Offerings during commemoration of Rinpoche’s parinirvana 2nd anniversary, at Machig Labdron Nunnery, Bendigo, Australia, April 13, 2025 April 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of Atisha Centre Facebook page.

April 13, 2025, marked the two-year anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche passing into parinirvana. Around the world students gathered for collective prayers and practice, and to sincerely remember with immense gratitude the great kindness of our most precious spiritual guide. We were moved by all of the auspicious activity being done collectively around the world, on this special day of prayer and remembrance. Here we share, not an exhaustive list of all the activities organized in centers, monastic institutions, and in the homes of individual students, but rather an example of some of the activities offered: 

The monks of Sera Je Tsawa Khangtsen offered Chanting of Names of Manjushri and swift return prayers. Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, India offered Lama Chopa. At Chokyi Gyaltsen Center in Penang, Malaysia, students performed Lama Chopa with extensive offerings presided over by Geshe Deyang and recited Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri with dedications and prayers for Rinpoche’s swift return.

At Kopan Monastery, CPMT Summit participants joined the Kopan community in Heruka Lama Chopa with extensive offerings followed by group recitation of Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri. Kopan Lama Gyupas and senior monks offered Yamantaka self-initiation in Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s room in front of his holy body, followed by recitation of the Guhyasamaja root tantra. 

Ogmin Jangchup Sishu Tsogpa, a community association of former Kopan Monastery monks and nuns residing in New York, USA, offered prayers.  Buddha House members and friends commemorated with a day of extensive offering practice, recitation of Chanting the Names of Manjushri, Lama Chopa Puja and enjoyed a meal together.

We share below some scenes from the powerful group prayers and we thank everyone who participated in this heartfelt collective effort to remember the immeasurable kindness of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and pray for his swift return. 

The sangha of Sera Je Monastery commemorating Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s parinirvana 2nd anniversary. Photo courtesy of Sera Je Facebook page.

Kopan sangha performed a Heruka Lama Chopa and many other prayers and practices for the 2nd anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s parinirvana, April 13, 2025. Photo courtesy Kopan’s Facebook page.

Sangha of the Sera Je Monastery Kopan House, commemorating the 2nd anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s parinirvana, April 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of Sera Kopan House Facebook page.

Guru puja being offered at Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, India on 2nd anniversary of Rinpoche’s parinirvana. Photo courtesy of Tushita’s Facebook page.

Sangha of the Sera Je Drati Khangsten commemorating Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s parinirvana, April 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of SJDK Facebook page.

Students at Chokyi Gyaltsen Center, Penang, Malaysia, offering Guru Puja and prayers for Rinpoche’s swift return, April 13, 2025.

Members of Ogmin Jangchup Sishu Tsogpa, New York, the association of former Kopan Monastery monks and nuns living in New York, offering prayers on the 2nd anniversary of Rinpoche’s parinirvana, New York, USA, April 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of OJST Facebook page.

FPMT Taiwan students making offerings during the commemoration activities on the 2nd anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s parinirvana.

Gathering at Kalachakra Centre, Paris, France, for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s parinirvana 2nd anniversary. Photo courtesy of Centre Kalachakra Facebook page.

Shrine for the commemoration of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s parinirvana at Buddha House, Adelaide, Australia, April 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of Buddha House Facebook page.

This is just s small sampling of the thoughtful activity organized around the world and we offer extensive thanks to ALL who participated in commemorating Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s passing into parinirvana. 

As a reminder, His Holiness recently confirmed that the reincarnation of Lama Zopa Rinpoche has been born and His Holiness has advised to continue reciting Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri as well as Migtsema practice. Additionally, all swift return prayers previously advised are still encouraged at this time. 

Advice for the Anniversary of the Guru’s Passing Away is a short text translated by Rinpoche that explains the importance of making offerings on the anniversary of the passing away of one’s guru.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (1945-2023) was the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.

Altar at Buddha House, South Australia, on the second year anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing away.

