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Wendy Cook and one of the 140 rabbits being raised for meat she helped liberate, Lincoln, Massachusetts, United States, September 2016. Photo courtesy of Wendy Cook.
In July 2016, Wendy Cook, FPMT student and assistant director of the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive in Lincoln, Massachusetts, United States, made the bold decision to rescue 140 meat rabbits from certain slaughter:
On June 13, I discovered a herd of rabbits being raised for meat on a farm near where I live. This farm is where I have a community garden plot and have been growing vegetables and flowers for several years. New farmers arrived to manage the non-profit community farm and they brought with them a rabbit chalet. When I saw the rabbits in dirty, small, wire-bottom cages, I was appalled and sad, and immediately felt that I wanted to do something to help them.
Detong was found in cramped, dirty conditions, Massachusetts, United States, September 2016. Photo courtesy of Wendy Cook.
On July 6, His Holiness’ 81st birthday, I prayed that if I could get these rabbits off the farm, give them blessings, happier conditions, and extended lives, then I would dedicate all the merit for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s long lives. During a meeting that same day, the farmer offered to sell me his “meat rabbit production business, genetics, and infrastructure.” I asked how much. He said US$20,000. Without hesitation I said, “Yes, I will buy the herd.” I think they couldn’t believe their ears!
When I said yes to buying the herd, I knew that I didn’t have the money myself. Therefore, I contacted friends in Singapore and am indebted to their immediate great generosity in quickly offering the funds to secure the rescue of these “buns.”
Dozens of volunteers helped rescue 140 rabbits, providing humane living conditions and exposing them to Dharma, Lincoln, Massachusetts, United States, September 2016. Photo courtesy of Wendy Cook.
After much delicate negotiation and collaboration with the farm, several weeks of intensive work, and with the help of dozens of kind volunteers, we were able to remove 140 rabbits from the farm into shelters, foster homes or forever homes! Please rejoice! Along the way, as Rinpoche advises, they received many Dharma imprints. I played them “Recitations for Animals,” recited mantras–especially Namgyälma–and they all were circumambulated around Buddha Maitreya, the 100,000 holy object set of cards designed by Rinpoche, the Sanghata Sutra, stupas and so forth. Also, it was extremely good fortunate that Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Delek and four other geshes came to the farm and performed puja for the rabbits and other animals.
Detong received emergency medical care and had a leg amputated to save his life, Lincoln, Massachusetts, United States, September 2016. Photo courtesy of Wendy Cook.
There was one rabbit who had been kept from me and when I found him he was very sick and without water. I took him to the animal hospital in Boston and this rabbit, whom Rinpoche has since given the name Dentong, which means “empty of true existence,” had to have his leg amputated because of infection. The doctor said that Dentong’s extremely poor condition is evidence of cruelty and neglect. It has been a true practice to keep compassion in my heart towards the farmer while rescuing these rabbits. This animal liberation has shown me up close the suffering of samsara. We are all in this quagmire together and so every being is an object of compassion. That’s what I have focused and meditated upon.
The Boston Globe has written and created a video about the rabbit liberation in “The Great Animal Pardon 2016.”
Read more and stay in touch with the great rabbit liberation via Facebook.
Benefiting animals is one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vast visions for the FPMT organization.
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.
Installation of prayer wheel house panels, O.Sel.Ling Centro de Retiros, Spain, July 2016
In September 2015, student and artist Cai Martínez at O.Sel.Ling Centro de Retiros in Spain’s Alpujarras, began work painting the ceiling panels for the prayer wheel house at the center. In July 2016, the center captured the creation and installation of the panels on video, which they happily agreed to share with the wider FPMT community.
Watch “Pinturas Rueda de oraciones en Oseling” on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/7YIPpVN_SmA
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Ven. Roger Kunsang, Washington State, US, September 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
The September FPMT International Office e-News is out now!
