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Interfaith meditation retreat, Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Pisa, Italy, July 2018. Photo courtesy of Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa.
Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK) in Pisa, Italy, celebrated His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s eighty-third birthday by hosting a three-day interfaith meditation retreat on universal compassion. Manuela Ferro, communications manager at ILTK, and Jeremy Luedtke share the details.
Held over the weekend of July 6-8, 2018, the retreat Giornate di meditazione sulla Compassione Universale focused on the meaning of universal compassion, its importance for all humanity, and its significance in life, at the time of death, and beyond.
The retreat was led by three religious leaders belonging to different traditions, united by the universal value of compassion—our resident teacher Geshe Tenzin Tenphel, Father Giancarlo Bruni, and Father Guidalberto Bormolini.
Interfaith meditation retreat speakers including Father Giancarlo Bruni in black, seated next to Geshe Tenzin Tenphel, Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Pisa, Italy, July 2018. Photo courtesy of Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa.
Many people participated in these experiential days of practice and contemplation. We spent the weekend reflecting on the idea that compassion, love, and kindness are qualities that belong to every person, regardless of faith.
The retreat included an optional twenty-four hour fasting practice. The representatives of the different religious traditions explained how this spiritual practice has been, and is still used in their respective traditions.
Interfaith meditation retreat, Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Pisa, Italy, July 2018. Photo courtesy of Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa.
Participants observed silence during the retreat to support their retreat experience. If it was necessary to speak, then participants embraced the idea of the “right word,” focusing on the practice itself, and on developing loving kindness and other qualities.
It was an event of reconciliation, and one of real and active profound compassion. In his book Toward a True Kinship of Faiths: How the World’s Religions Can Come Together, His Holiness the Dalai Lama says that compassion lies at the heart of all of the world’s religions. Also on this occasion, in reading passages from Christian mysticism, great parallels have been found with Buddhist practices.
Interfaith meditation retreat leaders Geshe Tenzin Tenphel and Father Guidalberto Bormolini in grey, Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Pisa, Italy, July 2018. Photo courtesy of Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa.
Giorgio Raspa, president of the Italian Buddhist Union (UBI), spoke at the opening of the retreat, bringing greetings from the Italian Buddhist community. He underlined how dialogue is no longer just for theologians, but now exists between people from different faiths, through the opportunity to practice together and show respect for each other.
We were inspired to offer this retreat as a gift and tribute to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in honor of his birthday because His Holiness has always had inter-religious dialogue at his heart.
We would like to thank everyone at ILTK who helped make this retreat possible.
For more information about Istituto Lama Tsong Khapa visit their website:
https://www.iltk.org/en/
To watch videos from the retreat visit:
https://www.iltk.org/en/media-eventi/meditazione_sulla_compassione_universale/
View photos of the retreat taken by Manuela Ferro and Ester Nuzzo:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/140688878@N02/sets/72157669012920707
FPMT.org and Mandala Publications brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings, and events from over 160 FPMT centers, projects, and services around the globe. If you like what you read, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
Geshe Ngawang Sangye with Gonpo Ludup Study Group, Laguna Beach, California, US, May 2018. Photo courtesy of Gonpo Ludup Study Group.
Andrew Schrage, marketing coordinator, Gonpo Ludup Study Group in Laguna Beach, California, US, shared this story about FPMT touring teacher Geshe Ngawang Sangye’s visits to their study group:
Geshe Ngawang Sangye came to Orange County, California, to take an intensive English language speaking course at the University of California, Irvine. The Gonpo Ludup Study Group was therefore fortunate to have him accept our invitation to visit and teach us “Tools for Happiness” every Tuesday evening from May 22 through June 12, 2018.
A student of Lama Zopa Rinpoche from Kopan Monastery, Geshe Sangye has been a monk since he was nine years old. He recently received his geshe degree from Sera Je Monastery.
From 2007-2017, Geshe Sangye worked for the Sera Je Food Fund, which was an FPMT charitable project that provided nearly 3,000 meals each day for the Sera Je monks. In addition, he organizes pujas for the FPMT organization, works as FPMT International Office’s new geshe coordinator, and manages a variety of other projects in Tibetan settlements in South India. Geshe Sangye also serves as director of a school for young Sera Je monks with a modern curriculum.
