FPMT Community: Stories & News

The candlelight procession of the opening ceremony, Sakyadhita International Conference, Hong Kong, June 2017.

In June 2017, Drolkar McCallum, regional coordinator for FPMT North America and member services coordinator for the International Mahayana Institute—FPMT’s international community of nuns and monks—visited Hong Kong to attend the Sakyadhita International Conference. Drolkar, who additionally serves as acting president of Sakyadhita Canada, shared experiences from the six-day event:

The fifteenth conference of the Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women, held at the University of Hong Kong from June 22 to 28, was attended by over 800 Buddhist nuns and laywomen from thirty-one countries!

The name Sakyadhita means “Daughter of Shakya,” harkening back to the clan name of the historical Buddha. Sakyadhita International is an alliance of women and men whose goal it is to empower the world’s 300 million Buddhist women to work for peace and social justice and to advance their spiritual and secular lives.

They hold an international conference every two years, the first of which was held in Bodhgaya, India, in 1987. This year celebrated Sakyadhita’s thirty-year anniversary with the theme, “Contemporary Buddhist Women: Contemplation, Cultural Exchange & Social Action.”

Batik Making Workshop at the Sakyadhita International Conference in Hong Kong. Photo by Drolkar McCallum.

For one week laywomen, nuns, laymen, and monks from many different nations and backgrounds gathered in harmony to share their ideas and experiences. The program included a rich mixture of panel presentations, workshops, Dharma talks, meditations, chanting, and cultural performances. At the end, there was a two-day tour of several Buddhist sites around Hong Kong.

The conferences, held in different, usually Buddhist, countries aim to bring together scholars, monastics, and members of the public to forge pathways forward for the interests and needs of Buddhist women around the world. Its primary purpose is to promote world peace through the practice of the Buddha’s teachings.

In the opening ceremony on the first day, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, who is president of Sakyadhita International, and Ven. Karma Lekshe Tsomo, who is co-founder and the event organizer, gave short but inspiring welcoming speeches in the vast Grand Hall of the university.

Jetsunma emphasized that the conference aims to empower laywomen and monastics around the world and to bridge scholars and practitioners. It also shares practices such as loving kindness, thereby helping to bring peace and wisdom into the world.

She also expressed the hope that this year’s meeting could serve as a bridge, strengthening the connection between East and West. She emphasized that the conference celebrates the achievements of both monastic and lay Buddhist women, but also stressed that even though the conference was about women, it is certainly not anti-men, and that all the lay and monastic men present were most welcome!

Nuns from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition at the conference, including Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo and Ven. Karma Lekshe Tsomo. FPMT IMI nuns are Vens. Lozang Drolkar from Australia and Tenzin Lekdron from Sri Lanka. Missing from the photo is Ven. Lozang Tseten also from Australia. Photo by Drolkar McCallum.

The last day started with more than twenty focus groups on such topics as social engagement, justice, the future of Sakyadhita International, science and Buddhism, and monastic training in East and West. Most of the Western nuns joined the focus group on monastic training. Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo shared about the difficulties of Western nuns, particularly the lack of financial support from their Tibetan teachers and from lay people. She brought up examples of monastics who have not been treated well or lived under difficult circumstances although contributing greatly to the developments of Buddhist centers.

Ven. Jampa from Sravasti Abbey in the United States mentioned: “This topic of support for nuns came up throughout the conference. I learned quite a bit, especially during the discussions and sharing, not just about the lack of support for Western Buddhist nuns in the Tibetan tradition, but also about the cultural gap between East and West in that regard. Westerners still tend to support their spiritual Tibetan teachers and Tibetan monastics in exile more than the Western monastics of the Tibetan traditions, even though the nuns help their Buddhist centers, teachers, and many students. Few Western monastics who either live in Asia, work in Western Dharma centers, or who have supported their Tibetan teachers receive financial support in return.”

