Lama Zopa Rinpoche News

An outdoor puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’ swift return in front of Lawudo Gompa. Photo by Alison Murdoch.

Two weeks after Lama Zopa Rinpoche entered his final meditation, FPMT students Paula Chichester and Alison Murdoch took the opportunity to return to Lawudo and join with Rinpoche’s family in some of the ceremonies taking place there. A week later Ven. Amy Miller arrived with a pilgrimage group, and subsequently returned alone for a period of practice and retreat. Here is a brief overview of what took place during this unique and profound time, from Alison Murdoch:

As soon as the sad news reached Lawudo, Ani Ngawang Samten, Rinpoche’s sister, started making plans to go down to the Kathmandu valley. Her grief at suddenly losing her guru and brother in this way has to be unimaginable, especially as it is eight years since Rinpoche was last able to visit in person. She left the next day by helicopter and reached Kopan about an hour before Rinpoche finished his meditation. “It felt as if he would open his eyes and speak to me at any moment,” she said later. Ven. Tsultrim, a Swiss nun who has been at Lawudo since Spring 2022, generously agreed to stay behind to look after Ashan (Rinpoche’s uncle, aged 98) and Tsultrim Norbu, who is now in his 70s. Without this kind offer, it would probably have been impossible for Ani Ngawang Samten to leave at such short notice. At Kopan she was joined by her brother Sangay and his wife, by Geshema Thubten Zangmo, and by other members of the family who had immediately flown over from the USA. 

Ani Samten at Heruka Lama Chopa, Kopan, Nepal, April 19 2023. Photo by Capucine Redon.

The first week at Lawudo after Rinpoche showed the aspect of leaving his body was relatively quiet. Ven. Tsultrim welcomed the arrival of Ven Trinley from Tenboche Monastery, who joined her in carrying out daily Cittamani Tara pujas. On the fourteenth day after Rinpoche’s passing Ven. Ngawang Nyendak came to lead a Chenrezig puja. Ven. Nyendak is a highly accomplished tantric practitioner who at Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s request carries out regular practices at Lawudo dedicated to the flourishing of the FPMT. By this time Rinpoche’s cousin Nyima Tashi had arrived and started making preparations for more extensive prayers and practices. The weather turned unseasonably cold, with a light snow falling all day like a blessing.

Light offerings in Lawudo Gompa. Photo by Alison Murdoch.

On the twenty-first day, the monks from Thame Monastery came to lead an extensive all-day Chenrezig puja in the gompa, joined by Tenzin Trinley the resident lama at nearby Charok Hermitage. The weather suddenly cleared, and day after day there were radiant blue skies. The monks returned again on the 28^th day for a two-day puja, presided over by the young Thame Rinpoche. Ashan offered the mandala on the first day, and Anila Ngawang Samten on the second day. It was an unforgettable sight to see the gompa packed with sangha, lights and offerings, and an even more extraordinary sound when all its drums, cymbals, horns, oboes, conch shells and thigh bone trumpets echoed out over the valley. On the 35^th day, the nuns from Thamo carried out a Vajrayogini self-initiation, and on the forty-second and forty-ninth days there were extensive pujas dedicated to Rinpoche in the gompas at Thame and Tenboche. (The Thame monks weren’t permitted to return to Lawudo for these final pujas due to the imminent Mani Rimdu celebrations). On each of the other six days of the week, Ven Tsultrim led a Cittamani Tara puja in either the gompa or the cave.

Anila Ngawang Samten joins the puja with the Thame monks. Photo by Alison Murdoch.

Despite the challenges of Lawudo Gompa being so remote, over two hours’ walk from the nearest shop, in true Sherpa style these pujas involved extensive tsog offerings. For the main puja on the twenty-eighth day, huge bags of tsog were distributed not only to everyone who attended but also hand-delivered to every family in the valley. In addition to bottles of fizzy drinks, packets of crisps and biscuits and fresh fruit (all rare delicacies at an elevation of 14,000 feet) the bags of tsog included the traditional deep-fried khapse and individual tormas made of tsampa, butter and sugar. Nyima Tashi’s numerous shopping trips to Namche Bazaar would be followed the next day by a train of animals and porters carrying heavy sacks of offerings up the mountainside, and he organized five teams of Sherpa volunteers to make the khapse and tormas and to fill and distribute the mountain of tsog. Other volunteers made extensive water bowl offerings or rolled cotton wool into wicks for the hundreds of silver and copper butter lamps, while a team of smiling nuns kept everyone supplied with butter and sweet tea. The space under the library was rapidly converted into an additional kitchen and a chef was hired to cook copious meals for all the volunteers and visitors. Ven. Nyendak also led extra practices in the courtyard for all the Sherpas who couldn’t fit into the gompa.

