Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the FPMT organization include supporting practice and realizations, including sponsoring 100 Million OM MANI PADME HUM mantra retreats, sponsoring individuals to complete 1,000 Nyung Na retreats, and encouraging the recitation of the Golden Light Sutra as much as possible in as many places as possible around the world to create the causes for peace.

This page reports the current count of completed 100 Million OM MANI PADME HUM retreats, 1,000 Nyung Na retreats, and Golden Light Sutra recitations around the world to track the fulfillment of Rinpoche’s Vast Visions and for rejoicing!

100 Million Mani Retreats  |  1,000 Nyung Na Retreats  |  Golden Light Sutra Recitations

Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching during the 100 Million Mani Retreat, ILTK, Italy, October 5, 2017. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

100 Million OM MANI PADME HUM Retreats

[I would like] for the organization to establish 100,000 recitations of 100 million OM MANI PADME HUM mantras. This can be retreats of 100 million recitations, so 100,000 different retreats in different parts of the world and where it is happening, then for it to happen regularly, each year.

—Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Below tracks the progress of Rinpoche’s Vast Vision to sponsor 100,000 retreats of 100 million OM MANI PADME HUM mantras, in different parts of the world, each year.

Participants of the 108 Nyung na retreats being held at Institut Vajra Yogini, France, June 2022.

1,000 Nyung Na Retreats

Nyung Na does not just purify many eons of negative karma, especially developing compassion, which means bodhicitta, it makes us so much closer to enlightenment, so close to being able to enlighten all sentient beings, which is our ultimate goal in life. It also brings you closer to the Guru-Compassion Buddha.

—Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Below find Nyung Na retreats sponsored by the FPMT organization in fulfilling Rinpoche's Vast Vision to sponsor individuals to complete 1,000 Nyung Na retreats in their lifetime.

Completed Nyung Na Retreats

Nyung näs take such a short time, but bring strong purification. So many eons can be purified in this life; it makes it so easy to have attainments.

—Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Ven. Charles and Ven. Namdrol, who both have completed over 1,000 Nyung Na retreats, Istituto Lama Tsong Khapa, Italy, October 2017.

Rejoice! Individuals who have completed more than 1,000 Nyung Nas

A few individuals thus far in the FPMT mandala have completed more than 1,000 Nyung Na retreats in fulfillment of Rinpoche’s wishes. They are Ven. Ani Chodron, Ven. Charles Trebaol, Ven. Tenzin Namdrol, and Valentino Giacomin. Please take a moment to rejoice in their incredible efforts and devotion.

Sponsored 108 Nyung Na Retreats

Institut Vajra Yogini (IVY) in France offers annual 108 Nyung Na retreats. 

As of 2025, 14 series of 108 Nyung Na retreats have been completed at IVY.

The Practice and Retreat Fund offers 10,000 Euro each year towards the annual 108 Nyung Na retreats at IVY, in accordance with Rinpoche’s Vast Visions.

Help Us Sponsor Nyung Na Retreats

Make an offering to the Practice and Retreat Fund below:

DONATE

Lama Zopa Rinpoche offering an oral transmission of the Sutra of Golden Light, Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Reciting the Golden Light Sutra

“The most beneficial thing to have peace and to stop the wars is recitation of the Golden Light Sutra. This is the most beneficial thing to bring peace, everyone should try to do this, no matter how busy they are, even to recite one or two pages, even a few lines.

—Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Below find the total count of recitations reported around the world since 2008! You can also visit the Golden Light Sutra Homepage for detailed information and resources, receiving the oral transmission of the sutra from Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and reporting your recitations.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the FPMT organization including building many beautiful holy objects around the world.

This page reports the current count of holy objects built in fulfillment of Rinpoche’s Vast Visions, including stupas, prayer wheels, Maitreya statues, Padmasambhava statues, and large thangkas to be displayed around the world at FPMT centers on special occasions—to track the fulfillment of Rinpoche’s Vast Visions and for rejoicing.

100,000 Stupas  |  100,000 Prayer Wheels  | 1,000 Maitreya Statues  |  Padmasambhava Statues | Large Thangkas

The magnificent Thame stupa, Nepal.

100,000 Stupas Around the World

Since there is unbelievable benefit such as liberating sentient beings, then I thought that the whole organization could aim to build 100,000 stupas (minimum size of one story up to the distance from the earth to the moon) in different parts of the world and for FPMT to do this as a whole.

—Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Below find a list of stupas that have been completed or are in progress, which meet the criteria for Rinpoche’s Vast Visions. Also please enjoy a short photo gallery of completed stupas.

Stupas Completed or In Progress

Building stupas helps develop so much peace and happiness for numberless sentient beings. As a result, wars, disease, and desire will all be pacified. Instead of feeling hopeless, people will gain courage.

—Lama Zopa Rinpoche

To date, 55 stupas, a minimum of one story high (10 feet/3 meters), have been completed or are in progress, at FPMT centers and by FPMT students, toward this goal of 100,000 stupas around the world. Please see the worldwide list below.

Northern & Central America

Kalachakra Stupa at Kurukulla Center, Massachusetts USA

• 3m/10ft – Kadampa Stupa at Kachoe Dechen Ling, California, USA
• 2m/6ft – Lama Yeshe Cremation Stupa at Vajrapani Institute, California, USA
• 5m/16ft – Lama Yeshe’s Enlightenment Stupa at Vajrapani Institute, California, USA
• 2m/6ft – Kadampa Stupa at Land of Medicine Buddha, California, USA
• Mahabodhi Stupa, at Land of Medicine Buddha, California, USA
• 4.5m/15ft – Kalachakra Stupa at Kurukulla Center, Massachusetts, USA
• 5.5 m/18ft – Kadampa Stupa at Kadampa Center, North Carolina, USA 
• 4.2m/14ft – Auspicious Stupa of Many Doors at Milarepa Center, Vermont, USA
• 4.9m/16ft – Enlightenment Stupa at Pamtingpa Center, Tonasket, Washington, USA
• 2.7m/9ft – Enlightenment Stupa at Gendun Drubpa, Canada
• 4.9m/16ft – Enlightenment Stupa, Vancouver Island, Canada

South America

• 6m/20ft – Turning of the Dharma Stupa, Mexico
• Kalachakra Stupa for World Peace at Serlingpa Retreat Center, Mexico
• 3m/10ft – Descent from Tushita Stupa, containing 15 relics, in all I think, many of 26 different mantras including the Four Dharmakaya Relic mantras. Cozumel, Mexico.

Europe

• Kadampa Stupa built for Lama Yeshe and International Year of Tibet (1991) at Institut Vajra Yogini, France
• 4m/13ft – Enlightenment Stupa at Nalanda Monastery, France
• Descent from Tushita Stupa at Kopavogur, Iceland
• 1 Enlightenment Stupa built for Lama Yeshe, Geshe Rabten, Geshe Yeshe Tobden, and Gomo Tulku, at ILTK, Italy
• 1 Reconciliation Stupa built for Lama Yeshe, Geshe Rabten, Geshe Yeshe Tobden, and Gomo Tulku, at ILTK, Italy
• Kadampa Stupa at Kushi Ling Retreat Centre, Italy
• Lama Yeshe Enlightenment Stupa at Jamyang Buddhist Centre, London, UK (Built in 1988, contains, Lama Yeshe’s bone relic, and was consecrated by Lama Zopa Rinpoche)
• Kadampa Stupa at Centro Nagarjuna Valencia, Spain
• Kadampa Stupa with Geshe Thubten Tsering’s ashes at Centro Nagarjuna Valencia, Spain
• Enlightenment Stupa built for Lama Yeshe at Osel Ling, Spain
• Eight stupas at Centro Muni Gyana, Palermo, Italy.