Geshe Ngawang Sange, Ven. Robina Courtin, and Carly and Andrew Schrage. Ven. Robina was in town at the same time to help greet Geshe Sangye, Laguna Beach, CA, US, May 2018. Photo courtesy of Gonpo Ludup Study Group.
Geshe Sangye told us, “I am very happy to be here in the United States and to get the chance to study at the University of California, Irvine, while exploring the American lifestyle and learning about the differences of the education system.”
Gonpo Ludup Study Group Coordinator Kate Macdonald said, “Meeting Geshe Sangye and receiving teachings from him has been incredibly precious. He’s very down to earth and easy to talk to. And you can feel his big heart and devotion to Lama Zopa Rinpoche.”
Geshe Ngawang Sangye teaching at Gonpo Ludup Study Group, Laguna Beach, CA, US, May 2018. Photo courtesy of Gonpo Ludup Study Group.
Amanda Proud, one of the Gonpo Ludup organizers, said, “Geshe Sangye leads with a personal story, so each person can likewise consider a time when they may have had a similar feeling, and how those feels can generate a thought pattern that leads to unhappiness. I appreciate his very humble, personal approach to sharing the Dharma.”
After attending the teachings, Carly Schrage said, “Geshe Sangye really has a way of explaining concepts that makes you examine them with fresh eyes.”
In discussing his teachings on “Tools for Happiness,” Geshe Sangye said, “I am honored to share something that I learned from my monastic life with Gonpo Ludup Study Group. I’m enjoying my time with the group and hoping I can benefit more in coming weeks.”
To learn more about Gonpo Ludup Study Group visit their website:
https://gonpoludup.org
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.
The July-December 2018 issue of Mandala magazine is on its way in the mail to Friends of FPMT supporters and to the FPMT centers, projects, and services who offer the magazine as a benefit.
For those wishing to purchase a copy, the July-December issue is now available through the FPMT Foundation Store.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Buddha House students after blessing all of the sentient beings in the ocean, Adelaide, South Australia, May 2018. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
The cover story, “Creating Harmony through Our Thoughts and Actions: FPMT Community Members Share Ideas on how to Create and Support Harmony,” opens up the conversation on how we cultivate an environment of peace and unity in our Dharma communities.
Contributors to this story include FPMT organization directors, spiritual program coordinators, Foundation Service Seminar facilitators, regional and national coordinators, and FPMT registered teachers.
We have made the print version of this cover story available for all to read online.
There were also a few submissions that we unfortunately were not able to fit into the print magazine that are available online as well.
In addition to the cover story, the latest print edition includes an interview with the 104th Ganden Tri Rinpoche Lobsang Tenzin; an excerpt from His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s The Life of My Teacher: A Biography of Kyabje Ling Rinpoche; and an interview with the new abbot of Sera Mey Monastery, Geshe Tashi Tsering, who served for twenty-four years as the resident teacher of Jamyang Buddhist Center.
The print version of the excerpt from His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s The Life of My Teacher: A Biography of Kyabje Ling Rinpoche is available for all to read online.
Finally, in this issue we also share the story about how an enormous Twenty-one Taras thangka brings blessings of peace to our chaotic world. Plus, teachings from Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Mandala magazine is published twice a year. If you would like to have future issues of Mandala sent to you in the mail, sign up for Friends of FPMT at the Foundation Friends level or higher. Friends of FPMT can also read the full issue online or download it to their electronic reading devices. They can also choose to donate their print issue to an incarcerated person, facilitated by the Liberation Prison Project.
We hope you enjoy the July-December 2018 issue of Mandala magazine.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching at Chag-tong Chen-tong Center, Tasmania, Australia, May 2018. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
We hope you will enjoy the July FPMT International Office e-News!
This month we bring you:
- Updates on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Schedule
- News about the Ongoing Investment by the FPMT Puja Fund
- How the International Merit Box Project is Helping
…and more!
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.
