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FPMT Community: Stories & News
Stupa De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre, Kangaroo Island, Australia, September 2011. Photo by George Manos.
Will Abram, director of De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre on Kangaroo Island, Australia, shared some exciting news with Mandala for the October-December 2013 issue.
Australia’s De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre is located on Kangaroo Island, a 20-minute flight or a 40-minute ferry ride from Adelaide, a city of 1.2 million people and capital of South Australia. The island is unique in many ways, being one of the most recently settled places on the planet. It is estimated that even the aboriginal habitation of the island ceased between five to ten thousand years ago. Home to the second largest numbers of unique flora and fauna on planet earth, the island has benefited from the lack of invasive animals that have damaged much of the mainland’s natural habitat.
De-Tong Ling, nestled into the northwestern part of the “conservation heartland” of the island, was originally established for people to do solitary retreats. So far five retreat cabins have been built with plans for another seven. Group retreats have also been conducted on the island annually for the last 10 years. These group retreats have been held on the adjoining property owned by Kimball Cuddihy, who helped found and direct De-Tong Ling from 1988 until 2012.
This year, the first group retreat was held at the center in the room underneath the newly completed Enlightenment Stupa. Including the gompa underneath, it is the largest completed stupa in Australia, standing some 14 meters [46 feet]. …
From Mandala October-December 2013
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with FPMT Mexico students, October 2013. Photo via FPMT Mexico’s Facebook page.
FPMT Mexico, representing the FPMT students in Mexico, met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama during His Holiness’ four-day visit to Mexico City. His Holiness taught on Shantideva’s The Bodhisattva Way of Life and spoke to over 15,000 in Mexico City on the importance of teaching secular ethics. More news and photos from His Holiness’ visit to Mexico City can be found on His Holiness’ website dalailama.com.
FPMT Mexico posted the above photo on their Facebook page, writing:
El Mandala FPMT con Su Santidad el Dalai Lama en la Ciudad de México. Gracias a todos por su servicio a los seres, por abrir su corazón, fomentar la armonía y por cultivar la mente de la iluminación. Ahora, a seguir las instrucciones que Su Santidad recomendó para los Centros y Grupos de Lama Zopa Rinpoche FPMT Mexico.
Translation:
The FPMT Mandala with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Mexico City. Thank you all for your service to all beings, for opening your heart, promoting harmony and cultivating the mind of enlightenment. Now, follow the instructions that His Holiness recommended for FPMT Mexico, the centers and study groups of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
According to dalailama.com, on October 13, “Immediately after he had arrived at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico this morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with representatives of two local Buddhist groups. He was keen to explain to them that performing rituals and saying prayers is fine up to a point, but in the 21st century it is important to understand what Buddhism is about, which requires study. He also told them that scientists and others are taking greater interest in Buddhism for what it can tell them about the mind. A project is underway to compile materials from the Kangyur and Tengyur related to Buddhist science, philosophy and religion, which will make them easier to study in an academic way. He encouraged the making of such provisions in Dharma centers too.”
Mandala 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 on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche doing Dzambala offering before lunch at Kachoe Dechen Ling, Aptos, California, US, October 4, 2013. Photos by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
When FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche is in California, he lives at Kachoe Dechen Ling in Aptos on California’s central coast near Santa Cruz. Life at Kachoe Dechen Ling is very busy for Rinpoche and the resident Sangha who live there. Rinpoche’s assistant Ven. Roger Kunsang captures in photos some of the activity going on at Kachoe Dechen Ling over the past few weeks.
Vens. Sangpo, Sherab and Tsering rolling mantras and filling the statues offered to Rinpoche at the long life puja, Kachoe Dechen Ling, October 5, 2013
Sangha making dinner for Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Dagri Rinpoche, Kachoe Dechen Ling, October 4, 2013
Lama Zopa Rinpoche wishing everyone “Big Love!” Kachoe Dechen Ling, September 24, 2013
Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Vens. Pemba, Sherab and Tsering doing puja at Kachoe Dechen Ling, September 22, 2013
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Ven. Tsering late at night circumambulating the stupas in front Kachoe Dechen Ling, September 14, 2013
Lama Zopa Rinpoche sorting through his texts, Kachoe Dechen Ling, September 13, 2013. “All these we carry in four big heavy suit cases everywhere we go!” Ven. Roger said about the texts.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche after arriving back in California from Mongolia, September 13, 2013
Mandala 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 on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
Maitreya School for Universal Education and Tara Children’s Project’s new bus, Bodhgaya, India
Root Institute, the FPMT center in Bodhgaya, India, helps offer care and education to children through Shakyamuni Buddha Community Health Care Centre, Maitreya School for Universal Education and the Tara Children’s Project (TCP), which takes care of HIV-affected children and orphans. Tara Children’s Project kids and Maitreya School students are benefiting from receiving a new bus to take them to and from school.
Dr. Sanjay at Shakyamuni Buddha Health Care Centre, Root Institute, Bodhgaya, India
The Shakyamuni Buddha Health Care Centre is a free health care clinic that began in 1991. Dr. Sanjay works at the health care center and has been the main doctor for the children of TCP, visiting every week and overseeing the care for the physical and emotional health of each child.