Pacific Region

• 50m/164ft – The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Atisha Center, Victoria, Australia, in progress
• 9m/29.5ft – Enlightenment Stupa at De Tong Ling Retreat Centre, Kangaroo Island, Australia
• 3.6m/12ft – Stupa at Kunsang Yeshe Retreat Centre, New South Wales, Australia
• Victory Stupa at Vajrayana Institute, New South Wales, Australia
• Garden of Enlightenment Stupa at Chenrezig Institute, Queensland, Australia
• Victory Stupa at Chenrezig Institute, Queensland, Australia
• Auspicious Stupa with Many Doors at Dorje Chang Institute, Auckland, New Zealand
• 5.2m/17ft – Long Life Stupa at Chandrakirti Buddhist Meditation Centre, Nelson, New Zealand
• Enlightenment Stupa at Mahamudra Center, New Zealand

Asia

• Enlightenment Stupa built for Lama Yeshe at Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, India
• Auspicious Stupa of Many Doors built for Geshe Rabten at Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, India
• Parinirvana Stupa built for Geshe Wongdu at Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, India
• 1m/3ft – Stupa at IMI House in Sera Je Monastery, India
• 6.4m/21ft – Kadampa Stupa (8 smaller stupas) at Root Institute in progress
• 6m/20ft – Enlightenment Stupa built for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s mother, located between Lawudo and Namche Bazaar in a village called Samshing, Nepal
• 3m/10ft – Stupa for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s mother’s incarnation, Nawang Zhimay, located below Lawudo in a village called Teshok
• Eight Stupas at Kopan Monastery, Nepal
• 10.7m/35ft – Geshe Lama Konchog’s Dharmachakra Stupa at Kopan Monastery, Nepal
• Thousand Buddha Relics Stupa for Geshe Lama Konchog’s relics, a row of 8 stupas and a golden stupa for Lama Yeshe’s relics, at Kopan Monastery, Nepal
• 7.6m/25ft – Lama Lhundrup’s Stupa, Kopan Monastery, Nepal
• Lama Lhundrup’s Stupa at Kopan Nunnery
• Lama Yeshe’s Stupa at Kopan Monastery, Nepal
• 3m/9.8ft – Enlightenment Stupa in Boudhanath, Nepal at one student’s house
• Namgyalma Stupa, Losang Drakpa Center, Malaysia
• Victory Stupa at Golden Light Sutra Center, Mongolia
• Enlightenment Stupa at Shakyamuni Buddhist Center, Taiwan
• 6m/20ft – Geshe Sengye’s stupa in Tibet
• 5.5/18ft – Enlightenment Stupa, Taplejung District, Nepal (built by Losang Namgyal Rinpoche)
• 5.5/18ft – Enlightenment Stupa, Okhaldunga District, Nepal (built by Losang Namgyal Rinpoche)
• 6.4/21ft – Enlightenment Stupa, Lalitpure District, Nepal (built by Losang Namgyal Rinpoche)
• 5.5m/18ft – Stupa, Okhaldunga District, Nepal (built by Losang Namgyal Rinpoche)
• 5.5m/18ft – Nirvana Stupa, Rasuwa District, Nepal (built by Losang Namgyal Rinpoche)
• 5.5/18ft – Pepung Stupa (Lotus Stupa), Nuwakot District, Nepal (built by Losang Namgyal Rinpoche)
• 5.5m/18ft – Stupa in Rasuwa District, Nepal (built by Losang Namgyal Rinpoche)
• 7.5m/24.5ft – Stupa in Rinchen Jansem Ling, Malaysia. 

Offerings Made to Build Stupas

•  32m/105ft – Chogyey Trichen Rinpoche’s Stupa (with a 16.5m/54ft diameter dome), Nepal, US$7,700 offered.

Further Resources

• FPMT’s Holy Objects Resources Page

Offer Your Support

The Stupa Fund provides the resources needed for building 100,000 stupas around the world. This is part of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for FPMT.

Photo Gallery

Please enjoy this photo gallery of stupas at FPMT centers around the world, inspired by Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Vision to build 100,000 stupas. Some of the stupas pictured have received sponsorship from the FPMT Stupa Fund.

Giant prayer wheels at the Namche Stupa and Mani Park, Namche Bazaar, Nepal.

100,000 Prayers Wheels Around the World

“[I would like] for the whole organization to build 100,000 prayer wheels in different parts of the world, [including prayer wheels under the ocean], a minimum height of six feet. Prayer wheels are a great blessing for each country.

—Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Below find a list of large prayer wheels that have been completed or are in progress, which meet the criteria for Rinpoche's Vast Visions, as well as a photo gallery of prayer wheels.

Prayer Wheels Completed or In Progress

“The reason why I’d like to build as many as possible is because in the texts it says: If you do prayers as a group, then it is a hundred times more powerful than doing it alone in the room…If we do it as the whole organization, as a project, then if everybody offers $10 or $5 or even smaller thinking that you are contributing to building a stupa, then in this way it becomes everyone’s project. In this way the karma is very powerful if we do it with many people, all together.

—Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Prayer Wheels Completed/In Progress

 To date, approximately 13 large prayer wheels and many smaller prayer wheels have been built. Please rejoice!

H.E. Ling Rinpoche after the consecration for the prayer wheel at Vajrapani Institute, USA, June 2024.

Northern & Central America

• Prayer wheel containing over 170 billion mantras as well as many sets of texts, Land of Medicine Buddha, CA, USA
• Prayer wheel containing 12 billion mantras, Land of Medicine Buddha, CA, USA
• Pagoda prayer wheel containing 64 billion mantras, Land of Medicine Buddha, CA, USA
• Prayer wheel at Vajrapani Institute, CA, USA.

Europe

•  1.7m x 3m/5.56ft x 9.94ft – Prayer wheel containing 24,660,651,040 mantras on paper and more on microfilm, at Maitreya Institute, The Netherlands.
• 2.5m x 2m/8.2ft x 6.5ft – Prayer wheel containing millions of mani mantras, and other mantras advised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, as well as a set of the Kangyur and the collection of Lama Tsongkhapa’s writings, at Kushi Ling Retreat Center, Italy.
• 2.5m x 1.2m/8.2ft x 3.9ft – Prayer wheel containing 108 billion MANI mantras, at Institut Vajra Yogini, France.
• Large prayer wheel and prayer wheel house at Osel Ling Retreat Center, Spain. 

Pacific Region

• Prayer wheel containing 111 billion OM MANI PADME HUM mantras, over 500 Buddhist texts (2 Kangyur, 1 Tengyur, 2 Je Sungbum and others), as well as 5 million other prayers and mantras including Guru Rinpoche prayer and mantra, Five Powerful Deities Purifying Mantras and Vajrasattva and Medicine Buddha mantras as advised by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, at Dorje Chang Institute, New Zealand. 
• Prayer wheel at Chenrezig Institute, Australia
• 3m x 2.1m/10ft x 7ft – Prayer wheel containing over ten billion mantras at Chandrakirti Meditation Center, New Zealand. 
• Large prayer wheel at Mahamudra Centre, New Zealand. 
• 1.8m x 1.8m/5.9ft x 5.9ft – Prayer wheel containing approximately 250,000,000 mantras including copies of the Dharmakaya Relic Mantras; also inside the wheel is the complete set of kangyur and half of the tengyur, at Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery, Australia. 

Asia

• Large prayer wheel and surrounding smaller wheels – the large prayer wheels contains 100,000,000 OM MANI PADME HUM mantras and nearly 400,000 are included in the smaller prayer wheels, at Dickey Larsoe Tibetan Settlement, a Tibetan settlement in Bylakuppe, South India.
• Gigantic prayer wheel containing the Kangyur, one set of Lama Tsongkhapa’s teachings, Sutra of Long Life; Chenrezig longest mantra, Kurukulla mantra, Padmasambhava mantra; five powerful deity mantras, at Root Institute, Bodhgaya, India. 
• Prayer wheel at Lawudo Gompa, Nepal
• Prayer wheel at Kopan Monastery, Nepal
• 4.3m/14ft – Prayer wheel with over 100 million mantras, built by Losang Namgyal Rinpoche, at Hetauda, Makwanpure District, Nepal 
• IN PROGRESS: 4.8m x 3.6m/15ft x 12ft – Prayer wheel at Rinchen Jansem Ling, Malaysia. 

