Kopan Nunnery, December 16, 2016. Photo by Charok Lama.

For the eighth year in a row, a very large thangka of Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) was displayed and an auspicious 100,000 tsog offering event (Guru Bumtsog) took place at Khachoe Ghakyil Ling (Kopan Nunnery) on December 16, 2023, in the presence of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi, Thame monks and other Sangha, Kopan monks and nuns, and local lay people. The event was even aired on the local news! Prayers were offered for all beings and for the swift return of our precious Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the actualization of all of Rinpoche’s holy wishes, and for peace in the world. 

Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi and Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche receiving attendees of the 2023 Guru Bumtsog at Kopan Nunnery. Photo by Charok Lama.

The puja is an incredible undertaking by Kopan monks and nuns as it takes days to set up and arrange, plus lunch offered to all in attendance requires major preparation. This short video captures the energy, joy, and community involvement of this event:

Extensive offerings at the base of the large Padmasambhava thangka during Guru Bumtsog event, Kopan Nunnery, December 16, 2023. Photo by Charok Lama.

The thangka, which is 75 feet (23 meters) high and 87 feet (27 meters) wide depicts, in stitched appliqué, the Padmasambhava merit field in the center. Lama Zopa Rinpoche personally designed and oversaw  the creation of this huge thangka and also raised the funds for it, thanks to the kindness of two generous donors. The thangkha was also blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

With great rejoicing we share that this will now be an annual event at Kopan Nunnery on December 3, Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s birthday, to commemorate Rinpoche’s life and fulfill Rinpoche’s wishes. Students of Rinpoche are encouraged to plan to come to this extremely joyous and auspicious event. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche explained that displaying large thangkas is an auspicious way for anyone in the area to make a Dharma imprint and connection to the deity depicted. “You may think that a statue or thangka is just a statue or thangka,” Rinpoche has said, “but it is the transcendental wisdom of dharmakaya, which understands and directly sees absolute truth, as well as conventional truth.”

Guru bumtsog event with the large Padmasambhava thangka on display, December 16, 2023. Photo courtesy of Kopan Monastery.

Rinpoche also expressed that it is his wish for many FPMT centers to have huge thangkas and once a year to display the thangka and have a festival day for the public based around the holy object. During the festival day, Rinpoche requested for there to be many thousands of offerings in front of the thangka, as well as offering banners. 

Young monks receiving lunch during the Guru Bumtsog event at Kopan Nunnery, December 16, 2023. Lunch was offered to all in attendance. Photo by Charok Lama.

There could be some introduction to Buddhism offered to those in attendance, and then a puja, that is based on the deity of the thangka. Then, people could offer music, dances, and so forth to the thangka (and also for everyone to enjoy). People can also circumambulate the thangka. For example, the center could have a horse and carriage and children can ride along. In this way, even the horse collects merit, as well as any animal that comes on that day and goes around the thangka. This makes their life so meaningful! 

Locals enjoying the Guru Bumtsog event at Kopan Nunnery, December 16, 2023. Photo by Charok Lama.

Please rejoice in this auspicious yearly event which is fulfilling Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions and has profound effects on those in Nepal and the entire world.  The costs of offering this yearly are substantial and will be covered by the FPMT Puja Fund. Anyone interested in contributing to this yearly event held on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s birthday may offer any amount to the Puja Fund. 

The Puja Fund was established by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to provide resources for continuous pujas dedicated to the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to the success of all the FPMT centers, projects, services, students, benefactors and those serving the organization in any way.

The Holy Objects Fund offers grants to the creation of holy objects around the world. 

2023 Winter Debate Participants, Drepung Monastery.

The Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund (LTKTF) is dedicated to upholding the Gelug lineage of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism and has been instrumental since its establishment in 1997 at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Named after the Gelug lineage founder Lama Tsongkhapa (1357-1419).

Below are the activities that the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund supported through a total of US$174,162 in grants in 2023. Please join us in rejoicing!

Supporting Our Lineage Teachers, the Annual Gelug Exam, Winter Debate, & Memorization Exams

One of the significant endeavors the fund supports is the annual Winter Debate, as well as assistance to the monks who successfully passed their examinations. The Winter Debate, a prestigious event that attracts the brightest scholars from the eight major Gelug monasteries, was hosted at Drepung Monastery in 2023 with the fund covering the travel expenses for 600 monks from Sera Je Monastery to attend.

Furthermore, the fund ensured that 134 monks from the eight monasteries who passed the memorization examination of classical texts (that are very long) such as the The Five Treatises of Maitreya, Six Collections of Reasoning by Arya Nagarjuna, General Meaning of the Middle Way by Jetsun Chokyi Gyaltsen, Bodhisattvacaryavatara (Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life) by Shantideva and  texts on Abhidharma, Vinaya, Paramita, Madyamika and Lekshay Nyingpo all received a full sets of monks’ robes.

Another notable initiative supported by the fund is the support to the basic needs of 137 main teachers of the Lama Tsongkhapa tradition by providing small monthly stipends, freeing up their time to focus on their service in teaching students and deepening their own practice. The fund also sponsored the Gelukpa Examinations by covering the food and travel expenses of 540 examinees and 118 staff members, as well as providing cash offerings and meals to all participants.

These efforts, including the support provided to the Winter Debate, the stipends to teachers, and the Gelukpa Examinations, reflect the ongoing commitment of the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund to preserve the Gelug tradition, in line with the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and other senior Gelug masters.

The total amount disbursed for the supported activities in 2023 is US$44,162. This includes the $20,672 for the Winter Debate Program and Monk Support, as well as the US$23,489 for the stipends to teachers and support for Gelukpa Examinations. 

Specialized Studies for Geshes and Geshemas

Each year we are offering support towards the Research and Training of Specialist Geshes and Geshemas, with a grant of US$77,500 being provided for the stipend to candidates, supervisors, and instructors. This initiative supports the specialized studies for 35 geshe lharampas and geshemas in the subjects of Pramana, Prajnaparamita, Madhyamaka, Abhidharma, and Vinaya, allowing them to deeply focus and expand their knowledge on one of the five main monastic treatises. This project, advised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and initiated by the Geluk International Foundation in 2020 with the guidance of the Gaden Phodrang Foundation and Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, aims to provide tools for developing new interpretations or synthesized presentations of ancient Buddhist wisdom, making them practically suitable and theoretically digestible to modern mindsets. 

Participants in the 2023 Winter Debate.

Researchers in each field of Buddhist studies have been engaged in intense individual research activity for a period of three years, culminating in the presentation of a written thesis on their chosen topic. The full funding for this project has been provided through the generous support of the US-based Kaya Mandala Foundation, with the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund agreeing to support the administering of grants until the geshes and geshemas complete their specialized studies. The recipients of the grant funds come from the six major monasteries in India and various nunneries, including Geshema Namdol Phuntsok from Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery (Kopan Nunnery) in Kathmandu, Nepal. This year marks the conclusion of phase one of the project.

The first phase of the Geluk International Foundation’s major research project was the Research and Training of Specialist Geshes and Geshemas. The second phase, launched in June 2023, will focus on the topics of Vinaya, Abhidharma, Madhyamika, Prajnaparamita, and Buddhist Logic. We are pleased to offer the support required for 15 exceptional scholars from three esteemed monasteries: Gyume Lower Tantric Monastery (5 scholars), Gyuto Upper Tantric Monastery (5 scholars), and Tashi Lhunpo Monastery (5 scholars). This second phase will span 8 years, with the fund committed to granting US$37,500 each year. We are eagerly anticipating the upcoming new phase and are hopeful for fruitful results.

