FPMT Community: Stories & News

Ven. Kabir Saxena. Photo courtesy of Maitreya Buddha Project Kushinagar.

In early October 2016, Maitreya Buddha Project Kushinagar, a project to build a large statue of Maitreya Buddha in Kushinagar, India, announced that long-time student Ven. Kabir Saxena had taken over as director. Ven. Kabir wrote a letter to Maitreya Buddha Project Kushinagar supporters to make the announcement, which Mandala reproduces here in lightly edited form:

Dear respected friends,

I’m very happy indeed to have this opportunity to introduce myself as the new director of Maitreya Buddha Project Kushinagar.

I became involved with FPMT just after Easter 1977 in England during my studies in history at the beautiful university town of Oxford. Venerable Thubten Pemo, then living in England, was my first meditation instructor. I am so grateful to her.

My mother was English and father Indian, so I had a mix of both cultures, and since I opted for an Indian passport way back, I now stay in the land of my birth without visa hassles as I have been doing since 1983, when Lama Thubten Yeshe asked me to be director of Root Institute in Bodhgaya in order to help “repay the kindness of the Indian people.” Lama said he had faith in me and those words have sustained me in challenging times ever since. 

During that early time Lama Yeshe shared with me his extraordinary vision for a large Maitreya Buddha statue or “Maitreya Project” as it later became known.

Now again in 2016, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche has again manifested faith in me for some inexplicable deeply hidden karmic reason by appointing me director of the Maitreya Project in Kushinagar, a project sixteen years in the making. These Maitreya Projects (there is another in Bodhgaya of course) were the heart-projects of Lama Thubten Yeshe, the founder of FPMT and Maitreya Project. I am deeply honored and humbled, and feel somewhat unworthy, and occasionally disoriented by the task ahead. I am, however, joyful at this opportunity to be of some benefit before I succumb to old age, decrepitude, and alas … death! 

What we have set out to accomplish in Kushinagar is ambitious. It is a project with many spiritual, social, and economic facets. Apart from the large Maitreya Buddha statue to be set in a temple complex that also houses holy relics, we intend to create a Centre for Interfaith Dialogue; an Academy of Mind-Science as per His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s suggestion; educational facilities emphasizing the 16 Guidelines for a Happy Life; medical projects in the surrounding villages, as well as a quality hospital; a hospice; old people’s home; animal sanctuary; retreat area perhaps in the already wooded area; a permaculture pilot project; organic gardening; water conservation/harvesting; and waste management center … and there could be more! We also aim to lease some small parcels of land to other Buddhist like-minded organizations in a spirit of sharing and harmony.

Composite of Maitreya Buddha Project Kushinagar by Aros

India has seen a flight from the rural areas to the urban conglomerations, leading to debasement of life in both arenas. One major aim of mine is to restore the dignity of a useful, productive, and sustainable rural lifestyle at a time in India’s development when city life is becoming unbearable and competitively selfish. What the world needs more of now is cooperation and mutual aid as we face the results of more than 200 years of fast-paced industrial and technological development.

I intend the project to be the most inspiring, uplifting, and beautiful phenomenon that people will ever witness in their lives. I also intend to fulfill Rinpoche’s wish for the project to be “most beneficial” for all sentient beings as well as for it to help beings generate authentic loving-kindness in their minds.

For all this to happen we need not only your prayers and goodwill but also your continued generous and open-hearted support. Rinpoche has said this project will help FPMT to be more beneficial as well as contribute to more peace and harmony in North India and the world. We’ll all just have to do our very best!

I hope I can set a good and responsible example.

This is my heartfelt aspiration. I look forward to working with, and sharing this journey with, all of you—known and as yet unknown.

Thank you all so very much.

This letter was lightly edited by Mandala for inclusion on FPMT.org.

Ven. Kabir Saxena and the handover team at the registrar’s office in Kushinagar, UP, India. The land for the statue in Kushinagar was officially signed over by the state government of Uttar Pradesh, August 19, 2016. Photo courtesy of Maitreya Buddha Project Kushinagar.

Visit the Maitreya Buddha Project Kushinagar homepage to learn more and offer your support: http://mbpkushinagar.org/

Mandala brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings, and events from nearly 160 FPMT centers, projects and services around the globe. If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.