Following the news that Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s reincarnation has been born according to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, students have asked, “Do we still offer the swift return prayers?” The answer is … yes!

Please read the latest advice offered by His Holiness to continue reciting Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri as well as Migtsema practice. Additionally, Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi and Ven. Roger Kunsang have checked with Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin who confirms that continuing the swift return prayers as previously recommended is good to do at this time. This is a dynamic situation and we will update you on the latest advice as we receive it.

Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.

Heruka Lama Chopa at Kopan Monastery on the second anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche passing into parinirvana, April 13, 2025. Photo by Capucine T.Dekyong

April 13, 2025 marks the two-year anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche passing into parinirvana. Around the world students are gathering for collective prayers and practice, and to sincerely remember with immense gratitude the great kindness of our most precious spiritual guide. 

At Kopan Monastery, Heruka Lama Chopa with extensive offerings has begun and will be followed by group recitation of Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri. Kopan Lama Gyupas and senior monks are offering Yamantaka self-initiation in Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s room in front of his holy body, followed by recitation of the Guhyasamaja root tantra. 

Kopan Lama Gyupas and senior monks offering prayers at Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy body, April 13, 2025. Photo by Capucine T.Dekyong.

Over 1,000 people have arrived at Kopan for this event, including: Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin, Khandro Tseringma Rinpoche, Khenpo Thinley Dorje, Segyu Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Wangdu, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Thubten Chonyi, Kusho Tengye Rinpoche, Losang Namgyal Rinpoche, Rigsel Rinpoche; all the Kopan monks and nuns; and many IMI Sangha. CPMT Summit participants are also in attendance after completing the meeting on April 11 and assembling for group prayers for Rinpoche’s swift return at Boudha Stupa on April 12. 

Please rejoice in this most auspicious activity happening at Kopan and around the world today, which we will collect and share very soon. 

As a reminder, His Holiness recently confirmed that the reincarnation of Lama Zopa Rinpoche has been born and His Holiness has advised to continue reciting Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri as well as Migtsema practice. 

Advice for the Anniversary of the Guru’s Passing Away is a short text translated by Rinpoche that explains the importance of making offerings on the anniversary of the passing away of one’s guru

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (1945-2023) was the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.

Kopan Monastery main gompa. Photo by Kira Dane.

April 13, 2025 marks the two-year anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing away.

As a reminder to students, Advice for the Anniversary of the Guru’s Passing Away is a short text translated by Rinpoche that explains the importance of making offerings on the anniversary of the passing away of one’s guru. It sets out the benefits of making offerings, how to make the offerings with six remembrances, and how to offer and dedicate the roots of virtue collected. Rinpoche specifically wanted to translate this text for the anniversary of Lama Yeshe’s passing, and it was a text that he wanted available for quite some time. We mention this to emphasize how important Rinpoche felt it was to offer these practices on the anniversary of the guru’s passing, for example, doing Lama Chopa and Tsog Offering as Rinpoche said in the Foreword.

A commemoration will be held at Kopan Monastery on April 13 with high lamas, students, and friends engaged in prayers and practice including the participants of 2025 CPMT Summit who conclude their meeting on April 11. FPMT centers, monasteries, and various communities around the world will also host events of pujas and prayers. We look forward to sharing about what was done around the world on this special occasion. 

This is an incredibly powerful time for these prayers as His Holiness recently confirmed that the reincarnation of Lama Zopa Rinpoche has been born, and is living in Nepal. His Holiness advised to continue reciting Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri as well as Migtsema practice. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (1945-2023) was the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.

Chhiring Wangchu Sherpa offering a song of appreciation for Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and prayers for his swift return.