Funding Educational Research for Future Tibetan Medical Doctors

Committed to backing educational research and training programs aimed at cultivating the next generation of Tibetan medical practitioners. This support not only benefits Tibetan communities by providing them with qualified doctors but also contributes to the preservation of this invaluable medical science and cultural tradition. Tibetan medicine, an ancient yet relevant discipline, is regarded as the time-honored science and art of healing from Tibet. It promotes the belief that the ultimate purpose of life is happiness and emphasizes that wellbeing is a continuous journey of living in harmony with one’s constitution. For centuries, Tibetan medicine doctors have engaged in research, and now modern Tibetan researchers are carrying on this authentic tradition. 

Doeguling Branch Clinic Participates in World Diabetes Day Awareness Program, November 2023. Photo courtesy of Men-Tsee-Khang’s official website.

A sum of US$15,000 was allocated to the Tibetan Medical & Astro-science Institute in India, Men-Tsee-Khang, along with a branch clinic in Kathmandu, Nepal, to provide stipends for six participants of the Nyepa Sum Project. The Nyepa Sum Project focuses on researching the three principal energies: baekan (water & earth or cold energy), lung (air or movement energy), and tripa (fire or heat energy); and their impact on various health conditions. The dedicated doctors are conducting research on imbalances in lung, tripa, and baekan energies to address conditions such as depression, insomnia, headaches, heart and blood pressure issues, mental health problems, skin rashes, inflammations, indigestion, hormonal issues, respiratory disorders, kidney and bladder dysfunction, obesity, and diabetes.

We express our deep appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to all the kind sponsors of Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund for their generous support towards these projects! Your assistance is invaluable and immensely beneficial to humanity. The total of US$174,162 in grants offered in 2023 has contributed to these impactful initiatives. We invite you to join us in celebrating the positive outcomes of these endeavors!

All are welcome to support the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund, which preserves the unbroken Tsongkhapa lineage, and cultivates the foremost scholars of tomorrow. We also invite you to read about all the other charitable projects of the FPMT organization. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche blessing a buffalo that he named Bodhichitta, Kopan Monastery, August 2021. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Benefiting animals in any way possible is a high priority for  the FPMT organization and was one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions. Rinpoche explained many ways that we can benefit animals, not just by saving them from untimely death and caring for them for the rest of their lives, but also by blessing them with mantras, prayers, and holy objects in order to create merit and purify negative karma. 

We are delighted to announce that the Animal Liberation Fund provided US$18,820.70 in 2023 to support the below remarkable initiatives. 

Goats being blessed at Animal Liberation Sanctuary, Nepal.

Khadro-la and Lama Zopa Rinpoche blessing goats in Nepal, 2021. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Kopan Animal Liberation Sanctuary in Nepal provides a safe haven for a group of 60 male goats, three ducks, one dog, and two cats. The sanctuary is conveniently located just a short 10-minute walk away from the monastery, offering a serene and picturesque environment. Additionally, three cows and one buffalo continue to reside in Kopan Monastery’s original area of the sanctuary, providing ample space for each animal to live a healthy and comfortable life. 

Every single goat at the sanctuary has been personally rescued by Rinpoche or at his request, saving them from the destiny of being slaughtered for meat, a common occurrence during autumn festivals in Nepal. By offering these goats a chance to live out their lives in peace, Rinpoche provided them with an opportunity for a higher rebirth. The goats at the sanctuary are given daily blessings through the presence of holy objects, as they circumambulate around three stupas and listen to recorded mantras.

Beautiful and safe environment for dear animals at Kopan Animal Liberation Sanctuary.

The sanctuary employs a local family (a husband, wife, and three kids) to oversee the needs of the animals. A small house has been provided for the family so there is always someone present. Additionally, a dedicated manager and veterinary assistant, with the assistance of an experienced vet, makes sure that the goats receive proper care and attention.

The sanctuary itself is thoughtfully designed to provide a healthy environment for the goats, catering to the varying seasons of Nepal. It incorporates facilities to separate weaker animals from the main flock and employs measures to minimize water consumption and waste. The sanctuary comprises an animal shed, a treatment and isolation building, a quarantine area, and a caretaker house. Goats at the sanctuary have been offered Dharma names (for example Sherab (Wisdom), Jangsem (Bodhichitta), Atisha (named after great Indian Buddhist master) etc, creating imprints for their minds and anyone who addresses them. 

We are thrilled to share that the Animal Liberation Fund offered a grant of US$9,800, which will contribute to the ongoing food and care expenses for the animals throughout 2023.

Future Animal Sanctuary land in Nepal.

In 2022, Kopan Monastery began the process of acquiring new land for the Animal Liberation Sanctuary. At present, half of the intended land has been successfully purchased, totaling nearly 20 acres (8 hectares) out of the planned 37 acres (15 hectares)– an area roughly totaling the space of 37 football fields. Just imagine the joy that animals would experience in such an expansive sanctuary! Some bureaucratic hurdles have hindered the complete acquisition of the land, the resolution of which remains uncertain, but despite these setbacks, the monastery is actively working toward the final purchase. When finalized, the land will be developed with infrastructure in the area including a dedicated car road, as currently they rely on a road situated on someone else’s property. Additionally, they plan to install electricity and build animal sheds and a caretaker’s house. The location of the planned sanctuary is in a remote area, approximately 3.5 hours east of Kathmandu. It is a predominantly Buddhist region, primarily populated by the Tamang ethnic group.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Sangha blessing all the beings in a lake in Washington State, US, June 2018. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

In Buddha Amitabha Pure Land, Washington State, and for the first six months of 2023 at Kachoe Dechen Ling, California, USA,  Sangha members engage in a weekly practice of animal liberation, specifically dedicated towards those who are experiencing illness or facing life obstacles. During this practice, the Sangha liberates up to 1,500 animals each week, predominantly worms and crickets that can survive in the area. They carry these creatures around the stupa or holy objects while reciting mantras and blessing them with mantra-infused water. After the blessings, these animals are thoughtfully released in a safe and suitable environment. In Washington, the monks also perform a range of practices to benefit animals. They engage in making charity to ants and blessing birds. Additionally, every month (excluding winter months), the monk bless all beings residing in lakes. Last summer, the monks dedicated themselves to building a worm pit. This way, they could continue their practice of animal liberation even during the colder months of winter.

The feeder which blesses birds. The front mantra is OM PADMO USHNISHA VIMALE HUM PHAT, backside, ON HA NU PHASHA BHARA HE YE SOHA. Underneath are Namgyalma mantras.

Blessing the beings according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s instructions at one of the local lakes in Washington State called Blue Lake.

New worm pit.

When the Sangha carry out these liberations, they also offer powerful prayers for those who are ill, recently deceased, or have requested prayers. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche has introduced a unique approach to liberating animals, leading them toward enlightenment. Since 2005, approximately 1,037,338  beings of various species, including crickets, mice, worms, fish, ants, birds, goats, and more, have been liberated or blessed in Washington and California. To date, the incredible number stands at 1,037,338 beings. The Animal Liberation Fund will be providing US$3,000 to support animal releases conducted in Washington and California in 2023. 

We are also happy to share that we sponsored the food for one rescued horse in 2023, the amount of this food was US$6,020. 

We express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every compassionate donor who has supported the Animal Liberation Fund in the past and will continue to do so in the future.  With great appreciation, we dedicate all the merits accumulated through animal liberation and blessing towards the great enlightenment of all sentient beings. Thank you for your kindness and dedication to this auspicious cause!

Please explore more resources and inspiration for benefiting animals:
fpmt.org/education/prayers-and-practice-materials/benefiting-animals-practices-and-advice

All are welcome to contribute to the Animal Liberation Fund to help ensure that our work sponsoring animal rescue, care, and liberation continues. 

The monks of Sera Je Monastery offering prayers for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return.

The Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund (SOSF) is offering comprehensive support to nunneries, monasteries, and individual monks and nuns across the globe. With a wide range of charitable activities, including providing food, accommodation, healthcare, education, and practice resources, the SOSF aims to cater to the diverse needs of those in the Sangha community. This fund is not limited to any specific institution, allowing it to extend its benefits to numerous nunneries, monasteries, and Sangha members seeking assistance.

Within the FPMT organization, the support of monks and nuns holds a position of utmost importance. Recognizing that the preservation of the Buddhadharma is linked to the existence and well-being of the Sangha, prioritizing their support becomes essential.

In 2023, the SOSF has contributed a total of US$330,468.02 towards various projects aimed at benefiting and uplifting the Sangha. We invite you to take a closer look at the reports provided below.   

The nuns of Tashi Chime Gattsal Gumba in their new gompa with Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 2022.

In Tashi Chime Gatsal Gumba Nunnery, located in the heart of Bigu, a rural municipality in Northeastern Nepal, a truly inspiring story of courage and perseverance took shape. The small village of Bigu, which bore witness to the aftershocks of the devastating earthquake that shook Nepal in May 2015, suffered greatly, and the nunnery was not spared from its relentless force. But amidst the ruins, a remarkable story of reconstruction emerged. In the face of adversity, the FPMT extended their hand to alleviate the profound impact of the earthquake. It has played a pivotal role in the gradual rebuilding of the nunnery, ensuring a safe and secure environment for the seventy nuns who call it their home.

Twice a year, these dedicated nuns of Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism embark on a spiritual journey known as the 100 Million Mani Retreat. This retreat involves the recitation of the mantra of the Chenrezig, Buddha of Compassion, OM MANI PADME HUM, a staggering 100 million times. This profound practice brings immeasurable benefits, not only for themselves but also for the entire world.

Within the vast visions of Lama Zopa Rinpoche lies the aspiration to sponsor the 100 Million Mani Retreats across the globe. In line with this cause, the SOSF has been extending sponsorship to the nuns of Bigu since 2010. This sponsorship encompasses vital necessities such as food, gas, firewood, transportation, medical expenses, and offerings to the Sangha upon completion of the retreat.

In 2023, the SOSF contributed $18,873.56 to support this auspicious endeavor. Engaging in the practice for approximately six hours each day, nuns dedicate their virtues towards the success of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy wishes and the utmost benefit to all sentient beings.

We rejoice so much in the incredible journey undertaken by these nuns, a testament to their unwavering faith, spirit, and loving kindness. May their virtuous actions inspire us all on our own paths towards compassion and enlightenment. 

The monks of Shalu Monastery.

Located in Himachal Pradesh, India, Shalu Monastery is an embodiment of devotion and dedication. This monastery is committed to reviving and preserving the Bhulug lineage tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, which was founded by the Sakya master Buton Rinchen Drub in the 4th century. Recognizing the importance of this lineage, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has blessed and supported the establishment of Shalu Monastery in 2005 within the Paonta Tibetan settlement.

Since 2018, the SOSF has been offering funds to Shalu Monastery. In a joyous continuation of this support, the SOSF is delighted to contribute $15,417.10 in 2023, catering to the essential food expenses of the 55 monks residing within the monastery. This year, the monastery is also welcoming a new group of young monks from the Himalayan region, bringing the monk community to even greater numbers.

The monks of Shalu Monastery serve as shining examples of true devotion and profound gratitude. They have courageously taken upon themselves the responsibility of preserving their unique tradition while demonstrating deep respect and appreciation for the unwavering support of Lama Zopa Rinpoche throughout the years. Their daily prayers include the heartfelt request for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. May their auspicious prayers be fulfilled!

Abbots of Sera Je and Sera Mey Monasteries attending the Annual Examination
of Gelugpa University 2023 at Sera Lachi.

Sera Thekchenling Lachi Cultural Society, situated in the region of Bylakuppe in South India. In Tibet’s history, Sera Lachi played a crucial role as the administrative and unifying institution for the three esteemed colleges: Sera Je, Sera Mey, and Ngakpa. The term “Lachi” represents its prominence as the main or head monastery.

Presently, two of these colleges, Sera Je and Sera Mey, have been re-established in India. The purpose of Sera Lachi remains to bring together and support both monasteries, hosting grand events such as the Monlam Prayer Festival, annual examinations, and other big events. These occasions attract thousands of monks, fostering a sense of unity and spiritual growth.

Recognizing the importance of these events, Sera Lachi has recently identified the need for renovations in their kitchen and dining hall. These upgrades are vital to ensure that they can continue hosting these significant gatherings. In the past, Sera Lachi Cultural Society has received assistance from the SOSF for various renovation projects. This includes the construction of a new elevator for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the renovation of sewerage facilities, and the procurement of a new power generator.

We are thrilled to announce that this year, the SOSF has provided a donation of US$12,292 for the cause of renovating the kitchen and dining hall. This contribution will undoubtedly aid in creating a better space for preparing and taking meals and enhance the overall experience for all those who attend these vital events at Sera Lachi. 

The resident Sangha at Sera IMI House, October 2023

International Mahayana Institute (IMI) represents a devoted community of Buddhist monks and nuns associated with the FPMT. Within the surroundings of Sera Jey Monastery, the IMI House stands as a resilient and determined minority, striving to make meaningful contributions to the cherished traditions of the one of the Great Gelug Monasteries. This accomplishment is made possible through the whole-hearted and sustained efforts of its eight current resident monks and Sangha in the past.

Established in 2002, the Sera IMI House became a home, providing a supportive environment for Western monastics seeking to engage in the profound program of studying Tibetan Buddhist philosophy according to Lama Tsongkhapa tradition. It serves as a place where these dedicated individuals can come together, offering mutual support, and fostering growth in their spiritual journeys.

At present, the Sera IMI House finds itself in urgent need of renovation to continue its vital work. The priority improvements include the installation of a new tile roof, the acquisition of a water tank and solar water heater, and the necessary plumbing works. Additionally, there is a pressing need to refurbish the bathrooms and renovate the aging kitchen facilities. These improvements are crucial to maintain a conducive environment for the monks and to ensure a comfortable and efficient space for their daily activities.

We are delighted to share that the SOSF has extended their support to this noble cause. Their contribution of US$29,589 will significantly assist in meeting these renovation needs. The donation will go a long way in revitalizing the Sera IMI House and enable its residents to continue their essential studies, preserving and spreading the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

Thame Dechen Chokhorling Monastery monks.

Thame Dechen Chokhorling Monastery holds a special connection with the FPMT organization and is nestled in the breathtaking region of Solu Khumbu, high in the majestic Mount Everest area of Nepal. It carries a special significance as Thame is also the birthplace of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and is situated near Lawudo, which served as the residence of Rinpoche’s previous incarnation. Following the Nyima tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, the monastery is perched upon a rock, nearly four thousand meters above sea level, providing a picturesque panoramic view of the entire valley.

Dating back 350 years, the Thame Monastery holds a cherished place in history. Each year, it organizes the Mani Rimdu festival, a joyous occasion that spans 19 days. Buddhists in the Everest region of Nepal come together to celebrate the founding of Buddhism by Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava during this festival. The festivities are characterized by vibrant masked dances, heartfelt prayers, and delightful feasts, creating an atmosphere of spiritual richness and cultural celebration.

Since 2017, the SOSF has been providing three nourishing meals per day to the 22 devoted monks residing in Thame Monastery. We are pleased to announce that this year, we have offered an annual grant of US$8,950.93 to support their well-being. This grant reflects our continued commitment to ensuring that the monks receive adequate nourishment, allowing them to focus on their spiritual practices and contribute to the growth and harmony of the monastery.

The monks of Sera Je Monastery gathering to offer prayers for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Photo courtesy of Sera Je Monastery.

