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FPMT Community: Stories & News
These days I’m at Sera Monastery studying with my dear Gen-la (Teacher) Geshe Gendun Choephel. It is so wonderful to hear the Dharma in such simple and clear terms, while clearing so many doubts I’ve had during a long time of my life. Understanding the teachings without having to clarify with anybody but myself. It has been 10 magical days here, and another week to go! I’m so grateful for the understanding and help I have received.
Thank you for the time to find myself, thank you for the patience and dedication, dearest Gen-la. You are like my Father and Mother, and will always be in my heart.
Estos dias estoy en el Monasterio de Sera estudiando con mi querido Genla (Maestro) Genshe Gendun Choephel. Está siendo maravilloso escuchar el Dharma en unos términos tan simples y comprensibles, mientras se me aclaran muchas dudas que he tenido durante mucho tiempo de mi vida. Entendiendo las enseñanzas sin tener que clarificar con nadie mas que mi mismo.
Han sido 10 dias mágicos aquí, ¡¡Y me queda otra semana todavía!! Estoy tan agradecido por la comprension y ayuda que he recibido.
Gracias por el tiempo para encontrarme a mi mismo, gracias por la paciencia y dedicación queridísimo Genla. Eres como mi Padre y Madre, y siempre estas en mi corazón.
FPMT News Around the World
Image: Dreamstime
You may have noticed that FPMT Education Services’ has been doing a lot of great work, updating and organizing their webpages to help students find the materials and information they need to do practice and study Dharma. Now you can find the latest news from Education Services about new practices, booklets, study materials, education programs and trainings on their new “FPMT Education News” page. Even better, you can subscribe to the page and receive announcements directly in your email inbox.
With more than 160 centers, projects and services around the globe, there is always news on FPMT activities, teachers and events. Mandala hopes to share as many of these timely stories as possible. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.
If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
FPMT News Around the World
Do Ngak Sung Juk Centre members with Ven. Dechen during nyung na, Japan, September 2012
Do Ngak Sung Juk Centre in Tokyo wrote to Mandala about their second group nyung nä, held in September 2012. “Our group of 11 multilingual participants completed the nyung nä in four languages (Japanese, English, Tibetan and Chinese) while under the superb leadership of Ven. Dechen from Taiwan. We practiced in a very conducive environment at Mt. Mitake, a hill within a vast national park with a mountain shrine that has existed for almost 2,000 years. Under Ven. Dechen’s guidance, we transformed a traditional Japanese inn’s tatami room that usually caters to pilgrims and visitors into a beautiful gompa. For seven members, it was their first nyung nä, but won’t be their last,” wrote Doc O’Connor, Do Ngak Sung Juk’s director.
“I was nervous at first but due to being in a group of determined people and a leader who carefully looked after each one of us, I completed and want to do again,” one participant shared. “The location was a power spot – excellent environment!” said another.
“Do Ngak Sung Juk is forever grateful to Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche for creating and nurturing this wonderful organization,” O’Connor wrote. “As a smaller sized center, we feel so much support from International Office and other centers. We’re very appreciative of everyone’s help.”
Mandala is also appreciative of all the help we receive from FPMT centers around the world, who, like Do Ngak Sung Juk, so kindly allow us to share their news.
With more than 160 centers, projects and services around the globe, there is always news on FPMT activities, teachers and events. Mandala hopes to share as many of these timely stories as possible. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.
If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT
, which supports our work.
FPMT News Around the World
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with His Eminence Ling Rinpoche, January 2013. Photo used with permission.
In mid-January, His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited His Eminence Ling Rinpoche, who had been injured in a deadly car accident in late-November 2012. His Holiness spent more than a half-hour visiting Ling Rinpoche, giving advice and showing affection.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with His Eminence Ling Rinpoche, January 2013. Photo used with permission.
According to an update received by FPMT CEO Ven. Roger Kunsang, Ling Rinpoche is recovering well from the accident, which killed Rinpoche’s driver and injured two others. Rinpoche suffered fractured femurs and a dislocated hip in the accident. His recovery is expected to take about six months.
Ling Rinpoche is the main organizer of the Jangchup Lamrim teachings with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The car accident happened as Ling Rinpoche was traveling to meet His Holiness in Goa, India, the day before the teaching series began.
In December, Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited Ling Rinpoche while he was still in the hospital. Dagri Rinpoche, Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche and Khadro-la [Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme] also were part of the visit.
With more than 160 centers, projects and services around the globe, there is always news on FPMT activities, teachers and events. Mandala hopes to share as many of these timely stories as possible. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.