The Thame region of Nepal was seriously damaged during a 2015 earthquake. Thame holds a special place in our hearts as the birthplace of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Almost all the homes in the area were damaged and also a large very precious stupa was destroyed. The monks from Thame Monastery requested Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s help to rebuild the stupa, as it was the biggest holy object in the region. The rebuilt stupa stands nearly 46 feet tall with a base measuring 54 feet across, took two years to complete, and is larger than the one which previously stood. This impressive stupa features a large prayer wheel inside making it possible for pilgrims and locals to enter the stupa and spin it to create so much merit, even when the area is covered by snow.  

A tragic flood occurred in Thame in August 2024, and fortunately the stupa was not damaged. 

Completed magnificent stupa in Thame, Nepal, sponsored by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Sherpa women performing a song of appreciation for Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery.

A song of appreciation was written by local Sherpas, and was meant to be offered to Rinpoche during an official consecration in June 2021, but unfortunately Rinpoche was not able to travel there due to the pandemic and restrictions. A smaller consecration occurred, as all the materials had already been prepared, and at the same time Rinpoche offered the puja and prayers and consecrated the stupa from afar at Kopan Monastery.

We are so pleased to share a beautiful, newly released version of that song of appreciation,  filmed in Kopan and Thame, Solu Khumbu, and performed by Chhiring Wangchu Sherpa and others. This song also sincerely requests Rinpoche’s swift return. One of Rinpoche’s attendants, Ven. Tendar, was the kind sponsor of this production:

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (1945-2023) was the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.

Hundreds gathered at Bouddha Stupa on December 28 to offer prayers for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return.

On December 28, 2024, Khenrinpoche Geshe Thubten Chonyi, Rigsel Rinpoche, along with the Kopan geshes, geshemas, monks, nuns, and students, gathered at the holy Boudhanath Stupa, Nepal, to recite Chanting the Names of Manjushri, the King of Prayers, Calling the Guru from Afar, and other prayers for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. This Saturday, January 4, the same prayers  will be done at Swayambhu Stupa at the site of Manjushri’s throne as well. Additionally prayers are being organized in Bodhgaya during the Fifteen Days of Miracles and elsewhere in FPMT centers around the world. 

It is incredibly important to continue offering the prayers advised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama  for Rinpoche’s swift return at this time. With the Fifteen Days of Miracles, starting on Losar (February 28), approaching next month, FPMT centers and individual students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche are encouraged to organize prayers themselves, in order to maximize the power on those merit-multiplying days. All are welcome to please utilize the resources available to you, in order to sincerely pray for Rinpoche’s return. Additionally, Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive also offers Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s own commentary and oral transmission of Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri which is available to all.

Please enjoy this video of the December 28 prayer session for Rinpoche’s swift return at Boudhanath:

As Lama Zopa Rinpoche often advised about making prayers and dedication—”they have power. It is said in the teachings, The Piled Three Precious Rare Sublime Ones Sutra (Kön chhog sum tsheg päi do), ‘All phenomena arise due to conditions, they depend on the tip of the wish.”’ We can take this advice to heart and sincerely and collectively fulfill His Holiness’s advice in order for us to find Rinpoche’s unmistaken reincarnation very soon. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (1945-2023) was the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with a birthday cake offered to him, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, 2016.

On December 3 we observe the birth date of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. As previously shared, a very large thangka of Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) will be displayed and an auspicious 100,000 tsog offering event (Guru Bumtsog) will take place at Khachoe Ghakyil Ling (Kopan Nunnery) on this date in honor of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s birthday, to commemorate Rinpoche’s life and fulfill Rinpoche’s wishes.

The event will start early in the morning of December 3, local time in Nepal, at approximately 8 a.m. and will be presided over by H.E. Jangtse Choeje Kyabje Gosok Rinpoche of Sera Mey Monastery. 

Students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche are encouraged to rejoice in this auspicious and powerful event and to pray for the swift return of his reincarnation as advised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Please also dedicate for all of Rinpoche’s wishes to manifest without delay, and for the success of the FPMT organization. 