During the 49-day period following Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing, many heartfelt prayers were made for Rinpoche’s swift return. FPMT International Office offered US$170,551.97 and these funds were dedicated to making offerings to the various monasteries and nunneries in Nepal and India, with the sincere request for them to pray for Rinpoche’s swift return and for the FPMT organization to carry out Rinpoche’s legacy exactly as Rinpoche envisioned.

In support of this endeavor, the SOSF contributed US$74,896.99, forty percent of total amount offered. Geshe Ngawang Sangye personally visited a multitude of monasteries and nunneries on the 49th day, making offerings to the Sangha. Overall, offerings have been made to 15,000 dedicated Sangha members, as well as to the actual monasteries and nunneries, all with the sincerest intention of requesting them to make prayers for Rinpoche’s swift return.

Monks of Zigar Thupten Shedrupling Institute.

Zigar Thupten Shedrupling Institute, located in the serene surroundings of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India, holds a profound significance as it diligently carries on the mission of preserving the lineage of Drukpa Kargyud. It is said that the first Zigar Rinpoche Sonam Gyatsho (1608-1669) was a manifestation of Guru Padmasambhava and that the following Zigar Rinpoches are incarnations of the King Trisong Detsen, that is manifestation of Manjushri, the Wisdom Buddha. In demonstrating a strong commitment to the monastery, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, through the compassionate endeavors of the SOSF, has pledged US$200,000 to assist in fulfilling the needs of this place. The SOSF is deeply honored to provide ongoing support to this exceptional monastery since 2019, specifically covering all necessary food expenses.

This year, the SOSF extends a contribution of US$34,000, enabling a two-year provision of necessary sustenance for the dedicated community of 62 monks who reside in the monastery. At present, a total donation of US$92,562 has been provided to the Zigar Monastery, which amounts to nearly half of the pledged amount by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Monks of Idgaa Choinzinling Monastery.

In Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Idgaa Choinzinling Monastery shares a longstanding relationship with the FPMT organization. Understanding the importance of preserving the Buddhadharma in this region, Lama Zopa Rinpoche has wholeheartedly dedicated Himself to various charitable activities.

Among the initiatives undertaken, one significant contribution involves providing essential food support to the monks of Mongolia. Since 2015, the SOSF has been providing funds for sustaining the dietary needs of the monks, in addition to supporting the renovation and expansion of the monastery grounds.

In 2023 we are delighted to extend an offering of US$10,800 specifically allocated for lunch and dinner expenses. This contribution will ensure that the 32 Mongolian monks are provided with nourishing meals throughout the entire year, fostering their spiritual practice and well-being.

Lunch offering at Gyudmed Tantric Monastery.

Established in 1433, Gyudmed Tantric Monastery has served as a distinguished center for the study, practice, and preservation of the Guhyasamaja Tantra lineage in Tibet. Following the exile of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the monastery was resettled in Hunsur, Karnataka, where it accommodates approximately 575 monks. In an effort to support the demanding study schedule of the monks, Lama Zopa Rinpoche wished to create a Food Fund project to ensure a stable source of funds for providing nourishing meals. This endeavor seeks to establish an endowment fund to cover the annual costs of daily meals for all monks, shielding them from food price fluctuations and inflation.

In 2022, the SOSF contributed US$500,000 to this vital initiative, with the aim of sustaining the monks’ education, allowing them to devote their full attention to their studies and continue enriching society through their teachings and spiritual practice. In 2023, according to the personal request of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the SOSF allocated an additional US$100,000 to support the new Food Fund, a cause deeply cherished by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Rinpoche’s extraordinary commitment is evident in the US$1,318,056 already raised or personally contributed. The overarching goal is to raise a total of US$3 million, with US$1,681,944.00 remaining to be raised. 

Detong Ling nuns visiting Monastère Dorje Pamo in France to meet the new Abbot of both the nunneries.

Situated in the Sierra Nevada, a mountain range around forty kilometers from the Mediterranean coast and within easy reach of Granada, Detong Ling Nunnery serves as a project of O.Sel Ling Centro de Retiros, an FPMT retreat center in Andalusia, Spain. The idyllic location offers a panoramic view over the vast valley and distant sea, nestled within a national park.

The nunnery structure includes a gompa, eleven single rooms for the nuns, a combined library and teaching room, a shared kitchen and dining area, and a spacious open terrace. During his visit to O.Sel Ling in May 2019, Lama Zopa Rinpoche blessed the nunnery, expressing his vision for it to serve as a place for older nuns to meditate and practice, and for newer nuns to engage in studying the Dharma. Rinpoche emphasized the importance, particularly for the Western Sangha, to have conducive living spaces where they can uphold their vows and dedicate themselves to study, contemplation, and meditation. The SOSF is delighted to dedicate a sum of US$10,648.44 toward constructing a separate cabin to house their new heating system.

The International Sangha Forum (ISF) in Bodhgaya, scheduled for December 20-23, 2023, aligns with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s vision and falls under the World Buddhist International Programs series developed by the Southeast Asia Coordinator Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama since 2018. This upcoming four-day program aims to gather over 2,000 monastics from different Buddhist traditions to initiate discussions on the three Higher Trainings and the role of Buddhism in the 21st century. Its ultimate goal is to foster continual dialogue and collaboration between practitioners of the Pali and Sanskrit traditions, recognizing commonalities, appreciating differences, and ensuring the adaptability of Buddhist teachings to contemporary challenges while safeguarding their timeless wisdom and relevance. The event will also feature a prayer session at the Mahabodhi Temple, attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other distinguished Buddhist leaders, emphasizing the significance of this collaborative effort in promoting the accessibility and preservation of the Buddhadharma with a compassionate and inclusive spirit.

The SOSF is delighted to sponsor this event by donating US$15,000. This donation will be used to support travel, food, and accommodation for monastics attending the conference in Bodhgaya, reflecting our commitment to enabling the participation of a diverse and inclusive gathering of monastics from around the world. 

We rejoice in the opportunity to support the Sangha in India, Nepal, and Mongolia, as we jointly work toward the preservation of the Buddhadharma in the world.

We also extend a heartfelt invitation for you to join us in celebrating these meaningful activities. We express deep gratitude to each and every donor who has generously contributed towards this noble cause, making these endeavors possible. Your support is truly valued and appreciated!

All are welcome to contribute to the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund, to help ensure grants like these continue for the benefit of monks and nuns around the world. 

Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.

31-foot high Amoghapasha painting on Drak Karma cliff above Lawudo, Nepal.

Twenty-five years ago, Lama Zopa Rinpoche began expressing the wish for a large painting of 1,000-Armed Chenrezig to be painted on a 100-foot high cliff named Drak Karma above Lawudo in Nepal, approximately 4,200 meters above sea level (over 13,000 feet) so everyone in proximity could see it. In the last few years Rinpoche specifically said for the painting to be of Amoghapasha—an emanation of Chenrezig.

With huge rejoicing, we share that this 31-foot high by 21-foot wide (9.5 meters high by 6.4 meters wide) painting is now complete! It has been painted directly on the cliff face overseeing the whole area. Funds for this project were raised by the Thamichowa community; Anila Ngawang Samten (Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s sister) provided all the necessary materials and tools needed for painting; and Ven. Nyima Tashi, Ven. Thubten Tendar, and Pasang Dekyi helped to actualize this incredible project. 

Painting set up of the large Amoghapasha on a cliff above Lawudo.

As one can imagine, this was an incredible feat, an unbelievable task to complete. The whole project started a couple of months ago and it took ten days to get the scaffolding up to the site where the conditions were freezing and windy making the scaffolding and painting quite dangerous. The actual painting took seven days by Nepali artists, finished the day before Lhabab Duchen, and consecrated on the day of this merit-multiplying occasion. 