Prayer Wheels inspired by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

• 32 – 0.3m/1ft – Prayer wheels surrounding the Ksitigharba Statue at Land of Medicine Buddha, CA, USA.
• 10 – 14 inch x 10 inch prayer wheels, at Milarepa Center, VT, USA
• 22 – 0.6m x 0.5m/2ft x 1.5ft – Prayer wheels, containing about 12,000,000 mantras in each wheel, at the Garden of Enlightenment, Australia.
• 10 prayer wheels (10 more ordered from Nepal) 0.5m x 0.3m/1.5ft x 1ft at the Garden of Enlightenment, Australia.
• 200 – 0.6m x 0.3m/2ft x 1ft – Prayer wheels mounted directly onto the walls of The Great Stupa, Australia. In progress.
• 7 – 0.6m x 0.58m/2.1ft x 1.9ft – Prayer wheels at Hayagriva Buddhist Centre, Australia.
• 1.2m x 0.3m/4ft x 1ft – Prayer wheel filled with microfilm at Nagarjuna Valencia Center, Spain
• 1.5m x 1m/5ft x 3.5ft – Universal Peace Wheel houses billions of traditional mantras and thousands of handwritten peace statements in Elko, Nevada.

Further Resources

• FPMT’s Holy Objects Resources Page

Offer Your Support

The Prayer Wheel Fund provides the resources needed for building 100,000 prayer wheels around the world. This is part of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for FPMT.

Photo Gallery & Video

Please enjoy this photo gallery of prayer wheels sponsored by the Prayer Wheel Fund.

Also, please enjoy this short video below by Land of Medicine Buddha, “Turning the Great Prayer Wheel”

Long Life puja offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche by Sera Je Monastery in front of the Maitreya Statute, Bodhgaya, January 2017. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

1,000 Maitreya Statues

A special thing about contributing to Maitreya, whether it be money or time or energy, is that it makes a connection with Maitreya Buddha, and the result is that one becomes a direct disciple of Maitreya Buddha when Maitreya returns to manifest enlightenment as Shakyamuni Buddha did.

—Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Below find a list of Maitreya statues that have been completed or are in progress, which meet the criteria for Rinpoche's Vast Visions.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching next to the 6.5 foot Padmasambhava statue at Osel Ling Retreat Center, Spain, May 2019. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Padmasambhava Statues for Peace

Building Guru Rinpoche statues will bring immeasurable benefit, peace, happiness, and freedom to the world. They will have immeasurable impact.

—Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Below find a list of statues that have been completed or are in progress, which meet the criteria for Rinpoche's Vast Visions.

Padmasambhava Statues Completed or In Progress

Padmasambhava has said that when he no longer abides in Tibet, that his statues will become like lights that dispel the darkness of ignorance. Lama Zopa Rinpoche has compiled the many benefits of building and making offerings to Padmasambhava statues such as The Benefits of Building Padmasambhava Statues and Benefits of Guru Padmasambhava Statues

Statues Completed So Far

To date, 27 statues have been completed with support from the Padmasambhava Project for Peace Fund:

Padmasambhava statue and stupa with reflections on a very still pond at De-Tong Ling retreat center in Australia. Photo by George Manos.

• Large statue at a Sakya Monastery in Asia
• Large statue at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion near Bendigo, Australia
• Life-sized statue at Milarepa Center in Vermont, USA
• (11 total) One 13.5 ft (4.1 m) statue, three other large statues, and statues of the seven aspects of Guru Rinpoche in Lawudo, Nepal
• (9 total) 70 ft (21.3 m) statue with two consorts, each 25 ft; also includes Eight Aspects of Padmasambhava, each over 6 ft (2 m) high in Asia
• 7 ft (2.1 m) statue at Chandrakirti Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre, New Zealand
• 9 ft (2.7 m) statue at De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre on Kangaroo Island, Australia
• 3 ft (1 m) statue in Nepal which will go inside a large stupa in India
• 6.5 ft (2 m) statue in Spain at Osel Ling, Spain.

Statue Project in Pokhara

The Project Guru Rinpoche, is currently being undertaken in the beautiful locations of Pokhara, Nepal.

The comprehensive cost of this remarkable project encompasses both land procurement expenses and the construction of a grand monument. The price of acquiring the land amounts to US$2,000,000 while the construction work itself totals US$993,217.84. Situated alongside the esteemed Annapurna Cable Car, the Guru Rinpoche statue, to be erected in Pokhara, will seamlessly blend with the surrounding natural landscape, creating a serene and captivating environment.

Covering a total site area of 3226.38 sq.m (34,728.46 sq.ft), the project includes various features such as a meditation hall capable of accommodating 100 individuals, additional rooms and a prayer hall, a mantra wall, vast green areas, and a magnificent 15-meter-tall statue that gracefully rises 1556.47 meters above sea level. The estimated cost for the statue itself is approximately US$298,625.54.

Following the successful acquisition of the land, the endeavor to secure water for the Pokhara Project commenced on July 24, 2023 following soil testing performed on July 7, 2023. By August 10, 2023 a reliable water source was successfully secured for the Pokhara Project.

Offer Your Support

Make a tax-deductible donation to the Padmasambhava Project for Peace:

DONATE

Photo Gallery

Please enjoy this short photo gallery of completed Padmasambhava statues.

Large thangka of Guru Rinpoche at Kopan. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Large Thangkas Around the World

My wish is for the big centers in FPMT to have these large thangkas." Rinpoche explained. "This is a way to leave imprints for all these people [who see them], for enlightenment.

—Lama Zopa Rinpoche

One of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for FPMT is for FPMT centers to display large thangkas and host festival days where these thangkas can be enjoyed.  Below find a list of thangkas that have been completed and displayed.

Progress on the Stupa of Complete Victory at Kopan Monastery. Photo thanks to Kopan Monastery.

The Stupa of Complete Victory, being built at Kopan Monastery in Nepal for the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, is progressing impressively. We are delighted to share this recent update and rejoice in this significant milestone that has reached in its construction.

In early February many of the monks of Kopan Monastery assisted with the filling of the stupa, carefully wrapping all the precious texts in cloth (this is like offering robes to the texts) and carried up the 42 ft stupa to be placed respectfully inside the stupa.

Next, the life tree was brought up. This is a hugely important step to building a stupa. The life tree has the four dharmakaya relic mantras painted in gold around it.

Please enjoy this short video of the placing of the life tree, mantras, and incense inside the stupa:

Rinpoche has explained “by having these mantras inside, written with gold on the life tree then that gives the holy object much, much, much more power; it becomes hundreds, thousands, millions of times more powerful. It’s already powerful, but on top of that, it becomes incredibly powerful to purify sentient beings’ negative karma, to collect extensive merit, all that.”

As the life tree was placed in the very center of the stupa the monks consecrated it and recited auspicious prayers and then huge bags of incense were carried up the ladders and carefully placed inside the stupa.

Rinpoche has further explained about the incredible benefits of the mantras: “There’s a special mantra in the stupa that goes on the life tree, the root that goes in the center. There are four very powerful mantras that have been written with real gold. So, there are four mantras called Dharmakaya Relics and one of them says Secret Relic. That mantra has unbelievable skies of benefit for the sentient beings who circumambulate, make offering and prostration. By having this mantra in the stupa, human beings, animals, anybody who circumambulates around it one time has the power to purify the negative karma to be born in the hells. The hell realm has eight hot hells and eight cold hells—these are the immeasurable ones—then there are six or four neighborhood hell realms, then the ordinary hell realms. I’m not going to expand any more on this, which is my favorite subject. Anyway, by going around one time, the negative karma to be born in the eight hot hells is completely purified—just by going around one time! By having this mantra, the secret relic, inside the stupa, it’s just so easy to liberate ourselves and other living beings.”

The intricate designs on the outside of the stupa are also now underway.