During the breaks and meal times, I participated in valuable discussions with nuns and laywomen from all over the world and all traditions. We discussed a wide range of topics from reviving full ordination for nuns, building monasteries, support and training for Westerners, and even FPMT International Sangha Day!

It was indeed a unique and rich celebration of all Buddhist traditions coming together to better understand, help support, and appreciate each other.

Read more about the work of Sakyadhita International and find a review of the Hong Kong conference: http://www.sakyadhita.org/

Support ordained Sangha—women and men—through the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund:
https://fpmt.org/projects/fpmt/supporting-ordained-sangha-fund/

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.

The Australian bush of Atisha Centre, June 2017. Photo courtesy of Atisha Centre.

A group of students from Tara Institute in Victoria, Australia, took the initiative to commence study of the Yamantaka sadhana.  A small but devoted number of people soon developed a regular practice, culminating in the decision to undertake retreat this past June.

The result of the group’s practice combined the energy of three centers, each bringing a component part of support to the retreat. A member of the study group, Cynthia Karena, shared some of her reflections on the process in Mandala‘s latest online feature story “Community and Commitment: A Yamantaka Study Group at Tara Institute in Australia”:

… “The study group is good to become familiar with the meditations. Having them read out so you can actually meditate on them allows you to start memorizing them. Then when you do them yourself, you meditate more than just read the words.”

The meditations are outlined in the short sadhana practice, so people know where and how they fit in, said Tara Institute student Jill Lancashire.

“It’s good to introduce the short sadhana to people who were newly initiated and either had no previous experience with the format of a sadhana or for whom Yamantaka was a new practice.

“The definite thing is that having a schedule and a dedicated group of co-practitioners makes it much easier to do the practices properly and keep them going.” …

Read Cynthia Karena’s new article “Community and Commitment: A Yamantaka Study Group at Tara Institute in Australia” in its entirety:
https://fpmt.org/mandala/in-depth-stories/community-and-commitment-a-yamantaka-study-group-at-tara-institute-in-australia/

Lama Zopa Rinpoche being welcomed on the first day of the 100 Million Mani Mantra Retreat at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Italy, October 2017. Photo by Piero Sirianni.

Earlier this week Lama Zopa Rinpoche traveled to Italy to lead the month-long 100 Million Mani Mantra Retreat at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK) in Pomaia, Italy. Mani mantra is the mantra of Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara), the Buddha of Compassion. During the retreat, participants will collectively recite the mantra more than 100 million times. The retreat’s host, ILTK, plays an important role in FPMT history and serves as a center for in-depth Dharma study, offering many courses, including FPMT Education Services’ Masters Program and Basic Program. ILTK shared the following report about the beginning of the retreat: 

The 100 Million Mani Mantra Retreat started Thursday morning, October 5, with a welcome speech from Filippo Scianna, the director of Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa. Filippo expressed his happiness that ILTK is able to host the event and his gratitude to all those, staff and volunteers, that worked hard to make it possible.

Filippo reminded those in attendance that ILKT celebrated its forty year anniversary this year, something which was due to the kindness and inspired vision of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and by the “worldly condition of generosity” from the Corona family.

Filippo Scianna, Ven. Siliana Bosa, and Massimo Corona at the beginning of the retreat, ILTK, October 2017. Photo by Piero Sirianni.

Massimo Corona spoke on behalf of the Corona family and gave a colorful description of the very beginning of ILTK, with the old main building’s timely rescue from ruin and geshes teaching twice in a flooded room.

In preparation for the Chenrezig empowerment being given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Ven. Olivier Rossi gave an explanation of the tantra vehicle, so that participants, including those never having received a tantric empowerment, could attend the event with full awareness and understanding.