If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
FPMT News Around the World
Enlightenment Stupa at De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre, South Australia, January 2013
De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre director Will Abram recently shared a beautiful photo of the South Australia center’s new Enlightenment Stupa, which was completed in July 2012. The photo was taken during a week-long work session at the remote and peaceful center, located on Kangaroo Island. “[This] is one of the best images we have got to date,” Abram writes.
Holy objects have been central to FPMT since the organization’s early days when Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche first established Kopan Monastery near Bouddhanath Stupa in Nepal. Since then, under the guidance of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the creation of holy objects has become a central mission of the organization. Centers like De-Tong Ling and scores of others have helped carried forward Rinpoche’s vast vision to build hundreds of thousands of holy objects everywhere, making it possible for for sentient being to easily purify negative karma and create merit.
To help support FPMT students and centers in this practice, FPMT Education Services has created a new webpage on holy objects featuring information and advice. “Lama Zopa Rinpoche has personally inspired or commissioned the creation of hundreds of thousands of holy objects from the casting commitments of tsa-tsas he’s given students or suggestions for larger projects like statues, stupas, prayer wheels and large thangkas to be created on FPMT grounds,” says Education Services’ website.
On the new site, you can find resources for:
You can also find a collection of advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche on the benefits of holy objects and stories on holy objects from Mandala.
With more than 160 centers, projects and services around the globe, there is always news on FPMT activities, teachers and events. Mandala hopes to share as many of these timely stories as possible. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.
If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
FPMT News Around the World
Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Tenzin Ösel Hita at Kopan Monastery, December 2012. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Tenzin Ösel Hita visited Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery in Nepal in December. In addition, Ösel with his co-director Matteo Passigato released a new film Being Your True Nature. The 20-minute movie introduces viewers to Universal Education for Compassion and Wisdom, Lama Yeshe’s vision for creating a happier and more peaceful world. The film premiered on Lama Tsongkhapa Day at Kopan Monastery and many other FPMT centers around the world. You can watch Being Your True Nature online by visiting the movie’s website.
In November, Ösel sent out a message to the FPMT family. He writes:
First of all, I would like to say hello to everybody working so hard every day for the benefit of sentient beings through the organization of FPMT. I understand that many of you have extra jobs in order to maintain your family and basic needs in life. Also, many of you work as volunteers part time, apart from all the other work you have to cope with. It is very hard, and inspiring. I truly admire every one and each of you for all the effort, dedication and consistency that keeps the organization going. …
You can read the complete letter online. To keep track of the most recent news from Ösel, visit Ösel’s news page at fpmt.org.
With more than 160 centers, projects and services around the globe, there is always news on FPMT activities, teachers and events. Mandala hopes to share as many of these timely stories as possible. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.
If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
FPMT News Around the World
Five dakinis in front of Lama Zopa Rinpoche during long life puja, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, December 2012. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
A long life puja was offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, FPMT spiritual director, on behalf of the centers, projects, services and students of FPMT on Sunday, December 29, 2012, at Kopan Monastery in Nepal.
The long life puja purifies the relationship between teacher and disciple, and creates the merit for the teacher to remain and guide students and all sentient beings.
“To understand why a long life puja is essential, we must understand the value of the Guru. He is our guide in this life, the bardo and future lives. He is immensely important. It is not a case where if we ask him to live he will, and vice-versa, but that to offer such a ceremony purifies our own broken samayas,” Geshe Lama Konchog instructed.
FPMT’s Long Life Puja Fund supports annual long life pujas for Lama Zopa Rinpoche and for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Visit the Long Life Puja Fund page to learn more.
To see more photographs from the recent long life puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery, visit Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s page on Facebook.
Gyatso offering mandala to Lama Zopa Rinpoche during long life puja, Kopan Monastery, December 2012
With more than 160 centers, projects and services around the globe, there is always news on FPMT activities, teachers and events. Mandala hopes to share as many of these timely stories as possible. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.
If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
FPMT News Around the World
Lama Zopa Rinpoche during Chenrezig initiation at Boudhanath Stupa, Nepal, December 2012
Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave a Chenrezig initiation at the Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal for the Tamang people on December 23, 2012. About 3000 Tamang traveled from all over Nepal to attend the initiation. The Tamang are traditionally Buddhist and live scattered throughout the remote mountainous areas of Nepal. (more…)
Occasionally Ösel shares his thoughts and experiences on his Facebook page. In this update, he gives us a some wisdom to consider in the face of the changing year.
Give yourself time and space, think less, breathe deeply, feel your body, sense our vibration, and be your true self who is inside of you and always aware.
Enjoy the elevation of consciousness, the alignment of the planets is a special occasion, and a time for celebrating, rejoicing and enforcing our moral code/conduct. Even though this is an amazing time for all of us, we should treat every moment like that. In this way, we can achieve a continuous flow of wellbeing in our existence.