Teams of local Sherpas assemble the bags of tsog. Photo by Ven. Alison Murdoch.

This was a historic occasion, never to be repeated. One of the most moving moments was when Anila Ngawang Samten and her brother Sangay returned by helicopter with a set of Rinpoche’s robes, which were carried ceremoniously up the juniper-lined path from Mende and installed with prayers and offerings on His throne in the gompa. Now that the crowds of mourners have departed, please keep the family in your prayers as they begin to come to terms with their immense personal loss.

Please read previously published articles about Lawudo Gompa and Retreat Center. 

Please consider subscribing to the Lawudo newsletter which is published four times each year on the major holy days. For more information about Lawudo Gompa and Retreat Center, please visit the Lawudo Gompa website. You can also follow Lawudo on Facebook. 

Image of Lama Zopa Rinpoche on the altar in Kopan Monastery Gompa during the 49 Day Heruka Lama Chopa Puja. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Tsomo.

We are pleased to share this moving account from Kopan about the Heruka Lama Chopa puja offered at Kopan Monastery on May 31 during the 49th day of Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing away. 

Round-the-clock practices and prayers in the presence of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s kudung (holy body relic) and a weekly offered puja culminated on May 31 with an extensive Heruka Lama Chopa puja. The day began with the usual 5:00 a.m. purification puja offered to Rinpoche’s holy body. It was followed by a morning visit from H.E. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche who joined the prayers in Rinpoche’s room. Lamas, geshes, monks, nuns, and hundreds of lay students from around the world began to gather in the main gompa of Kopan Monastery at 8 a.m.

Huge and beautifully decorated tormas, butter lamps and LED lights, bowls of colorful and exotic fruit, vases and garlands of fresh and artificial flowers, bowls of saffron water, and rows of incense were set out on tables across the width of the gompa. A huge photo of Lama Zopa Rinpoche (with an impish grin as if he had just played a huge joke on all of us!) beamed down upon us, as it had for most of the 49 days.

The puja was presided over by Khenrinpoche Thubten Chonyi, the abbot of Kopan, and graced by the presence of Rangjung Neljorma Khandro Tseringma (Khadro-la); FPMT resident geshes and teachers; FPMT board members Ven. Roger Kunsang, Dale Davis, Paula de Wys, and Karuna Cayton; and various FPMT center directors and SPCs. As the puja progressed, lay students from many FPMT centers, Sherpas and Nepalis dressed in traditional clothing, and a long line of children from Dicky Tsering Children’s Home filed into the gompa to pay their respects and offer katas on the central throne bearing Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s photo.

Heruka Lama Chopa Puja on the 49th day of Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing away, Kopan Monasatery, May 31, 2023. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Led by Umdze-la, Geshe Losang Sherab, the puja began with a heartrending chant of Calling the Guru from Afar. This was followed by Heruka Lama Chopa, a puja characterized by verse after verse of offerings chanted with intricate tunes. Copious amounts of tea and other drinks were served to keep everyone hydrated in the hot weather. A delicious catered lunch served in shiny copper pots was offered to everyone present. Generous money offerings were made again and again to the many sangha present by the Hong Kong center, the IMI Sangha, and many other groups and individuals. After the lunch break, the puja resumed at 2:00 p.m. and concluded at 5:00 p.m. with one more recitation of the swift return prayers followed by Lama Atisha’s light offering prayer.

In the meantime, outside in the debate courtyard various groups of Nepali lay practitioners and the children of Dicky Tsering Children’s Home took turns reciting prayers. Upstairs in the presence of Rinpoche’s holy body, the daily round of practices continued until late at night, including the self-initiations of Yamantaka and Vajrayogini and many other prayers. After dinner, the Kopan monks gathered in the debate courtyard to recite the root texts of Ornament of Clear Realization and Entering the Middle Way.

Altogether these 49 days were a huge Dharma celebration of continuous prayers and practices day and night, pilgrimages to some of the most holy places in Nepal, and extensive offerings set up in Rinpoche’s rooms, the monastery and nunnery gompas, and the debate courtyard. It was a time of great sadness and shared grief but also a celebration of Rinpoche’s life and legacy as we rejoiced in the “unbelievable, unbelievable, unbelievable good fortune” we had to not only receive a perfect human rebirth but to meet with such a perfectly qualified Mahayana guru who taught the unmistaken path to enlightenment for more than fifty years!

Khatas on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s throne at the end of the 49th Day puja, Kopan Monastery, Nepal. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Tsomo.

