FPMT Community: Stories & News

Devotee at the Maitreya Loving Kindness Tour event hosted by Aryatara Institut, Schloss Nymphenburg, Munich, Germany, September 2015. Photo by Sabine Kehl.

“It has been seven years since the holy relics have been on display in Munich,” said student Sabine Kehl of Aryatara Institut. “In September 2015, Aryatara Institut was very pleased to welcome the Maitreya Loving Kindness Tour back to the city.

“This time the relic tour took place at the historical setting of the Johannissaal in Schloss Nymphenburg, one of Munich’s most famous historical sites and therefore very suitable to exhibit the precious and beautiful relics.

Woman and dog receiving blessings by relic of Buddha Shakyamuni, Schloss Nymphenburg, Munich, Germany, September 2015. Photo by Sabine Kehl.

“An overwhelming number of interested visitors attended the opening ceremony on the evening of September 25. The audience was heartily welcomed by one of the board members of Aryatara Institut and got a short introduction to the history of the Maitreya Loving Kindness Tour and the relics by tour manager Juan Chacón-Grondman.

“The abbot of the Wat Thai Temple Munich, the Venerable Phrakhruvitejthammarangsi, and the Venerable Theeraphong Aum-Earb accompanied by members of their community chanted mantras and gave blessings to the tour followed by a song by the 17th Karmapa performed by a member of the Karma Dhagpo Gyurme Ling and a piece of Japanese music played on a shakuhachi.

“Over the following two days, more than 2,000 visitors came to see the relics, pray, meditate and show their devotion to them. Some people even came every day and stayed from opening to close.

“Many people were moved to tears by the beautiful objects and especially by the blessing they received by being touched on the crown of their head with a stupa containing relics of Buddha Shakyamuni. The event was a big success.”

Shakuhachi music being offered to relics and guests, Schloss Nymphenburg, Munich, Germany, September 2015. Photo by Alex Volk.

FPMT.org 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, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.

We hope you enjoy our October edition of the FPMT International Office E-News!

This month you will find:

• News about the annual Long Life Puja offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche
• The latest on Rinpoche’s Teaching Schedule
• News about Living in the Path, and new mantras to download
• How FPMT Charitable Projects are supporting His Holiness the Dalai Lama
• Three new FPMT Study Groups!

and of course much more!

Lama Zopa Rinpoche offering a mandala during tsog puja, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 2015. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Subscribe to the monthly International Office News to receive the latest information on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s schedule and advice; new Dharma practice materials; FPMT centers, projects and services around the world; and opportunities to offer service.

Yangsi Rinpoche, Geshe Tenzin Dorje and the family of Jim Blumenthal in front of the James A. Blumenthal Library, Maitripa College, Portland, Oregon, US, October 8, 2015. Photos courtesy of Maitripa College.

Maitripa College in Portland, Oregon, marked the one-year anniversary of the passing of Prof. Jim Blumenthal with a dedication ceremony for its library and a puja. Jim was integral to the Maitripa community and was also a frequent contributor to Mandala magazine. The FPMT International Merit Box Project helped fund new shelves for the library. Maitripa student Donna L. Brown shared this story on the event.

The James A. Blumenthal Library, dedicated to the memory of Prof. Jim Blumenthal, was launched on October 8 by Maitripa College in Portland, Oregon, with a moving ceremony that celebrated Jim’s full life. Jim taught at both Maitripa College and Oregon State University, and tragically passed away a year ago. Passionate about Maitripa College, he donated his collection of more than 1,300 books and journals to its library, which now bears his name. This gift has enabled the college to significantly expand its holdings, particularly into areas dear to Jim, such as social justice, peace, ecology, Madhyamaka philosophy, and Tibetan language and history.

The dedication ceremony was led by college president Yangsi Rinpoche and attended by 80 or so guests. These included Geshe Tenzin Dorje from Deer Park Buddhist Center in Wisconsin, Jim’s parents and brother, his wife Tiffany, his son Ben and Ben’s mother Sara, family friends, and Maitripa College’s community, as well many of the volunteers who worked tirelessly to integrate Jim’s collection with Maitripa’s.