Tara Children’s Project children spell out words for six essential guidelines
Juhi Pandey, from an organization called Tara Trust, spent five days collaborating with the TCP staff in engaging the children in activities that cultivate positive states of mind such as love and compassion. They engaged in many activities including listening to stories about companionship and the benefits of working together. To end the week, the children painted the letters of words of the six essential guidelines recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
His Holiness the Karmapa visits Tara Children’s Project children at Root Institute, Bodhgaya, India
Mandala 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 have news you would like to share, please let us know.
Long life puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Land of Medicine Buddha, California, US, September 29, 2013. Photo by Chris Majors.
Photographer Chris Majors captured in vivid and glorious detail the long life puja offered to FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Land of Medicine Buddha in California. You can see all of his photos from the festive and beautiful day on Chris’ Flickr page.
Dakini dance at long life puja, Land of Medicine Buddha, California, US, September 29, 2013. Photo by Chris Majors.
The long life puja, held on Sunday, September 29, 2013, included the special dance of the five dakinis in accordance with advice given by Khadro-la (Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme) for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s health and long life.
Tenzin Ösel Hita (in gold) greets Dagri Rinpoche while Yangsi Rinpoche and Geshe Ngawang Dakpa look on, Land of Medicine Buddha, California, US, September 29, 2013. Photo by Chris Majors.
Dagri Rinpoche, Yangsi Rinpoche, Geshe Ngawang Dakpa as well as Tenzin Ösel Hita all attended the puja, which was offered by FPMT Inc. Board of Directors and FPMT North America with logistical support from local FPMT centers and projects. Tenzin Ösel is the recognized reincarnation of FPMT founder Lama Yeshe. For the puja, he composed and read praises for Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Tendil Nyersel prayer flags at Land of Medicine Buddha, California. Photo by Chris Majors.
In addition to hosting the long life puja, Land of Medicine Buddha hung dozens of Tendil Nyersel prayer flags. FPMT centers, projects and services are encouraged to continue to do the practices for Lama Zopa Rinpoche as advised by Khadro-la, which include hanging the Tendil Nyersel prayer flags as well as reciting Most Secret Hayagriva mantra and organizing animal liberations. More information is available on the page “Rinpoche’s Health – Official Updates and Practices.”
If you’ve hung Tendil Nyersel flags at your center, send your pictures to Mandala!
Mandala 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 on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
Students of Gyaltsab Je Study Group. Photo courtesy of Gyaltsab Je Study Group.
Gyaltsab Je Study Group in Ile de la Réunion, situated east of Madagascar, shares some news with Mandala from their island home:
On July 6, 2013, a good number of students responded to our invitation to share a moment in honor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday.
After a presentation of His Holiness’ bibliography by Marc, we took turns reading pieces of the Dalai Lama’s advice. We noted that each of selections matched our personalities because Daniel had placed them before our arrival. This made for a fully emotional moment: recalling the extraordinary life of the 14th Dalai Lama, his exile, that of his people, his political and spiritual missions, his choices that demonstrate his generosity, his compassion.
Ven. Thubten Sangpo next guided us on a meditation on the six realms of samsara, followed by a long-life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and a prayer for Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
We finished the afternoon as a small group of friends in good spirits. We thank all those who joined this meeting and thank the town hall of Saint-Pierre which lent us a room for the occasion.
Gyaltsab Je Study Group’s blog is available in French.
Mandala brings you news and updates from over 160 FPMT centers, projects and services around the globe. If you have a story to share, please let us know.
From left: Dagri Rinpoche, Yangsi Rinpoche and Lama Zopa Rinpoche listening to Geshe Ngawang Dakpa, Land of Medicine Buddha, California, US, September 29, 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche was joined by Dagri Rinpoche, Yangsi Rinpoche and Geshe Ngawang Dakpa for the lunch offered after the long life puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Land of Medicine Buddha in California, US, on Sunday, September 29, 2013.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche continues his stay in California. Dagri Rinpoche was teaching a course at Land of Medicine Buddha. Yangsi Rinpoche, president of Maitripa College in Portland, Oregon, flew to California to attend the puja. Geshe Dakpa is the resident teacher at Tse Chen Ling in nearby San Francisco.
Medicine Buddha by Peter Iseli
“Warm greetings from here in Pure Land of Medicine Buddha,” project coordinator Maria Domsholt wrote to Mandala. Pure Land of Medicine Buddha is the hospice project of Tong-nyi Nying-je Ling, the FPMT center in Denmark. In September, the project began organizing 19 volunteers to cover both night and day shifts for dying people in their last days of life. Volunteers also visit with chronically sick and terminally ill people. Medicine Buddha puja and prayers are part of the volunteers practice as well.
“When one of our patients die, a volunteer paints the name of the patient on a small stupa that had been filled and blessed from Kopan Monastery. We give that to the family of the patient,” Maria wrote.
Volunteers also continue training to use the Liberation Box, a collection of Dharma tools for the time of death assembled according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice. Materials on how to use the Liberation Box have been translated into Danish and edited by Dharma Wisdom Publishing, another project of Tong-nyi Nying-je Ling.
