Announcements

FPMT International Office is rejoicing, and we invite you to take time to rejoice with us, in the activities of the FPMT Spiritual Director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and his office, during 2019. We share an account of this work in the FPMT Annual Review 2019: Coming Together to Practice Dharma. The new annual review is available to read as an eZine and a downloadable PDF.

In these difficult times, it is especially important to remember the powerful practice of rejoicing. “Among the virtues, rejoicing is the best, because it is the easiest one to practice. It simply involves our mind thinking, and the merit we accumulate is infinite,” Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains in the teaching “Rejoicing Is the Best” (published by the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive in May 2016).

International Office, also called Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s office, helps fulfill the vision of FPMT’s founders Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, assists with the actualization of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vast vision for the FPMT organization, and supports 165 centers, projects, and services in 40 countries that comprise the international FPMT network. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche during visit to bless all the beings in the Caspian Sea, Russia, October 2019. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

“Billions of thanks for your kindness, for working for, volunteering at, and supporting in various ways FPMT centers, projects, and services,” Lama Zopa Rinpoche writes in this year’s annual review.

“The main benefit of the centers is to offer Dharma teachings, teaching compassion; teaching from where suffering comes and from where happiness comes; teaching about karma, about how to stop negative karma and how to practice virtuous actions, which cause all the happiness up to enlightenment: the happiness of this life, the happiness of future lives, the ultimate happiness of liberation from samsara, and then the peerless happiness of enlightenment, which is everlasting happiness, with total cessation of the obscurations and completion of the realizations (sang gye).

“Achieving enlightenment is especially to liberate all the sentient beings from the oceans of samsaric suffering forever and lead them to peerless happiness, with cessation of the gross and subtle defilements and completion of the realizations. This is most important. This is what sentient beings need; this is their most important need.”

In addition to advice from Rinpoche, the FPMT Annual Review 2019 includes  updates from FPMT Inc. CEO Ven. Roger Kunsang and Board of Directors Chair Andrew Haynes. We also share an overview of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s tireless Dharma activities and highlights of International Office’s work on behalf of Rinpoche and all in the FPMT organization.

May we take a moment as an international community of Dharma practitioners to rejoice in all the ways we have come together to practice Dharma and fulfill the wishes of our Spiritual Director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche. May the merits we accumulate from rejoicing be dedicated so that we become most helpful to all beings.

We invite you to read FPMT Annual Review 2019: Coming Together to Practice Dharma, now available online in eZine and PDF formats. (Please note, the FPMT Annual Review 2019 is available in digital format only.)
https://fpmt.org/fpmt/annual-review/

See photo highlights from Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s 2019:
https://fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/gallery/#2019

FPMT International Office is Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s office and works daily to achieve its mission of “preserving and spreading Mahayana Buddhism worldwide by creating opportunities to listen, reflect, meditate, practice, and actualize the unmistaken teachings of the Buddha, and based on that experience, spread the Dharma to sentient beings.”

Geshe Tenzin Loden (Institut Vajra Yogini, France), Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Domo Geshe Rinpoche, and Geshe Tenzin Tenphel (Istituto Lama Tsong Khapa, Italy), South India, February 2020. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Welcome to the March FPMT International Office e-News!

This month we bring you news about:

• New Page with Resources for the Coronavirus Pandemic
• Prayers and Practices for the Benefit of All
• New Issue of Mandala magazine!
• LRZTP 8 Concludes, LRZTP 9 is Prepared

…and more.

Have the e-News translated into your native language by using our convenient translation facility located on the right-hand side of the page. French and Spanish speakers will find the FPMT International Office News translated each month in the “Bienvenue” and “Bienvenidos” tabs on the FPMT homepage.

The FPMT International Office e-News comes from your FPMT International Office. Visit our subscribe page to receive the FPMT International Office News directly in your email box.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, March 2020. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

In these challenging and anxious times, FPMT International Office offers our prayers and best wishes to all who are navigating uncertainty and change during the coronavirus pandemic. 

We have created a page of resources and advice related to this crisis in order to make it as easy as possible for you to find recommended practices, prayers, online study and practice resources, and news about Lama Zopa Rinpoche and from around the FPMT organization.

This page will be updated as new advice and news become available and should be consulted as an up-to-date resource for Dharma practice during the time of this pandemic. 

Find advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Dharma study materials, and other updates on “Resources for the Coronavirus Pandemic” page on FPMT.org:
https://fpmt.org/fpmt/announcements/resources-for-coronavirus-pandemic/

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

His Holiness the Dalai Lama recently met with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, with Ven. Roger Kunsang, India, January 2020. Photo courtesy of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Welcome to the February FPMT International Office e-News.

This month we bring you:

• Warm Losar (Tibetan New Year) Greetings!
• Reminder of Rinpoche’s Schedule
• News of Action Needed with your Merit Box
• FPMT Service Seminar News
• News of an Honour Awarded to an FPMT Director

…and more!