This month you’ll find:
- Inspiring new advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche: “How to Make Your Life Most Beneficial for Sentient Beings, Even with Your Speech.”
- “A Song of Experience” is now available from FPMT Education Services
- FPMT Charitable Projects supports care for dogs in Malaysia and Bhutan
- Mandala Publications has a new ebook and new associate editor
… and more!
From your FPMT International Office
A life-sized Guru Rinpoche statue in one of ABC’s prayer halls. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim.
“In mid-August, Amitabha Buddhist Centre (ABC) students were exceedingly happy to offer a total of 4.3 million Guru Rinpoche mantras to our most precious guru, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, for the success of the Maitreya Projects in India,” wrote Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim, a student and media editor at ABC, located in Singapore. “The accumulation of 4,313,961 mantras was accomplished over a period of three months, commencing on May 2 and ending on the auspicious and merit-multiplying Wheel Turning Day, August 6.
“The mantra accumulation was initiated by ABC student Cecilia Tsong after attending Rinpoche’s teachings in Malaysia earlier in 2016. During the teachings in Penang, Rinpoche had mentioned that it would be very beneficial to recite Guru Rinpoche mantras for the success of the Maitreya Projects. Inspired by this advice, a Guru Rinpoche mantra-counting project was launched at ABC on April 29. Everyone was invited to participate in the goal of accumulating and offering one million mantras ‘to Lama Zopa Rinpoche as an offering of practice for the fulfillment of his heart wish.’
“The final count of 4.3 million certainly exceeded expectations! Ninety-three people contributed to the count, including participants from three FPMT centers in Mexico. We greatly appreciate the enthusiastic support and contributions from Bengungyal Center, Chekaw
Lama Zopa Rinpoche and a statue of Maitreya at the FPMT long life puja offered to Rinpoche at ABC on March 13, 2016. Photo by Tan Seow Kheng.
“On August 16, ABC wrote to convey our offering to Rinpoche: ‘We are most delighted to offer Rinpoche the final mantra count submitted by your devoted students at Amitabha Buddhist Centre. The mantra count is 4,313,961.’
“Our letter also conveyed our wishes for the success of the Maitreya Project and for Rinpoche’s long and healthy life, to ‘please remain with us till samsara ends.’
“We soon received this reply from Ven. Roger: ‘Rinpoche said to please pass on to everyone concerned billions and zillions of thanks! Rinpoche then said that we may have the land very soon, and if people can do the Guru Rinpoche prayer for quick success, that would be excellent. The outcome we will know on August 19.’
“A message was immediately dispatched to inform everyone of the latest advice. We are overjoyed many, many times over to learn in recent updates that the land for the Maitreya Project in Kushinagar has indeed been handed over at last!”
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.
Villagers and nuns came together in Tsum to recite manis and Guru Rinpoche mantras, Rachen Nunnery, Tsum, Nepal, July 2016. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Lhundrup.
“During July, a nine-day community mani retreat was held in Tsum, Nepal, during which also Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) mantras were recited,” shared Kopan Monastery’s Ani Fran Mohoupt. “On the last day, there was also 100,000 tsog offerings. The mani retreat was attended by a minimum of 200 people from the villages around Rachen Nunnery, a project of Kopan Monastery. For the day of tsogs, more than 500 people came.”
The Tsum community came together to practice extensively, Rachen Nunnery, Tsum, Nepal, July 2016. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Lhundrup.
The gompa where various practices were completed by the Tsum community, Rachen Nunnery, Tsum, Nepal, July 2016. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Lhundrup.
“At this time of the year it is raining a lot, but still people come from far away, walking for many hours, or by horse, to participate in this retreat. We collected over 39 million recitations of OM MANI PADME HUM and about 73 million recitations of Guru Rinpoche’s mantra.
Villagers offered dance and music at the end of the retreat, Rachen Nunnery, Tsum, Nepal, July 2016. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Lhundrup.
