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FPMT Community: Stories & News
In late April, Garrey Foulkes, arts manager of Chenrezig Institute, shared with Mandala an update about the Chenrezig Institute Art Studio and the new entrance gate that welcomes visitors to FPMT’s oldest Australian center:
Chenrezig Institute’s new art studio allows artists to produce holy objects while also receiving some financial support, 2013. Photo courtesy of Garrey Foulkes.
“For several months now our new art studio has been established enough for us to start production. Lama Zopa Rinpoche proposed, some 15 years ago, that it would be good to have a facility where Dharma artists could produce holy objects and at the same time have a means of being able to have some financial support. Up to this point, almost all of the work we have been doing has been voluntary and has been spread around in different people’s homes. So at last, the Enlightenment Project for Purification and Merit and the Garden of Enlightenment are all under the one roof, which is so much more efficient.
“The large upper mezzanine level is for fine-art and among other things, caters for regular, well attended, thangka-painting workshops with our resident artist.
The lower level of Chenrezig Institute’s art studio is used for tsa-tsa casting, among other crafts, 2013. Photo courtesy of Garrey Foulkes.
“Downstairs most of our work revolves around casting and assembling tsa-tsas, statues, stupas, prayer wheels and a range of other Dharma products. We hope to continue supplying local centers with items for their shops, expanding our range of products and continuing to offer holy objects to all of the regional centers and students, including those in Asia.
Under the new entrance gate: students and volunteers who were at Chenrezig Institute for a weekend of teaching with visiting ex-resident teacher Khen Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsering, 2013. Photo courtesy of Garrey Foulkes.
“I’m also happy to announce that after months of very heavy rain, we finally had an opportunity to erect our new entrance gate which has certainly helped create a feeling of ‘arrival’ for our many regular and, especially, new visitors.
“There is still a little more work to do with finishing the painting and some landscaping required, but it is great to have things up to this stage.”
Chenrezig Institute on Australia’s Sunshine Coast is an active and vibrant Dharma center, offering a robust selection of retreats, workshops and events. Check out their Facebook page for photos and announcements.
(Garrey Foulkes kindly offers to answer questions about stupa construction, please contact him directly: foulkes@powerup.com.au)
FPMT News Around the World
Land of Joy Team, 2011. Photo courtesy of Land of Joy (www.landofjoy.co.uk/)
Land of Joy, a developing FPMT retreat center in the UK, received more encouragement and advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche in January and February on how to proceed with their vision for a place “characterized by quietness, a simple lifestyle, provision of comfortable healthful shelter and nourishing vegetarian food, good views and opportunities for peaceful walks … accessible from all over the UK.”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s January 11 words were simple and supportive: “I will pray for the success of the retreat place. Thank you very, very, very much.”
Later, on February 15, Land of Joy organizers received more advice. Rinpoche wrote that it is “very important” to recite the mantra of Buddha’s name and the mantra for success, which follow:
- Chom dan da de zhin sheg pa / sa zin gyalpo la / chag tsal lo
- Ta ya tha / om dari dari / daranyi bendah / soha
Then Rinpoche advised:
Everybody recite one mala [of each mantra] not only for [Kalachakra retreat and] Land of Joy, but also for any wish they have for success, especially to achieve paths and achieve enlightenment for sentient beings, this is what came out good to recite. I’m not sure when I can come to England. If at that time the retreat center has happened, then I can come to visit. Yes, I will pray for the success of retreat center, not only to find, but for it to be of most benefit for sentient beings, for anyone who comes to have realizations, correct realizations. In future when His Holiness the Dalai Lama comes to England, if you have center, you could invite, if that happens, easy.
Land of Joy provides numerous opportunities for volunteers, merit making, and financial offerings. Land of Joy encourages FPMT students and supporters to use the mantras Lama Zopa Rinpoche recommends, not only to support the success of the retreat center itself, but for “the fulfillment of any personal wish.”