Night-time debating at Sera Je. Losang Dargye (standing), Jampa Khedrup (seated), November 2013. Photo by Sandesh Kadur.

“You can’t just repeat, ‘All phenomena lack inherent existence, all phenomena lack inherent existence’ and get a realization of emptiness! You have to see your own innate view and then use reasoning to discover what is really true.” So says American monk Ven. Tenzin Namjong in an interview recently published online by Mandala magazine.

So how do we use reasoning to discover what is really true? Intense debate is one way, explains Ven. Namjong, who is now in his tenth year of geshe studies at Sera Je Monastery in India.

“If we discover the truth of reality, we can abandon the distorted views at the root of our suffering. Our senses are not accurate about hidden phenomena, and some of the key principles in the Buddha’s teachings—impermanence, selflessness, emptiness, past and future lives, the four noble truths, and karma—are hidden phenomena. These have to be realized for the first time by a reasoning consciousness. The purpose of debate is to develop our reasoning skills so we can realize these … [Debate] isn’t primarily about defeating an external opponent. Rather, we need to recognize and refute our mistaken ways of thinking using reasoning. The answer in and of itself is not that helpful if you haven’t arrived at it through first identifying and then refuting the wrong view. You have to see your own innate view and then use reasoning to discover what is really true. Debate is analytic meditation in action.”

Ven. Tenzin Namjong

In the interview, Ven. Namjong goes on to explain how debate works and the part it plays in the education of monks at Sera Je. He talks about the many challenges of getting an education at Sera—learning the Tibetan language, long hours, facing up to ego, and even getting enough physical exercise—but also the joys: deepening understanding, companionship, and laughter. As for the back and forth of debating itself, he reports mischievously, “I think of debate as performance art … And I admit I can be a bit of a showman.” He laughs and adds, “That makes it more fun!”

Read more of Ven. Namjong’s thoughts on debate and life at Sera Je Monastery in “Dhi! Ven. Tenzin Namjong on Debate, Study, and Life at Sera Je.”

Learn more about the monks and nuns of the International Mahayana Institute (IMI), a community of Buddhist monks and nuns of the FPMT, at imisangha.org.

Supporting Sangha, which includes the Sera Je Food Fund and the Supporting the Ordained Sangha Fund, is part of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for FPMT:
https://fpmt.org/fpmt/vast-vision/#ordainedlay

Mandala is offered as a benefit to supporters of the Friends of FPMT program, which provides funding for the educational, charitable and online work of FPMT.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Ven. Yönten in Russia, 2015. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Chodron.

Was the Buddha a community worker?

In a reflection on life in community published online as part of the January-June 2017 issue of Mandala, Ven. Lozang Yönten says she was. Laughing about her everyday struggles with the afflicted minds that arise even in her good living conditions—among Dharma practitioners she describes as kind, patient, introspective, well-intentioned, caring, sincere, and supportive—Ven. Yönten reports that she relies on tales about the Buddha himself to get her through, especially those found in the monastic code, or vinaya. 

“In it,” she explains, “are revealed practical strategies to improve harmony and everyday happiness on our way to enlightenment. Having difficulty with someone? Here are ideas about effective communication. Having trouble controlling your five senses? Here are some handy ways to keep yourself under control while you build inner strength. Whenever his unruly community got up to some new mischief, Buddha gathered them together and explained compassionately, with logic, why that behavior doesn’t help.” 

Ven. Yönten also tries to emulate the Buddha’s way of helping others along the path: showing rather than telling, as in the story of Kisa Gotami and the mustard seed. “A mother’s child died and she, grief-stricken, went to the Buddha. He didn’t say, ‘You aren’t the only person who has ever lost someone, try to see the big picture.’ Not at all. He knew that logic would have no place to land in her mind and wouldn’t soothe her pain. Instead he told her to get a mustard seed from a household that had never experienced loss. Through her process of searching, unable to find a single one, she opened her heart and connected to her spiritual path. Buddha empowered her wisdom to arise and develop—he didn’t force-feed her something she wasn’t ready to hear.”

Read more of Ven. Yönten’s thoughts on working with challenges in “Buddha Was a Grassroots Organizer,” part of the Mandala‘s January-June 2017 online content.

