Turkeys at a farm. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Every year in the United States, tens of millions of turkeys are killed for the holiday of Thanksgiving, which is this Thursday, November 24, 2022. Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered advice in a 2018 teaching to help benefit the turkeys killed, and how we can think during the holiday.

In “Prayers and Practices to Do for Turkeys at Thanksgiving”, Rinpoche explains,

“If you are Buddhist, or just someone who does not want to suffer now or in endless future lives as well, having to experience unbelievably suffering, you need to purify your past negative karma and stop creating any more so that you will not be reborn as a turkey over and over again. … If you do have to eat turkey because of some family obligation, then at least do some mantras and prayers to benefit the turkeys, such as the four immeasurables with tonglen. Otherwise, if you just enjoy eating turkey together with the rest of the Americans who are not Buddhist, who do not know Dharma, who have not generated compassion for the turkeys, you create much negative karma.”

In this teaching Rinpoche provides detailed instructions on practices to purify negative karma, such as Vajrasattva, taking the eight Mahayana precepts, reciting sutras, engaging in nyung ne fasting retreats, generating love and compassion through the practice of tonglen and the Four Immeasureables, practicing Chenrezig, Medicine Buddha puja and specific mantras. Rinpoche also offers a special dedication to purify any negative karma that could cause future rebirth as a turkey.

Rinpoche explains that these practices can be applied beyond the Thanksgiving holiday, “These are simple methods, but they have unbelievably profound benefits, like the sky. You can also do more or different practices as well. These are just suggestions. You can also do these practices at Christmas or on other occasions where turkeys and so many other animals are sacrificed and eaten.”

For links to practice materials these detailed instructions, we invite you to read “Prayers and Practices to Do for Turkeys at Thanksgiving”. Included on the page is an additional short teaching from Rinpoche which we include below.

Further Commentary and Advice for Thanksgiving

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Boudanath, March 2022. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

I don’t think the general population of America accepts clairvoyance, but if it did, people would understand where all the sufferings, such as depression, come from. The way people normally think—for example, what causes depression—is very limited. They only think about things that are to do with this life. If they had clairvoyance they could see much deeper; they could see things such as past and future lives. People normally think of only this life, not past and future lives.

In the past, many of the turkeys that Americans are eating were Americans who in the past had killed turkeys. Often it could even be a past family member that they are now eating.

There’s a sutra story about Buddha’s disciple Shariputra, who excelled in wisdom. Once when he was on his alms round he looked into a family’s house and saw that the father, who used to catch fish in his backyard pond, had died and been reborn as a fish in that pond. The mother, his wife, who had been very attached to the home, had also died and been reborn as the family dog. And the son’s enemy, who had been very attached to the son’s wife, had died and been reborn as their child. The son was holding the child, his former enemy, eating the fish, his late father, and beating the dog, his late mother, while it chewed on fish bones. Shariputra then observed, “The son is eating his father’s flesh, beating his mother with a stick, and cuddling his enemy on his lap—samsaric existence makes me laugh.”

If we have animals we have to remember this story and take care of them well. It is very important to understand the benefits of taking care of our pets and other animals by giving them food and drink. Think that you are making charity and don’t just do it out of attachment, thinking that you love the shape of the animals or something, doing everything simply for your own happiness. It’s the same with looking after your children. You create a child with attachment, for your own happiness, thinking how your life would be unbelievably happy if you had a child. Then you take care of the child, but it is for your own happiness.

It is also important to recognize and remember your animals’ most unbelievable kindness, how they have been kind to you in three ways, and then with that awareness give them food and drink. First recite OṂ MAṆI PADME HŪṂ and then blow over the food and drink to bless it. If you have mani pills, it’s good to crush them and put them into the food and drink, or even add blessed water. You don’t have to get blessed water from a lama; you can make it yourself. Whether or not you have daily commitments, recite OṂ MAṆI PADME HŪṂ and other mantras, such as OṂ PADMO UṢHṆĪṢHA VIMALE HŪṂ PHAṬ, the Mitrugpa mantra and so forth, and then blow on the water. You can recite however many repetitions of each mantra you want, like seven, ten, fifteen, or more, blow on the animal’s food or water and make prayers as well. Similarly, you can keep a bottle of water nearby and when you’ve done your commitments you can blow on the water and then use that to put on the food and water that you give to the animals.

Then make this dedication prayer:

Due to all the past, present, and future merits collected by me and all the merits of the three times collected by numberless buddhas and numberless sentient beings, may all these animals (you can also include your family members, especially your father and mother) never ever get reborn back into the lower realms but be reborn in a pure land where they can achieve enlightenment, or, if not, at least receive a perfect human body, meet the Mahayana teachings, and a perfectly qualified guru revealing the unmistaken path to enlightenment, and by pleasing the holy mind of the virtuous friend may they attain enlightenment as quickly as possible.

Finally, please remember the unbelievable benefits of making charity of food to the animals. As the Buddha said, “Anybody who makes charity well during the period my teachings exist will receive great enjoyments for 80,000 eons, even if the material that person offers is merely the size of a hair. That person will be free from pain and disease, will enjoy great happiness, will be enriched with all manner of desirable things, and will eventually achieve the result: peerless cessation and complete enlightenment.”

This advice has been extracted from the page “Prayers and Practices to Do for Turkeys at Thanksgiving,” which shares a teaching and advice given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Switzerland in 2018. Scribed by Holly Ansett. Edited by Nicholas Ribush, November 2020.