Enjoy the next three days, and if some disaster does happen in some part of the world, let us pray for their wellbeing in this and many lives.
Let us together be attuned with a higher level of frequency in relation to all the positive emotions and energies; in such a way that it affects the whole collective memory of the entire planet. Take care and be love, family.
Onelove
FPMT News Around the World
New Medicine Buddha statue at O.Sel.Ling Centro de Retiros, Spain, November 2012. Photos courtesy of O.Sel.Ling.
Recently, O.Sel.Ling Centro de Retiros, located near Granada, Spain, received a life-sized Medicine Buddha statue from Nepal, where it was made. At the end of November, the O.Sel.Ling community filled the statue, which weighed about 500 kilograms (1100 pounds), with mantras and carefully placed it inside a glass and iron house.
Medicine Buddha statue, O.Sel.Ling
“It was a very special evening,” wrote center director Anne Wenaas. “When everything was ready, the temperature was below 0° C (32° F) and the sun was setting as the moon rose, shinning brightly.
“The statue is very beautiful, situated just above the stupa on the ‘pilgrimage-tour’ to the Tara statue, so many, many visitors will pass by and see it.”
On behalf of O.Sel.Ling, Wenaas shared a message for Lama Zopa Rinpoche:
This statue is dedicated to Rinpoche’s quick recovery, good health and long life! Please stay with us for a very long time. Life after life, guide all of us. And may we be able to always please your mind!
O.Sel.Ling community after placing the Medicine Buddha statue in the new house, Spain, November 2012.
With more than 160 centers, projects and services around the globe, there is always news on FPMT activities, teachers and events. Mandala hopes to share as many of these timely stories as possible. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.
If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
FPMT Around the World
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso by Kenneth Gingerich, pencil on paper, Centennial Correctional Facility, Colorado, U.S., 2007
In coordination with the Liberation Prison Project (LPP), Mandala magazine is mailed to about 500 prisoners every issue. For the January-March 2013 issue, 533 LPP students in Australia, Canada, England, Germany, New Zealand, Scotland, Thailand and the United States have been sent a print copy. Without access to computers and the internet, prisoners rely on the mail to receive Dharma instruction and to keep up-to-date with the activities of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the FPMT. From LPP student letters, we know that each issue of Mandala is closely read and shared.
We are able to send Mandala magazine to prisoners due to the support of the Liberation Prison Project, Merit Box grants and contributions to our Mandala Magazine for Prisoners Fund and the more than 70 Friends of FPMT who donate their print subscriptions to prisoners. We deeply appreciate the generosity of all who have offered donations to these different funds and projects.
If you would like to help ensure the future funding of Mandala magazine for prisoners, please consider making a donation to the Mandala Magazine for Prisoner Fund today. These funds go directly toward covering the costs of printing and shipping magazines to LPP students. To learn more about how you can help prisoners receive Mandala – including how to donate your Friends of FPMT print subscription – and to read about the history of Mandala‘s 16 years of offering support to prisoners, please visit our “Supporting Prisoners” page.
FPMT Around the World
His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Kurukulla Center, October 2012. Photo by Kadri Kurgun.
The following is an excerpt from His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s A Human Approach to World Peace, a booklet published in 1984 by Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive:
“According to Buddhist psychology, most of our troubles are due to our passionate desire for and attachment to things that we misapprehend as enduring entities. The pursuit of the objects of our desire and attachment involves the use of aggression and competitiveness as supposedly efficacious instruments. These mental processes easily translate into actions, breeding belligerence as an obvious effect. Such processes have been going on in the human mind since time immemorial, but their execution has become more effective under modern conditions. What can we do to control and regulate these ‘poisons’— delusion, greed, and aggression? For it is these poisons that are behind almost every trouble in the world.
“As one brought up in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, I feel that love and compassion are the moral fabric of world peace. Let me first define what I mean by compassion. When you have pity or compassion for a very poor person, you are showing sympathy because he or she is poor; your compassion is based on altruistic considerations. On the other hand, love towards your wife, your husband, your children, or a close friend is usually based on attachment. When your attachment changes, your kindness also changes; it may disappear. This is not true love. Real love is not based on attachment, but on altruism. In this case your compassion will remain as a humane response to suffering as long as beings continue to suffer.
“This type of compassion is what we must strive to cultivate in ourselves, and we must develop it from a limited amount to the limitless. Undiscriminating, spontaneous, and unlimited compassion for all sentient beings is obviously not the usual love that one has for friends or family, which is alloyed with ignorance, desire, and attachment. The kind of love we should advocate is this wider love that you can have even for someone who has done harm to you: your enemy.”
You can read this teaching on world peace by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in its entirety on Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive’s website.