Have the e-News translated into your native language by using our convenient translation facility located on the right-hand side of the page. French and Spanish speakers will find the FPMT International Office News translated each month in the “Bienvenue” and “Bienvenidos” tabs on the FPMT homepage.

The FPMT International Office e-News comes from your FPMT International Office. Visit our subscribe page to receive the FPMT International Office News directly in your email box.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Bodhgaya, India, January 2020. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

In the January FPMT International Office e-News, we bring you news about:

• The Official Long Life Puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche
• Rejoicing in Another Year of Animal Liberation
• A New Translation of the FPMT Ethical Policy

…and more!

Have the e-News translated into your native language by using our convenient translation facility located on the right-hand side of the page. French and Spanish speakers will find the FPMT International Office News translated each month in the “Bienvenue” and “Bienvenidos” tabs on the FPMT homepage.

The FPMT International Office e-News comes from your FPMT International Office. Visit our subscribe page to receive the FPMT International Office News directly in your email box.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Bangalore, India, December 2019. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

All good wishes of the season, from Lama Zopa Rinpoche and his International Office, to you! 

Please go to our December FPMT International Office e-News in order to see our full greeting, and advice from Rinpoche.

We also bring you news about:

• Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Schedule
• Giving Where it’s Most Needed
• A Complimentary Module of Living in the Path
• A New FPMT Study Group

…and more!

Have the e-News translated into your native language by using our convenient translation facility located on the right-hand side of the page. French and Spanish speakers will find the FPMT International Office News translated each month in the “Bienvenue” and “Bienvenidos” tabs on the FPMT homepage.

The FPMT International Office e-News comes from your FPMT International Office. Visit our subscribe page to receive the FPMT International Office News directly in your email box.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Russia, October 2019. Photo by Ven. Holly Ansett.

Welcome to our November FPMT International Office e-News!

This month you’ll find news about:

• Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Advice for Honouring Lama Tsongkhapa
• Featured Materials from FPMT Education Services
• 1,000 Statues for His Holiness Sponsored
• Fruitful FPMT Service Development

…and more!

Have the e-News translated into your native language by using our convenient translation facility located on the right-hand side of the page. French and Spanish speakers will find the FPMT International Office News translated each month in the “Bienvenue” and “Bienvenidos” tabs on the FPMT homepage.

The FPMT International Office e-News comes from your FPMT International Office. Visit our subscribe page to receive the FPMT International Office News directly in your email box.

FPMT Inc. wishes to update the FPMT community on what actions are underway in response to allegations against Dagri Rinpoche and actions to improve safeguarding within the FPMT organization. Our previous updates on this are available here.

Dagri Rinpoche has not yet responded to inquiries from FPMT Inc. He remains suspended from the FPMT Tibetan Teachers List. His criminal case remains pending in the Indian Court system. We understand that the next scheduled Court proceeding will be held on December 2, 2019.

Since our last update posted on August 12, 2019, FPMT Inc. has received a report from an individual representing three women who have outlined allegations of sexual misconduct on the part of teacher Dagri Rinpoche. This report contains what we believe to be allegations of misconduct in violation of FPMT policies.

FPMT Inc. is committed to responding according to our policies and investigate possible misconduct by a trusted teacher within the FPMT organization. Therefore FPMT Inc. has contracted with FaithTrust Institute, a US, multifaith, training and education organization, to conduct an independent assessment regarding allegations against Dagri Rinpoche. FaithTrust was retained to conduct this assessment as they are experienced in helping religious organizations, including Buddhist communities, respond to allegations of abuse and sexual boundary violations. Further we believe that using an independent organization to conduct the assessment would enable people to speak more freely.

Women (or men) who may have experienced harm from Dagri Rinpoche will be able to report their experience to FaithTrust Institute. We will soon announce FaithTrust’s confidential mailbox, inviting those with concerns to come forward and take part in this assessment. Dagri Rinpoche will also be requested to participate and to respond to the allegations. When the assessment has been completed, FaithTrust will provide FPMT Inc. with their report and recommendations, which will form the basis for further action by us.

FaithTrust Institute will also conduct training for FPMT Inc. leaders on best practices for healthy boundaries in spiritual student/teacher relationships and best practice in responding to allegations of misconduct.

In addition a safeguarding audit is being undertaken for FPMT by the UK-based safeguarding charity Thirtyone:eight. Work began on this safeguarding audit in August, and we expect their report later this month. Our purpose in commissioning this audit is to invite this experienced safeguarding body to scrutinize the policy and guidelines related to protecting adults and children (safeguarding), which FPMT Inc. has provided for its affiliated centers, projects, and services. Any gaps and areas for improvement that the audit identifies will help us to improve the policies to better protect and support students and teachers.