Ven. Olivier Rossi explains the tantra vehicle at the beginning of the retreat, ILTK, October 2017. Photo by Piero Sirianni.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s daily teachings at the 100 Million Mani Mantra Retreat in Italy are being broadcast live over Facebook and YouTube:
https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/lama-zopa-rinpoche-live/

You can watch recordings of previous teachings by Lama Zopa Rinpoche online:
https://fpmt.org/RinpocheNow/

Read advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche about the benefits of Chenrezig Practice:
https://fpmt.org/education/prayers-and-practice-materials/chenrezig-mantra-and-practice/

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.

Medicine Buddha thangka by Peter Iseli

From FPMT International Office:

Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims of the tragedy that occurred on the evening of Sunday, October 1, 2017, in Las Vegas.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche always advises to make strong prayers to Medicine Buddha for anyone who is dying, sick, injured, or who has already died from violence such as that which occurred in Las Vegas or elsewhere.

Please make prayers for the sick and injured to recover. For those who lost their lives in the tragedy, please make prayers for their families and survivors to be blessed by and receive healing from Medicine Buddha. Also, please make prayers for those who have died to be born in a pure land and become enlightened, or to receive a perfect human body, meet with the precious Dharma, receive teachings and to achieve enlightenment as quickly as possible.

Medicine Buddha practice can be done for anyone who is sick, dying, or even who has already died. Reciting the mantra of Medicine Buddha is one of the best practices we can do at this time. 

The mantra of Medicine Buddha is:

TADYATHĀ / OṂ BHAIṢHAJYE BHAIṢHAJYE / MAHĀBHAIṢHAJYE [BHAIṢHAJYE] /
RĀJA SAMUDGATE SVĀHĀ

You can download a PDF of the Medicine Buddha Sadhana which includes Medicine Buddha practice and mantra.

Students may also recite King of Prayers.

Ani Baljid, Ani Gyalmo, Ani Nyima, Ani Kunkyen, and Ani Dechen taking part in the fifth 100 Million Mani Retreat at Idgaa Choizinling Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, June 2017. Photo courtesy of Ianzhina Bartanova.

Throughout the month of June 2017, the fifth 100 Million Mani Retreat was held at Idgaa Choizinling Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and hosted by Ganden Do Ngag Shedrup Ling (GDNSL). Center director Ianzhina Bartanova and resident teacher Ven. Thubten Gyalmo shared their reflections of the retreat:

This year marked the fifth major annual retreat event for the center, so staff and volunteers are now very familiar with what needs to be done to help enable the event to run smoothly and harmoniously. Just two weeks prior to the commencement of the event, we were extremely fortunate to receive the Great Chenrezig initiation bestowed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the venue, which brought many rich blessings to the retreat and its participants.

In any one session, approximately 200 people were in attendance, appearing to be inspired by the knowledge of the incredible merit in doing the Chenrezig practice.

The gompa filled with participants of the 100 Million Mani Retreat, Idgaaa Choizinling Monastery, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, June 2017. Photo courtesy of Ianzhina Bartanova.

Even though the schedule was quite full and demanding, people were happy to come, participate, and make consistent effort in order to accumulate 108,548,100 mani mantras.

Tireless in their service GDNSL staff and volunteers provided conducive conditions to all participants—from a 7 a.m. morning welcome breakfast, to a vegetarian lunch, to four servings of tea through to the evening, to a daily gompa cleaning at night. Other essential daily tasks included providing information to all participants, answering visitors’ requests, and the writing down, counting, and safe recording of the dedications from a constant stream of people offering mani mantra accumulations.  

This annual event is one of FPMT Mongolia’s significant contributions to the revival of Buddhism in Mongolia, and it is interesting to note that apart from one Australian student and several casual tourist visitors lured to the monastery by the loud and melodious chanting, the participants were all Mongolian, a large percentage of whom were females forty years and older.  

Refreshments being served during the 100 Million Mani Retreat, Idgaa Choizinling Monastery, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, June 2017. Photo courtesy of Ianzhina Bartanova.