Due to all the past, present, and future merits collected by each one of us and all the three-time merits collected by numberless sentient beings and numberless buddhas, may Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s unmistaken, perfect incarnation quickly return to this world and be recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at a young age. May there be no obstacles to the incarnation’s long life and holy activities for the benefit of the Buddhadharma and sentient beings. May all of Rinpoche’s past and present disciples once again meet their holy guru, hear the nectar of his holy speech, and never be separated from him in this and all their future lives. May all the sentient beings who did not have the fortune to meet with Lama Zopa Rinpoche in this life be able to encounter his new incarnation and be guided by him (or perhaps her!) in all their future lives.

With love, prayers, and a billion, zillion, trillion thanks for all you are doing to fulfill Rinpoche’s holy wishes,

The monks and nuns of Ogmin Jangchub Choling and Kachoe Ghakyil Ling—Kopan Monastery and Nunnery

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.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Washington D.C., USA, August 2014. Photo by Merry Colony.

Today we are sharing this heartfelt message of gratitude to Kopan Monastery and the entire FPMT organization and students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche from the FPMT Board of Directors.

The FPMT Board of Directors would hereby like to express its profound gratitude to all at Kopan as well as the International Office, centers, projects, services, and students throughout the world for the extraordinary efforts that were made from the moment that Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche manifested the appearance of passing away until the present day, and which are continuing even now.

The tireless efforts and devotion shown by all have been truly astonishing. There are no words to express how people all over the world took comfort and found strength in the prayers and practices that were done continually in Rinpoche’s room and in the gompas
of the monastery and nunnery of Kopan. At a time when all of Rinpoche’s disciples were grieving and in pain, and many were unable to come to Nepal to pay their respects and be together, all the tireless efforts that were made benefitted them enormously. Thousands of people, both in Nepal and all over the world, have been inspired by the prayers, practices, and all that was done. For this, we would like to express our sincere and deep gratitude.

Also, in Dharamsala, at the Long Life Puja for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the excellent training and skill of the Kopan sangha was obvious to all and recognized at the highest levels. The puja pleased His Holiness and for this, too, we would like to express our deepest gratitude.

One week ago today, the day long Heruka Lama Chopa puja marking the 49th day of the passing away of our holy guru was held. It was an extraordinary puja led by Kopan’s outstanding umze and chanted by hundreds of geshes, lama gyupas, monks, geshemas, nuns both Himalayan and non-Himalayan, and attended by even more hundreds of those who came to pay their respects to Rinpoche.

That day was the culmination of your efforts, boundless devotion, dedication, and the respect that has been evident since the moment of Rinpoche’s passing. It was a unique event, fitting the occasion perfectly. We believe that this puja would have pleased the mind of our holy guru and so for this, too, we express our profound gratitude.

There are also others in the world who deserve great thanks for all they have done in the past two months. When Rinpoche first passed away, all those at the International Office worked day and night to gather information and share it with the rest of us so that we could be kept up to date about what was happening as quickly and thoroughly as possible. With the time differences always a challenge, they managed to inform us and share advice, prayers, and images so that no one needed to feel left out or left behind. It was a truly admirable and remarkable feat, and our gratitude is great here, too.

The number of centers and students worldwide who dropped everything to come together to pray and practice for Rinpoche is beyond measure. So many people reported feeling the presence of Rinpoche, feeling the strong connection with him, which made the deep feeling of loss transform into an even stronger commitment to work to fulfil Rinpoche’s wishes.

As people supported each other there was a sense of how fortunate we have been to be Rinpoche’s disciples, and how important it was and is to retain this sense of community and commitment. To all the offices, centers, projects, and students in the world who did practices for Rinpoche and continue to recite the Swift Return Prayers we extend our deepest gratitude.

So, from the bottom of our hearts, we sincerely thank you. We are grateful to every one of you.

The FPMT Board of Directors

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 puja seven days after Lama Zopa Rinpoche showed aspect passing at Kopan Monastery with H.E. Gaden Tri Rinpoche, Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoche, and all Kopan monks and nuns, April 20, 2023. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

On May 31, Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog Offering will be performed at Kopan Monastery on the occasion of the 49th day since Lama Zopa Rinpoche showed the aspect of passing away. 

During these 49 days, an extraordinary amount of prayers, condolences, and support as well as visits to Kopan, have come from all the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism and from monasteries, organizations, high lamas, Nepalese government officials, and individuals offering prayers for Rinpoche’s swift return and sharing many moving tributes to Rinpoche’s extraordinary qualities and many beneficial activities. All the great monasteries in India offered prayers, especially at Sera Je Monastery. All the monks of Sera Je gathered every day during the first week and then every seven days following. FPMT students from all over the world have come to Dharamsala last week for the long life puja for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and many of them have now made their way to Kopan.

These last few days prayers are continuing very intensely at Kopan Monastery with nonstop prayers in Rinpoche’s room plus many other pujas and prayers in the various gompas by Kopan monks, non-Tibetan students, and visiting groups of local lay people. This evening, May 29, students are offering an all night Tara Purification ritual from sunset to dawn.