FPMT Inc. is the international office responsible for providing policies and guidelines for implementation by its affiliated centers, projects, and services in 40 countries around the world. Each affiliate is an independent legal entity and is financed locally.

Rinpoche teaching and giving the Great Chenrezig Initiation, Elista, Kalmykia, Russia, October 5, 2019. Photo by Ven. Losang Sherab.

We hope you enjoy our October FPMT International Office e-News.

This month we bring you news about:

• Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Advice about Changing Our View
• Big Love in the New Issue of Mandala magazine!
• New Practice Materials
• Protecting the Environment Every Month

Have the e-News translated into your native language by using our convenient translation facility located on the right-hand side of the page. French and Spanish speakers will find the FPMT International Office News translated each month in the “Bienvenue” and “Bienvenidos” tabs on the FPMT homepage.

The FPMT International Office e-News comes from your FPMT International Office. Visit our subscribe page to receive the FPMT International Office News directly in your email box.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, USA, August 2019. Photo by Chris Majors.

We invite you to read our September FPMT International Office e-News.

This month we bring you news about:

1,000 Buddhas for His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Training the Mind in Generosity
The Incredible Benefits of Working for the Center
Next Foundation Service Seminars

…and more!

Have the e-News translated into your native language by using our convenient translation facility located on the right-hand side of the page. French and Spanish speakers will find the FPMT International Office News translated each month in the “Bienvenue” and “Bienvenidos” tabs on the FPMT homepage.

The FPMT International Office e-News comes from your FPMT International Office. Visit our subscribe page to receive the FPMT International Office News directly in your email box.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with resident geshes Geshe Jamphel (Nalanda Monastery) far left, and Geshe Tenzin Loden (Institut Vajra Yogini), with Ven. Topgye, Nalanda Monastery, France, May 2019. Photo by Nicolas Balthazar.

We hope you enjoy the August FPMT International Office e-News, out now!

This month we bring you:

• The opportunity to help create a Zangdog Palri temple
• A new resource to help benefit animals
• News about the next Foundation Service Seminar

and more….

Have the e-News translated into your native language by using our convenient translation facility located on the right-hand side of the page. French and Spanish speakers will find the FPMT International Office News translated each month in the “Bienvenue” and “Bienvenidos” tabs on the FPMT homepage.

The FPMT International Office e-News comes from your FPMT International Office. Visit our subscribe page to receive the FPMT International Office News directly in your email box.

FPMT International Office and the FPMT Inc. Board of Directors continue in our commitment to help FPMT centers, projects, and services uphold a safe and respectful environment, where people’s minds and hearts can be transformed into their highest potential for the benefit of others. Our commitment to these values is reflected in the FPMT Ethical Policy.

Next Steps: Safeguarding Audit

FPMT Inc. has now commissioned Thirtyone:eight, an experienced UK safeguarding charity, to conduct an independent review of our safeguarding policies and guidelines. Thirtyone:eight calls this a Safeguarding Audit.

Our purpose in commissioning this audit is to identify gaps and areas for improvement in our policies and guidelines in order to enable centers to better protect and support students and teachers. This will include creating safer and more supportive environments for people making complaints of unethical behavior and improving the organization’s response to such complaints.

Thirtyone:eight’s remit is to look at safeguarding practices in the FPMT organization at the international, national, and local levels. At the international level, the audit will look at safeguarding practices at the level of FPMT, Inc. At the national level, the audit will look at safeguarding practices within different countries. Finally, the audit will look at safeguarding practices at a sample of specific FPMT centers.

Thirtyone:eight expects their audit to take two months to complete.

FPMT Inc. will share recommended improvements to our existing safeguarding policy and guidelines with FPMT regional and national coordinators, who will work with local directors and board members to establish how best to implement these within the framework of national laws and cultural appropriateness. We will then formally update FPMT policies and guidelines accordingly.

Dagri Rinpoche

The Indian police investigation of the allegation against Dagri Rinpoche is moving through the Indian court system. We understand that the next court date is August 26.

We want to remain respectful and to not disregard Dagri Rinpoche’s many years of valued teaching in FPMT centers. However, due to the current court case and the allegations made to us, which are detailed in our update of May 24, we continue to believe that the appropriate response at this time is for Dagri Rinpoche to remain on suspension from the FPMT Tibetan teachers list.

We are aware that some individuals and organizations are taking advantage of the allegations against Dagri Rinpoche to disseminate misinformation and gossip, and to create disharmony. Therefore, please rely on our “Updates Regarding Dagri Rinpoche” page for FPMT Inc.’s responses. We are committed to being as transparent and forthcoming as possible in our communications and statements.

It is FPMT Inc.’s priority to continue to build the organization into a more compassionate and wise network, in accordance with both spiritual and worldly conventions.