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche thanks Tushita Meditation Centre staff and volunteers, May 25, 2013. Photo courtesy of Tushita Meditation Centre via Facebook.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche spent Saka Dawa, May 25, at Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala, India, engaging in a variety of virtuous activities. In addition to feeding the monkeys that live in the area and extensive blessings for Tushita’s three dogs – Nying-je Chenmo (Great Compassion), Yeshe (Wisdom) and Dekyi (Happiness) – Rinpoche gathered staff and volunteers together in Tushita’s newly painted gompa to thank them for their service.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche blesses Tushita’s dogs, May 25, 2013. Photo courtesy of Tushita Meditation Centre via Facebook.
“Your service is amazing,” Rinpoche told the group. “Doing so much for sentient beings!”
Tushita Meditation Centre is an active FPMT center in McLeod Ganj village, seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile. You can find more photos of the center’s activities, including a Chenrezig initiation with Denma Locho Rinpoche, Glen Svensson’s introductory Buddhist course, and a recently completed set of nyung näs, on Facebook.
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A short video clip was captured of this moving mandala offering.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who was unable to be in Portland, sent His Holiness a letter and a video offering.
Ösel also gave a talk to participants of the North American Regional Meeting which was taking place at Maitripa College during the same weekend.
Long life puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Losang Dragpa Centre, Malaysia, March 17, 2013. Photo by Bill Kane.
In April 2013, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund offered US$65,187 to the FPMT Puja Fund, which sponsors ongoing pujas at the great monasteries in India and Nepal, with over 9,000 Sangha participating. All the pujas are dedicated for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and to the success of all FPMT centers, projects, students, benefactors and those serving the organization in any way.
For Saka Dawa (this year, May 25), the Puja Fund offers the following:
- Tukchuma Puja, 64 Offerings to Kalarupa, Medicine Buddha Puja at Kopan Monastery, Nepal
- 100,000 recitations of the Praises to the 21 Taras and offerings to Sangha at Kopan Monastery and Khachoe Ghakyil Nunnery, Nepal
- Offerings to all of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s gurus
- Offerings are made to all the Sangha at international Sangha communities
- 16 Nyung Nä cycles and offering to the nuns at Potawa Nunnery, Tibet
- Making and filling of stupas and lunch offering to participants at Chenrezig Institute, Australia
- White wash and four giant saffron flower petals are offered to Bouddhanath and Swayambunath stupas in Nepal, as well as offering new umbrellas to the stupas’ pinnacles
- A new set of robes of the most precious material is offered to the Buddha inside the Bodhgaya Mahabodhi temple as well as the Jowo Buddha in Lhasa’s Jokang and also gold is offered to the holy face of the Jowo Buddha
Some of the offerings to the Puja Fund were accumulated from what was offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the recent long life pujas in Singapore and Taiwan while on tour in Southeast Asia February through March. A long life puja was also offered to Rinpoche by more than 500 students in Malaysia.
You can read more about the FPMT Puja Fund online and in a recent article in Mandala April-June 2013.
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.
FPMT News Around the World
Pots filled with soil and worms were circumambulated around a table of holy objects at Longku Center, Bern, Switzerland, 2013. Photo courtesy of Longku Center.
On April 30 and May 1, Longku Center in Bern, Switzerland, performed some of the special practices recommended by Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme (Khadro-la) and other high lamas to support Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s health and long life. The center arranged the practices in accordance with FPMT CEO Ven. Roger’s April 24 request.
Spiritual program coordinator Regula Burri shared that students at the center “liberated 350 worms, recited the Golden Light Sutra nine times and recited the prayer of the Twenty-One Taras 108 times.”
For the animal liberation, students filled up pots with soil to make a comfy home for hundreds of worms. In the center’s gompa, trays were circumambulated around a table heaped with holy objects, mantras and texts collected by center members while students did practices for the worms.
