FPMT Community: Stories & News

Vens. Tenzin Chodron and Lozang Yonten at FPMT International Office, July 23, 2013

Vens. Lozang Yonten, resident teacher at Kunsang Yeshe Retreat Centre in New South Wales, Australia, and Tenzin Chodron, a student in the Masters Program at Chenrezig Institute, Queensland, Australia, visited Mandala and FPMT International Office in Portland, Oregon, U.S. The nuns had a tour of International Office, FPMT Foundation Store and Maitripa College.

While in the United State, Vens. Chodron and Yonten also visited Land of Medicine Buddha, Vajrapani Institute and Tse Chen Ling in California.

We enjoyed meeting our Australian Dharma sisters and wish them save travels! 

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Image by Louise Light shared on the occasion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday

July 6 was His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 78th birthday, and in recognition of the day, FPMT North America (FPMT NA), the regional group representing centers, projects, services and students from Canada and the United States, launched Compassion Day, making special effort to remember not only His Holiness’ presence and contribution to the world, but also “to come together and celebrate compassion.”

FPMT centers, projects and services in North America celebrated Compassion Day with gusto. Compassion Day’s Facebook page has dozens of photos and we’re happy to share some of our favorites here.

Choden Rinpoche leads a retreat on the Eight Verses of Thought Transformation at Vajrapani Institute, Boulder Creek, California, U.S., July 2013. Photo courtesy of Vajrapani Institute.

This drawing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by Cody Mattson, a Vajrapani Institute staff member, was later presented to Choden Rinpoche, Boulder Creek, California, U.S., July 2013. Photo courtesy of Vajrapani Institute.

Local-area Tibetans did incense puja plus other auspicious prayers at Land of Medicine Buddha, Soquel, California, U.S., July 2013. Photo Amanda Russell.

Students and Sangha from Land of Medicine Buddha prepare a Namgyälma mantra board in order to bless the ocean, Soquel, California, U.S., July 2013. Photo by Amanda Russell.

Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Jampa teaches and leads retreat at Guhyasamaja Center, Fairfax, Virginia, U.S., July 2013. Photo courtesy of Guhyasamaja Center.

Guhyasamaja Buddhist Center student reads the Sutra of Golden Light during a Compassion Day 2013 retreat, Fairfax, Virginia, U.S., July 2013. Photo courtesy of Guhyasamaja Center.

From left to right: Dave Gould, Ven. Khendrup, Geshe Sonam Ngodrup, and Gomo Tulku attended the Compassion Day 2013 celebration at Lama Yeshe Ling Centre, Oakville, Ontario, Canada, July 2013. Photo courtesy of Lama Yeshe Ling Centre.

Lama Yeshe Ling Centre’s Compassion Day 2013 altar, Oakville, Canada, July 2013. Photo courtesy of Lama Yeshe Ling Centre.

Milarepa Center staff, volunteers and guests celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday with cake and candles during their interfaith Compassion Day 2013 events, Barnet, Vermont, U.S., July 2013. Photo courtesy of Milarepa Center.

Ruth and Justin from Gendun Drubpa Centre celebrate Compassion Day 2013 with an animal liberation around the center’s stupa, Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada, July 2013. Photo courtesy of Gendun Drubpa Centre.

Gendun Drubpa Centre celebrated Compassion Day 2013 with birthday cake and song after an animal liberation around their stupa. Ani Puntsok, Father Derek and Ven. Chokgyi, the center’s new resident teacher, were in attendance, Williams Lake, B.C., Canada, July 2013. Photo courtesy of Gendun Drubpa Centre.

Choe Khor Sum Ling students and others with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, June 2013. Photo courtesy of Shanti Yajnik.

Archana Bharatee, a student of FPMT’s Choe Khor Sum Ling Study Group in Bangalore, India, reported to Mandala that several Choe Khor Sum Ling members attended teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala June 1-4, 2013.  

“It was a special teaching for Indian students on Shantideva’s Bodhicharyavatara. Every morning the teachings began with the recitation of Prajñaparamita Sutra and praises to the Seventeen Nalanda Masters. This teaching was focused on the first three chapters of the text.”