Please watch this incredible video of the painting as it occurred, by Ven. Tenzin Michael:

The unbelievable benefits of merely seeing the painted holy body of Amoghapasha are mentioned in the
Amoghapasha Tantra:

Close up of the exquisite painting of Amoghapasha on a cliff above Lawudo.

Merely by directly seeing the Compassionate Eye Looking Enriched One (Amoghapasha) and the Potala Mountain with the celestial mansion, you become free from the eight great hells and the eight great fears. It even liberates you from all the suffering of having committed the five heavy negative karmas without break (having killed one’s father, mother, or an arhat; having caused blood to flow from a buddha; having caused disunity among the Sangha). It completely purifies even the very heavy negative karma of having abandoned the holy Dharma, all the obscurations, and so forth. Just seeing this deity totally purifies all the negative karmas and obscurations from having criticized buddhas and bodhisattvas. Just seeing this painted holy body totally purifies even those who are to be reborn in the lowest hot hell, Inexhaustible Suffering. You collect hundreds of thousands of times more merit than Brahma and other worldly gods. You achieve the sublime merits (good luck or good karma) of all worldly beings.

Even when you die, the Compassionate Eye Looking Enriched One directly shows his face to you and frees your breath (which means frees you from lower realms). Even after death you will be born in Amitabha’s blissful realm. You become free from obscurations and are able to remember up to fifty thousand past lives. This will be your last life in samsara (you will be freed from samsaric rebirth) and your next life only goes toward the ultimate heart of enlightenment. Just by seeing this holy body one time, you collect inconceivable merit. If you continually see this holy body, there is no question of turning back from enlightenment. You achieve the peerless happiness of buddhahood with the cessation of all obscurations and the completion of all realizations.

 Rinpoche encouraged students to have an image of Amoghapasha printed as large as possible and displayed publicly due to the benefit.

Ven. Roger Kunsang joining others at the 100-foot high cliff that now is blessed with the 31-foot painting of Amoghapasha.

We are so happy to be able to accomplish this wish of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and pray that we may we be able to fulfill all of his holy wishes. Ven. Roger Kunsang, after visiting the finished work commented with great joy that, “Rinpoche would be so pleased” to see this completed.

In a speech from the Thamichowa community, they expressed the following:

“From the depths of our hearts, we pray that the merit accumulated from our pure thoughts to complete Rinpoche’s holy wishes and benefit sentient beings will be a cause for Rinpoche to quickly be reborn in our area recognized as the unmistaken incarnation!”

Please find practice materials, mantras, and other resources related to Amoghapasha to download from the FPMT Foundation Store. 

Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.

New Padmasambhava statue at Nagarjuna Madrid, Spain, which received a Merit Box grant for the statue project in 2022. Photo courtesy of Nagarjuna Madrid.

The International Merit Box Project began in 2001 as a generosity practice for the international FPMT community. For many years, students and centers kept Merit Boxes close by so they could gradually make offerings throughout the year, before sending them in as offerings to help support the  mission of the FPMT organization. These offerings become grants awarded annually through International Office for a wide range of projects within the FPMT mandala and beyond. We rejoice in the latest cycle of Merit Box grants awarded in 2023 and reports of completed projects from 2022 grants below:

Although we are now in a digital age and no longer distributing new physical Merit Boxes for student use, the Merit Box Project continues to receive generous support from FPMT students and communities around the world.

To date, an amazing US$1,239,580 in funding has been distributed through 354 Merit Box Project grants. This year marked the 21st annual grant cycle, with US$22,800 in funds going out to twelve Dharma projects. Support was awarded for center repairs and improvements, staffing support, relocating a stupa due to local zoning conflicts, the first Italian translation of Lama Yeshe’s Becoming Vajrasattva, and others. We invite you to see the full list of 2023 grant recipients for rejoicing!

Progress on 2022 Merit Box Grant Recipients

We recently received progress reports from last year’s Merit Box grant recipients. In 2022, there were twenty-eight grants awarded, totaling US$61,875 in support. Some project highlights include:

Tushita Meditation Center in Spain completed a dramatic transformation of a building into a beautiful new Dharma center and gompa, thanks to a lot of generous volunteer help and funding from a number of sources, including a 2022 Merit Box grant. Another Spanish center, Nagarjuna Alicante, completed much needed repairs to their building with partial support from a Merit Box grant.

The transformation of the new Tushita Meditation Center, Spain. Photos courtesy of Tushita Meditation Center.

Chandrakirti Center in Australia is working to complete one of the first large prayer wheels in the world to be utilizing a new zinc polyester foil microfilm technique, which dramatically increases the potential to have trillions of mantras included inside the prayer wheels. The technology was pioneered by FPMT sangha member Ven. Tenzin Drachom of Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Singapore. With some support from a Merit Box grant in addition to other funding, Chandrakirti center was able to obtain all of the needed microfilm, bearing trillions of printed mantras, and is nearing completion of the large prayer wheel now.

Left: the microfilm that holds trillions of mantras for the large prayer wheel. Right: the prayer wheel house and base. Photos courtesy of Chandrakirti Centre.

Nagarjuna Center in Madrid, Spain was able to raise the funds needed for a large Padmasambhava statue that was recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The statue has arrived at the center and will be filled. Another holy object-related grant in 2022 helped fund a new altar at Nalanda Monastery that now displays a striking collection of Sixteen Arhats statues.

Three centers received Merit Box grants last year for the purpose of supporting retreats. Kalachakra Retreat Center in France received aid to complete new retreat cabins, which are now fully built and have already been used by practitioners. A grant contributing to the retreat scholarship fund established at Milarepa Center, US, helped several students in need to be able to attend retreats at the center. Land of Calm Abiding, US, a center supporting long-term and private retreat, received funds to purchase vital propane for heat.

One of the new retreat cabins at Kalackhakra Retreat Center, France, which received a Merit Box grant in 2022. Photo courtesy of Kalachakra Retreat Center.

Some publication projects receiving grants last year reached their goals, including one by Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, US, which published a new text of Lama Yeshe earlier this year, titled Knowledge-Wisdom: The Peaceful Path to Liberation – Collected Teachings, Volume 1. The FPMT-affiliated publishing service, Editiones Mahayana in France, published their translation of the classic lamrim text Essence of Nectar by Lama Yeshe Tsundru. Other publication projects continue to progress, including Tara Lanka Study Group sponsoring a translation of the Pearl Garland anthology, which will be the first lamrim texts to be published in Sinhalese and distributed in Sri Lanka. Shiwa Lha Center in Brazil is continuing to oversee a Portuguese translation of Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand by Pabongkha Rinpoche, which is in progress.

Repaying the Kindness (RTK), a unique social service project created by students of Jamyang Buddhist Center, London, has been offering local caregivers a free community program for respite, fun, connection and support. Caregivers are often under-supported in the compassionate work they do, and for many years now the RTK project has been bringing caregivers together for community activities, and have received a number of Merit Box grants.

Participants of the Repaying the Kindness program organized by Jamyang Center, London. Photo courtesy of Repaying the Kindness.

Collection of Merit Box offerings has begun for the next cycle of grants to be issued in May/June of 2024. We invite you to rejoice in the immense generosity received from thousands of students around the world, as well as all of the compassionate hard work of those who have helped bring hundreds of wonderful Dharma projects to fruition since 2001!

The International Merit Box Project is a charitable project of FPMT International Office. You can learn more about the Merit Box Project or offer support for future grants, or explore our many other FPMT Charitable Projects.

Ven. Joan Nicell looking at a translation with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Kopan Monastery, 2020. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Tsomo.