Progress on the Stupa of Complete Victory’s intricate detail. Photo thanks to Kopan Monastery.

Progress on the Stupa of Complete Victory’s intricate detail. Photo thanks to Kopan Monastery.

Thank you to everyone who is working to actualize the stupa at Kopan Monastery,  as well as to all the donors, who make this possible. As Padmasambhava explained  “All those who rejoice in the stupa will generate every single quality of a buddha in their mental continuum.”

We still need funds to complete this beautiful and powerful stupa, please consider supporting in whatever way you can.

Please read our last previous update on this stupa, Placing the Treasure Vases. 

Please read more about the holy objects supported through the Holy Objects Fund.

Shine room and staircase for a large Buddha statue in Dalhousie, India.

Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche expressed in his Vast Visions his wish for the FPMT organization to build many holy objects everywhere, as many as possible. This makes it so easy for sentient beings to purify their heavy negative karma and create extensive merit, which makes it so easy to achieve the realizations of the path, liberation, and enlightenment.

The Holy Objects Fund is dedicated to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s wish and provides the resources to create holy objects around the world for the success of the FPMT organization and for the benefit of all beings.

An incredible US$549,234 was granted for holy objects in 2024 and we are so happy to share some of the new holy objects that have come into being recently, and how grants from the Holy Objects Fund and other funds such as the Stupa of Complete Victory,  Stupa Fund, Padmasambhava Project for Peace, Offering Buddha Statues to His Holiness,  Prajnaparamita Project, and the Prayer Wheel Fund have been utilized, for rejoicing.

Stupa of Complete Victory  |  Enlightenment Stupa  |  Buddha Statues in Rural Areas  |  Shine Room and Staircase | 
Large Guru Rinpoche Thangka  |  Writing the Prajnaparamita Sutra  |  Prayer Wheel in Tahiti  |  Milarepa Center’s Stupa  | Tsa Tsas  |  Buddha Statues to His Holiness the Dalai Lama  |  Guru Rinpoche Statue  |  Zangdog Palri | Benefits | Thank you

Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Stupa of Complete Victory at Kopan Monastery

Progress on the Stupa of Complete Victory, Kopan Monastery, Nepal. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim.

Enlightenment Stupa offered to Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery.

The Stupa of Complete Victory that is being built in Kopan Monastery, is dedicated for the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and accomplishment of all his wishes. This 42-foot high (13 meters) stupa was started in late 2023 and is now well underway having just reached the vase level.

Under the stupa there will be a gompa, as well as two meditation rooms. There will be 32 smaller stupas around the main stupa. The throne of the stupa has recently been filled with huge treasure vases and texts. The focus now is on the intricate outer decorations of the stupa.

In 2024 US$470,890 was granted toward the building of this precious stupa. We still need funds to complete this stupa, please consider supporting in whatever way you can.

Enlightenment Stupa at Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery, Nepal

 A beautiful 52-inch gold gilded Enlightenment Stupa was offered to Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery, this stupa will contain a precious relic from Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The stupa will be in the main gompa, on the altar at the Nunnery. A grant of US$7,215 was offered for this stupa.

Offering for Buddha Statues in Rural Areas of Nepal

One of the Buddha statues delivered in rural Nepal. Photo thanks to Geshe Thubten Jinpa.

 Geshe Thubten Jinpa, from Kopan Monastery, arranged for several Buddha statues to be offered to remote Buddhist communities in Nepal, that otherwise didn’t have a large holy object. We were very happy to offer a grant of US$5,000 toward two of these Buddha statues.

The first statue was offered to Rigu village, a Tamang Buddhist community in the very remote place of Dolakha northeast of Kathmandu. It takes a day’s walk to reach this community, and they had just built a small gompa where the community gathers to do the practice. This statue will be the main holy object in their gompa.

The second statue was offered to far East Nepal, called Bhot Khola. The remote area is inaccessible by road. The community consists of about 87 families. Each statue offered was made of copper and gold plated and is 3.2 feet in size (1 meter). The statues are consecrated and delivered to these remote communities and in each place Geshe Thubten Jinpa also gave some teachings to the communities on how to make offerings and the practice of refuge and bodhicitta.

Shine Room and Staircase for the Large Buddha Statue in Dalhousie, India

The Tibetan Refugee community of Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh, India, consists of 118 families and 343 inhabitants. This small community sustains themselves through the operation of a handicraft center and running small shops in the town. The community recently wanted a large Buddha statue, and raised the funds locally to build this statue, however, due to shortage of funds, the main work on the shrine room and the construction of the staircase for the large Buddha statue was put on hold.

We were very happy to offer a grant of US$17,087 that enabled the community to complete the work of the shine room and staircase (pictured at the top of this page) so that the Buddha statue could be completed and become the main object of refuge in this small community. It was due to the kind help of a grant from Unione Buddhista Italiana (U.B.I.) that enabled us to offer this support

Displaying the 75-Foot Guru Rinpoche Thangka in Nepal

Large Guru Rinpoche thangka. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

 On December 3, 2024, in honor of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s birthday we had the great fortune to again display the very large thangka of Guru Rinpoche at Khachoe Ghakyil Ling (Kopan Nunnery). The thangka, which is 75 feet (23 meters) high, and 87 feet (27 meters) wide is stitched in appliqué, and depicts the Padmasambhava merit field in the center. Lama Zopa Rinpoche personally designed and oversaw the creation of this huge thangka and raised funds for it.

Rinpoche has 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.”

Each time the thangka is displayed, everyone in the local community is invited. The offering of 100,000 tsog to Guru Rinpoche (Guru Bumtsog ) is performed, as well as setting up all the extensive offerings, and lunch is offered to the thousands of people who attend.

We were happy to offer a grant of US$18,806 that covered all the expenses related to this one-day puja, including offerings to all the Sangha who attend, and the catered lunch for everyone. We would like to thank a kind benefactor who helped substantially this year with the costs.

This year we also took the opportunity to fix the brocade of the thangka which had some damage and replace the yellow cloth covering, with a new cover of a different stronger material that will offer more protection for the thangka.

Writing the Prajnaparamita Sutra

Ven. Lobsang Tsering writing out the Prajnaparamita from Kopan Monastery. Photo by Yanzhina Bartanova.

 The Prajnaparamita sutra is being beautifully written in gold ink calligraphy daily and is now in its nineteenth year.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche explained in a teaching in Bendigo, Australia, his clear wishes for the writing of the Prajnaparamita sutra to continue for as long as FPMT exists. Even when completing the twelve volumes of the sutra currently in process, Rinpoche asked that this project begin again and in this way the sutra is continually being written out, as it is a powerful holy object. Currently Ven.Tsering is on the fifth volume and Jane Seidlitz in the USA is writing out the second volume. This year Ven.Tsenla has also joined and is writing out the Amitayus Long Life Sutra in gold at Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery.

The grant for this year of US$39,960 covered the cost of gold and other expenses (paper, pens, etc).

Prayer Wheel in Tahiti

Lama Zopa Rinpoche specifically entrusted the Naropa Meditation Center in Tahiti to construct a prayer wheel over water in Tahiti, to benefit the beings in the ocean, and particularly the nagas.

The Prayer Wheel will be filled with millions of mantras, and it will touch the water through its axis offering benefit to all sentient beings not only in French Polynesia but across the Pacific Ocean and more. It will emanate peace and harmony and serve as stabilizers for natural elements and societal conditions such as war, famine, and diseases.

We were very pleased to support this meaningful project and offered a grant of US$2,500 toward the prayer wheel.

The stupa at Milarepa Center, Vermont.

Milarepa Center’s Stupa Relocation

 The Milarepa Center in Vermont, US was recently offered a grant of US$7,000 toward the expenses to relocate their existing stupa, to a different part of the property. It had recently been discovered that the existing stupa that was originally built at Milarepa Center in 1995 was built in the middle of a state and federal highway right of way and therefore needs to be relocated.