During the teachings, His Holiness emphasized the need for all people to practice love and compassion, gave an overview of the four noble truths, and discussed bodhichitta drawing from Shantideva’s writings. On the final day of teaching, His Holiness offered a Chenrezig initiation.

If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work. Friends of FPMT at the Foundation level and higher receive the print magazine Mandala, delivered quarterly to their homes.

Drolkar McCallum (far left) with the students of Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Programme 6, Dharamsala, India, June 2013. Photo courtesy of Drolkar McCallum.

In June 2013, Drolkar McCallum, regional coordinator for FPMT North America, visited the students of Lostawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Programme 6 (LRZTP6), FPMT’s four-year Tibetan language program aimed at providing interpreters to FPMT centers worldwide:

“The monsoon has begun in Dharamsala, Northern India, but that does not in any way detract from the enthusiasm and joyfulness of the LRZTP6 students. 

“Fourteen people from eight different countries began their four-year Tibetan translator program in October of 2012. Gen Sherab Dargye, the Tibetan language teacher, seems very happy with the progress so far and reports that ‘they are harmonious and are happy to help each other.’

Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Programme 6 students review with Tibetan conversation partners, Dharamsala, India, June 2013. Photo courtesy of Drolkar McCallum.

“I was delighted to experience this myself. As I entered the peaceful courtyard, rain dripped down from the colorful Tibetan tent cover onto the stone patio, two baby monkeys chased each other in the trees above and I heard the low soothing sound of chanting coming from the ground floor classroom. Claire Yeshe Barde, then the director, led me up onto the spacious patio and offered me a hot drink to warm my chilled bones. When the dedication prayers after the morning class finished, there was a brief moment of silence before excited chatter broke out. Students tumbled out of the classroom laughing and headed towards the tea and food tables. After helping myself to a delicious looking lunch of traditional rice, beans and salad, I sat down among them. They welcomed me with warm smiles and shy questions. I felt comfortable as I had participated in the second program [LRZTP2] when the most awesome Merry Colony was at the helm. I understood what the students were experiencing.

“In India on a brief holiday, I thought I’d meet the students while there. As the new FPMT North American regional coordinator, I’ll help next year when it comes time to place the students in centers in Canada and the United States for the two-year training portion of their program.

Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Programme 6 students review in classroom, Dharamsala, India, June 2013. Photo courtesy of Drolkar McCallum.

“In the afternoon, the courtyard was filled with Tibetan phrases spoken with Russian, Dutch and American accents as the students conversed with their Tibetan conversation partners. When I spoke privately with the students later, each used the word ‘intense’ when I asked them how the course was going! I sensed from them a determination to master the course work, reach their goal, and they seemed excited and looked forward to being sent to an FPMT center.

“When asked where they wanted to be placed, most said that they would be happy to discover a new part of the world and could be sent wherever there was a need. Ven. Tenzin Pelha from Holland thought she would first learn Tibetan and then study Dharma but shared that every moment in the course they are learning and practicing Dharma and she is very grateful for the opportunity to do so.

“If your center will have need of an interpreter in late 2014, don’t wait till the last minute to request one of these fine interpreters as I think they will be scooped up quickly!”

More information on Lostawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Programme’s exciting opportunities be found on their new website.

Mandala brings you news of FPMT activities, teachers 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.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Geshe Wangdu, resident geshe Dorje Chang Institute; Geshe Jampa Tharchin, resident geshe Chandrakirti Centre; and Phillipa Rutherford, co-director Chandrakirti Centre, New Zealand, June 2013. Photo courtesy of Phillipa Rutherford.

During His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s tour of New Zealand, June 9-12, the resident geshes of the FPMT centers in New Zealand had their picture taken during a moment with His Holiness. Geshe Wangdu from Dorje Chang Institute and Geshe Jampa Tharchin from Chandrakirti Centre as well as Phillipa Rutherford, co-director of Chandrakirti Centre, posed for the photo. 

About the visit, Phillipa Rutherford shared with Mandala:

His Holiness visited Christchurch, Dunedin and Auckland in New Zealand. The main theme of His Holiness teachings was secular ethics – bringing good conduct back into mainstream society – and how we can do this. His Holiness also visited two universities and spoke to hundreds of students.

This photo was taken at 5 a.m. at the hotel in Auckland. As His Holiness was leaving, he gave a short talk to the Tibetans, concluding with telling them to enjoy themselves while in the West.