We are so happy to share this recent report from the FPMT Translation Services team:

FPMT Translation Services was created in order to facilitate the translation of Tibetan texts used within the FPMT organization into English. Through the collaboration with experienced translators and our review and editorial policies, our aim is to make accurate translations of the invaluable textual heritage of our lineage available to students and practitioners worldwide and contribute to the fulfilment of the wishes and vision of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

An exciting project in progress that we started earlier this year is the translation of an important Heruka Chakrasamvara Body Mandala commentary. This extensive and detailed commentary was given by Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche in 1975, in Dharamsala. Through the kindness of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the Tibetan transcript of the teaching was thoroughly edited by a team of geshes and scholars. Following the publication of the edited manuscript in 2021, Rinpoche requested for it to be translated into English.

Much of the work of FPMT Translation Services is focused on the translation of practice texts requested by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and on supporting translation projects directly commissioned by him. Two important practice text projects that we are currently working on are the translation of the Chittamani Tara sadhana, which is used for the Chittamani Tara nearing retreat, and of the extensive version of the Four Mandala Offering to Chitttamani Tara. The abbreviated version of the Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara is regularly used in FPMT group practice and Rinpoche had requested that the extensive version be made available as well.

FPMT Translation Services also reviews and updates practice texts to improve the accuracy of existing translations, when necessary. One such update that will be released soon is that of the Vajrayogini self-initiation text.

In our ongoing effort to publish FPMT Masters Program and Basic Program course materials, we are currently working on the editing and preparation of several draft translations. These include the Ornament of the Essence—Gyaltsab Darma Rinchen’s commentary on the Ornament of Clear Realization, as well as A Precious Garland—Abbot Dragpa Gyaltsen’s commentary on Shantideva’s Engaging in the Deeds of a Bodhisattva.

Some translation projects can take many years to complete. Our on-going long-term projects include the translation of the Ksitigarbha Ten Wheels Sutra, which we expect to release by the end of 2023, and translations and reviews of three different versions of the Sutra of Golden Light—namely, the 21-chapter, 29-chapter, and 31-chapter renditions.

We are also continuing work on the Sunlight that Causes the Lotus of Faith to Blossom: A Guidebook to the Supreme Sacred Place of Clear and Cool Mountain composed by Changkya Rolpai Dorje and his followers. The text is the most important Tibetan-language pilgrimage guide to Wutaishan, the sacred mountain of Manjushri in China, and an important sacred site for Tibetan, Chinese, and Mongolian Buddhists.

Although not a textual translation, an example of another type of project that we are also currently working on, at the behest of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, is the editing of a transcript of a compilation of commentaries given on the Six Yogas of Naropa by Gyume Khenzur Lobsang Jampa.

Some of the translations above will be released by FPMT Education Services while others will be published by Wisdom Publications. Several years ago, Wisdom in association with FPMT, began to publish a series of books entitled Wisdom Culture Series. “Wisdom culture” is an expression which was frequently used by Lama Yeshe to refer to a Dharma culture rooted in wisdom and compassion. The Wisdom Culture Series is intended to support this vision by making available to English-language readers previously unpublished translations of key works of masters within the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa and the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as works by Lama Zopa Rinpoche himself. 

Sponsorship of translations of these important and precious texts is available and welcome:
fpmt.org/support/translationfund

You can learn more about FPMT Translation Services and the extensive translation projects:
fpmt.org/education/translation

Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.

Rendering of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Stupa of Complete Victory.

We are sharing big news about the undertaking of a new project: The Stupa of Complete Victory for Lama Zopa Rinpoche. This magnificent stupa will be 42 ft high (12.8 meters) and is being built at Kopan Monastery and is dedicated to the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

The intention is to create a significant monument situated on ground level covering an area of 180 square ft (55 square meters) and a semi-basement level spanning 715 square feet (218 square meters) and we are currently in the planning stage of this project.

The stupa will be located on the northeast side of the Stupa Garden at Kopan Monastery where the stupas of Geshe Lama Konchog and Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lhundup are situated. This stupa will be facing exactly mid-way between Swayambhunath stupa and Boudhanath stupa. While maintaining the vastness of Kopan’s beautiful gardens, Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s stupa will be built from the level below thus enlarging the whole area and enabling for two retreat rooms under the stupa.  The architect working on this project has integrated the circumambulation path to go around all three stupas and incorporating the whole area as a place for purification and creating merit.

Please watch a short video of this project to help visualize the overall vision:

Currently, we are in the process of determining the cost of all the holy objects that will be placed inside the stupa as well as collecting them. These objects include, but are not limited to, the Tengyur and Kangyur, the life tree – that goes in the center of the stupa, forty trillion mantras inscribed on nano technology film, and various other sacred items.

His Eminence Zong Rinpoche recently came to Kopan Monastery to offer prayers for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche on the 49^th day of Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing, he kindly offered guidance regarding the type of stupa to build. Zong Rinpoche advised for it to be a Stupa of Complete Victory, which represents the victory of Buddha over the mara of death.

Rendering of the placement in Kopan’s garden of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Stupa of Complete Victory.

The estimated construction cost of just the stupa monument is approximately US$459,252. This estimation was provided by one of the local Nepali architectural companies and includes the architectural plan. The major expenses involved in this estimate are related to the civil works required to prepare the ground and construct the main body of the stupa, as well as the landscaping, totaling US$272,699. Additionally, the estimate covers expenses for decorative painting, ornamentation works, the construction and installation of 32 small stupas around the perimeter, as well as scaffolding. 

The actual building of the stupa will start on an auspicious day and as the project moves forward, we will provide updates to keep you informed of any developments, needs or milestones reached.

May this stupa quickly create the cause for the swift return of our precious Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and for all his wishes to be actualized exactly as planned.

To learn more about this project and offer support: https://fpmt.org/projects/fpmt/lzr-complete-victory-stupa/

Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.

Kopan geshes offering buddha statues to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Photo courtesy of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

We have incredibly joyous news to share! Last week the remaining 458 Buddha statues from the 1,000 Buddha statues that were made for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and offered during the long life puja in May 2023 have all now been offered. Please rejoice! 

In early September a number of Kopan geshes traveled to Tushita Meditation Centre in McLeod Ganj to receive the remaining 458 statues that were coming overland by truck from Nepal, where they had been made.

Once all the statues arrived the Kopan geshes, with great care and joyfulness, filled each of the 458 statues and then consecrated the statues and re boxed them so they could be offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Once all the 458 statues were all completed the geshes went to His Holiness’s private office to find out the best way to offer the 458 statues and they received the incredible news that they could each offer a statue directly to His Holiness, as a representation of the 458 statues, the next day. The geshes made this incredible offering on behalf of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and FPMT the following day. The remaining statues were brought down in a truck.

Kopan geshes offering buddha statues to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Photo courtesy of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche mentioned that he wanted the offering of Buddha statues to be ongoing, even after these 1,000 statues are offered. We are looking forward to trying to fulfil this request, as His Holiness the Dalai Lama offers the statues to visitors and dignitaries and Lama Zopa Rinpoche wanted to be able to provide these auspicious offerings, for as long as possible, to His Holiness.

Thank you to everyone who made it possible to make this precious offering on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s behalf and please join the entire FPMT community in this huge rejoicing. 

You can read more about the inspiring history of this project: fpmt.org/projects/fpmt/holy-objects-fund/one-thousand-buddhas

Photos of the May 2023 long life puja offered by the FPMT organization can be seen here: www.dalailama.com/pictures/long-life-prayer-offered-by-fpmt

Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with the elders of Lugsam Samduling Home for the Aged and Disabled, Bylakuppe, India.

Since 2016, FPMT’s Social Services Fund has been offering vital support to elderly homes in India and Nepal that provide care for Tibetan refugee elders who have no one else to care for them.

In 2023, we granted US$169,067.19 to six different elderly homes. This support has benefited over 250 Tibetan senior citizens and includes a contribution for the renovation of three destitute families’ homes in Tibetan settlements in Himachal Pradesh and near the border of Assam and Bhutan.