Mandala is offered as a benefit to supporters of the Friends of FPMT program, which provides funding for the educational, charitable and online work of FPMT.

The new print issue of Mandala magazine is available through the FPMT Foundation Store.

Land of Joy Retreat Centre and garden. Photo by Fiona Oliver.

As part of Mandala‘s January-June 2017 online content, long-time FPMT student Andy Wistreich reports on the founding of Land of Joy Retreat Centre in the UK, enthusing, “Creating Land of Joy has been a life-transforming experience for the key people involved … We have discovered the meaning of our lives through our participation in the project.”

Land of Joy was a long time in the making: the decision to establish a rural retreat center in the UK was made in 2008. The group’s fundraising strategy relied on advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche and emphasized merit-making. Said Andy, “This depended on a sincere faith that many of us didn’t really understand … Three times Rinpoche suggested practices, some to sponsor, and some for us to do ourselves, to generate success. Each time, we carried out Rinpoche’s advice to the smallest detail, and the more we did this, the stronger our faith became.” In time, the strategy bore fruit: funding fell into place almost miraculously, and in 2014, a property in Northumberland was identified and confirmed by Rinpoche. Prior to purchase, Andy reports, Rinpoche visited the site, known as Greenaugh Hall, blessed it, and recited the Vajra Cutter Sutra, showing great joy. The room where he had lunch is now the gompa, which Andy describes as having “a deep blessed energy.” The group is determined to continue their Dharma approach to money, and all retreats are being run on a “total generosity model.”

More information about Land of Joy and its upcoming retreats is available from landofjoy.co.uk. 

Read more about the founding of Land of Joy in “Land of Joy: The Unforeseen Wonders of Founding a Retreat Center,” part of January-June 2017 issue’s online content.

Mandala is offered as a benefit to supporters of the Friends of FPMT program, which provides funding for the educational, charitable and online work of FPMT.

The new print issue of Mandala magazine is available through the FPMT Foundation Store.

View of De-Tong Ling’s stupa and dam surrounded by pristine Australian bush. Photo by center director Will Abram.

“De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre,” says retreat manager Dani Guo proudly in “De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre: Down Under, a Meditator’s Paradise,” a Mandala January-June 2017 online content article, “is the kind of paradise sought after by serious meditators thirsting to actualize the teachings of the Buddha.” And a new chapter is now dawning for the Australian “place of bliss and emptiness”: the construction of a new group retreat center.

Thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous benefactor, construction of the new facility is now underway. Volunteers are needed to help, and the center welcomes willing hands: any takers?

The new facility will accommodate up to forty people and enable De-Tong Ling to hold group retreats of varying lengths. The center also expects to broaden its spiritual program to accommodate the diverse needs and interests of both local and international meditators. It is an exciting time. Dani points out, “On a mundane level, there appears to be a motley crew of people getting muddy and moving earth around a lot. But on a supramundane level, what is unfolding is the real life manifestation of Dharma—loving-kindness, community, dedication, devotion, purification, joyous effort, wisdom, selflessness, and unity.”  

Venerable Thubten Dondrub, resident teacher at Buddha House in Adelaide, Australia, has noted that simply being at De-Tong Ling is a retreat in itself. The powerful effects of the blessed environment, offering a place for introspection and peace, are available to everyone who comes, whether for work or retreat.

De-Tong Ling runs two regular annual group retreats: a calm abiding retreat over Easter weekend and a ten-day lamrim retreat in October. Individual retreats are also encouraged. For more information, visit De-Tong Ling’s website. 

Read more in “De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre: Down Under, a Meditator’s Paradise,” part of the online content for the January-June 2017 issue of Mandala.

Mandala is offered as a benefit to supporters of the Friends of FPMT program, which provides funding for the educational, charitable and online work of FPMT.

The new print issue of Mandala magazine is available through the FPMT Foundation Store.

Medicine Buddha statue at Buddha Amitabha Pure Land, Washington, US, June 2015. Photo by Chris Majors.

FPMT Center Services is pleased to announce three major retreats being held at Land of Medicine Buddha in Soquel, California, United States in 2017. 