From New Zealand, His Holiness toured Australia, June 14-23, visiting Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Darwin. While in Sydney, His Holiness participated in the Young Minds conference, organized by Vajrayana Institute, the FPMT center in Sydney. In Melbourne, His Holiness spoke at Happiness & Its Causes, another project of Vajrayana Institute.

For reports on His Holiness’ activities in New Zealand and Australia, visit dalailama.com.

 In June, $52,950 in grant awards from the 2012 International Merit Box Project offerings were disbursed to 14 FPMT centers, projects and funds for their use. From the kindness of Merit Box Practitioners chipping in their Merit Box donations from all over the world, much-needed funding help has been given to a hospice in California, a retreat land in France, a flood-damaged gompa in Argentina, and an inspiring list of others. To see a PDF of the 2012 Merit Box Project grant recipients please click here.

Thakpa Kachoe’s retreat chalet in the Southern Alps of France, under final construction, received a 2012 Merit Box grant award in June.

LYWA received a grant award to help publish Big Love: Lama Yeshe’s official biography. The book is scheduled for release in 2014.

Lowering disk section on top stupa’s tree of life, Kadampa Center, U.S., May 2013. Photos courtesy of Kadampa Center.

Placing top knot on Kadampa Stupa, Kadampa Center, May 2013

Kadampa Center has completed their stupa building project. The large and active center in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S., committed to building a Kadampa Stupa in 2002. They spent nine years accumulating funds and began building in 2011. Construction took 29 months.

On May 10, the pinnacle of the stupa was installed. Using a lift platform and ropes, the disk section was lowered over the stupa’s tree of life. Then, the parasol and top knot were placed on top. Stupa artist Jamphel and volunteers contributed thousands of hours of work – from planning and fundraising to painting and landscaping.

On May 25, five Sangha and 130 members of Kadampa Center gathered to dedicate the stupa, posing for a photo on the surrounding new brick plaza. Kadampa Center reports that night-time lighting and benches will be added soon around the stupa as finishing touches.

Kadampa Center for the Practice of Tibetan Buddhism was founded by Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 1992. Under the guidance of their resident teacher, Geshe Gelek Chodha, the center offers a full range of programs, including teachings, pujas, morning meditation practice, Discovering Buddhism, a popular children’s program, animal liberation practice and much more.

Kadampa Center community gather to dedicate new stupa, May 25, 2013

Mandala brings you news of FPMT activities, teachers and events from the 161 FPMT centers, projects and services around the globe. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche during teaching on guru devotion with Khadro-la, Tushita Meditation Centre, India, June 2013. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.

Ven. Sarah Thresher shared this report from Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala, India:

On June 14, FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche invited Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme [Khadro-la] to attend the picnic at the end of a dual course at Tushita. There were over 100 people present.

Rinpoche made a special point of thanking the cooks and kitchen staff who produce delicious meals three times a day without using onions or garlic. Tushita has put special effort into making the food served on the courses excellent. Rinpoche commented that sometimes when the course subjects are difficult for the new students having good food helps them to digest it all more easily!

Tushita runs year-round a 10-day introductory courses (which is very reasonably priced) and people travel from around the world to attend and take advantage of this special environment. For years the courses have been overbooked. Last course they turned away 40 people!

Rinpoche also thanked Tushita’s spiritual program coordinator, teachers and meditation leaders. Khadro-la was requested to give a talk and Geshe Kelsang Wangmo from the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics translated.

Then Rinpoche gave a three-hour teaching on guru devotion for the new people with quotes and transmission of “Calling the Guru from Afar.” For this 10-day introductory course, Rinpoche taught seven days running and gave the oral transmission of the Vajra Cutter Sutra as well as a new morning meditation practice that he put together and translated to help make people’s lives meaningful. (more…)

Ven. Lozang Yonten and Chag-tong Chen-tong students at the beginning of the year, Tasmania, Australia, January 2013. Photo courtesy of Chag-tong Chen-tong Centre.

Ven. Lindy Mailhot, director of Chag-Tong Chen-Tong Centre (CTCT) in Snug, Tasmania, Australia, shared with Mandala a quick message about the center’s 2013 program.