“Lunch was offered to everybody and, of course, tea several times a day. The expenses of the retreat were mostly covered from the donations of the local villagers, and lunch was offered by a group of sponsors from Malaysia.”
One of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for FPMT is having “one hundred thousand 100 million Mani retreats around the world.” Learn more at: //fpmt.org/fpmt/vast-vision/.
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.
Maitreya Project Trust chairperson Ven. Kabir Saxena, special secretary deputed by Uttar Pradesh State Government Mr. Surya Mani Lalchand and Maitreya Project Trust legal advisor Atul Chopra signing the papers for the transfer of land, India, August 19, 2016. Photos courtesy of the Maitreya Buddha Project Kushinagar.
At the Light of the Path Retreat on Friday, August 19, there was tremendous rejoicing when Lama Zopa Rinpoche announced that the land for the very large Maitreya Buddha statue in Kushinagar had been officially signed over by the state government of Uttar Pradesh.
The official statement from the Maitreya Buddha Project Kushinagar shared the news as follows:
“We are delighted to announce that on August 19th 2016, the State Government of Uttar Pradesh formally and most generously, handed over about 200 acres of land in Kushinagar to Maitreya Buddha Project Kushinagar.
The handover team at the registrar’s office in Kushinagar, UP, India, August 19, 2016
“The land is extraordinarily precious in that it is adjacent to the Maha Parinirvana Temple denoting the place where Shakyamuni Buddha passed into Maha Parinirvana. On three sides the land encloses the Ramabhar Stupa – the cremation site of Shakyamuni Buddha. The land is even more auspicious as it is predicted that when Maitreya Buddha appears on this earth, he will be born in Kushinagar.
“Maitreya Buddha Project is most grateful to Honourable Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and all the State Government officials who have assisted over the years, in the complex legal process culminating in today’s handover.
“The Project is indebted to Spiritual Director Lama Zopa Rinpoche who since the passing of Project founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe, has ensured Maitreya Project continues despite many difficulties.
“The Project is equally indebted to FPMT Inc, the lead sponsor of the Project and to the other amazing individual donors who have so generously continued to fund the Project even though at times it seemed this moment would never come.
“The Project is also deeply grateful to the local population who have graciously facilitated this historic moment.”
Ven. Kabir Saxena addressing the media outside the registrar’s office in Kushinagar, UP, India, August 19, 2016
The Maitreya Buddha Project Kushinagar has already begun its work in the area with humanitarian programs such as the the distribution of mosquito nets in the summer and blankets during the coldest months of the year. Now having officially taken possession of the land, they can begin work onsite. Here is their list of upcoming projects:
- “The first critical task is fencing the 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) of site boundary.
- “Also of major importance is to relocate the 7.4 meter (24 feet) high Maitreya statue, from Bodhgaya to the Kushinagar land. The Project is planning a ceremony to receive Maitreya Buddha onto the land as soon as possible.
- “The Project will also build a shrine to accommodate the amazing collection of Holy Relics that Lama Zopa Rinpoche has kindly assigned to the site.
- “The skeleton team that has overseen the legal work for the last 16 years must now expand to include local onsite management, a small office, security, communications and basic infrastructure.
- “We begin strategically master planning the site and are seeking professional help with the process.”
Back at the Light of the Path Retreat in United States, retreat participants were very moved by Rinpoche’s announcement of the good news after so many years of waiting to acquire this land. On the same day, Rinpoche got a fortune cookie and the message inside was “You have a potential urge and the ability for accomplishment,” which was taken as a sign for the Maitreya Project.
To learn more about the Maitreya Buddha Project Kushinagar, visit: http://mbpkushinagar.org. You can directly offer your support at this link: http://mbpkushinagar.org/donations/general-donation/.
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche on Bear Mountain, New York, US, July 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
The August FPMT International Office e-News is out now!