Please read more about the large Padmasambhava thangka display and the Guru Bumtsog taking place at Kopan Nunnery:
https://fpmt.org/lama-zopa-rinpoche-news-and-advice/large-padmasambhava-thangka-display-and-guru-bumtsog-offered-on-lama-zopa-rinpoches-birthday/

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (1945-2023) was the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.

Large Thangka display and Guru Bumtsog at Kopan Nunnery, 2023. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

For the ninth year in a row, a very large thangka of Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) will be displayed and an auspicious 100,000 tsog offering event (Guru Bumtsog) will take place at Khachoe Ghakyil Ling (Kopan Nunnery). This yearly event now takes place in honor of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s birthday, December 3, to commemorate Rinpoche’s life and fulfill Rinpoche’s wishes. Students of Rinpoche are encouraged to attend this extremely joyous annual event when one is able. The event will start early in the morning of December 3, local time in Nepal, at approximately 8 a.m. and will be presided over by H.E. Jangtse Choeje Kyabje Gosok Rinpoche of Sera Mey Monastery. 

The thangka, which is 75 feet (23 meters) high and 87 feet (27 meters) wide, depicts in stitched appliqué the Padmasambhava merit field in the center. Lama Zopa Rinpoche personally designed and oversaw the creation of this huge thangka and also raised the funds for it, thanks to the kindness of two generous donors. The thangkha was also blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The incredible weight of the thangka and raising it safely up large scaffolding to display requires tremendous skill and effort. The puja is an incredible undertaking by Kopan monks and nuns as it takes days to set up and arrange, plus lunch offered to all in attendance requires major preparation.

Guru Bumtsog event with the large Padmasambhava thangka on display, December 16, 2023. Photo courtesy of Kopan Monastery.

Ven. Sarah Thresher shares, “The text used [in the Guru Bumtsog] is the Sadhana of the Lineage of Awareness-Holders from the Northern Treasures cycle revealed by the great treasure-finder Rigdzin Godem. It is the same text used for Guru Bumtsog at His Holiness Dalai Lama’s temple each year and it has been translated by Bia Bispo. For those of you who are not aware, the Northern Treasures are widely practiced in Khumbu Thamichowa and this was the main lineage held by the first Lawudo Lama. So it is a wonderful opportunity to pray for a new unmistaken manifestation of the Lawudo Lama to swiftly return in magnificence!”

Lama Zopa Rinpoche prostrating to the giant Guru Rinpoche thangka during the Guru bumtsok at Khachoe Ghakyil Nunnery, January 2020.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche explained that displaying large thangkas is an auspicious way for anyone in the area to make a Dharma imprint and connection to the deity depicted. “You may think that a statue or thangka is just a statue or thangka,” Rinpoche has said, “but it is the transcendental wisdom of dharmakaya, which understands and directly sees absolute truth, as well as conventional truth.”

Rinpoche also expressed that it is his wish for many FPMT centers to have huge thangkas and once a year to display the thangka and have a festival day for the public based around the holy object. During the festival day, Rinpoche requested for there to be many thousands of offerings in front of the thangka, as well as offering banners. 

Students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche are encouraged to rejoice in these events occurring on December 3 as a way to honor Rinpoche’s extremely beneficial and inspiring life, and to dedicate the merit for the swift return of his unmistaken reincarnation. Students are also reminded of the practices advised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. All swift return prayers have been compiled for ease of use.

Please rejoice in this auspicious yearly event which is fulfilling Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the FPMT organization, and has profound effects on those in Nepal and the entire world. The costs of offering this yearly event are substantial and will be covered this year by two very kind benefactors.

The Puja Fund was established by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to provide resources for continuous pujas dedicated to the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to the success of all the FPMT centers, projects, services, students, benefactors and those serving the organization in any way.

We are very happy to share that Lama Zopa Rinpoche: A Eulogy, written by Ven. Robina Courtin as a tribute to our precious teacher Lama Zopa Rinpoche, is now available in a PDF format suitable for mobile phone screens or tablets.

This eulogy is also available to read on our website with translations into several languages.