Students and supporters of Rinpoche are encouraged to complete as many of the recommended practices as possible and report at the end of each month what has been done to director of Center Services Claire Isitt at International Office. These combined efforts will be offered to Rinpoche directly.
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.
FPMT News Around the World
His Holiness the Sakya Trizin, head of the Sakya lineage, visited FPMT International Office and Maitripa College on Sunday, May 12. His Holiness toured International Office, blessing holy objects, including a Red Tara statue in the office reception area. His Holiness was offered a body, speech, mind mandala by FPMT and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s greetings were conveyed.
His Holiness the Sakya Trizin then went to Maitripa College where he offered a teaching on “Parting from the Four Attachments,” four lines spoken by Manjushri to the Sakya patriarch Sachen Kunga Nyingpo. Maitripa College president Yangsi Rinpoche offered a body, speech, mind mandala to His Holiness as well. His Holiness taught to a full house. Even after three days of teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, audience members were enthusiastic and most grateful for the visit by His Holiness the Sakya Trizin.
Video of Red Tara blessing by His Holiness the Sakya Trizin
Maitripa College is affiliated with FPMT. Sunday’s events followed Maitripa College’s His Holiness the Dalai Lama Environmental Summit. You can find all the news and coverage of the Environmental Summit online. Visit His Holiness’ website for news on all of His Holiness’ events and travels. Mandala also offers coverage of the events of the summit on our blog, on Twitter and in the next print issue.
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.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited FPMT International Office on Friday, May 10, prior to speaking at Maitripa College’s graduation ceremony. During the visit to International Office, His Holiness had a tour of the offices and was offered a body, speech, mind mandala by Tenzin Osel Hita. Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who was unable to be in Portland, sent His Holiness a letter and a video offering.
Video of offering
International Office shares a building with Maitripa College in Portland, Oregon. His Holiness is in Portland for three days as part of Maitripa College’s His Holiness the Dalai Lama Environmental Summit.
You can find all the news and coverage of the 3-day event online, including links to live webcasts. Visit His Holiness’ website for news on all of His Holiness’ events and travels.
Mandala will continue to cover the events of the summit on our blog, Twitter and in the next issue of Mandala.
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.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, University of Portland, May 9, 2013
His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke to a sold-out crowd at the University of Portland on the first of his 3-day visit to the state of Oregon on the U.S. West Coast. As part of Maitripa College’s His Holiness the Dalai Lama Environmental Summit, His Holiness took part in a morning interfaith panel discussion on Thursday, May 9, about the environment. In the afternoon, His Holiness spoke on the importance of having a healthy mind as both a way of having a healthier body and also a way of creating a healthy environment.
Maitripa College is the first Buddhist college in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and is affiliated with FPMT. At the end of the day, Maitripa president Yangsi Rinpoche thanked His Holiness for returning for his second visit to Portland, Oregon, and requested His Holiness have a long life.
His Holiness visits Maitripa College and FPMT International Office on Friday, May 10, as the Environmental Summit continues. His Holiness takes part in Maitripa’s graduation program “Life after Life.”
The Oregonian had extensive coverage of Maitripa College prior to the event. You can find all the news and coverage of the 3-day event online, including links to live webcasts. Visit His Holiness’ website for news on all of His Holiness’ events and travels.
Mandala will continue to cover the events of the summit on our blog, Twitter and in the next issue of Mandala.
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.
FPMT News Around the World
Ven. Freeman Trebilcock on “Harmony in Diversity,” December 2012
In early December 2012, Ven. Freeman Trebilcock, a 25-year-old Australian FPMT monk and director of Loving Kindness Peaceful Youth, was interviewed on “Harmony in Diversity,” a community television program focused on the issues and activities of Melbourne’s faith communities.
In this two-part interview, Ven. Freeman speaks candidly on being young and Buddhist in Australia:
It can be quite challenging in our society to be someone from a faith such as Buddhism. I think Buddhism has a pretty good brand, generally speaking. I didn’t cop a lot of flak directly for being a Buddhist. I think for most people my age, faith doesn’t really play a big part of their life. To have someone who’s really trying to embody their spirituality as the central focus of their life is quite strange for a lot of people of my generation. For a lot of my friends, I guess I was a bit different than others.