Mandala 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 have news you would like to share, please let us know.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche visiting H.E. Choden Rinpoche, San Jose, California, September 30, 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
During late September, both Lama Zopa Rinpoche and His Eminence Choden Rinpoche were in the Bay Area of California. Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited with His Eminence on September 30 in San Jose.
Mandala 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 have news you would like to share, please let us know.
On September 29, 2013, Tenzin Ösel Hita read the following words of praise to Lama Zopa Rinpche during a long life puja offered to Rinpoche at Land of Medicine Buddha, Soquel, California, USA.
Video of Tenzin Ösel Hita Offering Praise to Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Tenzin Ösel Hita’s Praise to Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Dearest spiritual friend and guide, Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche, you are so precious to us in so many different aspects. From so many angles in life, do you benefit us constantly with no break, no rest, no sleep.
Dear Lama Zopa-la, we are so grateful for your presence in this planet. We are so lucky to be able to share this space and time with you.
Since the beginning, you have dedicated your life fully to improving peoples’ spiritual lives, even though I’m sure you would love to spend many years in a Lawudo cave deep in meditation. Thank you so much for choosing to stay with us and guide us towards our inner potential.
We know how each and every action you do is dedicated to helping sentient beings – every thought, every breath; every sip of water you take is dedicated to sentient beings. We are so lucky to have you in our midst. You inspire us to be better people, and your presence gives us motivation to follow your example. You are constantly helping so many sentient beings from so many different dimensions. It is amazing to see your work in this world.
Please stay with us for as long as it takes all sentient beings to reach enlightenment. We are willing to follow your advice and work hard to accomplish your dreams, which, of course, are always focused on benefiting in the greatest way, in this life and the next.
We all thank you so much from the depth of our hearts; we wish you success in all of your vast visions present and future.
Lama Zopa-la please live a long life. And rest a bit when you can.
Thank you for guiding us relentlessly – without rest, without tiring.
Thank you for helping us purify, for sparking interest into investigating our own egos and ignorance.
Thank you for making us see how mistaken we are.
Please continue helping sentient beings, and live a long life, with no obstacles.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for your kindness and dedication.
We love you Lama Zopa-la.
Thank you so much.
Students meditating at a Vajrapani retreat
“How do you reconcile the tension between making the Dharma truly accessible to all and covering the high operating costs of retreats? That tension brings up a scarcity mindset. From there it’s unlikely that everyone’s needs will be met. So what would happen if we trusted in the spirit of generosity instead?” asked Fabienne Pradelle, director of Vajrapani Institute in California.
Stupa at Vajrapani
With the upcoming retreat “Kopan West: Buddhism 101, A Course on the Gradual Path to Enlightenment with Andy Wistreich,” Vajrapani decided to experiment with connecting generosity to helping students deepen their lam-rim practice. Kopan West starts on November 22 and is being sponsored by past retreatants and benefactors and is offered to anyone who participates.
Lam-rim, or stages of the path, study and meditation is central to the experience of FPMT students, both beginners and long-time practioners. The recent advice from FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche emphasizes gaining actual realizations of lam-rim through meditation and retreat. Like the November courses offered at Kopan Monastery in Nepal, Kopan West students receive instruction in lam-rim teachings. Andy Wistreich, who’s leading this year’s retreat, is a senior student of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche and has led many retreats with students of all levels around the world.
“With Kopan West, someone else has paid for you to be on retreat, someone you don’t even know. How inspiring is that!” Fabienne told Mandala. “Would you want to donate forward to the next person? That’s completely up to you. Will this mindset of generosity be sustainable? How long will the chain last? We don’t know. But we believe in the power of generosity that exists in each and everyone of us.”
Fabienne and the team at Vajrapani have been inspired to try this experiment in generosity in part by Nipun Metha, who’s become an well known advocate in California’s Bay Area for radical generosity. Fabienne recommended a video of Nipun Metha, describing some of the work he’s been involved with, to further explain the thinking behind offering Kopan West as a “pay it forward” retreat.
“Truly amazing things can happen when we let go of the scarcity mindset and look at the world with a spirit of generosity,” Fabienne said.
Visit Vajrapani Institute’s website for more on the course and retreats they offer.
Mandala 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 have news you would like to share, please let us know.
Rinpoche pointing out to Dagri Rinpoche where Lama Yeshe lived. Rinpoche’s house is “by chance” only a few miles away. “It wasn’t planned, it just happened like that!” Aptos, California, September 28, 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche has been in the United States for the last three weeks, staying at Kachoe Dechen Ling, his home in Aptos on California’s central coast. On September 28, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Dagri Rinpoche, who was in California offering teachings at Land of Medicine Buddha, went out on a local pier to bless all the sentient beings in the ocean.
While in California, Lama Zopa Rinpoche regularly goes to the ocean with specially made Namgyälma mantra boards that are lowered into the water to bless all the beings. You can read more about the Namgyälma mantra and blessing the animals in the ocean on Mandala.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche holding ropes attached to mantra boards blessing beings in the ocean, Aptos, California, September 14, 2013. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.
If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.