Amitabha Buddhist Centre director Tan Hup Cheng with Master Yap’s advance team, Kushinagar, India, April 2018. Photo courtesy of Maitreya Buddha Project Kushinagar.
Marcel Bertels, director of FPMT project Maitreya Buddha Kushinagar, shares an update. This news comes from Kushinagar, India, where Shakyamuni Buddha entered into Mahaparinirvana. Marcel served as country director of Maitreya Project Trust until 2003. He recently rejoined the project.
As an important first step to plan the 170-plus acre site of Maitreya Buddha Project Kushinagar, Lama Zopa Rinpoche requested world-renowned Feng Shui Master Joey Yap to determine the feng shui for the project. Master Yap is the author of 162 books on feng shui and has been involved with many major developments all around the globe. A number of these projects are commissioned by Fortune 500 companies.
Master Yap kindly offered his services and those of his team entirely for free, and even offered to pay for their travel expenses from Malaysia to the site in Kushinagar.
A three-member team from Master Yap’s company arrived in Kushinagar on April 20, 2018, to start with the preliminary investigations. They worked with a team of Indian experts in drone services to do the required aerial videography.
A photo taken by the drone of Maitreya Project Trust’s Executive Director Virginia Roche, Tan Hup Cheng, and the feng shui and videography team on the Kushinagar land accompanied by some of the local children, Kushinagar, India, April 2018. Photo courtesy of Maitreya Buddha Project Kushinagar.
For the purpose of the feng shui, the site was too large to document from the ground, and it had to be done by drone. To orientate themselves further, on April 21 the team drove around the periphery of the site and physically walked the land.
The project architect will use Master Yap’s feng shui recommendations in the master planning of the site.
We would like to thank Master Yap and his three-member team for their incredible support. Amitabha Buddhist Centre Director Tan Hup Cheng coordinated the visit of the team and traveled along with them to Kushinagar.
For more information about Maitreya Buddha Project Kushinagar or to make an offering visit the website:
http://mbpkushinagar.org
FPMT.org and Mandala Publications brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings, and events from over 160 FPMT centers, projects, and services around the globe. If you like what you read, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with the geshes and Sangha attending the retreat at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo, Australia, May 2018. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Founded by Lama Yeshe in 1974 at Kopan Monastery, the International Mahayana Institute (IMI) is FPMT’s community of monks and nuns. IMI Sangha members serve in the FPMT organization as registered teachers, directors, spiritual program coordinators, editors, and more. On July 16, FPMT’s sixteenth annual International Sangha Day, we celebrate and thank our Sangha.
Ven. Losang Tendar, IMI director draws our attention to our aging Sangha members, a topic highlighted by Lama Zopa Rinpoche on April 7, 2018 during the Bodhicaryavatara and Rinjung Gyatsa Retreat at The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo, Australia.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Ven. Thubten Gyatso, Ven. Tenzin Tsapel, Ruby Karmay, Ian Green, and Ven. Thubten Tendar at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo, Australia, May 2018. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim.
During the retreat in Bendigo this year, Lama Zopa Rinpoche brought up the topic of our aging Sangha members.
He spoke about many older students, who have dedicated so many years—their lives—to developing and building up the FPMT. Rinpoche said we can see how this has brought benefit to sentient beings.
Nuns inside of the gompa during the retreat at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo, Australia, April 2018. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
He said in the past we have had meetings about how to help the Sangha when they become old, but we did not come up with a workable solution. He joked, “we had meetings numberless times.” Rinpoche advised that from time to time we should have discussions and meetings to talk about obstacles, difficulties, and solutions.
Ven. Thubten Lhundrup and Ven. Michael Losang Yeshe offering tsog during the retreat at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo, Australia, May 2018. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Rinpoche said of the Sangha, “When they become old—including myself—we can’t move, can’t function, can’t see, can’t walk, with lots of pain.” Rinpoche joked, “Maybe I have to come back to Bendigo from Nepal for an old folks’ home.”
Rinpoche said the Sangha will age like this soon. He presented the idea that we should organize for the Sangha, and that this needs some discussion. He said the Sangha will need help.
Ven. Tenzin Nangsel and Ven. Tenzin Palyon at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo, Australia, May 2018. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim.