Here we share on chapter from this beautiful tribute, describing Rinpoche’s early life:

“That Is My Home!”

Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche was born at sunrise on December 3, 1945, the last day of the tenth month of the Wood Bird year in the Tibetan lunar calendar, in Thangme, a village in the Khumbu region of Nepal, up in the Himalayas.

It was evident from the time he was two or three years old that he knew what he wanted. One of many children of a Sherpa family — he was called Dawa Chötor then — the moment his mother, Yangchen, turned her back, fetching water, checking on the potato fields, or collecting wood, he’d be gone, determinedly trudging his way up the long, steep, winding path that led to the cave of the Lawudo Lama, the revered local yogi Kunsang Yeshe who’d died a couple of years earlier.

They’d find him asleep in the resting place halfway up the mountain, his sister Ngawang Samten said. When they’d admonish him to “come home!” he’d point up towards the cave and say, “No, that is my home!”

Ani Samten said that somehow he was different from the other children, sitting apart, or sitting on a high box when he ate his meals. And when he’d play games, he’d always play the role of the lama: he’d lead pujas, give initiations, and announce the names of the Lawudo Lama’s benefactors, saying they’d be coming.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche as a child in Rolwaling. Photo by Tom Weir

When he was three, Rinpoche was delighted when the Lawudo Lama’s attendant, Ngawang Chöpel, came to visit. He cried and cried when he was leaving, declaring that he must go with him. Although soon recognized as the unmistaken reincarnation by many lamas, including the beloved local lama, Trulshik Rinpoche, it wasn’t until years later that the family of Lama Kunsang Yeshe, who was a lay yogi, accepted.

When he was five he was sent over the mountains to Rolwaling, west of Khumbu, to be educated by one of his uncles.

It was here, in 1952, that he first laid eyes on people with “white eyes and yellow hair,” as the Sherpas described Westerners, a group of them camping in a meadow on the other side of the river. Eager to meet them, he crossed the river on the makeshift bridge but fell into the water with his gift of boiled potatoes before reaching the other side. Rinpoche recounted later that while he was struggling to keep his head above water the thought occurred to him that the person known as the Lawudo Lama was about to die, but although he didn’t know anything about emptiness, “there was no fear.”

You can read the full eulogy written by Ven. Robina online, or download the newly available PDF for mobile phones and tablets. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (1945-2023) was the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service. 

Ven. Roger Kunsang meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, May 17, 2024. Photo courtesy of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

We are happy to announce that we have received new precious advice from His Holiness the Dalai Lama regarding practices for creating the causes for the Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return. Venerable Roger Kunsang met with His Holiness during his recent visit to Dharamsala, India. His Holiness explained that it is important to continue with practices as previously advised as well as protector prayers and practices outlined below.

All of these practices listed below (except for the Retreat Prayer book) are available as one-click downloads without the need to log into a Foundation Store account. Simply select the “one-click download” link located above the description of each practice.

As Previously Advised:

• To recite Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri as much as possible.

New Advice!

• Perform rituals invoking the four activities of the Dharma protectors Mahakala, Kalarupa (i.e. Dharmaraja), and Shri Devi (i.e. Palden Lhamo)

Do the Palden Lhamo kangso and Mahakala kangso if you are able to and have received an appropriate highest yoga tantra initiation, preferably Yamantaka. Kangso is a “fulfillment and amendment” ritual. Copies of the relevant texts, based on self-generation as Yamantaka, are available on request. 