The previous four retreats were held in the cooler August-September months. However, this year and for the first time, the retreat was held in June before the July Naadam holiday—the long national celebration when people travel to the countryside for horse racing and camping. The weather was rather hot, and temperatures of up to 32 degrees Celsius (89 degrees Fahrenheit) presented some extra challenges to keeping the mind focused on prayers and sustaining long periods of mani recitation.

The real heroes of the retreat were the Sangha to whom we are deeply grateful—especially Lharampa Geshe Thubten Zopa, who oversaw the preparation and decoration of the beautiful tormas, supervised the entire altar set-up, and who gave an inspirational public talk at both the opening and closing ceremonies. Also, we’re grateful to the nuns of Dolma Ling Nunnery, who were leading the retreat, and the monks of Idgaa Choizinling Monastery, who were ever-ready to help serve tea and food, clean the temple, and offer assistance where needed.

Looking to the future, we are already discussing the possibilities of next year’s event, including organizing a strict retreat that concludes with a fire puja for participants who can commit to full participation and reciting the required number of mantras. For further information on next year’s event, please watch this space!

Learn more about the work of the FPMT in Mongolia: http://www.fpmtmongolia.org/. Read more about the 100 Million Mani Retreats in Mongolia in 2013, 2014, 2016. See photos of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s May 2017 visit to Mongolia: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eweNmY1wsVQ3PBRe6.

The 100 Million Mani Retreat at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa in Italy begins on October 4! Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings from Italy, as well as from Vienna on September 29-October 1, will be live streamed:
https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/lama-zopa-rinpoche-live/

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.

Indila Dora with Tenzin Osel Hita.

Osel with baby Tenzin Norbu.

On September 15, 2017, a tsog day, Tenzin Osel Hita and partner Indila Dora welcomed Tenzin Norbu into the world.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche was offering prayers during Tenzin Norbu’s birth. 

Warm wishes for much happiness in this new chapter for Osel, Indila, and precious Tenzin Norbu. 

Lighting the inauguration lamp for the Liberation Prison Project in Bangalore, August 2017. Photo courtesy of Choe Khor Sum Ling.

Rashmi Krishnan, a student and volunteer of Choe Khor Sum Ling in Bangalore, India, shares news about the center’s encouraging expansion of its prison outreach through the Liberation Prison Project (LPP) to women:

For over two years, students at Choe Khor Sum Ling have been visiting male prisoners at a facility as part of their work with the Liberation Prison Project. Over the last year, the program has been expanded to include the female inmates’ section.

Between fifteen to twenty women attend the sessions, which are held every Saturday, except for second Saturdays and public holidays. As part of a session, teachings of the Buddha, which include the subjects of impermanence, karma, forgiveness, and compassion are discussed. It is very encouraging to note that the discussions are very participatory and interactive. Techniques like analytical meditation and calm abiding are also imparted during the classes.

The impact of the teachings has been heart-warming. Patience levels have improved considerably among inmates, and the willingness to be equanimous through forgiving oneself and others is eagerly implemented.

Between discussions on karma, faith, and equanimity, there are times when inmates acknowledge the improvement that has occurred in those who used to be very angry.

A drawing by Sadhana Nagendra depicts the teaching of the Liberation Prison Project run by the Choe Khor Sum Ling in Bangalore, August 2017.

One of the inmates very profoundly said that regardless of whether she is inside or outside the prison, she is constantly worried and wanted to learn how to put an end to her worries.

Our work with the inmates clearly showed that it doesn’t matter whether one is at the tenth floor of a posh high-rise or in a dreadful nine-to-five, working endless hours of a soul-numbing job or in prison—the mind that is not at peace is imprisoned and undergoes punishment.

The path of liberation is practiced by both the volunteers and the inmates as discussions and the lessons on impermanence and equanimity are internalized. During the process, the mind gradually shifts gear to higher levels of acceptance. We’ve especially begun to internalize the lesson that we may not be free to change our external circumstances, but we can use the mind to utilize present circumstances to become a better human.