Suggestions for celebrating International Sangha Day include reciting the Sutra for Remembering the Three Jewels; showing respect for and appreciation of monastics; generating a deeper awareness of the Sangha Rare Sublime One; and making a donation to the Lama Yeshe Sangha Fund.
To learn more about the International Mahayana Institute visit the website:
http://imisangha.org
Watch recordings of Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching during the Bodhicaryavatara and Rinjung Gyatsa Retreat at The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo, Australia, March 30-May 12, 2018.
https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/lama-zopa-rinpoche-teachings-in-bendigo-2018/
FPMT.org and Mandala Publications brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings, and events from over 160 FPMT centers, projects, and services around the globe. If you like what you read, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
Geshe Tenzin Zopa with Combatants for Peace, Jerusalem, Israel, February 2017. Photo courtesy of Shantideva Study Group.
Shuki Preminger, coordinator of the Shantideva Study Group in Israel, introduces us to Women Wage Peace and Combatants for Peace—two groups of Palestinians and Israelis working together to create peace—and shares the details of their meetings with Dagri Rinpoche, Geshe Tenzin Zopa, and Dr. Lobsang Sangay:
Combatants for Peace is a Palestinian-Israeli organization committed to promoting dialogue and a non-violent resolution of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. It was started by ex-soldiers from both sides who participated in the ongoing violent, bloody armed-conflict.
Twelve years ago, the group started to observe a mutual memorial day for the victims of both sides of the violence called the Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day Ceremony. This alternative memorial day draws attention to the idea that grief is the same on both sides. The pain is the same; the tears of a mother crying for her killed or wounded child are the same.
Over the years, attendance at the Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day Ceremony has slowly increased. Last April, 10,000 people participated in the ceremony, while 50,000 more watched online.
Geshe Tenzin Zopa with Combatants for Peace, Jerusalem, Israel, February 2017. Photo courtesy of Shantideva Study Group.
Dagri Rinpoche with Women Wage Peace, Jerusalem, Israel, February 2018. Photo courtesy of Shantideva Study Group.
We created a video with highlights from the visits of Geshe Tenzin Zopa and Dagri Rinpoche. You can watch the ten-minute video on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/QzdGQrYPUIQ
In June 2018 Lobsang Sangay, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, made his first official trip to Israel. He convened a meeting in East Jerusalem attended by Combatants for Peace, Shantideva Study Group, and the Bereaved Family Circle. It was a very inspiring get-together, where both wisdom and compassion were discussed as the only means to end this conflict.
For more information about Shantideva Study Group visit their website:
http://shantideva.org.il
To watch teachings given by Dagri Rinpoche and Geshe Tenzin Zopa in Israel visit the Shantideva Study Group’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHdMzMLITnUWC_NO50D-tJQ/videos
FPMT.org and Mandala Publications brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings, and events from over 160 FPMT centers, projects, and services around the globe. If you like what you read, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
Maitreya School children collecting trash from the roadside outside of their school grounds, Maitreya School, Bodhgaya, India, April 2018. Photo by Pema Tsering.
Anrich Bester, a volunteer at Maitreya School in Bodhgaya, India, shares stories about the students’ involvement with the Bodhgaya Clean Environment Hygiene and Sanitation Program. Maitreya School, a social project of Root Institute for Wisdom Culture (Root Institute), collaborated with Karuna-Shenchen on this project on several occasions.
Maitreya School children collecting trash from the roadside outside of their school grounds, Maitreya School, Bodhgaya, India, April 2018. Photo by Pema Tsering.
One of Root Institute’s previous volunteers, Eric Foucart, together with some friends, including a nonprofit operating in Bodhgaya, Karuna-Shechen, as well as Root Institute’s grounds manager, Gabriel Forrer, helped us to organize workshops on waste management and recycling, and obtain the required equipment to clean Bodhgaya’s streets effectively and efficiently.
Maitreya School children collecting trash from the roadside outside of their school grounds, Maitreya School, Bodhgaya, India, April 2018. Photo by Pema Tsering.