This month you’ll find:
- Links so you can listen to Rinpoche’s teachings during the Light of the Path Retreat
- What is a holiday from Rinpoche’s point of view
- Rejoice in Offerings made on Chokhor Duchen
- New Materials from Education Services
….and more!
From your FPMT International Office
Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi with ABC’s prostration group, Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, July 2016. Photo courtesy of ABC.
Students prostrating, Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, August 2015. Photo courtesy of ABC.
“While there were group sessions initially, it eventually panned out into personal practice by those taking part. Altogether, 90 people contributed to the 1 million prostrations, which were performed in relation to the Thirty-five Confession Buddhas. To encourage more people to take part, those who were physically unable to do full-length prostrations could contribute short prostrations.
“What’s next after 1 million? Taking Khen Rinpoche’s latest advice, the group is now aiming for 3.5 million prostrations to match the incredible number that Lama Tsonkhapa had completed while in retreat at Wolka Cholung in Tibet. With the purifying benefits of prostrating in mind, Khen Rinpoche has encouraged them to continue the practice of prostrations for as long as they can. The organizers are calling for more prostrators to join them in following the great example set by Lama Tsongkhapa.”
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.
Lama Yeshe at a family gathering, Vajrapani Institute, California, US, 1983. Photo by Carol Royce-wilder, courtesy of Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.
The new issue of Mandala features the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW), the UK-based FPMT international project that oversees the development and dissemination of Universal Education for Compassion and Wisdom (UECW) programs, such as the 16 Guidelines for Life and the new A.R.T. of Fulfillment program that is launching in 2017. UECW is the manifestation of FPMT founder Lama Yeshe’s vision of Universal Education, Buddhist-inspired learning for everyone. Under the guidance of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, FDCW is bringing these exciting and transformative programs to the world.
You can read Mandala‘s story “The Foundation for the Development of Compassion and Wisdom Carries Lama Yeshe’s Vision into the Future” as a PDF now available online to learn more about FDCW and UECW programs.
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.
The students of Choe Khor Sum Ling attending Discovering Buddhism lectures, 2016. Photo by Sveta Guralnik.
In May 2016, five students of Choe Khor Sum Ling in Bangalore, India, completed all the lectures for the first 13 modules of the 14-module FPMT Discovering Buddhism (DB) program series, a process that took three years to complete and is a first for the center. Although still waiting for the 13th exam to be scheduled, these same students also completed all the exams and retreats associated with the earlier modules. The 14th module is practice-based and is done according to one’s own schedule.
“We’ve been blessed to have four fantastic teachers, with three of them dedicating much of their precious time and effort to the DB program,” said student Sveta Guralnik. “Ven. Tenzin Legtsok’s lectures have been so captivatingly brilliant that even a clock on the wall would hold its breath and forget to tick.
“DB retreats led by Ven. Tenzin Namdak were all just equal to vacations spent in a real pure land, where we have had a direct experience of how studying the Dharma can become the most meaningful and joyous thing to do in the whole world.
The students of Choe Khor Sum Ling attending Discovering Buddhism lectures, 2016. Photo by Sveta Guralnik.
“Ven. Tenzin Namjong, while facilitating regular highly inspiring DB sessions, has tackled the most time-consuming and, perhaps, the least pleasant part of the teacher’s duties: the DB exams. Thanks to his firm determination to set (and keep!) the bar pretty high, and to his almost supernatural attentiveness to each student’s individual needs, the DB students have been able to achieve a level that they themselves did not believe was ever achievable.
“While the DB course was going on, our forth and very dear teacher Ven. Gyalten Rabten kept enriching our minds and hearts through the series of his delightfully artistic lectures and heart-warming pujas.”
“This fabulous DB journey would not have been possible without its navigator and devoted coordinator Shanti Gopinath, to whom we all owe a big thank you.”
In total, 56 students from Choe Khor Sum Ling took one or more modules over the last three years.
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.
Khen Rinpoche Geshe Gendun Choephel. Photo via Facebook (Osel Hita).