Read student testimonials, program details, and teacher information on the Liberation Prison Project:
http://www.liberationprisonproject.org/

FPMT.org 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 a child attending the Kadampa Center family camp, who had made this buddha statue for Rinpoche, North Carolina, USA, September 2017. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

The September FPMT International Office e-News is out now!

This month we bring you news about:

• Long Retreats with Lama Zopa Rinpoche
• A New Module of Living in the Path
  
• Investing in Holy Object Creation
• Mantra Hat Back in Stock!

and more!

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

Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds new building concept drawing, August 2017. Image by Martijn Prins.

Over twenty years, Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds (JBCL) in the United Kingdom has grown to become a significant focal point for practitioners, hosting an increasing number of classes and retreats, including those with Geshe Tashi Tsering from Jamyang Buddhist Centre London. Center director Kerry Prest recently shared an update of an encouraging building project at the center and news of an offering that carries the center closer to a new home:

Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds celebrated its twentieth birthday last year and marked the occasion by launching in September 2016 a fundraising campaign to find their new home in Leeds. Within the first five months, it had raised £20,000 towards its target.

The center has just received a matched funding donation of £50,000 from an anonymous donor and is re-launching their campaign in a renewed bid to find a permanent larger home within the city, having reached physical capacity in their current site.

JBCL has a long history in Leeds, having been established in 1996 under the spiritual direction of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. FPMT UK coordinator Jay Simpson praises the center’s continuous efforts to develop:

“JBCL continues to offer a wonderfully varied program of Buddhist and secular teachings and outreach work to the local community, schools, and hospitals, in accordance with the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

“It is fantastic news that Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds is looking to create a permanent home after twenty years of development. The Building a Community campaign is an amazing way to help preserve and spread the Dharma in the north of England, helping establish the heart of Buddhist practice in the heart of the United Kingdom. The team at JBCL have great plans for the future, and I would encourage everyone to get involved to help create a more caring and compassionate society.”

Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds altar, August 2017. Photo by Tsanka Petkova.

Last year saw a record number of visitors using the center, with over 2,000 individual visits recorded. This year looks set to increase those numbers still further, with the number of visits made to the center so far already standing at 1,500, a higher figure than that recorded over the same period in the previous year. The number of unique visitors to the center looks set to increase by over 20 percent in 2017 than was recorded in 2016, meaning that by December, there will have been a substantial increase in the use of the center by the local community for another consecutive year.

In keeping with their being the home of Tibetan Buddhism in Leeds, the center regularly hosts highly respected Buddhist teachers, both laypeople and ordained monks and nuns. Ven. Robina Courtin, Geshe Tashi Tsering, Tenzin Josh, Paula Chichester, and Ven. Amy Miller have all given teachings in 2017, on topics as diverse as ego-grasping, emptiness, kindness, and meditation.

Fiona Oliver is spiritual program coordinator at JBCL and believes the varied programming to be one of the key contributing factors of the center’s continued success and growth:

“JBCL plays a large part in many people’s lives here in Leeds and across the north of England. Our community of practitioners really value the Dharma, and appreciate the wonderful opportunities we offer to meet and receive teachings from eminent lamas such as Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Dagri Rinpoche.

“As a center, we work hard to offer a program that reflects the spiritual aspirations of all the people who visit us, and that inspires even more people to benefit from the Dharma and the wonderful visiting teachers. We hope to continue to do so for many years to come.”

With hundreds of people regularly attending their events, the team at Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds look to expand into new areas, such as hosting courses on mindfulness for businesses, providing neutral spaces that can be rented out to third parties, enlarging their bookshop area, having a café area that is open to the public daily, and providing accommodation that can be used for visiting teachers or rented out to raise further income.

Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds, new Tara statues. August 2017. Photo by Fiona Oliver Photography.