Not only did we clean the streets and our surroundings, but we created awareness and educated the local community members on how to dispose of their garbage in an environmentally-friendly way. It was not easy to convince people to change their behavior patterns, but we hope that the seeds we planted within the local community members will grow, in order to create a better, cleaner environment.
Maitreya School children emptying their collected trash into a dumpster, Maitreya School, Bodhgaya, India, April 2018. Photo by Pema Tsering.
Pema Tsering, principal at Maitreya School explains the effect the waste management and recycling project had on the students, too.
Maitreya School student presenting to the school, Maitreya School, Bodhgaya, India, May 2018. Photo by Pema Tsering.
On a regular basis, Maitreya School students share their good thoughts and knowledge with their fellow students in the morning assembly. Children Teaching Children is a beautiful program we started in our school, where everyone learns everything from everyone else. This is the stage at which children build their confidence, plan projects, learn from their mistakes, learn to face challenges, expand their creativity, and accumulate knowledge.
Maitreya School students watching a video about Maitreya School’s Community Service Project in the auditorium of their school, Maitreya School, Bodhgaya, India, May 2018. Photo by Pema Tsering.
One morning in April our senior students shared their experiences regarding the cleanliness project. They gave a presentation on the importance of cleanliness in our daily lives, and the students watched a video about the project made by Eric Foucart.
A great “thank you” to Eric for making this special video about our school and our waste management project. We truly appreciate your time and energy.
Watch Maitreya Community Service Project by Eric Foucart and narrated by the children on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/_fZVUo700q4
For more information about Maitreya School visit the Root Institute’s website:
https://www.rootinstitute.ngo/social-service/maitreya-school
You can view Maitreya School’s Wish List on the Amazon India website:
https://www.amazon.in/registry/wishlist/182QRM38BA9R5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_ws_T3R3Ab1VD28N0
FPMT.org and Mandala Publications brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings, and events from over 160 FPMT centers, projects, and services around the globe. If you like what you read, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
Guests watching a fireworks and animated light show at ILLUMIN8, The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo, Australia, May 2018. Photo by The Great Stupa team.
ILLUMIN8 is an annual event held at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo, Australia, celebrating peace and harmony inspired by Buddha’s life story. This year ILLUMIN8 also celebrated the return of the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace to its home inside of The Great Stupa. The statue was consecrated on May 17 and unveiled to the public on May 18, May 19, and May 20, 2018, during ILLUMIN8. The Great Stupa team shared this update:
Âu Co Dance Group performing Âm Vang Hạnh Phúc at ILLUMIN8, Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo, Australia, May 2018. Photo by The Great Stupa team.
In May we celebrated Vesak, a day commemorating Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death, with our very own ILLUMIN8: Festival of Light and Peace with 10,000 guests. The feedback we’ve received after the event has been overwhelmingly positive with many visitors calling in and reviewing or commenting on our social media channels.
A dragon at ILLUMIN8 organized by the Bendigo Chinese Association, Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo, Australia, May 2018. Photo by The Great Stupa team.
We’re so proud of and thankful to our staff and volunteer teams who helped make this year truly special. Welcoming home the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace also made 2018 a year to remember!
Monks from Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery and ILLUMIN8 guests with the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo, Australia, May 2018. Photo by the Great Stupa team.
We wanted to share with you some of our favorite photos and a video from the event. We hope they give people that couldn’t make it a feeling of being there, and for the people that did attend a reminder of how wonderful a time they had.
Youth from Scott’s Mascots and Costumes Academy at ILLUMIN8, Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo, Australia, May 2018. Photo by the Great Stupa team.
A lovely recap video that was produced by the Victoria, Australia State Government’s Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources for publication by Victorian Connection.
Watch the ILLUMIN8 recap video on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/qeTNjiWEh7Q
To learn more about the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, and ILLUMIN8 2019 visit the website:
https://www.stupa.org.au
Watch more videos from the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion on the Great Stupa’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHD5AnLFoixyKFYhFU2mrlw/featured
To hear the history of the Jade Buddha listen to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio interview with Ian Green, director of The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion:
http://www.abc.net.au/radio/sydney/programs/nightlife/this-mortal-coil-ian-green/9830002
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.