Everywhere around the world, FPMT centers are organizing pujas for the 49th day on May 31 and students are encouraged to check with their local center for information. Students are also welcome to participate and follow along with everything occurring at Kopan Monastery by utilizing the information and links below. All are welcome to join the livestream of this special puja.

Prayers and pujas have been offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return in front of Rinpoche’s holy body, Kopan Monastery, Nepal. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Materials for the Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog Puja

Starting at 8:30 a.m – 5:30 p.m. (Nepal time), Calling the Guru from Afar will be recited and then Heruka Lama Chopa with addition of the prayers to the mahamudra lineage gurus. In the evening, the monks at Kopan Monastery will recite the root texts Ornament of Clear Realization and Entering the Middle Way. The texts needed for the Heruka Lama Chopa are:

• Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog
• Heruka Lama Chopa Supplementary Prayers

Additional information about the booklet of supplementary prayers:

• Praises to the Twenty-One Taras is often recited before the start of the puja.
• Heart Sutra and the prayer for dispelling hindrances is recited right after the first tea break. The Heart Sutra is recited extremely quickly.
• Song of Immortality, a long life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is recited at the beginning of the second session and later on in the puja. (The monks and nuns recite this from memory)
• Atisha’s Prayer: A Light Offering is recited at the end of Heruka Lama Chopa.  (The monks and nuns read this from a pecha-format print out)
• If there is time, the light offering may be followed by Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri. (The monks and nuns recite this from memory.)

The Swift Return Prayers are recited before the lunch break and again near the end of the puja. The prayer by His Holiness is usually recited three times followed by the prayers composed by Jhado Rinpoche and Rangjung Neljorma Khandro Tseringma.

We have created photo galleries of inspiring images of some of the group prayers, pujas, and practices done in Kopan Monastery; as well as monastic institutions and communities, FPMT centers, and at the sites of holy objects and gompas: fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/gallery-prayers-for-swift-return/

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.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama entering the Main Tibetan Temple for the long life puja offered to him by the FPMT organization, May 24, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor, courtesy of DalaiLama.com.

Three hundred and fifty members of the FPMT organization, including 150 who joined the event from abroad, participated in the hugely successful long life puja offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India, on May 24, 2023. 

FPMT board members took part in offering a mandala, as well as the traditional long life offerings. Meanwhile, a procession of 114 FPMT students, monastics and lay-people, filed through the temple with offerings including some of the 400 Shakyamuni Buddha statues which were offered at the puja. Six hundred additional statues will be offered to His Holiness as soon as they are completed, as well as two life-sized Namgyalma and Padmasambhava statues. 

FPMT Board members Ven. Roger Kunsang, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi, and Paula De Wys offering a mandala to His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the long life puja, Dharamsala, India, May 24, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor, courtesy of DalaiLama.com.

While speaking to the audience, His Holiness commented:

“These long-life prayers are being offered today by the FPMT, an organization with many centers around the world that has for quite some time been led by the late Zopa Rinpoche. A very trustworthy person, Rinpoche has recently passed away and I pray that his reincarnation will be able to serve the Dharma and sentient beings in his next life. …

“Zopa Rinpoche really did his best. He worked immensely hard for the teachings and to benefit sentient beings. I hope his reincarnation will also be a proper custodian of the Dharma and pray that that may be so. You should do the same.”

A view inside the main temple during the long life puja offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama by the FPMT organization, May 24, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor, courtesy of DalaiLama.com.

FPMT centers around the world viewed the livestream with their communities and arranged beautiful offerings for the event. Kathy Vichta, from Chenrezig Institute, AUS, shared, “What a glorious and very moving event! We watched it live at Chenrezig Institute in the gompa. It was beautifully filmed and it was so good to have the entire puja translated into English for us. The photos really express how joyous and wonderful it all was! A true offering to Lama Zopa Rinpoche. May His Holiness live long and be healthy!”

Offerings at Land of Medicine Buddha, CA, USA, which were made during the long life puja for His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala.

For many years Lama Zopa Rinpoche had made the request to offer a long-life puja to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on behalf of FPMT. Please join the entire FPMT community in rejoicing that this puja has been offered on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s behalf. Tremendous thanks to everyone who made this possible with their kindness and generosity, and to all who participated in person as well as online during the event. 