Making Tsa Tsas for Those Who Are Sick or Have Passed Away

The Nalanda Monastery Art Workshop has kindly taken on the request from Lama Zopa Rinpoche to make tsa tsas daily for those who are sick or have passed away. For 25 years this was done at Kachoe Dechen Ling, CA, but now Nalanda Monastery has taken on this important commitment. Each day the three long life deities, Medicine Buddha, Mitukpa and stupa tsa tsas are made with strong prayers for those in need.

The Stupa Fund granted US$2,864 in 2024 for the material and small offering made to the sangha undertaking the practices. 

The Holy Object Fund offers yearly grants and also tracks progress of projects which have received funds in the past and may require funds in the future. In addition to the grants offered above this year, important progress continues on the following projects: 

Offering Buddha Statues to His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Buddha statues that are being made and will be offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

 In 2019 Lama Zopa Rinpoche first expressed his wish to offer one thousand Buddha statues to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and within that year we were able to make this auspicious offering. In 2023 during the long life puja that was offered by FPMT to His Holiness the Dalai Lama we offered another one thousand statues of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Rinpoche also expressed his wish that the FPMT continues to create and offering Buddha statues to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

In 2024 we continued to create these Buddha statues in Nepal, the incredibly beautiful statues are gold gilded, faces painted and are filled with mantras and consecrated and each year we will offer a few hundred to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on behalf of the entire organization.

Guru Rinpoche statue in Pokhara, Nepal

The Guru Rinpoche statue that is being built in Pokhara, Nepal, will seamlessly blend with the surrounding natural landscape, creating a serene and captivating environment. Covering a total site area of 3,226 square miles (34,728 square feet), the project will also include various features such as a meditation hall capable of accommodating 100 individuals, additional rooms and a prayer hall, a mantra wall, vast green areas, and a magnificent 15-meter-tall Guru Rinpoche statue.

Zangdog Palri: Guru Rinpoche Pure Land Project in Lawudo, Nepal

The Zangdog Palri: Guru Rinpoche Pure Land Project, will be building a three-dimensional Pure Land of Guru Rinpoche at Lawudo. This ambitious endeavor, which was very important to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, involves the construction of a four-story Guru Rinpoche Pure Land, although the building hasn’t yet started, groundwork has begun. It is expected it will take several years to build. Zangdog Palri refers to the Glorious Copper Colored Mountain and is the pure land of Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), the great tantric master who brought Buddhism to Tibet. Zangdog Palri is a highly and intricately detailed mandala representing the enlightened qualities of Padmasambhava.

Benefits of Holy Objects

Lama Zopa Rinpoche has explained:

“The moment holy objects such as statues of Buddha are completed on a rock, painted on paper with a brush and colors, taken with a camera or printed on paper etc.; the moment a holy object materializes it becomes a field of merit, like a field of crops, for sentient beings.  It becomes only a cause for them to achieve happiness.

“Generally, for an action to become virtuous and the cause of happiness the activity needs to be motivated by a virtuous mind, unstained by ignorance, anger or attachment – only then does the action become virtuous.

“With holy objects such as statues, stupas and scriptures you do not have to have a mind unstained by anger, ignorance or attachment to create merit. For human beings or even animals, simply seeing the holy object becomes the cause to achieve inconceivable awakening and enlightenment by purifying so many defilements. The special advantage is that just by their existence these holy objects make it easy for us ordinary living beings to create merit.

“It is explained by Buddha in the Sutra of the Mudra of Developing the Power of Devotion:
The minute you see a holy object you create infinite merits,
So, no question, if you actually make prostrations,
Offerings and so forth, you create far greater merit.”

Thank you

Thank you to all who supported these different projects that enable the creation of new holy objects around the world for the benefit of all beings. In 2025 we will continue to be mainly focusing on actualizing the Stupa of Complete Victory for Lama Zopa Rinpoche and appreciate any support.

To help ensure our support to the creation of holy objects around the world, we invite you to offer a donation of any amount to the Holy Objects Fund.

Transportation of one of the nine treasure vases to the throne of the Stupa of Complete Victory. Photo courtesy of Kopan Monastery.

View from below, showing the future gompa under the stupa. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

The construction of the Stupa of Complete Victory being built for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, is progressing beautifully. We are so happy to share this recent update and the significant milestone that has been reached.

On November 29, nine huge (approximately 3 feet) treasure vases were placed inside the throne of the stupa. The precious substances of the vases and the texts, that were also put in the throne, were consecrated with special prayers and vases were carefully filled with all the substances. Cloth was offered to the texts, and the monks all joyfully carried them to the stupa.

The logistics of transporting the nine massive treasure vases (wealth vases), which were incredibly heavy, required the effort of several monks to carefully manage. They were then brought up the ladders and placed inside the throne of the stupa, alongside the sacred texts.

The painting of the precious mantras in gold on the life tree has also begun.

Sacred texts being carefully wrapped in cloth. Photo courtesy of Kopan Monastery.

The painting of the mantra on the life tree.

Pease enjoy this video that showing the inspiring work of placing the treasure vases:

We rejoice in this achievement and all the work that is being done to complete the stupa by so many at Kopan Monastery, as well as the builders and workers.

May this stupa quickly create the causes for the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and actualization of all his wishes.

Padmasambhava explained in the benefits of building stupas:  “All those who rejoice in the stupa will generate every single quality of a Buddha in their mental continuum.” 

We still need funds to complete this beautiful stupa, please consider supporting in whatever way you can.

Please read more about the holy objects supported through the Holy Objects Fund.

Large Padmasambhava  (Guru Rinpoche) thangka with Twenty-one Taras. Photo courtesy of Kopan Nunnery.

For the ninth 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). This giant holy object is 70 feet (21 meters) high and 87 feet (27 meters) wide. This year, in addition to last year and every year going forward, this event occurred on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s birthday, December 3. Below we share some of the rich history of this magnificent holy object, and we also share a moving report from Ven. Sarah Thresher on this year’s event.

Initial outline of the large Padmasambha thangka, November 2011.

History and Significance of the Large Padmasambhava Thangka

This holy object project and yearly event was initiated by Lama Zopa Rinpoche in early 2011 in order to follow the Tibetan tradition of displaying and honoring monumental thangkas. In this tradition, large thangkas are laid on mountains, monastery courtyards, or large walls once a year with annual prayers, pujas, and extensive offerings. The main purpose of this project was to contribute to the fulfillment of the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama including the preservation of Tibetan culture. 

The thangka was completed in October 2013 after 2.5 years of completely handmade work in a school gym in south India near Sera Je Monastery, where 10-12 artists worked at once. Ven. Roger Kunsang commented that there were materials all over the gym during the time it was being made, it seemed difficult to understand how it could all come together in the way it finally did.

Geshe Ngwang Sangye, who oversaw the creation of the thangka shares, “This project is a significant cultural and spiritual endeavor. It not only commemorates the teachings of Buddhism but also acts as a focal point for community gatherings and spiritual reflection, benefiting all beings through its intended use in rituals and teachings.”

Lama Zopa Rinpoche checking the progress on the Padmasambhava thangka, December 2012.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama blessing the Guru Rinpoche thangka, Sera Monastery, India, December 29, 2013. Photo copyright Rio Helmi/Jangchup Lamrim Teaching Organizing Committee.

The thangka was raised for the first time at Sera Je Monastery on the outside of the building when His Holiness the Dalai Lama was teaching in December of 2013. After the teaching His Holiness came to the monastery to bless the holy object. After the blessing, Rinpoche had an appointment with His Holiness and discussed various matters related to the thangka. From this meeting, the plan arose that Rinpoche wanted the thangka raised each year at Lawudo with the pujas and extensive offerings done there. However, at that time it was very difficult to find a way to get the thangka to Lawudo as it was too big and too heavy. Due to this Rinpoche decided to have it raised at Kopan Nunnery each year, which began in 2015 and has continued every year.

Since Rinpoche showed the aspect of passing away, it was decided to hold this event annually on Rinpoche’s birthday, December 3, as a special offering to Rinpoche in order to also fulfill his holy wishes.