For me, my Buddhist practice and understanding was kind of like a grounding; it really kept me on track. I think, more than anything else, I leaned on my Buddhist-ness in times of crisis, when I was struggling. All teenagers go through a lot of difficulties; it’s just a part of growing up. At those times, I was really, really glad to have this frame of reference, this amazing storehouse of Buddhist wisdom to go to, to find some useful tools to deal with things.
As part of his interfaith work, Ven. Freeman participated in ABC1’s Holy Switch, a three-part television series in which six young people take up the challenge to swap religions and “live a totally different life for two weeks and in the process discover who [they] are.” The series premiers May 12.
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.
FMPT News Around the World
Dzambala. Photo courtesy of Animal Liberation Sanctuary.
The Animal Liberation Sanctuary near Kopan Monastery in Nepal cares for animals rescued from slaughter by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Mandala was sad to learn of the death of one of the sanctuary’s resident goats, Dzambala, who we have come to know through reports from the sanctuary. Dzambala’s story is an inspiring example of how much we can do for beings in the animal realm.
Dzambala died in March. He was one of the first goats at the Animal Liberation Sanctuary, Nepal. He was also perhaps the first goat in Nepal with an artificial limb (and not just a lump of bamboo, but a proper prosthesis.) He was one of the familiar faces that you could pick out in the crowd.
Dzambala was rescued before Lama Zopa Rinpoche announced the Animal Liberation Sanctuary project. He was there when the new land was first purchased in 2006. He was there throughout the years as the search for a larger piece of land went on and the planning for the new shelters and facilities continued. He survived the deadly peste des petits ruminants (PPR) outbreak in 2010 where half our goat population died (indeed, initially due to some confusion, Dzambala was considered to have been one of the victims!)
Dzambala with Rigzin and Tsering. Photo courtesy of Animal Liberation Sanctuary.
As a young goat, Dzambala was as cheeky as any kid. He would have mock battles with other sanctuary residents, and also more serious battles to establish the hierarchy. He was one of the more senior ranked goats.
Initially, the rescued goats only consisted of males. This is because male animals are sent to slaughter more often as they don’t produce kids or milk. One day, three female goats arrived: Tsering, Sangmo and Jampa. We were not quite sure where they came from, and by the time we found out, they were pregnant. Dzambala and Tsering became close friends. Rigzin, who is the “boss” goat, was also after Tsering. But Tsering preferred Dzambala’s company most of the time. The three of them were often found sitting together enjoying the sunshine.
When taking the goats around Geshe Lama Konchog’s stupa at Kopan, we knew that if we took Tsering up, Rigzin would follow, and hence the others too. And if Dzambala was there, Tsering would go too. But Dzambala would often just take himself around. He obviously realized the importance of holy objects! (more…)
FPMT News Around the World
Lama Zopa Rinpoche during long life puja at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 29, 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Khadro-la makes offerings during long life puja, April 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Senior monks and nuns of Kopan Monastery in Nepal recently requested FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche to accept a special long life puja, out of concern for Rinpoche’s health and in support of other pujas that are being organized. The special long life puja was offered the morning of Monday, April 29. Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme (Khadro-la) attended the puja and made offerings to Rinpoche.
Ven. Roger Kunsang, FPMT CEO and assistant to Rinpoche, shared more about what happened at the monastery: “Kopan Monastery and Nunnery have taken on to do a lot of the pujas throughout the year for Rinpoche’s good health and long life, [and they are also] regularly saving each month a few goats from the butchers and fish. Some of the pujas, like Tugchuma, will be done daily for the rest of the year.”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche will be traveling to the United States where next week he will welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama in FPMT International Office in Portland, Oregon.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khadro-la having lunch after puja, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
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.