Youth participants in the 16 Guidelines English language classes, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, January 2018. Photo by Altangerel Tumurtogoo.
FPMT center Ganden Do Ngag Shedrup Ling has begun offering children’s classes on the 16 Guidelines for Life, an initiative of the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW). These classes are taught to the children in the English language so the youth can learn English while also learning how to live a happy life.
Ganden Do Ngag Shedrup Ling’s center director Ianzhina Bartanova shared the inspiration behind this initiative, the first of its kind in Mongolia:
Since the early 2000s it has been one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s visions for Mongolia that we commence teaching the English language with a Dharma focus. In May 2017, while Lama Zopa Rinpoche was visiting Mongolia, Rinpoche advised that it would be very good for us to continue offering English language classes, and to utilize the 16 Guidelines for Life for the curriculum.
Our first initiative was to develop the program for children, based on the lesson plans contained in the kit Ready, Set, Happy. Published by FPMT international project FDCW, Ready, Set, Happy is a collection of songs, poems, plays, games, and scientific experiments adults can use to present the 16 Guidelines to children ages seven to eleven.
Youth participating in the 16 Guidelines English language classes, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, January 2018. Photo by Ianzhina Bartanova.
With great help and support from FDCW and Denise Flora who has participated in FDCW’s The a.r.t. of Fulfillment course, we were able to prepare our curriculum.
We chose to initiate the 16 Guidelines English language program with children because by sharing the knowledge and skills gained through the program with their families and friends, the children can bring compassion, wisdom, and universal responsibility to their families. We have the intention to gradually adapt the program for adults and in this way effect positive changes in more Mongolian families.
Also with the English language being a most convenient and popular language in the world, we see that this learning will open many more doors for the participants and their futures as so many Dharma materials and teachings are available in English.
Our sincere aspiration for this project is to support the development and growth of universal children, who will be able to spread the values of love, compassion, justice, forgiveness, mindfulness, tolerance, and peace throughout the world.
Ganden Do Ngag Shedrup Ling’s 16 Guidelines teacher Altangerel Tumurtogoo and students, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, January 2018. Photo by Ianzhina Bartanova.
Ganden Do Ngag Shedrup Ling’s 16 Guidelines teacher Altangerel Tumurtogoo shared stories from the children’s classes:
There are ten children, ages ten to fifteen in our 16 Guidelines classes. At the beginning the children were very shy. I had noticed in other previous classes that shyness and humility are the biggest barriers for Mongolian children. Besides shyness, speaking in English was the second problem for the children.
The children steadily began to express their opinions in class. This started to happen after we read some stories, something we do in every class. When the story finished the children had the opportunity to exchange thoughts, explore ways of working together, and express their ideas as a group.
Buckets made by students in class, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, January 2018. Photo by Altangerel Tumurtogoo.
When we read the story Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud, one of our children said, “The bucket represents people’s minds. When we are happy and satisfied, our mind is peaceful. When our mind is peaceful, we can make us as well as others happy like filling a bucket. But when we are sad and dissatisfied, we make us and others unhappy like dipping a bucket.” Of course after reading this story together we all just want to be the bucket filler.
We also drew pictures and made our own buckets, filling them with the words that we want to have, and did a wonderful rainbow according to the stories.
Student artwork made in class, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, January 2018. Photo by Altangerel Tumurtogoo.
As a tradition, we play active games at the beginning of each class to motivate ourselves and have fun. At the end of every class we play games to practice our English such as broken phone, word guessing, and puzzles.
Students playing games together and practicing their English, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, January 2018. Photo by Altangerel Tumurtogoo.
The children shared some stories about the importance of humility, patience, contentment, delight, generosity, and honesty from their lives. We discussed the disadvantages of being proud, greedy, and telling lies, and how we could behave the opposite way. Surprisingly, we needed almost six months before we were able to become open-minded and treat each other as one team.
I find it beautiful that the children now have the power to make good behavior decisions and act with kindness in society. We are trying to increase the number of this kind of people in our society.