You can read more about this long life puja: https://www.dalailama.com/news/2023/offering-prayers-for-his-holiness-the-dalai-lamas-long-life

More photos of this precious event are available: www.dalailama.com/pictures/long-life-prayer-offered-by-fpmt

You can watch a full video of this joyous occasion: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjM6XOl9aGY

You can follow important news about His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the official website of His Holiness:
https://www.dalailama.com/news

His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the occasion the laying of the foundation stone for The Dalai Lama Centre for Tibet and Indian Ancient Wisdom on the Maitreya land in Bodhgaya, India. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

On May 24, 2023, FPMT has the incredibly precious opportunity to offer a long life puja to His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Namgyal
Monastery, Mcleod Ganj, India. All are welcome to attend in person or also join online: www.dalailama.com/live

Live webcasts will be available in Tibetan, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, German, Mongolian, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Italian, French and Spanish.

His Holiness meeting with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Dharamsala, India, November 2, 2022. Photo courtesy of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

We are very happy to share with you the text that will be used in this long life puja for His Holiness. All are welcome to download this text and follow along during the event. 

The 1,000 statues of Shakyamuni Buddha which will be offered to His Holiness are well underway being created, as well as the two life-sized Namgyalma and Padmasambhava statues. These statues are being filled, gold gilded, and the faces are being painted in preparation for the offering. During the actual puja we will have more than 400 of the 1,000 statues to offer, and the remaining statues will be offered to His Holiness as soon as they are completed.

Kopan monks filling 400 of the 1,000 statues which will be offered to HIs Holiness the Dalai Lama during the long life puja on May 24, 2023.

Kopan monks filling 400 of the 1,000 statues which will be offered to HIs Holiness the Dalai Lama during the long life puja on May 24, 2023.

We very much hope that everyone can attend this heartfelt long life puja offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in person or online, and participate in this precious offering. 

You can follow important news about His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the official website of His Holiness:
https://www.dalailama.com/news

Singer Lhamo Dukpa offering a song to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Losang Sherab.

We are happy to share these beautiful tunes in Tibetan of two swift return prayers for Lama Zopa Rinpoche by the Bhutanese artist Lhamo Dukpa. These versions are for the inspiration of students. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche met singer Lhamo Dukpa in Bhutan in 2016. When she heard of Rinpoche’s passing, she offered beautiful tunes of the swift return prayers composed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Rangjung Neljorma Khandro Tseringma. 

Ven. Roger Kunsang was moved by this offering and requested her to record it professionally in a studio, which was kindly sponsored in Bhutan. 

We invite you to listen to these audio recordings here, or by downloading them to listen to whenever one wishes. 

This audio features the tunes in Tibetan-language of A Prayer for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche composed by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso: 

This audio features the tunes in Tibetan-language of A Lamenting Wail, A Supplication for the Swift Return of the Supreme Lord of Refuge, Lama Zopa Rinpoche by Rangjung Neljorma Khandro Tseringma (p.12):

These tunes are also available as free downloadable MP3s:

• A Prayer for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso – MP3 Download
• A Lamenting Wail, A Supplication for the Swift Return of the Supreme Lord of Refuge, Lama Zopa Rinpoche by Ranjung Neljorma Khandro Tseringma – MP3 Download

Prayers for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche are available for download in several languages: https://fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/updates-regarding-rinpoche/#swiftreturn 

You can watch a video of Lhamo Dukpa recording and singing A Prayer for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. 

Members of the Rabgayling Tibetan settlement offering a butter lamp. Hunsur, south India, April 14, 2023. Photo by Rabgayling Tibetan Settlement Office.

We are happy to share two new photo galleries to visually document some of the prayers and pujas being offered for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. 

One gallery is photos from Kopan Monastery and Nunnery, including photos from the Kopan group doing prayers in Swayambhunath; the other gallery includes photos from other monasteries and communities in India and Nepal.

We will add to these galleries frequently, so check back often for inspiration and rejoicing. 

Prayers for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche – Kopan Monastery & Swayambhunath Stupa: 
https://fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/updates-regarding-rinpoche/tributes-and-condolences/prayers-for-the-swift-return-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche-kopan/

Prayers for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche (India, Nepal, and other communities):
https://fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/updates-regarding-rinpoche/tributes-and-condolences/prayers-for-the-swift-return-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche-other-monasteries/

His Eminence Ganden Tri Rinpoche presiding the prayers by the Sera Jey Sangha, April 13, 2023. Photo by Sera Jey Monastery.

Lay people doing daily prayers at Rachen Nunnery, Tsum, Nepal.

Sangha and lay students on pilgrimage from Kopan Monastery to Swayambhu, Nepal, April 23, 2023, to offer prayers for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Lay people doing daily prayers at Rachen Nunnery, Tsum, Nepal.

As a reminder, we also have created a page dedicated to the tributes and condolences we continue to receive from great lamas, friends, and monastery officials around the world. 

We also have resources for those wishing to offer their own prayers for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, including A Prayer for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, composed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, currently available in seven languages. 

We will continue to send out updates as they become available, and these will be collected on this updates page.

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.

Kopan monks, nuns and students offering Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog on the fourteenth day of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s passing. Photo courtesy of Kopan Monastery FB page.