In April 2017, a Yamantaka qualifying retreat—led by FPMT-registered teacher Ven. Steve Carlier with commentary by Geshe Ngawang Dakpa, resident teacher at Tse Chen Ling in San Francisco—concluding fire puja, and self-entry practice. 

In August 2017, a Medicine Buddha retreat with FPMT-registered teacher Ven. Robina Courtin.

In November 2017, a Namgyälma purification retreat for health and longevity with FPMT-registered teacher Ven. Steve Carlier.

Participant of the first Insight Meditation Home Practice, February 2015. Photo courtesy of Institut Vajra Yogini.

Please visit the retreat schedule page on FPMT.org to find specific dates and more information about these and other major retreats scheduled at FPMT centers around the world. Also, find information about retreats with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, spiritual director of FPMT.

Osel greeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Milan, October 22, 2016. Photo by Tenzin Choejor.

Osel with Ven. Thupten Wangchen, director of Tibet House in Barcelona, Italy. Photo by Paolo Regis Photography.

On October 21-22, Tenzin Ösel Hita attended teachings in Milan, Italy, with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness taught on Lama Tsongkhapa’s Three Principal Aspects of The Path and In Praise to Dependent Origination. 

While in Italy Ösel gave a talk at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa which you can listen to in English or Italian. In this talk, Ösel explains, “Through spirituality and religion it has been discovered that when we want to help, when we want to give the best of ourselves to other people we receive more happiness and more joy. It is more fulfilling. And when our actions, our thoughts, our speech is based on self with the motivation of selfishness to make ourselves happy, to make us feel better and to fill us up, then the result always is suffering.”

In September, Ösel was in Spain and gave a wonderful talk at O.Sel.Ling’s outreach group in Gibraltar, which you can watch in Spanish on YouTube. 

Osel attending His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings in Milan, October 22, 2016. Photo by Olivier Adam.

Ösel  has recently been in India and gave a talk at Tushita Retreat Center and we look forward to updating all on his planned upcoming travels.

FPMT continues to support Ösel in all of his Dharma and educational endeavors through the Big Love Fund. All are welcome to be part of this offering. 

You can learn more about Ösel including his biography, photos, videos and more. 

Dr. Roger Jackson gives Dharma teachings to Maitri the cat and others at Sravasti Abbey, Washington State, USA, February 2016. Photo courtesy of Sravasti Abbey.

Can university professors help to spread the Dharma? Professor and long-time Dharma teacher Roger Jackson thinks so, and takes the view that scholars of Buddhist studies have plenty to offer to Dharma centers. He discusses this and other issues concerning the teaching of both Dharma and Buddhist studies in a recent interview—“Teaching Buddhism, Spreading Dharma”—published online as part of the January-June 2017 issue of Mandala magazine.

“We shouldn’t think the Dharma can’t stand up to critical and historical analyses of the kind applied by academics,” says Roger, adding, “Most centers now understand that Buddhist academics won’t undermine the tradition; we are conversant with both traditional and academic approaches, and can discuss similarities and differences.” As a result, he indicates, many centers now invite university professors to teach, and the wall between “the academy” and Dharma centers is coming down.

Roger says that in Dharma centers he teaches texts “more or less as a geshe would” while laughingly declining to consider himself their equal. But he notes that Buddhist studies scholars can also enrich what is taught in centers by discussing historical, social, cultural, and philosophical issues from a modern perspective. That context can make it easier for Dharma students to apply Buddhism to modern life. For example, nowadays in universities, professors teach how Buddhism is actually lived in Buddhist cultures, looking at gender, power, social class, and so on—not just philosophy. These are issues today’s centers might also want to talk about. Says Roger, “We may want only ‘truth’, but [Michel] Foucault showed us that truth is embodied and related to power. We can’t escape that if we want to understand Buddhism. We can’t only study philosophy.”

Read more of Roger Jackson’s insights into teaching Dharma in “Teaching Buddhism, Spreading Dharma” as part of Mandala’s January-June 2017 online content.

Mandala is offered as a benefit to supporters of the Friends of FPMT program, which provides funding for the educational, charitable and online work of FPMT.

The new print issue of Mandala magazine is also available through the FPMT Foundation Store.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche during a puja offering, Washington State, USA, November 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

We invite you to read the November edition of the monthly FPMT International Office e-News – out now!