Offering support to the elderly has been guided by the profound vision of our beloved teacher, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Rinpoche’s vision continues to inspire us to help create a meaningful and compassionate environment for our elders and senior citizens and we are committed to continue to offer support as we can.

Rinpoche believed in going beyond the mere fulfillment of material needs and Rinpoche always emphasized the importance to also help create the causes for the elders to collect merits, purify negative karma, and when possible, practice and study the Buddhadharma and recently Rinpoche composed several practices and teachings in Tibetan for their daily use.

Upon receiving the heartbreaking news of Rinpoche’s passing, the residents of the elderly homes we have been supporting gathered to offer pujas and prayers beseeching the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Many of the homes sent messages expressing their profound sadness and how grateful they are for the care and support that Rinpoche has given them over the years, especially when it was so hard to find. 

We invite you to rejoice in our collective accomplishment this year, as we have make a real difference in the lives Tibetan refugee elders by providing essential needs such as food, shelter, and medical care.

Jampaling Elders Home, Dharamsala.

Jampaling Elders Home located in Dharamsala, Northern India, holds a special place just beneath the revered temple of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Operated by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), this home provides refuge for destitute individuals or those unable to care for their elderly family members due to difficult circumstances. With its serene surroundings, including beautiful pine trees, multiple prayer wheels, and vibrant prayer flags, Jampaling has become a genuine sanctuary for 76 elder Tibetans living in exile. These residents are accommodated in shared rooms, with each room housing two individuals. The home ensures they are provided with daily nutritional meals, clothing, and access to necessary medical facilities.

In 2023, FPMT’s Social Services Fund allocated a total of $34,447.28 to support Jampaling Elder’s Home. This contribution covered operational expenses, medical assistance, as well as vital improvements such as door replacements and repainting of the old building. At present, the home houses 76 elders, although its maximum capacity is designed to accommodate 156 individuals. 

Elders of Lugsam Samduling Home for the Aged and Disabled, Bylakuppe, India, receiving care.

Lugsam Samduling Home for the Aged and Disabled is in Bylakuppe, Southern India. It is recognized as one of the 14 homes operating under the governance of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). These homes play a vital role in providing accommodation and support to elderly, first-wave Tibetan refugees who often find themselves without families of their own. For those in need, such facilities offer a glimmer of hope and a sense of belonging. Recognizing the importance of supporting such endeavors, FPMT extends a helping hand, aiming to repay the kindness and bravery displayed by the Tibetan people. Over the years, Lama Zopa Rinpoche has graced Lugsam Samduling with His presence on numerous occasions. His visits have brought immense joy and inspiration to the residents and staff alike, further reinforcing the profound connection between Rinpoche and the home.

In 2023, the FPMT Social Services Fund took great pleasure in providing an offering of US$19,603.03 to support the well-being of 38 elders residing at Lugsam Samduling. This contribution ensures that these individuals receive the care, assistance, and companionship they require in their later years.

Residents of Doeguling Home for Elderly and Disabled, Mundgod, India, with nurses.

Doeguling Home for Elderly and Disabled, nestled within the Doeguling Tibetan Refugee Settlement in Mundgod, has been a valued beneficiary of FPMT Charitable Funds since 2016. This year, we are delighted to announce that we have provided a contribution of US$57,451.62 to support their crucial work. In addition to the ongoing support for their annual expenses, we are dedicated to ensuring that individuals in need of surgeries also receive the necessary assistance. In collaboration with the private Suchirayu Hospital in Hubballi, Doeguling Home has arranged for eight patients to undergo various surgeries. These procedures will include knee replacements, spine surgery with fusion, and hip replacements. Recognizing that these individuals are of senior age and require additional care during the postoperative stage, they have also arranged for daily visits from physiotherapists. The primary objective is to prioritize their comfort and holistic recovery. At Doeguling Home, the well-being and smooth recovery of the patients remain their utmost priority and through this support we are ensuring that they can receive the necessary medical care and rehabilitation resources.

Residents of the Rabgayling Tibetan Family Welfare Association, Hunsur.

The Rabgayling Tibetan Family Welfare Association, situated in Hunsur, Southern India, is a dedicated NGO that provides vital assistance to impoverished and needy families, as well as elderly individuals and children from the Tibetan refugee community. This support is extended to the village of Gurupura, located 12 kilometers away from Hunsur Town and 60 kilometers away from Mysore City in the state of Karnataka. Within this community, the Hunsur Old Age Home serves as a safe place for six male and seven female elders. The oldest resident, Mr. Karmi, is 99 years old, while the youngest, Mr. Gyamtso, is 79 years old.

It is our privilege to offer a contribution of US$28,123.98 this year to support their operational expenses. Through this financial support, we strive to alleviate the burdens faced by the Rabgayling Tibetan Family Welfare Association and enable them to continue providing essential care to those in need.

Elders of The Old Age Home in Kalimpong, India.

The Old Age Home in Kalimpong, managed by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), provides essential care and support to elderly individuals. This year, a monetary contribution of US$6,125.94 has been allocated to cover food and medical expenses for 25 elders. Additionally, efforts have been made to improve the facility by repainting the old building.

Kalimpong is a scenic hilly town located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. Historically, it served as a significant trading center between Tibet and India. However, following the Chinese invasion in 1959, thousands of Tibetan refugees fled across the Himalayas, often using the same trade route. Many found their way to Kalimpong, seeking safety and shelter. The Kalimpong Old People Home was constructed in 2012 as a response to the growing needs of the Tibetan refugee community. The home has a maximum capacity of 40 elders, and at present, it is providing a caring environment for 25 elderly individuals.

Elders and others in Odisha Phuntsokling Settlement gathered to offer mass prayers for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Located in Odisha, Eastern India, Odisha Phuntsokling Settlement Old People’s Home (OPH) is an establishment managed by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). Since 2021, we have been providing continuous support to this facility.

In 2023 we contributed a total of US$18,377.84 for the well-being of 17 elderly individuals. The OPH was established in 1974 with the aim of providing care and support to elderly members of the community. At present, they have 17 residents, six of whom are above 90 years old, and the remaining 11 are above 75 years old. Regrettably, one of the elders recently passed away due to old age, but three new members joined OPH this year. In their daily routine, many of the residents find immense joy in attending both morning and evening prayers in the prayer hall. They also take pleasure in sharing meals together in the dining hall, where they enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner as a community. Additionally, OPH organizes visits from spiritual teachers who deliver short discourses on the teachings of Buddha. These sessions aim to alleviate negative emotions such as anger and fear and instead foster positive emotions such as love and compassion among the residents. Each year, they arrange visits from school students who volunteer to assist and entertain the elderly residents. They perform Tibetan songs and dances, and everyone gathers to share a meal together, fostering a sense of community and connection.

Destitute family dwellings in need of repair.

Tenzingang Settlement, situated in the sub-himalayan range in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh in India. Tenzingang is situated on a hilly area and operates under the governance of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The CTA plays a crucial role in overseeing and supporting the ongoing efforts to assist destitute families and facilitate the necessary renovations. Their involvement ensures that the process is carried out efficiently and in accordance with established guidelines. For nearly a year, the CTA has conducted a destitute survey, and they are nearing completion, with only the Nepal settlements remaining.

Throughout the survey, they discovered that many destitute families were living in extremely poor conditions and lacked the means to renovate their houses due to their economic circumstances. Their houses are in dire need of repair and renovation.

Responding to the request made by the CTA, FPMT Social Services Fund has allocated US$1,801.02 to facilitate the renovation of the roofs for the two destitute families. Each of these families consists of three members, and this contribution will go directly towards the improvement of their living conditions. It’s important to note that CTA does not distribute funds directly to the families. Instead, they coordinate with the settlement office to carry out the necessary renovations for them.