For more information about Ganden Do Ngag Shedrup Ling visit their website:
http://www.fpmtmongolia.org/shedrub-ling-center/
To learn more about the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom and the 16 Guidelines for Life visit the FDCW website:
https://www.compassionandwisdom.org
A hard copy of The Sixteen Guidelines for Life is available through the FPMT Foundation Store:
https://shop.fpmt.org/The-16-Guidelines-for-Life_p_816.html
FPMT.org and Mandala Publications brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings, and events from over 160 FPMT centers, projects, and services around the globe. If you like what you read, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Australia, May 2018. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
We hope you will enjoy the June FPMT International Office e-News, out now!
This month we bring you:
- Highlights of Recent Advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche
- The Updated FPMT Mission Statement
- Sutra of Golden Light Resources
- News from our Foundation Store
…and more!
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 consecrating the center’s new building, Buddha House, South Australia, May 2018. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
FPMT center Buddha House, located in a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia, recently received a visit from Lama Zopa Rinpoche who blessed the center’s new home. The Buddha House community shares the story with us:
During the Bodhicaryavatara (A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life) and Rinjung Gyatsa Retreat at The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo, Australia, in 2014, Buddha House resident teacher Ven. Thubten Dondrub, the then-director Gabe Edwards, and members of Buddha House had a meeting with Rinpoche.
Leading up to that meeting Buddha House was going through a period of instability. Only a few months earlier, we had lost our director, spiritual program coordinator, and treasurer due to ill health and all within a few weeks of each other. We were up against many challenges, including low morale and financial hardship, placing a lot of added pressure to keep the center running harmoniously. There were many obstacles to overcome during this period, making it one of the most difficult in the thirty-seven year history of Buddha House.
Katrin Rheder, Gabe Edwards, Tony Migalka, Ven. Thubten Dondrub, Lyndy Abram, Judy Wagner, Bill Gaston, Cristina Gonzalez, Jan Vaughan, and Sheryl Malone with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, The Great Stupa, Bendigo, Australia, 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
We were leasing space in a premises owned by the Freemasons, which greatly impacted our ability to expand the program as we would have liked. Competing with dance classes, hall hire for parties, celebrations, and regular evening meetings of Freemasons, it was very difficult to keep students motivated and the future looked unclear.
So during the 2014 retreat, Gabe requested an audience with Rinpoche, enabling students to come together as a group to talk with him.
As a result of that meeting, Rinpoche’s advice for the center to flourish and to promote harmony was to practice the Sixteen Arhats Puja regularly, and in addition, Rinpoche advised us to commission a large Ganapati statue.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Ven. Thubten Tendar, Buddha House former director Tony Migalka, Buddha House resident teacher Ven. Thubten Dondrub, and Buddha House current director Lyndy Abram enjoying the autumn leaves in the beautiful Adelaide hills, South Australia, May 2018. Photo by Carole Migalka.
The Buddha House Board and students under the guidance of Ven. Thubten Dondrub promptly followed the Guru’s advice. Soon after and due to the kindness of a benefactor, the Sixteen Arhat statues were acquired. They arrived by ship from Nalanda Monastery in France in 2015. The Sixteen Arhat statues were exquisitely painted by Tibetan artist Ven. Lobsang Konchok and are now part of the main altar at Buddha House. Many thanks to Ven. Lobsang, who also painted the mural of the Dharmachakra surrounded by eight offering dakinis inside of The Great Stupa.
After 3 years of construction by artist Jonathan Partridge in Tasmania, the large Ganapati statue was installed at the center in early May 2018, just days before Rinpoche’s arrival.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche arriving at Buddha House, South Australia, May 17, 2018. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
In late January 2016 a Buddha House student saw a property for auction, which was a beautiful and spacious blue-stone church in a perfect location.
Rinpoche’s observation showed that it was beneficial to purchase the property. He recommended various practices for our success, including the making of one thousand Ganapati tsa-tsas. Buddha House had just nine days before the auction to complete Rinpoche’s advice, and with the help of many, including Chenrezig Institute with the making of the tsa-tsas, Budda House fulfilled his instructions within the required time. We made a successful bid for the property in February 2016, and after many months of renovations, Buddha House moved in to their new home in January 2017.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Ven. Roger Kunsang, Ven. Thubten Tendar, and Ven. Lobsang Sherab offering a khata to the new Buddha statue at Buddha House, South Australia, May 2018. Photo by Carole Migalka.