Geshe Tenzin Dorje speaking about Jim Blumenthal’s connection to Buddhism

Jim’s brother Tom thanked the Maitripa community for its support to Jim and his family; Yangsi Rinpoche said the expanded library would ensure that Jim’s influence continued into the future by enhancing the development of scholars and practitioners; and Geshe Tenzin Dorje (translated by one-time Maitripa student Katrina Brooks) talked about Jim’s karmic connection to Buddhism, his kindness, his meaningful life, and how these would contribute to a fortunate rebirth. The ceremony was graced with music too: joking that Katrina should translate the lyrics into Tibetan, Jim’s good friend Jerry Joseph, a noted songwriter, performed a song he had written for Jim called “Craters of the Moon.”

Jim Blumenthal’s parents cut the ribbon for the library

After prayers led by Yangsi Rinpoche, Jim’s parents Jack and Susan Blumenthal cut the ribbon to officially open the James A. Blumenthal Library. The dedication ceremony was follow by Vajrasattva tsog.

The upgraded collection now offers substantially more material in support of academic work, Dharma practice and community service. A grant of US$3,000 from FPMT’s International Merit Box Project, alongside funds from other donors, helped pay for custom shelving to house the extra books. Maitripa College has also created a Friends of the James A. Blumenthal Library fund to encourage further expansion, and has developed a strategic plan for the library that includes further acquisitions, technology upgrades, training sessions in academic methods and professional staffing.

Jim would have smiled at the lyrics his friend Jerry Joseph wrote in his honor:

Eight long days
After you took your last breath
Well we all got the word and the monks all concurred
That your consciousness finally had left.

So we’re singing our prayers and the candles
We’re drawing mandalas in sand
We’re passing a pipe and a drum and a fight
And it’s time to kick up the band …

But hey now babe, were you ever with us in the room?
Or were you up there somewhere
Your fist in the air
In the craters of the moon?

… Are you up there somewhere
With our love, and our prayers
In the craters of the moon?

Some of the new library collection, Maitripa College

FPMT.org 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, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work

Welcoming His Holiness the Dalai Lama with balloons, banners, big smiles and a very long khata in London, September 2015. Photo by Robin Bath.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited the United Kingdom in September 2015. Long-time FPMT student Alison Murdoch shared this report on how FPMT UK students united with the local Tibetan community and other Tibetan Buddhist groups to offer a very warm welcome to His Holiness.

Three FPMT students were among a four-person team who collaborated with the Office of Tibet and the Tibetan community in Britain to offer the warmest possible welcome to His Holiness The Dalai Lama during his September 2015 visit to the UK.

Jane Moore, assisted by Drukpa Kagyü student, Ilana Pearlman, started early in the year communicating with Tibetan Buddhist groups of all four main schools throughout the UK about His Holiness’ advice on the Dolgyal/Shugden issue. As a result, over 40 out of a potential 44 groups signed a ground-breaking statement in full and open support of His Holiness. The Tibetans were so impressed that it was broadcast on one of the Tibetan radio stations. They were also keen that the statement be presented to His Holiness.

Jane and Ilana also encouraged Buddhists from all four schools to stand alongside the Tibetan community in Britain in offering a peaceful and colorful phebsu (welcome) to His Holiness at every venue, in counter-balance to protesters, and organized 1,000 brightly-colored balloons with welcoming messages for everyone to hold. FPMT UK coordinator Jay Simpson created a particularly beautiful banner welcoming His Holiness to the UK on behalf of the FPMT, and all the FPMT centers and groups helped publicize the phebsu.

FPMT UK banner welcoming His Holiness the Dalai Lama held by Roy Sutherwood, director of Jamyang Buddhist Centre, and Mike Murray, SPC, in the gompa at Jamyang, London, UK, September 2015. Photo by Natascha Sturny.