“Our target of £750,000 (just under $1 million US dollars) could be considered a tall order,” said center director Kerry Prest, “but we firmly believe that the commitment that has got the center so far already will continue to grow and enable this to happen. In the first two months after launching the Building a Community appeal, we had raised £4,500 to purchase 21 Buddha Tara statues on the advice of Dagri Rinpoche during his visit to the center.

“We have been astounded by the generosity being shown to us by the community, and in return we give back as much as we can. We are currently a guiding center for three FPMT groups in the north of England, plus mentoring three other groups not yet part of FPMT.”

JBCL has a number of events coming up over the next few months to raise awareness of the Building a Community campaign, including holding a sponsored 24-hour Sutra of Golden Light recitation from September 20-21, 2017, which will be live-streamed worldwide.

More details about the Jamyang Buddhist Center Leeds, and all developments in the building project can be found at www.jamyangleeds.co.uk/building-a-community or contact smile@jamyangleeds.co.uk.

Learn more about how to participate in JBCL’s worldwide Sutra of Golden Light recitation on September 20-21: http://jamyangleeds.co.uk/goldenlight/.

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.

Sarah Brooks and François Lecointre facilitated the April 2017 Foundation Service Seminar, Mahamuda Centre, Colville, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Mahamuda Centre.

Sarah Brooks, spiritual program coordinator at Mahamudra Centre for Universal Unity in New Zealand, shared news from the April 2017 Foundation Service Seminar—a training for those offering and wishing to offer service within FPMT centers, services, and projects. 

Mahamudra Centre for Universal Unity welcomed FPMT family from Tahiti, Australia, France, New Zealand, and Mongolia for the Foundation Service Seminar (FSS) in April 2017. Initially mother nature threw up some obstacles with Cyclone Cook and significant mud slides closing the main road into our side of the peninsula. The start of the seminar was delayed so that travelers still stuck in Auckland could take the long way around (once the cyclone had passed) to get to the center. They were determined to take advantage of this precious opportunity— the last time it was offered in New Zealand was in its earlier form Training in Compassionate Cultures in 2006—so they caravanned together and made it just in time!

Group presentations at the April 2017 Foundation Service Seminar, Mahamuda Centre, Colville, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Mahamuda Centre.

The seminar was led by FSS registered facilitators François Lecointre, director of Institut Vajra Yogini in France, and Mahamudra Centre’s spiritual program coordinator Sarah Brooks. The result was a lively international discussion about FPMT as an organization and how we can work together in harmony, provide excellent customer service, and support each other in our efforts and region.

We can all rejoice in the eleven attendees who graduated and the efforts of everyone who participated and helped make it happen, as well as Mahamudra Centre for offering it on a donation basis to make it completely accessible to anyone who wanted to come. Graduates went home inspired by Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vision and wisdom, and the amazing efforts of the FPMT family over the years to build and strengthen our organization to continue to fulfill the wishes of our dear founder, Lama Yeshe.

Foundation Service Seminar attendee Jane Lewis receives her certificate of completion and gifts, Mahamuda Centre, Colville, New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Mahamuda Centre.

FPMT.org 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.

Foundation Service Seminar participants at Losang Dragpa Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 2017

Attention student offering service in the FPMT organization: Opportunities for developing your skills and deepening your Dharma practice await when you attend an FPMT Foundation Service Seminar! 

What Is the Foundation Service Seminar (FSS)?

The Foundation Service Seminar (FSS) is a five-day retreat that has been especially designed, following Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice, for students committed to offering service within the FPMT organization. The FSS offers participants:

• Opportunities to learn, meditate on, and practice applying Dharma to their service in centers, projects, and services. 
• Exercises in team building, skillful management and people development, effective communication, stress management, and more, all delivered within an explicitly FPMT Dharma context.
• Information on how to effectively draw strength, inspiration, wisdom, and guidance from the Dharma during difficult times to help prevent and alleviate burnout.
• Introduction to Inner Job Description (IJD), a  helpful tool for integrating the Dharma into work life.
• A showcase of the vast activities and resources available within the FPMT organization.
• Immersion in FPMT Wisdom Culture.
• Opportunities to make long-lasting connections with other FPMT students, what Lama Yeshe called “family feeling.”
• An entry point to other in-depth FPMT service seminars, including the Teacher Development Service Seminar and the Rituals Service Seminar.
• Preparation for those wishing to be come registered FSS facilitators.

