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Charitable Activities
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with IMI Sangha at his residence in California.
It has always been a high priority of FPMT and Lama Zopa Rinpoche to support and care for our IMI (International Mahayana Institute) Sangha family. IMI is made up of the monks and nuns of FPMT.
IMI Sangha and Geshes, 2007.
On each of the four holy days (15th day of Losar, Saka Dawa, Buddha’s First teaching and Buddha’s Descent from Tushita), the FPMT Puja Fund makes a small offering directly to each Sangha member at the IMI Sangha communities of FPMT in Italy, France, Australia and USA.
Additionally, Lama Zopa Rinpoche personally sponsors at least 7-15 IMI Sangha fully each year through the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhicitta Fund.
Each week the Sangha liberate up to 1,000 animals with the animal liberation practice, taking the animals around the stupa or holy objects at 
Extensive prayers are made for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche and all our kind teachers, the Sangha and anyone who is sick and requesting prayers.
This is something amazing to rejoice in, and something you can make offerings toward, especially if you are sick or would like to offer on behalf of someone else who is sick. Any extra money remaining in the fund is offered toward larger animal liberations held in Singapore and Hong Kong.
How Can I Make a Donation?
To make a tax-deductible donation:
Or simply send your check in US dollars payable to FPMT Inc. and write “Animal Liberation Fund” on the memo line.
FPMT Inc.
1632 SE 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97214-4702
USA
The Animal Liberation Fund is a project of FPMT Inc. and is administered by FPMT International Office located in Portland, Oregon, United States. All donations made to this fund are tax-deductible within the United States in accordance with IRS Code article 501(c)(3) to the extent allowed by law.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche has requested the Sangha at his house to make stupas and tsa-tsas dedicated for those who have passed away and for those who are sick, every single day.
Stupas Dedicated for Those Who Have Passed Away
Kadampa stupas made daily at Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s residence by Sangha.
Every day, three small Kadampa stupas are made at Kachoe Dechen Ling by resident Sangha. This includes filling each stupa with a roll of the Four Dharmakaya Relic Mantras. As the Sangha puts the mantras inside the stupa they dedicate for the person who has passed away by reciting the name of the person and making the prayer, “May this person never be born in the lower realms. May they be liberated from samsara, and may they achieve enlightenment quickly.”
Tsa-Tsas Dedicated for Those Who are Sick or have Life Obstacles
Every day Sangha make three long life and 13 Mitukpa tsa-tsas. These are dedicated to any person who is sick with prayers that they may immediately recover, be liberated from samsara, and may achieve enlightenment quickly.
In addition, on the eighth day of the Tibetan month, three Eight Medicine Buddhas tsa-tsas are also made. On the thirtieth, one 12-inch (30-centimeter) tall Padmasambhava tsa-tsa is made.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche requested this dedication:
For the long life and the success of all the holy wishes of all the virtuous friends.
To be able to receive all the finances to build the Maitreya statue without any delay of even a second and to be able to complete the statue as soon as possible. As well as for the quickest success of all the rest of the projects, building holy objects and other projects at all the FPMT centers and may they be most beneficial to enlighten sentient beings in the quickest way.
Dedicate for all the lower realm sentient beings, particularly all sentient beings whose names are given to me and who I promise to pray for, may they be born in a pure land, or receive a perfect human rebirth, by meeting perfectly qualified Mahayana virtuous friends, may they actualize the path and quickly become enlightened. As well as for all others who died and who are sick, particularly whose names are given to me, to immediately recover and have the most meaningful life.For the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa to last for a long time and for all sentient beings to quickly achieve enlightenment.
From,
Mickey Mouse
Making Merit
Resident Sangha make stupas every single day for those who have passed away or are sick. Photo by Whitney Dafoe.
After the stupas and tsa-tsas are made they are given away or are used in various ways so people can circumambulate and create merit as they enter Rinpoche’s house or go around while talking on the phone. You can learn more and view some beautiful photos of this project in “Stupas in Everyday Life, Advice From Lama Zopa Rinpoche,” published on the Mandala “FPMT News Around the World” blog.
The Stupa Funds covers all the expenses for the material to make the tsa-tsas. This is something amazing to rejoice in, every day new holy objects are being made as well as extensive prayers. This is something you can also participate in by donating any amount … How amazing!
How Can I Make a Donation?
To make a tax-deductible donation generally to the Stupa Fund
Or simply send your check in US dollars payable to FPMT Inc. and write “Stupa Fund” on the memo line.
FPMT Inc.
1632 SE 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97214-4702
USA
The Stupa Fund is a project of FPMT Inc. and is administered by FPMT International Office located in Portland, Oregon, United States. All donations made to this fund are tax-deductible within the United States in accordance with IRS Code article 501(c)(3) to the extent allowed by law.
For more information please contact: Charitable Projects Coordinator.
Dakinis making offerings during 100,000 Guru Rinpoche Tsog.This is the second year that the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund partially sponsored a very successful 100,000 Guru Rinpoche Tsog offering puja that was held in Switzerland. US$28326.91 was offered toward this puja.
We received this message from organizers about the amazing event:
“The puja was graced by the presence of His Eminence Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche and ritual masters from Namgyal Monastery, khenpos, geshes, lamas, monks from all the schools of Tibetan Buddhism, representatives of His Holiness The Dalai Lama in Switzerland, the President and Vice President of the Tibetan Community in Switzerland, the President of the Tibetan Women’s Association and over 130 Tibetans and Western Dharma practitioners.
“The puja took five days and it also provided a platform for theyounger generation of Tibetans to experience an aspect of our rich ancient culture and tradition.
“What a blessing, what an honor and what a joy it was to have all these great masters and practitioners come together with single pointed devotion and aspiration for the long life of His Holiness The Dalai Lama and for world peace.