We are sad to announce that on July 31, 2016, Sera Je abbot Khen Rinpoche Geshe Gendun Choephel suddenly passed away. Among Khen Rinpoche’s many students is Tenzin Ösel Hita, the recognized reincarnation of FPMT founder Lama Yeshe.
Khen Rinpoche Geshe Gendun Choephel was born in 1941 in Karze in eastern Tibet. He later joined Sera Je Monastery in 1955 and went into exile in India in 1959, joining the Buxa Duar community to study and practice. He was among the foremost group who re-established Sera Je in Bylakuppe, South India. After earning his Lharampa Geshe degree, Khen Rinpoche began teaching at the monastery and did so for the rest of his life. He was enthroned as the 75th abbot of Sera Je Monastery on July 18, 2016.
Enthronement ceremony of Khen Rinpoche Geshe Gendun Choephel, Sera Je Monastery, Bylakuppe, South India, July 2016. Photo via http://www.serajeymonastery.org
“My dearest and most precious Teacher, Friend, Mother, Father and Khen Rinpoche, Geshe Gendun Choephel, just passed away in a very sudden way,” Ösel wrote on his Facebook page on July 31. “He was the closest person in my life, he raised me and gave me everything, taught me and loved me like no one else. It is devastating and so hard to accept, but I feel joy for having known him and it has been such an honor to grow up under his guidance. Thank you so much Gen-la, you are always in my heart.”
Mandala will have a complete obituary for Khen Rinpoche Geshe Gendun Choephel in the January-June 2017 issue.
Sera Je monks reciting texts for Khen Rinpoche Geshe Gendun Choephel, Sera Je Monastery, South India, July 2016. Photo via Facebook (Sera Jey Monastery).
Andy Wistreich and other students at the first annual Land of Joy Dharma Festival of Light and Merit, UK, July 2016. Photo courtesy of Land of Joy.
“From July 1-3, 2016, Land of Joy, a retreat center in the United Kingdom, held its first Dharma Festival of Light and Merit,” shared Land of Joy board member and FPMT-registered teacher Andy Wistreich. “The main purpose of the festival is to create merit and also to offer a time each year when people can come together to refresh their practice and celebrate Dharma in a light-hearted and sociable way.
“It was an intensely joyous experience. The festival began on Friday evening with Lama Chöpa, followed on Saturday by recitation of the Vajra Cutter Sutra and Four Mandala Offerings to Cittamani Tara. On Saturday afternoon, Ven. Mary Reavey led an inspiring talk and discussion session on the transition to Dharma in our lives, pressing us to be honest with ourselves in our practice. Saturday evening, after a tour of the center’s grounds, we participated in a moving and lengthy offering of lights in the gompa. On Sunday morning we recited the FPMT protector prayers, the Ganapati sutra and mantra, and in the afternoon explored in a motivating discussion the purpose and benefits of retreat, especially solitary retreat.
“The festival is just the latest merit-making activity of a project that from the start has focused single-pointedly on creating merit for success. We have received and followed to the letter a series of advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche – and they have worked. We are now mounting a campaign to collect 108,000 Ganapati mantras, with 108 people reciting seven mantras per day, by November 20. Please join us!
Students at the first annual Land of Joy Dharma Festival of Light and Merit, UK, July 2016. Photo courtesy of Land of Joy.
“The results of all this merit are beginning to emerge clearly. Around two years ago, Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited Greenaugh Hall, prior to purchase, and with Rinpoche’s blessing we acquired the property and are creating a land of joy. Plans for next year already include the approximation retreats of Yamantaka and Vajrayogini, a lam-rim retreat, Introduction to Tantra, the Heart Sutra, Nagarjuna’s Root Wisdom, and Tsongkhapa’s Essence of Eloquence, nyung näs, and much more. Sign up for our newsletter in order to get news of when bookings open for these retreats.”
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.