Established in 1967, Kamrao became a registered society with an initial population of 469 settlers. The settlement is situated in  Himachal Pradesh, close to Paonta Sahib. Currently, the settlement has a population of 173 individuals and does not have any Old People’s Homes. Kamrao consists of a single village comprised of 45 families. Addressing the urgent housing renovation needs of two destitute families, FPMT Social Services Fund has granted US$3,136.48 to the Kamrao Settlement for the rebuilding of a house of one family living in very poor conditions. This collaboration between the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and FPMT exemplifies their shared dedication to enhance the living conditions of those in need.

We are humbled and grateful for the ongoing opportunity to support these homes. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors whose unwavering support has made these grants possible. Your compassion and commitment have truly made a profound impact in many people’s lives.

All are welcome to contribute any amount to the Social Services Fund, helping us ensure continuous support for elderly homes and those who are truly vulnerable and in need

The Social Services Fund, established to support Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the FPMT organization, focuses efforts primarily in India, Nepal, Tibet and Mongolia. Funds help children, the elderly, sick, and very poor.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Victory Stupa at Lawudo in process.

Anila Ngawang Samten, Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s sister, is constructing an eight level, 12-foot high and 11-foot wide Victory Stupa at Lawudo Gompa, Nepal, for the swift return and success of all Lama Zopa Rinpoche and FPMT’s projects.

We are so pleased to share an update on this stupa from  Ven. Nyima Tashi Sherpa, a relative of Lama Zopa Rinpoche; and Ven. Tsultrim, a Swiss nun who has been at Lawudo since Spring 2022. 

The Victory Stupa at Lawudo Gompa is being constructed according to the profound visionary instructions of Trulshik Rinpoche and carries significant implications for the global FPMT community, as well as for all sentient beings.

Ani Ngawang Samten has been unwavering in her dedication to preserve Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s legacy and fulfilling his aspirations. With a heart full of wisdom and compassion, Ani Ngawang Samten committed herself to ensuring that Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s rebirth occurs swiftly, while simultaneously upholding the visionary goals of FPMT. This extraordinary dedication extends to her ceaseless puja rituals conducted at both Lawudo and Thubten Choeling Monastery in Solukhumbu, and her recent request for a full reading of the Kangyur at Thubten Choeling Monastery to safeguard the construction of the stupa.

Ani Ngawang Samten and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Lawudo Retreat Centre, 1976. LYWA collection.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Ani Ngawang Samten, Kopan Monastery, 2018. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsag.

Ani Ngawang Samten has consulted with esteemed lamas within the Lawudo area, including Kerok Lama Ngawang Tsultrim Rinpoche, Charok Tenzing Tinley Rinpoche, and Khapa Pema, all of whom have been trained in the instructions for constructing this profound stupa by Trulshik Rinpoche, in order to ensure their support and receive their expert guidance for this monumental endeavor.

Various holy and precious objects which will reside in Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Victory Stupa.

The Victory Stupa, as per Trulshik Rinpoche’s instructions, stands as a beacon of spiritual transformation for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s students and the FPMT family. This magnificent structure, adorned in red, black, and white; symbolizes love, the transcendence of ignorance, and the purity of purpose. It is a sanctuary for the perfect practice, equanimity, wisdom, diversity knowledge, and compassion.  This sacred endeavor holds the power to nourish the very essence of these qualities in the hearts of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s devoted students and FPMT practitioners, fostering a radiant transformation that transcends time and space. It houses essential articles, substances, mantras, and potent tsa tsa elements that serve to shield our universe from conflict, scarcity, and natural calamities rooted in the earth, water, fire, and wind elements.

Amitayus statue from Rinpoche’s cave which Anila offered to Rinpoche during a long life puja in Lawudo, which will reside in Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Victory Stupa.

In addition, it is Ani-la’s wish that in accordance with the Mahayana tradition of reincarnation, since Lama Yeshe’s mind stream is also so precious to us, that this stupa help dispel ignorance, and protect and preserve the holy mind of Lama Yeshe so that Lama Osel can help to benefit the world.

Holy and precious objects which will reside in Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Victory Stupa.

Furthermore, illuminating the sanctity of this project is Rinpoche’s dear childhood friend, Ngawang Nyendak, a Thame monk who has steadfastly performed regular practices, such as incense pujas  for FPMT at Lawudo over the past eight years. His continuous efforts, including the powerful fortune-hooking puja after Rinpoche’s parinirvana, stand as a testament to the profound dedication that supports this sacred initiative.

Set of 10-inch statues of the Buddhas of the Five Types which will reside in Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Victory Stupa.

In a most auspicious development,  a precious tooth relic of Lama Zopa Rinpoche will be invited to Lawudo Gompa on the merit-multiplying day of Buddha’s return from the deva realm, November 4, 2023, Lhabab Duchen. This auspicious occasion aligns with Ani Ngawang Samten’s decision to consecrate both the renovated stupa of Lawudo Lama Kunsang Yeshe and the stupa of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The construction of the stupa began on July 11, 2023, and is now nearing completion. The stupa is 12-feet high and 11-feet wide, and has eight levels. It is located at Changtang Gombu, 200 meters below Lawudo Gompa on a well-used track and occupies a position where it dominates the landscape and can be seen from around the valley and is in a natural spot for sitting, prayer, and circumambulation.

Central channel of the Victory Stupa surrounded by tsa tsas.

Some of the holy and precious objects which will reside in Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Victory Stupa.

Eight levels of the Victory Stupa:

• The first level has different types of weapons to shield our universe from conflict and war.
• The second level has various nutritious grains to save the world from scarcity of food and famine.
• The third level contains the central channel surrounded by 400,000 to 500,000 tsa tsas of different types. Also surrounding the central shaft are various powerful mantras.
• The fourth level is “Rinpoche’s palace.” It contains various precious items that belonged to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, such as a set of complete robes used at Lawudo, a bell, dorje and damaru, a crystal rosary used by Rinpoche during long life retreat at Maratika, etc. There are also texts used by or books with Rinpoche’s teachings. Additionally, there are various offerings in Rinpoche’s palace, including a mandala set and a set of offering bowls containing the eight substances with the conch shell placed first as an auspicious gesture by Anila Ngawang Samten to be able to receive teachings from the Yangsi.

Mantras which will go inside Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Victory Stupa.

• The fifth level contains a 14-inch Amitayus statue from Rinpoche’s cave which Anila offered to Rinpoche during a long life puja in Lawudo.
• The sixth level contains a set of 10-inch statues of the Buddhas of the Five Types from the main Lawudo Gompa.
• The seventh level contain a holy body, speech and mind offering—a 10-inch statue of Guru Shakyamuni, an 8-inch statue of Guru Rinpoche and an 8-inch Enlightenment Stupa from the cave along with a text belonging to Rinpoche from the old library.
• The top level is the symbolic Victory Banner which crowns the stupa.

Ani Ngawang Samten’s constant presence in Lawudo for over 55 years has granted her profound insights into the challenges faced by individuals journeying from all corners of the world. With deep empathy, she ardently wishes for all those who visit Lawudo–whether for retreat, meditation, pilgrimage, or a simple day’s excursion–to be bestowed with the blessings of these sacred objects. Anila envisions Lawudo as a sanctuary where the weary souls of visitors find solace, healing, and relief from the burdens of discouragement, depression, fear, anger, and frustration inherent in the human experience.

Furthermore, Ani Ngawang Samten fervently prays that the serene grounds of Lawudo become a wellspring of compassion, renunciation, and liberation from delusions. The very essence of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to building Lawudo Gompa in 1967/68 is embedded within the mud, timber, and stones that comprise this blessed place. Ani Ngawang Samten believes that Lawudo Gompa is an invaluable haven for devotees of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

May the construction of the Victory Stupa at Lawudo Monastery bring boundless benefits to all sentient beings, while propelling Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vision for FPMT toward a future unencumbered by obstacles.

Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.