As these elaborate rituals may be more difficult to perform, students can recite the following prayers to the three protectors:

• Praise to Six-Armed Protector Mahakala
• Praise to Achieve the Inner Kalarupa (Dharmaraja)
• Torma Offering to Palden Lhamo
• Praise to Palden Lhamo: Requesting the Four Activities

These prayers can be found in the following booklets:

• • Protector Prayers booklet arranged by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, pages 5–17
  • Retreat Prayer Book, English, pages 284–295 | Italian | Spanish | Vietnamese

Additional Kalarupa ritual:

• Drugchuma, Offering of Sixty-Four Parts to Kalarupa (Yamantaka initiation as requirement)

Additional prayers to Palden Lhamo:

• All-Pervasive Sphere of Great Bliss, Free of Elaboration: Requesting Activities of Palden Lhamo by HH Dalai Lama
• A Daily Practice of Pälden Lhamo which contains praises as well as torma and libation offerings (serkyem) English | Spanish (highest yoga tantra initiation as requirement)

As a reminder, Saka Dawa falls on Thursday, May 23 this year, and this is a wonderful opportunity to practice according to His Holiness’s recent advice since karmic results are multiplied by 300 million times as it commemorates Shakyamuni Buddha’s three major life events, as taught in the vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic. 

May all of these collective heartfelt prayers and practices be the cause for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return and continued guidance. 

Ven. Roger Kunsang meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on May 17, 2024. Photo courtesy of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (1945-2023) was the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.

Novice students and teachers of Sera Je Secondary school gathered at the school assembly ground for the special prayer session arranged at the school on the first anniversary puja of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, April 13, 2024. Photo by Sera Je Secondary School.

April 13 marked the one-year anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing away.

At Kopan Monastery, around one thousand participants including high lamas, students, and friends engaged in practice in proximity to Rinpoche’s holy body including His Eminence the 104th Ganden Tripa; Khandro Tseringma Rinpoche; Mingyur Ripoche; Tsoknyi Ripoche; Abbots from Sera Je, Sera Mey, and Segyud Monasteries; Kusho Tengye; Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi; Yangsi Rinpoche; Namgyal Rinpoche; Kopan Geshes, Lama Gyupas, and many other monks and nuns; as well as Western students, some members of the FPMT Inc. Board of Directors, representatives from FPMT International Office, and many other local and international friends. 

High lamas, students and friends offering prayers for Rinpoche’s swift return. Photo courtesy Kopan Monastery.

At Lawudo Retreat Centre, a two-day puja was offered by Thame Rinpoche, Kyarok Lama, and Charok Tenzin Tinley Rinpoche, and other monks and ngakpas.

FPMT centers, monasteries, and various communities around the world hosted events of pujas and prayers, honoring Rinpoche’s incredibly beneficial life and praying for his swift return. The main practice offered was Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog Offering. 

Today we are sharing some photos of the heartfelt and devoted efforts on April 13 commemorating the anniversary of the passing of our most precious guru.

Sera Je Monastery commemorated the first anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche with a special extensive Lama Chopa and Tsog Offering, April 13 2024. Photo by Sera Je Monastery.

The first copy of a special limited edition of 300 copies of the Sutra of Great Liberation, printed in English by Amitabha Buddhist Centre students for the occasion of the commemoration of Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing away, was offered to the holy body of Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery, April 12, 2024. Photo courtesy of ABC.

Lama Chopa Tsog and prayers at Chandrakirti Meditation Centre on April 13, 2024. Photo by Chandrakirti Meditation Centre.

Sera Kopan Sangha pays homage to Lama Zopa Rinpoche on the anniversary of Rinpoche’s showing the aspect of passing away with pujas at Sera Jey Tsawa Khangtsen and Osel Labrang and by making extensive light offerings at Kopan House, Bylakuppe, India, April 13, 2024. Photo by Sera Kopan.

Elders of OPH (Old Peoples’ Home), Dhondenling Tibetan Settlement host prayers for Rinpoche’s swift return on the first anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s passing.

Offering and prayers at Sera Jey Buddhist Culture Center NY, New York, USA, April 13, 2024. Photo by Sera Jey Buddhist Culture Center NY.

Lama Chopa with thousand tsog and extensive light offerings and recitation of the Chanting the Names of Noble Manjusri at Chokyi Gyaltsen Center, Penang, Malaysia. Photo by Chokyi Gyaltsen.

Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialectics Leh Ladakh held extensive Lama Chopa Tsog, attended by Petuk Monastery monks and Ngari staff and students, April 13, 2024. Photo by Ngawang Yeshi.

Commemorating the first anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s passing away and with Universal Education school for teachers and Chakma students, Tara Temple, Varanasi, India,. Photo by Yulo Koepa Nunnery – Tara Pure Land.

Tara Institute members offered Guru puja and recited Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri, April 13, 2024. Photo by Tara Institute.

Sera Je Drati Khangtsen commemorated the first anniversary of Venerable Late Lama Zopa Rinpoche with a special extensive Lama Chopa Tsog Offering, April 13, 2024. Photo by Sera Je Drati Khangtsen.

Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa members blessed animals in the ocean on the first anniversary of the passing of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, April 13, and organized a day of commemoration to remember his kindness and create causes for his swift return and His vast future actions. Photo courtesy of ILTK Facebook page.

Blessing of animals in the water with Namgyalma board, Naropa Meditation Center, Tahiti, France, April 13, 2024. Photo by Bouddhisme Tahiti – Centre de Méditation Naropa, affilié à la FPMT.

Students filled Amitabha Buddhist Centre’s gompato commemorate the first anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing away, with Lama Chopa and recitation of Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri, April 13, 2024. Photo by Amitabha Buddhist Centre.

May all of this powerful activity be the cause for
Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return!

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (1945-2023) was the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.

Image of Lama Zopa Rinpoche on the altar in Kopan Monastery Gompa, April 12, 2024. Photo by Kopan Monastery

The commemoration event at Kopan Monastery honoring the anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing away has begun.

Welcoming of one of the many high lamas who have arrived at Kopan for the commemoration honoring the anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing away. Photo by Kopan Monastery.

Those in attendance so far include His Eminence the 104th Ganden Tripa; Abbots from Sera Je, Sera Mey, and Segyud Monasteries; Kusho Tengye; Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi; Yangsi Rinpoche; Namgyal Rinpoche; Kopan Geshes, Lama Gyupas, and many other monks and nuns; as well as Western students, some members of the FPMT Inc. Board of Directors, representatives from FPMT International Office, and many other local and international friends. Many others are expected to arrive tomorrow with an anticipated 1,200 participants joining throughout the commemoration.

Ganden Tri Rinpoche presiding the Yamantaka self-initiation earlier today. Photo by Francois Lecointre.

Westerners reciting prayers for Rinpoche’s swift return at Kopan Monastery, April 12. Photo courtesy of Kopan Monastery.

• Today, April 12, Yamantaka thirteen deities self-initiation was offered in the main gompa along with Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri and supplemental prayers at the Chenrezig gompa, and Guyasamaja root tantra was recited in the main gompa by the Kopan monks and nuns.
• April 13 begins with Heruka Lama Chopa and Tsog Offering puja in the main gompa at 8:30 am which will continue after lunch. Guyasamaja root tantra will again be recited in the evening.
• On April 14 Vajrayogini self-initiation will be offered at 1 pm.
• The Heart Sutra Retreat begins on April 15 with commentary by His Eminence the 104th Ganden Tripa and meditations led by Ven. Steve Carlier. 

Please check the Kopan Monastery Facebook page for any livestreams of events available. 

Prayers and practices are available to download here:

• Heruka Lama Chopa  and Tsog Offering
• Supplementary Prayers
• Swift Return Prayers

We also rejoice that, around the world, FPMT centers and students are organizing prayers and offerings in observation of the anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing away. As Rinpoche explained in the foreword of the text, Advice for the Anniversary of the Guru’s Passing Away, “Making offerings on the death anniversary of a guru is an incredible practice in that it brings about the greatest purification of negative karma and collects the most extensive merit.”

May all of this sincere practice from students and accumulated merit be the cause for the swift return of our most precious guru, Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (1945-2023) was the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.