The Kopan monks and nuns organize and manage this event with mastery and great care. The puja offered, Guru Bumtsog, is essentially the same as what is offered by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Namgyal Monastery each year. In addition to helping fulfill the holy wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, this project illustrates a deep commitment to preserving and promoting Tibetan Buddhist culture while fostering community engagement through spiritual activities.

With grateful thanks to Geshe Ngawang Sangye for essential information on the history of this most precious object. 

The grounds of Kopan Nunnery during the Guru Bumtsog event on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s birthday, December 3, 2024. Photo thanks to Kopan Nunnery.

Extraordinary Birthday Celebration for Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Kopan Nunnery

By Ven. Sarah Thresher

The Cham dance of the ging—messengers of Dorje Drollo performed by Kopan monks during the bumtsog event. Photo by Lesley Abhita

We enjoyed a most extraordinary birthday celebration for Rinpoche yesterday at the Kopan Nunnery with the annual Guru Bumtsog.

Like a seamless fusing of the two manifestations of the Lawudo Lama, the extensive Guru Bumtsog offering, based on a Northern treasures text by Rigdzin Godemchen, was led and inspired by the monks from Thame monastery in Thamichowa, Solukhumbu. Thame is Rinpoche’s “home” monastery so to speak—it is the monastery the first Lawudo Lama was connected to as a ngakpa practitioner and also where Rinpoche entered as a young child to be a monk. The Northern lineage, the gyaling, the dance of the gings and Dorje Drollo—all these are elements from Rinpoche’s past and present life. But the puja was energized by the love and devotion of Rinpoche’s hundreds of monks and nuns at the monastery and nunnery he created in Nepal in this life at Kopan along with the many lay people gathered—some from countries far away where our most cherished lama spread the Dharma throughout this world.

The weather was glorious, the huge applique thangka of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) merit field and Twenty-one Taras often seemed to dance in rhythm with the chanting. The offerings were beautiful and extensive. Seating and lunch and all details were immaculately arranged. Truly wonderful! And we were joined by such precious lamas as H.E. Jangtse Choeje Kyabje Gosok Rinpoche, Khandro-la [Khandro Kunga Bhuma], Thame Lama, and Dzigar Khenpo of Tsopema.

H.E. Jangtse Choeje Kyabje Gosok Rinpoche of Sera Mey Monastery presiding over the puja on December 3, 2024. Photo thanks to Kopan Nunnery.

Detail of the large Padmasambhava thangka. Photo courtesy of Tubten Pende.

Some of the crowd gathered for the Guru Bumstog event at Kopan Nunnery, December 3, 2024. Photo thanks to Kopan Nunnery.

And so from the depths of our hearts we pray that His Holiness Dalai Lama may live long and all his holy wishes be fulfilled and we request that a new magnificent and unmistaken manifestation of the Lawudo Lama, our most cherished Lama Zopa Rinpoche, swiftly return to continue his enlightened activities for all beings in a precious human form!

With thanks to Ven. Sarah Thresher for this moving brief report of the December 3, 2024 event, and to Geshe Ngawang Sangye for providing details of the history of this incredibly powerful holy object. 

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.

Progress on the Stupa of Complete Victory (right) being built at Kopan Monastery. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim.

As we have previously reported, a Stupa of Complete Victory is being built at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, for the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and actualization of all his wishes. Venerable Tenzin Tsultrim was recently at Kopan Monastery and provided these beautiful photos showing the progress. We are very happy to share a short update on recent progress that has been made on the stupa and share these new photos, as well as some of the meanings of stupas, and the benefits of building these holy objects. 

Progression of the Stupa of Complete Victory at Kopan Monastery. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim.

The stupa build has reached the section of the precious vase. The vase sits on four round levels which represent the four mindfulnesses. On top of the throne is the circle of the lotus flower, which is the highest realization of the previous set of attainments: the five powers. The dome-like round part symbolizes the vase where the actual Buddha is situated and represents the celestial mansion of enlightened beings.

From Statues and Stupas: Benefits and Practices Related to Statues and Stupas:

“The actual stupa has the entire representation of how Buddha, from the very basis or beginning, trained on the path and finally perfected himself. So, it reveals the entire path traveled and the results of the practices engaged in by Lord Buddha Shakyamuni. If one builds a stupa that has all the qualities that have been described, then in that particular place where the stupa is built, all the beings that live in that area will receive numerous benefits. They will have a peaceful atmosphere, much harmony and happiness, and good livelihood. …”

“The entire stupa represents the ultimate qualities of the Buddha’s mind and is therefore a very precious and holy object. By making prostrations and offerings to it and circumambulations around it, one receives huge virtue. …”

Stupa of Complete Victory progression at Kopan Monastery. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim.

“The benefit we get each time we see a statue of Buddha, a picture of Buddha, or a stupa is like the limitless sky. It causes us to achieve all the realizations from guru devotion up to enlightenment and to achieve all the numberless qualities of the Buddha’s holy body, speech, and mind. …”

“Holy objects leave only positive imprints, no negative imprints. When we watch TV or go sightseeing in the city, many of the things we see leave negative imprints on our mind, depending on how we look at them. But the benefit that we get from looking at holy objects is like the limitless sky. Thus, it is very important to have as many holy objects as possible outside the house and inside the house. …”

View of the levels of the Stupa of Complete Victory. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim.

“Pabongkha Dechen Nyingpo mentioned in the lam-rim teachings that one should treat holy objects as though they were the actual living Buddha and not as material things. Every time you look at your altar, think that these holy objects are the actual living Buddha, but for the time being the only karma you have is to see Buddha in these forms, as statues or pictures. Later, when you achieve the path of accumulation of merit, you will see them as the actual living Buddha. Your view changes as your mind progresses. That is why it is said that holy objects are manifestations, that Buddha manifests as stupas and so on.”

Padmasambhava explaining the benefits of building stupas to King Trisong Detsen:  “All those who rejoice in the stupa will generate every single quality of a buddha in their mental continuum.”

We still need funds to complete this beautiful stupa, please consider supporting in whatever way you can:  https://fpmt.org/projects/fpmt/lzr-complete-victory-stupa/

Please read more about the holy objects supported through the Holy Objects Fund.

Rending of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Stupa of Complete Victory being built at Kopan Monastery.

We are very happy to share this short update on recent progress that has been made on the Stupa of Complete Victory that is being built at Kopan Monastery for the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and actualization of all his wishes. We have three new videos we hope give a glimpse into the incredible work happening to finish this stupa. 

The building under the stupa started in January 2024, and it has now reached the second story. Now the actual foundation for the Stupa has begun.

Building site of the second story and foundations of the Stupa of Complete Victory.

Please enjoy these short videos that show the recent progress:

• In this video you can see that the foundation for the stupa has begun on the second floor of the building. You can also see around the poles for the 32 smaller stupas that will surround the main stupa.

• This short video shows the area that will be the gompa beneath the stupa. This is on the second story.

• The Kopan monks regularly help with the building. In this video you can see them joyfully carrying the soil on their backs for the building.

Kopan monks helping with the building of the Stupa of Complete Victory.

Thank you to everyone who is helping to actualize this precious holy object come into existence, all the donors, those working on the stupa, and everyone concerned.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche has mentioned many times the benefits of holy objects:

“Every day, when sentient beings see stupas and statues, this plants the seed of enlightenment. It is said that even dreaming of a stupa plants the seed of enlightenment. This is mainly due to the power of the holy object. …

“Just by seeing holy objects one’s karma is purified. Holy objects purify the mind and plant seeds for the path to liberation. That’s how stupas and other holy objects liberate [sentient beings] each day. Every day, holy objects bring sentient beings to enlightenment.”

Padmasambhava explained the benefits of building stupas to King Trisong Detsen:

“Listen, Great King. Generate intense devotion. Since all the three time buddhas and bodhisattvas have actually absorbed into the holy object of the mind1 and are abiding in it, any request or prayer done to this great stupa will spontaneously and effortlessly succeed, for it is like a precious wish-granting jewel. The benefits received by any transmigratory being with a pure special attitude who does prostration or circumambulation or makes offerings are incalculable and cannot be expressed even by all the past, present, and future buddhas.