Foundation Service Seminar participants at Losang Dragpa Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 2017

When and Where Are FSS Held?

The next scheduled Foundation Service Seminar takes place in December 2017 in Spain. Other seminars are being planned for 2018 in the UK, Switzerland, and Mexico. Interested students should contact your area’s regional or national coordinator to find out more about upcoming Foundation Services Seminars.

What Do Participants Have to Say?

“Having seen how challenging life in a Dharma center can be, how easily good intentions can get blown away, I believe it is essential that everyone working or wishing to work in the FPMT does this seminar-retreat,” one participant recently said. “So much suffering could be alleviated if people were more aware of the toolkit available to them, and even more importantly, how working in a center positively helps to develop a deep understanding of wisdom and compassion in action.”

“I definitely recommend to new directors to go to an FSS!” encourages another student. “It’s very informative. An FSS could fill any gaps of knowledge the new directors might have. Plus it’s a very inspiring seminar! I rejoiced a lot! As well, it’s a good team-building activity. New directors will learn something just by listening others’ experience; it’s indeed precious knowledge. Plus, through sharing information and representing their own center, the new directors plant the positive seeds for the future. Definitely the FSS practices will help me to be a better manager!”

Foundation Service Seminar participants at Land of Medicine Buddha, Soquel, California, USA, February 2017

Learn more about Foundation Service Seminars on FPMT.org. Next week, we’ll share a first-hand report from the Foundation Service Seminars held in New Zealand and in Malaysia earlier this year!

Geshe Tenzin Namdak. Photo by Deepthy Shekhar.

“Finishing the whole study program [at Sera Je Monastic University] gives an opportunity to rejoice,” Geshe Tenzin Namdak told Ven. Gyalten Lekden in the just published interview “‘Something to Rejoice In’: Geshe Tenzin Namdak In His Own Words.” In the interview Geshe Namdak, who grew up in the Netherlands, talks about meeting the Dharma, studying twenty years at Sera Je in India, helping develop Choe Khor Sum Ling, the FPMT center in Bangalore, and other topics. In his characteristically humble way, he explained, “I didn’t do much, but at least there was some Dharma activity involved for the last twenty years, so that is something to rejoice in, and that makes the mind happy.”

Geshe Namdak was formally awarded his geshe degree during a three-day ceremony in May 2017, becoming the first Westerner to complete the full course of studies there and also to sit for the final geshe examination. Towards the end of the interview, Ven. Lekden asked Geshe Namdak, “Other than the actual Buddhist philosophy, what have you learned the most over the last twenty years here at Sera?”

“I don’t know. I mean, to develop the mind takes a long time, right? It’s the same with learning a language, it takes a long time. And you don’t really notice if you progress or not because it is a very slow process,” Geshe Namdak replied. “I have learned a lot from the Tibetans: to be more relaxed, to do things in a relaxed manner. Some of the monks are very relaxed, but at the same time they work very hard. Keep the mind in that relaxed state—that’s what the gurus show us all of the time. I learned quite a bit from the Tibetans to be serious, to work as hard as you can—but keep a kind of relaxed state of mind. Sometimes that’s not always easy, though!

Read the entire interview, “‘Something to Rejoice In’: Geshe Tenzin Namdak In His Own Words”: 
https://fpmt.org/mandala/in-depth-stories/something-to-rejoice-in-geshe-tenzin-namdak-in-his-own-words/

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.