CTCT has enjoyed a wonderful beginning to our 2013 program with visiting teachers bringing great benefit, inspiration, support and friendship to our community.

Ven. Lozang Yonten, currently resident teacher at Kusang Yeshe Retreat Centre in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, introduced the New Year with a wonderful weekend on “New Year Resolutions from a Dharma Perspective” based around the seven-point mind training teachings.

Glen Svensson joined us during February, leading two weekend retreats on shamata and the Gelug tradition of Mahamudra. And Thubten Yeshe (T.Y.) returned to lead our annual Easter four-day lam-rim retreat.

One new students shared thoughts on the retreat experiences that have grown over the last two years:

I know that a lot of people find it hard to make the time in their busy lives for retreat; it just seems too daunting! Our commitments to work and family seem to make retreat too difficult to organize … but it’s a challenge that’s well worth the effort.

I never knew what the rewards and benefits were until I recently did my first three-day retreat. I had believed that just attending the day sessions would suffice, but attending a retreat is of much deeper benefit.

Retreat is a time to come face-to-face with who you are and to see yourself clearly for the first time. The benefits are profound, felt not just by ourselves, but also by everyone we come into contact with.

In retreat we can develop the basic qualities of affection and loving kindness, and the teachings help us to learn to put that into practice. Yet even when we return from the retreat to “everyday life,” the values remain strong and the principles stay true.

From each retreat I attend, I know myself a little better and find the teachings resonate with me longer. One of my heartfelt wishes is that everyone can experience a retreat.

It is a special time with like-minded friends living, practicing, meditating, eating together minus the distraction of family/work life, just for a short time.

With our wish to be able to offer regular opportunities of retreat experience, by building this more and more into our program over the last two years we are finding that the students and friends of CTCT are slowly becoming familiar with the methods of integrating study and practice and are enjoying the vast and subtle benefits. Much to our delight, we are starting to hear people talk of their longing to do retreat, even if its just one day.

Ven. Robina Courtin recently visited Chag-Tong Chen-Tong Centre June 4-9 and lead a three-day residential retreat “How to Practice Dharma – Teachings on the Eight Worldy Dharmas.” The center writes that they look forward to Ven. Antonio Satta visitng in August to lead a ten-day vipassana retreat.

Bill Wilson shares his story on V-Voice Blog (blog.vajrapani.org). Photo courtesy of Vajrapani Institute.

Student and assistant warden in the California prison system Bill Wilson shares on FPMT retreat center Vajrapani Institute’s V-Voice Blog the story of how a mentor profoundly changed his life, an experience that coincidentally brought him to the Dharma:

“I believed I was a good man, and tried to help others as best I could, but as I watched Dave interact with inmates I realized I was only partly fulfilling my duties as a law enforcement official and a member of my community. He wasn’t just professional and courteous, he tried to make a positive imprint on every inmate (and staff member) he had contact with. It didn’t matter the crime they committed, the color of their skin, their gang affiliation or their intellect, he reached out with loving kindness, compassion and empathy to men who were commonly marginalized. Yes, we fed and clothed them, and at times tried to provide them with inspiration, but until I watched Dave in action, I didn’t know we usually ignored the most crucial truth: that the inmates continued to be human beings.

“… My journey with Dave and our men opened another door, perhaps the most important … I met volunteer Jon Landaw, who introduced me to Ven. Tenzin Chogkyi. As we talked about our men, I mentioned that I was amazed by the incredible changes I had witnessed and how I hoped to be able to make similar changes in my own life. The next thing I knew I was at the Vajrapani Institute experiencing my first formal meditation training ‘Mindfulness and Reality: Introduction to Meditation’ …”

Located in the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains in Northern California, Vajrapani Institute offers meditation retreat cabins, Tibetan Buddhist group courses and retreats, and facility rentals for spiritual groups of all traditions.

If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work. Friends of FPMT at the Basic level and higher receive the print magazine Mandala, delivered quarterly to their homes.

Khangser Rinpoche teaches at Choe Khor Sum Ling, Bangalore, India, April 2013. Photo by Anupama Saraf.