Meanwhile, Anna Colao and Alison Murdoch worked together to set up a welcoming initiative called Open Arms. “The name ‘Open Arms’ was chosen because open arms are a universal symbol of welcome that remind us not only of our parents, friends and loved ones, but also of our responsibility and our potential to show kindness and goodwill to every other being,” said Anna, who masterminded the creation of a virtual khata offering to His Holiness on the Facebook site Open Arms 2015. This included many international contributions from FPMT students and centers and was quite a feat given that Anna was over eight and a half months pregnant at the time.

World’s longest khata offering in Central London, UK, September 2015. Photo by Natasha Sturny.

Alison organized a procession of hundreds of Tibetans and Westerners through Central London, carrying the world’s longest khata offering to His Holiness. It was 252 meters (827 feet) in length, stretching right across the River Thames to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. The video of this joyful and auspicious occasion has now been viewed over 11,000 times at  https://www.facebook.com/welcomedalailama. When the procession reached its end, near Trafalgar Square, the giant khata plus a photo album containing all the virtual khata offerings was presented to His Holiness.

Album containing photos of ‘virtual’ khata offerings to His Holiness from around the world, September 2015. Photo by Alison Murdoch.

For the organizing team, it was a matter of great joy to be able to put into practice Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s often-repeated advice that the highest priority for FPMT is to serve His Holiness, as His Holiness is the greatest source of inspiration for FPMT, and that the FPMT should take a clear and public stand on the subject of the practice of Dolgyal/ Shugden.

Another wonderful outcome of these activities was the strengthening of friendships with the Office of Tibet and the Tibetan community in Britain.

“I think the visit was very successful, especially from our perspective in welcoming His Holiness, and it wouldn’t have been so without your help and support,” wrote one of the Tibetan organizers afterwards. “I personally would like to thank you for all your time and efforts in bringing our Western Buddhist friends and centers together to show their support for His Holiness. … We managed to give the warmest and the most unique welcome to His Holiness with your brilliant idea of offering the longest khata, which was truly a wonderful experience for all of us as well.”

Open Arms 2015 participants with khatas for offering to His Holiness, London, UK, September 2015. Photo by Claire Pullinger.

You can find the long life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s prayer “Remembering the Kindness of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan People,” Mandala stories on His Holiness the Dalai Lama and more on FPMT.org.

FPMT.org 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, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.

A “downed” cow being examined by team members in Nuwakot, Nepal, May 2015. Photo by Phil Hunt.

World Animal Day is celebrated every year on October 4. In honor of the day, Mandala has published a new online feature story, “Animal Welfare in the Aftermath of the 2015 Nepal Earthquake,” by Phil Hunt and Tania Duratovic, coordinators for Enlightenment for the Dear Animals and for the Animal Liberation Sanctuary, a project of Kopan Monastery. Phil and Tania report on the conditions many animals faced after the devastating earthquake. They write:

“When disasters strike, the first response is naturally to search for and rescue people. Animals are often forgotten in the chaos even though they are often injured and in desperate need of food, shelter and medical attention. Getting help for animals in a disaster is a challenge, but it can benefit the entire community as well as the animals themselves. …” (Read the entire article here.)

You can also read updates from Nepal on the amazing work of the monks and nuns of Kopan Monastery, who formed Kopan Helping Hands and were immediately offering assistance to thousands of earthquake-affected people. For more see FPMT Charitable Projects blog posts.

FPMT.org 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, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.

His Holiness the Karmapa giving a talk to students and teachers at Maitreya School, Bodhgaya, India, 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

On September 3, Wisdom Publications launched The Wisdom Podcast with an interview with His Holiness the Karmapa. In the 23-minute interview, His Holiness discusses a variety of topics including the appropriateness of using the internet to receive Dharma teachings, empowerments and vows; making space for people mostly concerned on improving their current lives; vegetarianism; and his involvement in the establishment of full ordination for nuns in the Tibetan tradition. 

Elijah Ary

The second episode features Buddhist scholar and author Elijah Ary, a Canadian recognized at the age of seven as the first Western reincarnation – tulku – of a Tibetan lama in the Gelug lineage. Elijah describes the process of being recognized; how his unique position allows him to act as a bridge between Western and Tibetan culture; and his new book Authorized Lives: Biography and the Early Formation of Geluk Identity (see Mandala July-December 2015 for an excerpt). 