Today we share some essential updates and reminders about important upcoming events. 

Long Life Puja for His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The long life puja being offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on May 24 in India continues to be a major event for us all, as it is the fulfilment of one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy wishes.  We hope that many will be able to participate in this extremely auspicious event in person or via livestream. We will bring you information regarding the livestream details soon.

49th Day after the Passing of Lama Zopa Rinpoche

On May 31, Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog will be offered at Kopan Monastery on the occasion of the 49th day since Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s passing. All are welcome to join the livestream of this special puja. As a reminder, this livestream of the prayers and pujas happening continuously for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return is available for all to join: https://www.youtube.com/c/fpmtinc/live

Light of the Path Retreat and Foundation Service Seminar

Due to practical considerations, Kopan Monastery will host the Light of the Path Retreat for the dates and length originally planned which are: September 3 – 17, 2023.  Kopan will soon put out an update on this retreat which we will share as it is available.  We are happy to share that the Foundation Service Seminar scheduled at Kopan following the retreat will also occur on the dates originally planned: September 21 – 26. 

We will continue to send out updates as they become available, and these will be collected on this updates page.

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.

Prayers continue 24 hours a day in front of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy body, and also on every inch of Kopan Monastery.

We’re pleased to share this letter from Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi, Abbot of Kopan Monastery and member of the FPMT Inc. board. Khenrinpoche has sent this letter, in Tibetan, English, and Chinese for those with a connection to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, on the sad occasion of the seven days since Rinpoche’s passing.

As everyone knows, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, in order to free us from the grasping at permanence, has taken the aspect of passing into parinirvana. Undoubtedly, many are deeply concerned and wondering what is happening now. Therefore, I would like to briefly explain the current situation.

Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche was invited to attend a Dharma function in the Tsum region of Nepal. There, several local groups were celebrating the one-hundredth year of declaring the Tsum Valley as a non-violence area and promoting vegetarianism, as well as their formal commitment to continue in the same way for another hundred years. Rinpoche went as requested to grace this function and bestow a Hayagriva initiation to the faithful.

The elevation of this area is 3,700 meters (12,000 feet) above sea level. Due to some signs of altitude sickness, Rinpoche decided to return to Kathmandu and Kopan Monastery earlier than planned. Around 9:30 a.m. on April 13th, sadly, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche showed the aspect of passing away here at Kopan Monastery. As soon as Rinpoche began his clear light meditation, we informed His Holiness the Dalai Lama who advised that students engage in the practice of Cittamani Tara, recitation of The Essence of Eloquence by Lama Tsonghapa, and perform the self-initiations of Heruka and other deities. Accordingly, all of the disciples and ordained sangha began these practices immediately. Likewise, we have received letters of prayer, condolence, and advice from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness the Karmapa, His Holiness Sakya Trichen, and from various other lineage lamas. For this we express our deepest gratitude.

On April 14th, around 10:00 p.m., when monks reached the point in the Guhyasamaja sadhana of the four goddesses evoking the deity to arise from dharmakaya song, Rinpoche arose from his clear, light meditation. This was reported to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Rinpoche’s other teachers from whom we sought guidance. They advised that, as Lama Zopa Rinpoche has done extensive deeds for the Dharma, and has thousands of disciples from all over the world, it would be good to preserve Rinpoche’s holy body in order that his many disciples can gradually come to pay respects. Therefore, we are now in the process of preserving Rinpoche’s holy body according to traditional practice.

Although in actuality, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche is already a fully enlightened buddha, in order for all of us disciples to accumulate merit and purify negativities; and for the swift return of an unmistaken reincarnation, for seven days we are performing the following prayers twenty-four hours per day: the self-initiations of Yamantaka, Guhyasamaja, and Heruka, Vajrayogini self-initiation, recitations of the Essence of Eloquence, the three root texts (The Ornament of Clear Realizations, Entrance to Middle, and Treasury of Knowledge), Medicine Buddha puja, Heruka Guru Puja, and others.

During this time, many lamas who were close to Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche and many lay people are continuously coming to pay respects and make offerings. Likewise, we offer thanks to the Great Monastic Seats of Sera, Drepung, Ganden, and the Upper and Lower Tantric Colleges, many other Gelukpa monasteries in Nepal, and other monasteries as well as lay associations who performing prayers in solidarity.

For the entire forty-nine-day period, we will perform the following prayers for twenty-four hours daily: special rituals related to preserving the holy body, Yamantaka and Vajrayogini self-initiations, Guru Puja, recitation of Praise of Dependent Origination, Chanting the Names of Manjushri, the King of Prayers, The Ornament of Clear Realizations, Entrance to Middle, and the swift return prayer composed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Finally, to all faithful disciples who have a connection with Rinpoche, whether direct or indirect, I sincerely request you to come together to fulfill all of Rinpoche’s advices whole heartedly, and complete the unfinished projects that remain until the unmistaken reincarnation of Rinpoche comes and again takes responsibility to continue Rinpoche’s enlightened activities.

ln the future we’ll keep you abreast of developments as they arise.