Some highlights:

• Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice about the benefits of serving a Dharma center,
• Updates from FPMT Education Services,
• What’s in the new Mandala magazine,
• How to give a gift which helps others,
• Activities to rejoice about,

… and more!

The FPMT International Office News comes from your FPMT International Office, located in Portland, Oregon, United States. Visit our subscribe page to receive the FPMT International Office News directly in your email box.

COVER: Lama Zopa Rinpoche during an Amitabha Buddha celebration at Buddha Amitabha Pure Land, Washington, US, October 2016. Photo by Chris Major.

Mandala magazine is in the mail! The exciting new issue is winging its way this very minute to supporters of the Friends of FPMT program as well as to students who receive it through the FPMT centers and projects that offer it as a benefit. As always, we at Mandala hope we have created a timeless publication that will inspire and strengthen the Dharma practice of readers.

In the latest issue, learn more about how to practice Dharma in the face of challenge and difficulty. Read what Lama Zopa Rinpoche has to say about understanding hardships; why Ven. Gyalten Lekden says hardships lie at the heart of practice; the thoughts of Khensur Denma Locho Rinpoche on the good fortune that comes from enduring hardships; and why Thubten Gyatso says Dharma is the perfect medicine. Savor as well the lessons Jean-Yves Barralis learned about dying while caring for Ven. Kunsang; how young Maddy Stafford found a home in Buddhism; and how Sarah Brooks was changed by her experiment in generosity. And don’t miss Dharma teachings from Ribur Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe, and Lama Zopa Rinpoche!

Mandala is also offering several online-only pieces, including:

• Teaching Buddhism, Spreading Dharma, an interview with longtime university professor and Dharma teacher Dr. Roger Jackson
• Land of Joy: The Unforeseen Wonders of Founding a Retreat Center
• De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre: Down Under, a Meditator’s Paradise
• Buddha Was a Grassroots Organizer

For this and more, see Mandala January-June 2017: 
https://fpmt.org/mandala/archives/mandala-for-2017/january/

Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the Buddha Amitabha Festival, Washington State, USA, October 2016. Photo by Chris Majors.

Mandala is offered as a benefit to supporters of the Friends of FPMT program, which provides funding for the educational, charitable and online work of FPMT. The new issue is also available through the FPMT Foundation Store.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with the attendees of the North American Regional Meeting 2016, Black Mountain, North Carolina, US, August 2016. Photo courtesy of Drolkar McCallum.

“FPMT North America held it’s annual regional meeting on August 15-16, 2016, during the Light of the Path retreat in Black Mountain, North Carolina,” reported regional coordinator Drolkar McCallum. “About forty people attended, representing eighteen FPMT centers, projects and services as well as representatives from International Office and a few FPMT registered teachers.

“There were wonderful presentations on Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom, fundraising, Compassion Day, long distance learning as well as a talk by FPMT Inc. CEO Ven. Roger Kunsang and director of FPMT Education Services Tom Truty.

“One advantage of holding the meeting at the beginning of a two week retreat is that there are many opportunities for follow up meetings, discussions and networking! The greatest advantage of holding the meeting during a retreat with the most Precious Guru, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche is that people are very inspired, causing great ideas and brainstorming to occur!”

FPMT registered teacher Ven. Amy Miller talks to the attendees of the North American Regional Meeting 2016, Black Mountain, North Carolina, US, August 2016. Photo courtesy of Drolkar McCallum.

Mandala brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings and events from nearly 160 FPMT centers, projects and services around the globe. If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.

Screen shot from “Awkening the Mind: ILTK Life”

Two years ago, student Quy N. Sam released Awakening the Mind: ILTK Life, a 25-minute documentary capturing the history and daily life of Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK), an FPMT center in Pomaia, Italy. Awakening the Mind is filled with striking historic images and commentary by ILTK founders, staff, and students—and beautifully demonstrates what devoted FPMT students are able to accomplish together. The film is in English with Italian subtitles. 

Watch Awakening the Mind: ILTK Life on Vimeo:
https://vimeo.com/91388292

Mandala brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings and events from nearly 160 FPMT centers, projects and services around the globe. If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.