Food offered to participants in the 100,000 Guru Rinpoche Tsog
“At this moment, we would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude and thank you for your kind generosity and support toward the successful accomplishment of this grand prayer in the beginning, middle and end. Without your help this would not have been possible.
“We pray through the acquired root of virtue: may the precious doctrine of Lord Buddha flourish far and wide throughout the world. May His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Avalokiteshvara in person, your Eminence and all the other lineage holders’ lotus feet remain stable and may all of your holy wishes be spontaneously fulfilled.
“May peace prevail in the world, may the cause of Tibet be actualized through the policy of middle path that is mutually beneficial for both Tibet and China and may Tibetans living inside and out of Tibet reunite and all enjoy the new glory of perfection. May the Rigzin Dungdrub (Maha Guru Boomtsok) spread all over the world, bringing benefit to all sentient beings.”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with the family of Dromo Rinpoche.
April 2013: The Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund is offering a small amount of annual monetary support to the family of the incarnation of Dromo Geshe Rinpoche who are very much in need of basic needs and support. Rinpoche met with the family recently while in South India and offered to help. The young Dromo Rinpoche is now studying Drati Khangtsen at Sera Je Monastery.
Monks debating during last year’s Winter Debate. April 2013: The Lama Tsong Khapa Teachers Fund offered US$22,396.26 for the 2012 Winter Debate (Jang Gun-choe). 635 of the top debaters from Sera Je traveled to Drepung Monastery to participate with 8,000 monks from 11 different monasteries. The main participating Institutes were Sera, Drepung, Gaden, Tashi Lhunpo, Gyuto, Gyudme, Rato and Dhakpo Shedrup Dhargeyling monasteries and they met to debate two sessions a day for a minimum of seven hours. Many monks debated until the wee hours of the night.
The Lama Tsong Khapa Teachers Fund covered the cost of travel and food for the 635 monks from Sera Je Monastery to attend the month-long debate.
Monks debating during last year’s Winter Debate. The Great Winter Debate has been an integral part Tibet Buddhism and dates back to the time of Lama TsongKhapa. The debate mainly consists of the most earnest and competent scholars from the great monasteries. The primary course of study during the Winter Debate is Pramanavartika (Tsema Namdrel) by Acharya Dharmakirti on subjects such as epistemology, valid cognition, dialectics, and the Art of Liberation.
Learn more about the Winter Debate.
The Lama Tsong Khapa Teachers Fund also offered a full set of monk’s robes to 27 top scholars who memorized Shantidava’s The Bodhisattva’s Way of Life and an additional full set of robes to another 196 monks: 94 who successfully memorized The Essence of Eloquence (Dang-Nge), 91 who memorized The Clear Meaning of Paramita (Drelpa-Don-Sel), 10 who memorized Skab Dangpoi Spyi Don by Jetsun Chokyi Gyaltsen, and one who successfully memorized The Collection of Six Treaties on the Middle Way.
Students of Central School for Tibetans.April 2013: Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund recently donated US$30,000 for the complete renovation of a school kitchen at the Central School for Tibetans in Bylakuppe in South India.
The school was established in 1971 and caters to children of nearby Tibetan settlements. The school has 350 students and 32 teaching and non-teaching staff. Over the years the 
The kitchen in desperate need of renovation. school has constantly achieved good academics. Besides emphasizing excellence in its academic program, the school stresses equal importance on the all around development of the students. Activities such as sports, literary activities, music, dance, and more are offered.
The school also emphasizes the preservation and promotion of Tibetan culture and positive values among the students through a series of initiatives including inviting eminent speakers and participating in various functions and festivals in the settlement. In 2010 His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with the children from this and other Tibetan schools in the area.
Long life puja offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Taiwan, March 2013April 2013: Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund offered US$65,187 to the FPMT Puja Fund, which sponsors ongoing pujas at the great monasteries in India and Nepal, with over 9,000 Sangha participating. All the pujas are dedicated for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and to the success of all the FPMT centers, projects, students, benefactors and those serving the organization in any way. Some of this offering was accumulated from what was offered to Rinpoche at the recent long life pujas in Singapore and Taiwan.
Long life puja offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Singapore, March 2013Through the sponsorship of ongoing pujas, creating merit through the practices, as well as making offerings to the more than 9,000 sangha who participate in the pujas, the FPMT Puja Fund is very important to the success and removal of obstacles to the whole organization.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche during long life puja at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 29, 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Senior monks and nuns of Kopan Monastery and Nunnery in Nepal recently requested Lama Zopa Rinpoche to accept a special long life puja, out of concern for Rinpoche’s health and in support of other pujas that are being organized. The special long life puja was offered the morning of Monday, April 29. Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme (Khadro-la) attended the puja and made offerings to Rinpoche.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khadro-la having lunch after puja, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Kopan Monastery and Nunnery have taken on the responsibility to offer pujas throughout the year for Rinpoche’s good health and long life. Each month they are saving a few goats from slaughter and also fish. Some of the pujas, like Tugchuma, will be done daily for the rest of the year.
Ongoing improvements are made year round to Sera Je Monastery Kitchen through the Sera Je Food Fund. A new wood burning steam boiler was purchased for the Sera Je Kitchen to cut down on the usage of LPG gas cylinders. A new rice cooking vessel was also recently purchased.
You can donate any amount to these ongoing efforts.
A look at a typical daily offering of breakfast provided by the Sera Je Food Fund to the monks studying at Sera Je Monastery.
You can also view a typical day’s menu including breakfast and lunch.
Please take a moment to rejoice in this incredible offering of which you can be a part by donating any amount to the Sera Je Food Fund today.