Geshe Thubten Chonyi, Abbot of Kopan Monastery and FPMT Board Member

Please read the PDF version of Khenrinpoche’s letter:

English | Tibetan | Chinese

We recently shared the schedule of current prayers and pujas happening around the clock at Kopan Monastery for Lama Zopa Rinpoche, all are welcome to join the livestream on these continual activities. 

We will continue to send out updates as they become available, and these will be collected on this updates page.

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.

Khenrinpoche Thubten Chonyi and Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery amidst the continual offering of prayers for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return. April 18, 2023. Photo by Kopan Monastery School.

Continued Prayers for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Swift Return

Prayers and pujas are continuing twenty-four hours a day at Kopan Monastery in front of Rinpoche’s holy body and also in the gompa for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return. Monasteries, nunneries and FPMT centers around the world also continue with prayers and pujas.

“Every inch of Kopan is in prayers around the clock,” as reported from the monastery. We are pleased to continue to share the livestream of prayers happening (with occasional breaks). You will find it to be much better quality than the stream we offered initially, and all are invited to connect with what is being done at Kopan in this way: https://www.youtube.com/c/fpmtinc/live

Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, a Nyingma lama very close to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, visited Kopan this morning, joining the prayers in Rinpoche’s room. You can read Chokyi Nyima’s heartfelt letter written upon receiving the news of Rinpoche’s passing. We are happy to share this short video of the prayers happening today, joined by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche:

https://youtube.com/shorts/J0eBjsY3j2g?feature=share

Tenzin Osel Hita is at Kopan and spoke to students gathered today. Ganden Tri Rinpoche, head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, arrived at Kopan today.

This is the current schedule of daily prayers and pujas being offered and livestreamed, according to the local time in Nepal:

1. 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Dung Choe practice by senior Sangha 
2. 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Yamantaka Solitary Hero Self-Initiation 
3. 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. various practices (Lamrim Meditation, Tendrel Toepa (In Praise of Dependent Origination), Calling Guru from Afar, Prayers for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche by international students)
4. 7:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Vajrayogini Self-Initiation 
5. 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Guru Puja, Tendrel Toepa (In Praise of Dependent Origination), Manjushri-nama-samgiti (Chanting the Names of Manjushri), King of Prayers, Abhisamayalamkara (Ornament of Clear Realizations), Mulamadhyamakakarika (Root Verses on the Middle Way), Prayers for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche by monks and nuns.

Every seventh day there will also be Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog at Kopan Monastery. Those dates are: April 19 and 26; May 3, 10, 17, and 24; and May 31.

Prayers around the clock continue at Kopan Monastery for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return. Photo by Alison Murdoch.

Important Events

On the forty-ninth day after Rinpoche stopped breathing, which is May 31, Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog will be offered at Kopan Monastery.

Before that, we have the very significant long life puja offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on May 24 in India. We’re hoping that many will come to this long life puja (or watch it livestreamed), as this puja will be exceptionally poignant and significant as it is a fulfilment of Rinpoche’s holy wishes.

On Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi’s advice, we’re planning to amend the already scheduled Light of the Path Retreat at Kopan (currently scheduled for September 3-17, 2023), and make it a month to come together for focused study and celebration of Rinpoche’s teachings, giving the opportunity to go deeper into and actualize the teachings Rinpoche has so kindly given us. We have such a wealth of teachings from Rinpoche, this will be a special opportunity to actualize them together. There will be senior FPMT registered teachers leading meditations and Khenrinpoche, Ven. Roger Kunsang, and others sharing life stories. It is likely that students will be able to come for any period of time within the Light of the Path month, depending on available accommodation at Kopan.

Details on this Light of the Path Retreat are still being worked out, but we wanted to offer these updates now so that you can have all this in mind for planning what you would be able and most like to join.

(Please note: This means that the Foundation Service Seminar that was scheduled at Kopan in September will be postponed).

 Advice for FPMT Centers and Students

 The following practices are suggested by Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi for FPMT centers and students to do at this time. These are practices to be offered as one wishes, not everything here has to be done:

• Lama Chopa and Tsog Offering – every day, or every seventh day
• Eight Verses of Thought Transformation
• In Praise of Dependent Origination translation by Thubten Jinpa | translation by Gavin Kilty 
• Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri
• King of Prayers
• Prayers for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, and other distinguished lamas

Swift Return Booklet

We are delighted that so many centers and students have made quick use of the booklet containing swift return prayers for Lama Zopa Rinpoche from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Khandro Kunga Bhuma, and others. We have made a recent update to this booklet and all are encouraged to download this most recent version: A Prayer for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche by His Holiness the Dalai Lama with additional prayers by other distinguished lamas

 We have also added various translations as well as the standalone of His Holiness’s swift return prayer; and we are adding translations of the other prayers in the booklet as standalones as they become available.