FPMT.org 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, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.

Tara Children’s Project in Bodhgaya, India, is the only orphanage for HIV-affected children in the state of Bihar and provides medical care and educational opportunities to over 20 children whose communities are unable or unwilling to support them.

“Saurabh’s Story,” a short promotional video from Tara Children’s Project, introduces Saurabh, rejected at the age of three by his village and remaining relatives after both of his parents passed away from AIDS. Watch the video to learn how Tara Children’s Project helped Saurabh to thrive.

Watch now: http://bit.ly/saurabhs-story

Canadian FPMT student Ryan Wright recently launched Anye, a non-profit organization dedicated to having a direct positive social impact, particularly on young people. By offering “suffering-free” and fashionable graphic t-shirts and tank tops, parts of Anye’s profits go to Tara Children’s Project.

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.

Portrait of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, New York, USA, August 2015. Photo by Edward Sczudlo.

Please enjoy the September 2015 edition of International Office News, FPMT International Office’s monthly e-newsletter.

This month, discover:

• Advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche on “How to Overcome Depression”
• Ways to stay up to date on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s ever-changing schedule
• A newly revised edition of Daily Meditation, a Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s compilation of prayers, practices, and meditations needed to start one’s day
• A recent update from Kopan Helping Hands, Kopan Monastery’s and Khachoe Ghakyil Nunnery’s organization to help those affected by the Nepal earthquake
• Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive’s new website
• … and more!

Lama Zopa Rinpoche doing an incense puja for those who are sick on his first day in Mexico, where Rinpoche was leading retreat, September 6, 2015. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Subscribe to the monthly International Office News to receive the latest information on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s schedule and advice; new Dharma practice materials; FPMT centers, projects and services around the world; and opportunities to offer service.

Tushita Meditation Center, Arbúcies, Montseny, Spain

Marina Brucet, the spiritual program coordinator at Tushita Retreat Center, sent us this update about the wonderful opportunities for practice in this peaceful Catalan retreat center.

Twenty years have passed since Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited this beautiful and quiet place in the Montseny Natural Park, near Barcelona in Spain, and gave it a name: Tushita. Since then, we have been organizing courses and retreats with the aim to be of the maximum benefit to all.

According to several lamas who have visited us here, Tushita is an ideal place for meditation. And because of this, we are trying to open the center to the world, to offer the opportunity to people, not only from Spain but also from afar, to come and join group retreats here. We are putting special emphasis on introduction to meditation and on preliminary practices, which are so crucial for seriously advancing in the path.

Tushita celebrates its 20th anniversary by organizing a water bowl marathon in October 2015 and a three-month Vajrasattva retreat in 2016

This year we have a Vajrasattva retreat, a vipassana retreat and a nyung nä retreat, among many others. In October 2015 there will be a water bowl marathon retreat. Yangsi Rinpoche commented that the region where Tushita is located is ideal for doing water bowl offerings. We are also organizing a lam-rim retreat (2015-2016) and a 3-month Vajrasattva retreat (2016) — the third being organized at the center and a great opportunity to do such a retreat in Europe. We also expect that Dagri Rinpoche will come to Barcelona in January 2016, before the retreat, to give the Vajrasattva initiation.

In the future, we are thinking of organizing a Dorje Khadro retreat as well, among others.

Tushita Retreat Center is a small place and we are just a few people, working on a volunteer basis. We do our best to be of good service to others and to give people the opportunity to come and enjoy a conducive place for meditation.

Visit Tushita Retreat Center online at http://www.tushita.es. For more, see Mandala‘s “Spain’s Tushita Retreat Center Celebrates 20 Years.”

Tushita Meditation Center, Arbúcies, Montseny, Spain

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.

Welcoming His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the UK, September 2015. Photo courtesy of Open Arms 2015 Facebook page.