“All those who put clay on the stupa will become thousand wheelturning kings who reign over as many thousands of world-systems equal to the number of particles of clay.

“All those who brought earth and stones for the stupa will have all obstacles to a long life and dangers to their life pacified; they will have a long life, free of disease, and a good holy body.

“All those who put effort with their body, speech, and mind for the stupa will have every single blessing of the holy body, speech, and mind of the buddhas enter their body, speech, and mind.

“All those who rejoice in the stupa will generate every single quality of a buddha in their mental continuum.”

Kopan monks carrying soil for the building of the Stupa of Complete Victory.

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

Please read more about the holy objects supported through the Holy Objects Fund.

Rending of the finished Stupa of Complete Victory as it will look at Kopan Monastery.

We are so happy to share with you an update on the progress of the building of the Stupa of Complete Victory at Kopan Monastery. This stupa is being built for the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and for all his wishes to be actualized exactly as he planned.

In May, the building work was completed up to the second story. This was a huge task due to the extensive excavation, foundations, and pilings. In the next months, the actual building of the stupa will begin on top of the second story. You can view a short video of the progress. 

Stupa of Complete Victory in progress at Kopan Monastery.

The estimated cost for the entire project has been updated, as previously we did not have the completed budget for the overall project. The major expenses involved are related to the civil works required to prepare the ground, including the excavation, and building up from the lower level, the construction of the stupa, the extensive landscaping, as well as all the decorative painting, ornamentation works on the main stupa, and the construction and installation of an additional 32 small stupas that will go around the perimeter. This is a short animated video showing the plans for the stupa.

We have raised just over 34% of the funds needed to complete this project, which is incredible! Thank you to everyone who has contributed to date. We also offer tremendous thanks to all those working on the actual stupa.

This is a short video of the Kopan monks carrying the soil on their backs for the building of the stupa: https://youtu.be/2FTFyU1vSOA?si=ZZUoj6zjCHlEhnxf

Padmasambhava explained the incredible benefits of building stupas to King Trisong Detsen:

 “All those who brought earth and stones for the stupa will have all obstacles to a long life and dangers to their life pacified; they will have a long life, free of disease, and a good holy body.

 “All those who put effort with their body, speech, and mind for the stupa will have every single blessing of the holy body, speech, and mind of the buddhas enter their body, speech, and mind.

 “All those who rejoice in the stupa will generate every single quality of a buddha in their mental continuum.”

 “Holy objects make it so easy for sentient beings to achieve realizations and enlightenment,” Lama Zopa Rinpoche has explained. “No matter how much negative karma they collect, and how many negative deeds they do, they give hope in life. We can see very clearly what an incredible opportunity and hope we have in our life. Through holy objects, the resulting benefit of every single action is inconceivable and immeasurable, creating the cause of happiness, because the object has inconceivable qualities, like the limitless sky. Because of that, everything you do regarding a holy object, such as prostrations, making offerings and so forth, has benefits as vast as the sky.” 

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

Please read more about the holy objects supported through the Holy Objects Fund.

Rendering of the Stupa of Complete Victory being built at Kopan Monastery.

The Fifteen Days of Miracles (Feb 10-24 this year) is an auspicious time when merit is multiplied by 100 million each day.

We want to take this opportunity to invite everyone who wishes to, to support the building of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Stupa of Complete Victory. 

The 42-feet high (12.8 meters) Stupa of Complete Victory is being built at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, for the swift return of our most precious and kind teacher Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. It is also fulfilling Rinpoche’s wishes for building many large stupas around the world for the benefit of all beings.

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

We invite you to take a virtual circumambulation of the stupa.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche has explained:

“If you go around the stupa thinking that it is your root guru, the merit is far greater than just going around a stupa, a statue, a scripture. Going around the stupa without thinking that still col­lects the most unbelievably powerful merit, but by thinking of the stupa as the guru, there is no comparison, it’s like the difference between the earth and the sky.

 The merit that you collect by seeing the stupa, statues, scrip­ture as the guru is unbelievable, unbelievable, the most extensive merit. And it also becomes the most extensive purification, purify­ing all the defilements.”

Holy objects bless the land and plant the seed for enlightenment. Every time beings see holy objects; their minds are purified. Just by seeing a stupa, you collect numberless merits. In addition, if you make offerings, you collect much, much more merit.

Padmasambhava explained the incredible benefits of building stupas to King Trisong Detsen:

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in front of Boudhanath Stupa, Nepal, June 2021. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

“All the three-time buddhas and bodhisattvas have actually absorbed into the holy object of the mind and are abiding in it, any request or prayer done to this great stupa will spontaneously and effortlessly succeed, for it is like a precious wish-granting jewel.

 “Anyone who sees the stupa with their eyes closes the door of rebirth in the lower realms.

 “Anyone who hears about the stupa with their ears leaves the seed of supreme enlightenment.

 “Anyone who remembers the stupa is saved from the harms of craziness and paralysis and generates a special concentration in their mental continuum.

 “All those who treat the stupa as a Guru will become a holder of tantric realizations having control over life.

 “All those who put clay on the stupa will become thousand wheel-turning kings who reign over as many thousands of world-systems equal to the number of particles of clay.

 “All those who brought earth and stones for the stupa will have all obstacles to a long life and dangers to their life pacified; they will have a long life, free of disease, and a good holy body.

 “All those who put effort with their body, speech, and mind for the stupa will have every single blessing of the holy body, speech, and mind of the buddhas enter their body, speech, and mind.

 “All those who rejoice in the stupa will generate every single quality of a buddha in their mental continuum.”

Rendering Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Stupa of Complete Victory.

Please consider supporting the building of the Stupa of Complete Victory for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return:
fpmt.org/support/lzr-stupa-complete-victory/

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.

15-inch gold stupa containing Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy tooth relic. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Michael.

Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche always emphasized the importance of holy objects and how they are wish-fulfilling. This is evident in the amount of teachings that Rinpoche has given on their benefits and importance, how to make extensive offerings to them, circumambulate, prostrate, and how to regard holy objects.

Rinpoche expressed in his Vast Visions that it his wish for FPMT to build many holy objects everywhere, as many as possible. Making it so easy for sentient beings to purify their heavy negative karma and making it so easy for sentient beings to create extensive merit. Which makes it so easy to achieve the realizations of the path and so easy to achieve liberation and enlightenment.

The Holy Objects Fund is dedicated to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s wish and provides the resources to create holy objects around the world for the success of the FPMT organization and for the benefit of all beings.

An incredible US$930,405 was granted for holy objects in 2023 and we are so happy to share some of the new holy objects that have come into being recently, and how the funds of the Holy Objects Fund and others such as the Stupa Fund, Padmasambhava Project for Peace, One Thousand Buddhas Fund, Prajnaparamita Project, have been utilized, for rejoicing in.

 One Thousand Buddhas

Offering the one thousand Buddha statues offered directly to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

One of the most amazing achievements in 2023 was the creation and offering of one thousand statues of Shakyamuni Buddha. Lama Zopa Rinpoche wanted to make this offering during the long-life puja that was offered by FPMT to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The work started in February 2023 with the commission of one thousand statues to be created by various statue makers in Nepal. The art of the statues had been carefully checked by Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the statue makers created each statue based on this. Each statue was gold gilded, faces painted, and carefully filled and consecrated before they were offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. How amazing that we were able to create one thousand statues of Buddha and how unbelievably fortunate to be able to offer these to His Holiness the Dalai directly. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.

Holy Objects in Lawudo

Victory Stupa

The 12-foot tall Victory Stupa built for Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lawudo. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Michael.