Following the Guru’s advice when many obstacles and financial demands are being experienced can take courage. However, the Board of Buddha House found that when demonstrating faith in following our precious teacher’s advice unerringly, incredible things happen. After commissioning the Ganapati Statue, practicing the Sixteen Arhats Puja regularly, and then acquiring the Sixteen Arhats statues, a very generous benefactor made available the funds that enabled us to purchase our new property.
Rinpoche entered our new center building for the first time on Thursday, May 17, 2018. On that day he had a tour of the center while meeting members of the Buddha House Board, office volunteers, meditation leaders, and those who help out with the teaching program. In the gompa in front of about thirty people, including Ven. Roger Kunsang, Ven. Thubten Dondrub, Ven. Lobsang Konchok, Ven. Lobsang Sherab, Ven. Thubten Tendar, and Ven. Tenzin Lhamo, Rinpoche consecrated the Sixteen Arhat statues.
After months of preparation at Buddha House, Lama Zopa Rinpoche officially opened our new center on Sunday, May 20, and what a wonderfully joyous, moving and colorful multicultural day it was! About two hundred people attended, including members of parliament and local government, as well as representatives from multi-faith organizations. The official ceremony began in Tara Hall with the moving Welcome to Country ceremony conducted by “Uncle Moogy” Sumner, who called his ancestors as well as ours in his native language, and gave us his blessing as a tribal custodian to conduct our center’s work and program without negative obstructions.
The Himalayan and Tibetan Children’s Choir performing at Buddha House, South Australia, May 2018, Photo by Hugh Sparrow.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche then unveiled the Heart Sutra plaque while chanting, and with the ordained Sangha joining in, blessed the center. Rinpoche spoke of how much benefit the center would be to so many sentient beings for many years to come. The plaque has since been mounted by the entrance to Buddha House, giving all those who enter opportunity to read this extremely powerful sutra.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche sharing laughs with students at Buddha House, South Australia, May 2018. Photo by Carole Migalka.
After a sumptuous afternoon tea, Rinpoche gave a very special talk in the gompa on how to make the most of our life. He advised us to study the lamrim, meditate on the lamrim, and actualize the lamrim, develop guru devotion, and live our lives with bodhichitta as much as possible.
It was heart-warming to see the past directors, members and friends of Buddha House, as well as families from the Himalayan Buddhist Society of South Australia and the Tibetan Society of South Australia. There was dancing by women in national costume and a children’s choir by our Himalayan and Tibetan friends. Many thanks to the Himalayan Buddhist Community for making the chai tea, and the Buddha House community for an abundance of delicious sweet and savory food.
Members, students, and volunteers of Buddha House worked tirelessly and harmoniously together over several months to bring the event together—from cleaners, car parking attendants, to the gompa setup team, kitchen catering, flower arrangers, and hosts for the day. It was only due to the kindness all of these volunteers that the afternoon was such a great success.
In our new location the program has been expanded to allow for day and evening meditations, teachings, and children’s programs. Tara Hall is available for yoga, tai chi, and reiki. The center has become very valuable in the community with people coming and going all day attending programs, popping in to get information regarding programs, and also attracting people into the gompa for their own personal meditation.
Natalie Playford and Judy McDonald who cooked for Lama Zopa Rinpoche sharing a moment with Rinpoche as he had them print mantras in a book to see who had the most merit to print the perfect mantra, Buddha House, South Australia, May 2018. Photo by Carole Migalka.
What we now have is the culmination of many years of concerted effort by a succession of center directors and board members, securing a stable, beautiful, spacious, and functional center that will serve our community for many years to come.
The final success came from asking our Guru for specific advice, and collectively following this to the letter. As a result everything has flowed seamlessly and incredible abundance has followed. Please join us in rejoicing.
For more information about Buddha House visit their website:
http://buddhahouse.org
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