(Please note: This collection of swift return prayers is a work in progress and updated versions of the booklet will be released. Our aim has been to make these prayers accessible as soon as they are available. Further prayers may be added to subsequent editions of the collection and edits made to existing prayers.)

 News, Updates, Resources, Tributes

 As a reminder, we have created the Updates Regarding Lama Zopa Rinpoche page, where all news and updates we have shared are and will be collected.  On that page we’ve also added a link to translations to updates available, with our thanks to the translation services.

We have also made available a page sharing tributes and condolences from great lamas, friends, and monastery officials around the world.

From our Tributes and Condolences page we have recently added a link to an online student tribute page created by Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, for students to add their messages, tributes, and memories about Lama Zopa Rinpoche. We will share links to other online remembrance pages from FPMT centers as we receive them.

Please continue trying to fulfil Rinpoche’s holy wishes, especially to practice impermanence and bodhicitta in the context of the lamrim. Fulfilling the gurus’ holy wishes is a very important part of inviting the guru to return.

May Rinpoche be reborn as quickly as possible in a place where he can be very quickly recognized and be of most benefit to sentient beings.

Big love,

Your friends at FPMT International Office

We will continue to send out updates as they become available, and these will be collected on this updates page.

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.

The main gompa at Kopan Monastery, April 15, 2023.

Today we share some important updates and newly available resources. Thank you for your continued prayers, offerings of support, condolences, and kindness. 

The Embalming Process

The embalming process for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy body has begun. We have a short video to share of the prayers taking place around Rinpoche’s holy body at the start of the embalming process.

Regarding the lamas helping to take care of the embalming of Rinpoche’s holy body, the “Nyingma lama” we referred to in yesterday’s update is one of Rinpoche’s teachers, Lama Ngawang Chokyung. We are exceptionally grateful for his guidance. Lama Ngawang Chokyung is very experienced in this method, and supervised the embalming of His Holiness Trulshik Rinpoche. The “ex-abbot of Gyumed” that we referred to is the present abbot of Segyü Dratsang, Khen Rinpoche Losang Wangdu. We are very grateful for all his care and assistance at this time.

Swift Return Prayer by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

With great rejoicing we have received a prayer which His Holiness the Dalai Lama composed for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. This is available in English and Tibetan and has a particularly poignant colophon. For the convenience of students, we have compiled His Holiness’s prayer (starting on page 5), along with a small collection of additional prayers for Rinpoche’s swift return, composed spontaneously by other distinguished lamas with whom Rinpoche had a connection in this lifetime. It will be updated as we receive new compositions. Please download Prayer for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche by His Holiness the Dalai Lama with additional prayers by other distinguished lamas. This booklet is very user friendly with each prayer bookmarked and linked to from the contents page. 

Prayers Offered, April 16

The following prayers are being offered today, April 16, at Kopan Monastery:

• Vajrasattva bath offering
• Thirteen Deities Yamantaka self-initiation offered by Rinpoches, Khenrinpoche, Gyumed senior monks and Kopan lama gyupas
• Extensive Medicine Buddha puja offered by general assembly of monks and nuns
• Bodhicharyavarara recitations offered by senior nuns
• All Kopan monks and nuns together with all monks of the Gelug monasteries in Nepal are gathering in the afternoon to recite prayers
• Lay devotees come in various group to make offerings and prayers
• All monks and nuns together with international students are reciting Madyamulakarika in the evening 
• More pujas will continue all night

You can watch a livestream of the continued prayers and pujas at Kopan. 

Tributes and Condolences

We have received many tributes to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and messages of support and condolence, including some prayers and practices offered for Rinpoche’s swift return, from lamas and monasteries around the world. You can read these on our new Tributes and Condolences page, which we’ve added to our Updates Regarding Lama Zopa Rinpoche page.

The monks of Sera Je Monastery gathering to offer prayers for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Photo courtesy of Sera Je Monastery.

Ongoing Practice and Dedication

Please continue trying to fulfil Rinpoche’s holy wishes, especially to practice impermanence and bodhicitta in the context of the lamrim. Fulfilling the gurus’ holy wishes is a very important part of inviting the guru to return.

May Rinpoche be reborn as quickly as possible in a place where he can be very quickly recognized and be of most benefit to sentient beings.

Big love,
Your friends at FPMT International Office

We will continue to send out updates as they become available, and these will be collected on this updates page.

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.