FPMT study group Choe Khor Sum Ling in Bangalore is an active community in South India, founded at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to “offer this cultural treasure [Buddhadharma] back to the people of the land of its origin.” Shanti Gopinath, center member, updates Mandala on the group’s latest news:

“April 2013 was an action-packed month at Choe Khor Sum Ling. We were extremely honored when Khangser Rinpoche, one of the great lharampa geshes, adorned with boundless compassion and endowed with convincing speech in accordance with the modern world view, accepted our request to teach. On April 21, Rinpoche gave a talk on ‘Nothing Exists Inherently, Yet Everything Exists Dependently.’ Khangser Rinpoche, in his unique, humorous and fluid style, taught us how our destiny is in our own hands. The interactive session gave us a deep-level understanding of overcoming our afflictions and finding lasting happiness in the toughest of situations. The teaching was followed by a Vajrasattva initiation on April 22. Not only did Rinpoche take us through the ritual, but also explained the ceremonial prayers and meditations that were involved.

“Our precious Sera Je teacher, Ven. Gyalten Rabten, conducted Guru Puja and the second session of Buddhist Meditation 101 on April 27-28.

“As a center we’ve also introduced three brand new weekend courses: FPMT Education Services’ Discovering Buddhism (We wish to thank them for the precious opportunity, their guidance and tremendous support.); a course on Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend composed by Arya Nagarjuna for King Gautamiputra; and Mind Training in the Great Way, designed around the Wheel of Sharp Weapons. Our adept teachers – Vens. Tenzin Namdak, Tenzin Legtsok and Tenzin Namjong – engaged in geshe studies at Sera Je Monastic University, will be leading the new courses.”

In February, Choe Khor Sum Ling had the honor of hosting Tenzin Ösel Hita. His videoed talk, “How to Understand Our Reality from the Universal Point of View,” is available on fpmt.org/mandala/.

Discover Choe Khor Sum Ling’s YouTube channel and find more talks from visiting teachers, including Khangser Rinpoche and Ven. Thubten Chodron.

If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work. Friends of FPMT at the Basic level and higher receive the print magazine Mandala, delivered quarterly to their homes.

The Maitreya Heart Shrine Relic Tour visits Palazzo della Gran Guardia in downtown Padova, Italy, February 2013. Photo by Flavio Zanchetta.

In February 2013, Centro Tara Cittamani in Padova (Padua), Italy celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Green Tara statue by Alfredo Baracco at Centro Tara Cittamani, Padova, Italy, February 2013. Photo by Flavio Zanchetta.

After being established in 1993, the center spent years looking for a more permanent residence. “At that time, the activities were mainly carried out in rented halls or gyms, organized by a small but very active group of volunteers whose motivation was to raise awareness of Dharma and benefit the greatest possible number of people,” shared Paolo De Luise, center board member. It wasn’t until 2004 when Centro Tara Cittamani found its home in the suburbs of Padova.

Inaugurated by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the late Geshe Jampa Gyatso and Geshe Tenzin Tenphel, the new center has a gompa that seats 60 and features a Green Tara statue by Alfredo Baracco. The center shares its other rooms with Motus Mundi, an association that promotes mindfulness to adults and children through secular activities such as yoga, tai chi, Pilates and English classes.

Sera Je monks performed ritual dances as part of Centro Tara Cittamani’s 20th anniversary celebration, Padova, Italy, February 2013. Photo by Flavio Zanchetta.

“To celebrate our 20th anniversary,” continued Paolo, “in February the center hosted in a city theater, with an audience of more than 400 people, the Tour of Compassion and Harmony organized by the monks of Sera Je Monastery, who performed the sacred ritual dances and who made a beautiful mandala of the Medicine Buddha in our gompa. Moreover, in April in the prestigious Palazzo della Gran Guardia located in the city center, thanks to the patronage of the Municipality of Padova, more than 1,200 people benefited for a whole weekend from the positive energy of the Buddha’s relics [from the Maitreya Heart Shrine Relic Tour].”

Centro Tara Cittamani is part of the Unione Buddhista Italiana (Italian Buddhist Union), which in February was officially recognized by the Italian government as a “religious confession,” an honor only held by one other non-Judeo-Christian tradition. The center hopes in the coming years to host a resident geshe.

If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work. Friends of FPMT at the Basic level and higher receive the print magazine Mandala, delivered quarterly to their homes.