In Lawudo Retreat Centre, Solo Khumbu, the Everest region of Nepal, fourteen thousand feet above sea level, we offered most of the funds to build the 12-foot high Victory stupa, this beautiful stupa was consecrated on Lhabab Duchen with fifty-five monks and nuns as well as the three main lamas in the valley—Thame Rinpoche, Charok Lama, and Kyarok Lama—along with locals and foreign guests. Inside the stupa is Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy relic.

Kalachakra Statue

Kalachakra statue at Lawudo, to create the cause for future Zangdog Palri.

In addition, a new seven-feet high Kalachakra statue was commissioned for Lawudo. Lama Zopa Rinpoche had indicated this statue was needed first, in order to create the causes to build the future Zangdog Palri . Zangdog Palri refers to the Glorious Copper Colored Mountain, and is the pure land of Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), the great tantric master who brought Buddhism to Tibet. This ambitious project will span several years as all of the building supplies for the four storey three dimensional pure land palace needs to be carried up to Lawudo.

The new Kalachakra statue, which took a few years to be made, was carried to Lawudo this year and now graces the gompa.

31-Foot Tall Amoghapasha Painted on a Cliff 

31-foot tall Amoghapasha painting on Druka Karma Cliff, Lawudo.

We rejoice in the incredible 31-foot tall Amoghapasha on Drak Karma Cliff Above Lawudo. For many years Lama Zopa Rinpoche had expressed the wish for this new holy object. The deity 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. It was an incredible feat and an unbelievable task to complete. For instance it took ten days just to get the scaffolding up to the site, there the conditions were freezing and windy making the scaffolding and painting quite dangerous. The actual painting took seven days by Nepali artists and was completed the day before Lhabab Duchen and consecrated on the day of this merit-multiplying occasion. 

114-Foot Tall Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in India

In March 2023, Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered $150,000 towards the building of a new 114-foot tall (34 meters) statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in Dhondeling Kollegal, India. The foundations for the statue are currently underway. Lama Zopa Rinpoche was very moved when he heard about this project and immediately wanted to help with funds and was very happy about the size of the statue and the amount of benefit it will bring the area. We will provide updates as the statue progresses.

New Tara Statue in USA

New Tara statue made in the USA.

A long-time student of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche passed away in 2023 and Lama Zopa Rinpoche advised that a 3-foot tall statue of Tara was important to be created for her future rebirth. Immediately also Rinpoche wanted to sponsor the statue and we rejoice that this beautiful new Tara that has come into being and now resides in the USA.

Displaying the 75-Foot High Guru Rinpoche Thangka Twice in 2023 in Nepal

Large Guru Rinpoche thangka displayed at Kopan Nunnery.

In 2023 we had the incredible fortune to display the very large thangka of Guru Rinpoche two times at Khachoe Ghakyil Ling (Kopan Nunnery). The thangka, which is 75 feet (23 meters) high, and 87 feet (27 meters) wide is stitched in appliqué, and depicts the Padmasambhava merit field in the center. Lama Zopa Rinpoche personally designed and oversaw the creation of this huge thangka and also raised funds for it. Creating and displaying huge thangkas is also one of the Vast Visions of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, as well as dedicating a day to display the thangka with a puja and extensive offerings, as well as offering dances and music and a meal to all who attend.

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.” Both of the events displaying the thangka in 2023 were entirely sponsored, including the 100,000 tsog offerings and lunch to all who attended. The puja is an incredible undertaking by Kopan monks and nuns as it takes days to set up and arrange and the cost in 2023 for these two pujas was over US$34,000.

Writing the Prajnaparamita Sutra

Lama Zopa Rinpoche checking the writing of the Prajnaparamita sutra in Nepal in 2022 with Ven. Tsering and Jane Seidlitz

The live creation of the Prajnaparamita sutra, which is being written out daily in beautiful calligraphy in gold ink is in its eighteenth year. Lama Zopa Rinpoche explained in a teaching in Bendigo, Australia, his clear wishes for the writing of the Prajnaparamita sutra to continue for as long as FPMT exists. Even when completing the twelve volumes of the sutra currently in process, Rinpoche asked that this project begin again and in this way the sutra is continually being written out as it is a powerful holy object. Currently Ven.Tsering is on the fifth volume and Jane Seidlitz in the USA is writing out the second volume. The gold for the sutra costs about $10,000 a year.

Even writing one letter or syllable from the Prajnaparamita, the benefits you receive are unbelievable, unbelievable, more than making skies of extensive offerings to all the buddhas for so many eons. The merits are far more greater than that. — Lama Zopa Rinpoche

New Padmasambhava Statue in Pokhara Nepal

The planned new Guru Rinpoche statue in Pokhara Nepal.

We have the incredible news that a new statue of Guru Rinpoche statue is being built in Pokhara Nepal. The comprehensive cost of this remarkable project encompasses both land procurement expenses and the construction of a grand monument and is expected to be US$2,993,217.  Situated alongside the esteemed Annapurna Cable Car, the Guru Rinpoche statue, to be erected in Pokhara, will seamlessly blend with the surrounding natural landscape, creating a serene and captivating environment.

Covering a total site area of 3,226 square miles (34,728 square feet), the project includes various features such as a meditation hall capable of accommodating 100 individuals, additional rooms and a prayer hall, a mantra wall, vast green areas, and a magnificent 15-meter-tall statue that gracefully rises 1556 meters above sea level. The land was successfully acquired in 2023 and through the Padmasambhava Project for Peace we were able to offer US$285,000 to this amazing project.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche Stupa of Complete Victory at Kopan Monastery

The Stupa of Complete Victory being built at Kopan Monastery.

We rejoice in the beginning of the work for building of the Stupa of Complete Victory in Kopan Monastery.  This magnificent stupa will be 42-foot high (13 meters) 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 feet (55 square meters) and a semi-basement level spanning 715 square feet (218 square meters). The stupa is 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 also 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. 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 begin. The building of the stupa will take some time due to all the extensive artwork, but we are hoping the stupa will be finished in about a year.  

Ksitigharba Statue Arrival at Kopan Monastery

We also rejoice in the beautiful new Ksitigharba statue that was completed and placed in a beautiful house on the top of the hill at Kopan Monastery. Lama Zopa Rinpoche had advised for this statue to be made. One of the incredible benefits is from protection from earthquakes among any other things. The statue has been placed on the highest part of Kopan Monastery.

New Ksitigharba statue at Kopan Monastery.

Maitreya Project in Kushinagar, India

Funds were also sent for the master plan and ongoing work for the Maitreya Project in Kushinagar India. In 2023 the new Master Plan was completed, and a number of important meetings happened such as with the Director General of the International Buddhist Council (the key office that plans and executes all the support work for Buddhist projects in India and internationally), when the Master Plan was presented. Work was done to bring special statues of Sixteen Arahants, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Twenty-one Taras, that Lama Zopa Rinpoche had commissioned many years ago for Maitreya Project, from Nepal to Kushinagar as well as to bring the 24-foot high statue of Maitreya that has graced the land in Bodhgaya to Kushinagar.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche has explained:

“Every time you look at holy objects – pictures of the Buddha, statues, scriptures, stupas – they plant the seed of liberation and enlightenment in your mental continuum. So, every time you look at them they purify your mind. How? When you look at them, they plant a seed or positive imprint on your mental continuum so that later when you meet Buddhadharma, either in this life or in future lives, you are able to understand the words and the meaning of the teachings. From that, you are able to practice the meaning of the Dharma you have understood, which causes you to cease the gross and subtle defilements by actualizing the path and then your mental continuum becomes omniscient mind. This is what is meant when we say that by seeing holy objects it plants the seed of enlightenment on the mind – it contains the whole path from guru devotion and the three principles up to the two stages of tantra and enlightenment.”

Thank you to all who supported these different projects that enable the creation of new holy objects around the world for the benefit of all beings. In 2024 we will be mainly focusing on actualizing the Stupa of Complete Victory for Lama Zopa Rinpoche and appreciate any support.

To help ensure our support to the creation of holy objects around the world, we invite you to offer a donation of any amount to the Holy Objects Fund.

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.