In preparation for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to the United Kingdom, a group of FPMT students has been working with the office of Tibet and the local Tibetan community to ensure that His Holiness gets the warmest possible welcome when he arrives in the UK. Calling themselves, Open Arms 2015, they have organized a social media campaign to welcome His Holiness with khata offerings.

Ani Barbara offering a khata to His Holiness the Dalai Lama over Facebook, Jamyang Buddhist Centre, London, September 2015. Photo via Jamyang Buddhist Centre on Facebook.

UPDATE: FPMT student Alison Murdoch writes:

“Following an overwhelming response to the Open Arms 2015 initiative www.openarms2015.net, we are now inviting friends and supporters in any country to post an image of themselves offering a khatag (offering scarf) to The Dalai Lama.

“Every image received by midnight UK time on Friday 18^th September will be presented to The Dalai Lama, as a joyful international expression of support for his message of peace, compassion and universal responsibility in his 80th birthday year.   

“Please encourage friends, colleagues and family of any age, culture or walk of life to join us in creating the world’s largest katag offering.

“The easiest way to upload your photos is via the Open Arms 2015 Facebook page. Alternatively, for those who don’t use facebook, you can send them to info@openarms2015.net.”

For more information, visit Open Arm 2015’s website (http://www.openarms2015.net/) and their Facebook and Twitter pages.

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 here, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Eminence Choden Rinpoche, New Delhi, India, August 29, 2015. Photo courtesy of Sera Je Monastery.

We are very saddened to share the news that His Eminence Choden Rinpoche passed away on September 11 at 1:30 a.m. India time at Sera Je Monastery in South India. Choden Rinpoche was a highly respected Buddhist master and a much loved teacher, who taught at many FPMT centers over the years.

Choden Rinpoche was born in 1933 in eastern Tibet and was recognized at age three. At age eight he entered Rabten Monastery, and at age fifteen he went to Sera Je Monastery, where he studied the five main texts. Choden Rinpoche became an expert on the teachings on Vinaya – monastic discipline. He was a highly respected scholar and was chosen as one of two Sera Je monks to debate with His Holiness the Dalai Lama during His Holiness’ geshe exams.

During the communist Chinese takeover of Tibet in 1959, Choden Rinpoche stayed in Tibet and went into solitary retreat. He never left his small, dark room in Lhasa from 1965 to 1985, and was virtually unknown in his monastery for this reason. In 1985 he was allowed to leave Tibet for India and has since taught for many years at Sera Je Monastery in South India as well as at Dharma centers throughout the world, including many FPMT centers.

On August 29, 2015, His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with Choden Rinpoche in New Delhi.  His Holiness told Choden Rinpoche that he remembered the first time that Choden Rinpoche came to his attention. It was many years ago during an audience with monks at Norbulingka, the summer palace of His Holiness in Tibet. His Holiness said that he remembered seeing how the rays of the sun were falling on Rinpoche’s head and how a bee landed on his head. Choden Rinpoche said he had no memory of that. His Holiness said that at the time he thought that Choden Rinpoche was a magnificent lama. [Photos and translated English text provided by Ven. Tenzin Gache and Ven. Tenzin Namdak of Sera IMI House at Sera Je Monastery. Rebeca Cuan Corral provided a Spanish language translation of the meeting.]

His Holiness also said that since arriving in India, Rinpoche has done his best in many ways such as giving teachings, imparting philosophy lessons to the monks and sharing the Buddhadharma with students throughout the world. His Holiness said that it is important to rejoice in this work.

If you would like a more detailed description of the event of his transition, as well as the collection of prayers that were advised by Choden Rinpoche himself before he showed the aspect of passing away, for all of his students to offer at this time – please click here.

Read updates on the Facebook page set up for this.

See “The Life of a Hidden Meditator: Choden Rinpoche” from Mandala July 2000 to read more about Choden Rinpoche’s experiences in Tibet at Sera Monastery and in Lhasa after 1959. The complete multi-part feature “The Life of a Hidden Meditator” is available as a PDF. You can also read more recent stories about Choden Rinpoche on FPMT.org.

Mandala will have a complete obituary for His Eminence Choden Rinpoche in the January-June 2016 issue.