For more mantras and resources for mantra recitation, visit FPMT Education Services’ page on mantras. You can find a full catalogue of all FPMT prayers, practices, and advice materials on FPMT.org.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is 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 offering teachings at Thekchen Choling, Singapore, September 1, 2022. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche continually stresses the importance of remembering impermanence and death, preparing for our own deaths, and helping others at the time of death. In this teaching, given at Thekchen Choling in Singapore on September 1, Rinpoche reminds us how unbelievably rare it is to receive this perfect human rebirth. Since we have been so fortunate to receive this, and we cannot say for certain when we will die, we must make the most use of the opportunity we have as human beings, in the most beneficial way—by practicing Dharma.

Watch Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching “The Importance of Remembering Impermanence and Death”:

Supplemental Materials for Death & Dying

Many newly available or recently revised practice materials are available for students wishing to help others at the time of death, as well as prepare for our own dying and death.

• Liberation Cloth to help others at the time of death.
• Helping Yourself and Others Die Happily: Instructions and Practices for the Time of Death
  Lama Zopa Rinpoche asked that the practices found in this booklet be compiled to make it easy for us students to prepare for our own death, and also easy for us to help other people who are dying or dead.
• Liberation Tools to Help the Dying and Deceased
  This resource, previously known as the Liberation Box, is a collection of tools to help the dying and deceased has been assembled according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice. It contains powerful methods for ensuring a fortunate rebirth for those who are in the process of dying or have just died.
• Practicing the Five Powers Near the Time of Death
  As Rinpoche says in Dying Happily with the Five Powers, practicing “the five powers to be applied during life” serves as a preparation for our death. But as the time of our death approaches, we should specifically engage in the practice of “the five powers for near the time of death,” which are what Rinpoche explains in this booklet.
• The Array of Sukhavati Pure Land: A Concise Mahayana Sutra – MP3 Download
  This album contains Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s oral transmission (*lung) of The Array of Sukhavati Pure Land: A Concise Mahayana Sutra, a prayer that came from Buddha Amitabha.
• Holy Objects to Place on the Body at the Time of Death
  Contains four sets of holy objects to be placed on the body of the person or animal that is in the process of dying. Cut out one set and place it face down on the dying or deceased person’s chest. Leave it there until the body needs to be moved or washed. 
• Death & Dying: Practices and Resources homepage
  This robust resource page has numerous essential practices related to the topic of death and dying, additional teachings and advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and community service resources.

This summary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching is by Carina Rumrill. This summary is meant to highlight key topics presented by Rinpoche in the recorded video and is not intended to serve as a full representation of Rinpoche’s teaching, which is best received through watching the video.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is 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.

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

On November 2, 2022, Lama Zopa Rinpoche had a private audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in His Holiness’s residence in Dharamsala, India. Rinpoche was accompanied by Ven. Roger Kunsang, Geshe Ngawang Sangye, Ven. Tendar, and Ven. Topgye.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and Ven. Roger Kunsang, Dharamsala, India. November 2, 2022. Photo courtesy of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Ven. Roger commented about the meeting, “From the time His Holiness came into the room, His Holiness showed the aspect of being very pleased with Rinpoche and taking time with the meeting, very happy. Everything was very comfortable and easy. His Holiness was really making clear His Holiness’s appreciation for Rinpoche’s activities for the benefit of sentient beings. This was the mood of the meeting.”

Geshe Ngawang Sangye provided the following report of the meeting:

“We arrived at the meeting hall at 7:45 a.m. while His Holiness was giving a public blessing and another meeting. Just after the general public blessing His Holiness came into the hall and He was very, very happy to meet with Rinpoche. His Holiness said, “Lama Zopa, Lama Zopa, My trustworthy longtime friend.” His Holiness  blessed Rinpoche several times and Rinpoche offered five colored khata offerings. After that, Roger-la and all of the attendants offered khatas. His Holiness was holding Rinpoche’s hands and thanking Rinpoche for bringing Buddha’s teaching to the West. After this Rinpoche requested His Holiness for permission to ask some questions. His Holiness replied, “Ask anything, no rush.” Rinpoche then asked some questions about the FPMT and in relation to the future of the organization. Rinpoche also asked about a future book project he is working on about the practice of compassion. His Holiness showed the aspect of being very pleased about Rinpoche spreading this practice around the world and then gave a very special meditation to be included in the book. Rinpoche requested if His Holiness would accept a long life puja offered by FPMT and His Holiness immediately accepted the long life puja.” [We will share details about this long life puja as soon as they become available.]

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Ven. Roger Kunsang, Geshe Ngawang Sangye, Ven. Tendar and Ven. Topgye, Dharamsala, India, November 2, 2022. Photo courtesy of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Ven. Roger shares that the meeting was extremely positive and His Holiness offered Rinpoche a beautiful Buddha statue and strongly emphasized for Rinpoche to keep the statue with him always.

Please join the entire FPMT community in rejoicing in this most auspicious and precious meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama! 

His Holiness the Dalai Lama meeting Lama Zopa Rinpoche in His Holiness’s residence in Dharamsala, India. November 2, 2022. Photo courtesy of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

For more on His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his beneficial activities, please visit DalaiLama.com.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is 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 teaching at the end of a Most Secret Hayagriva puja, Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, September 4, 2022.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered this video teaching on September 4, 2022 from Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, at the end of a Most Secret Hayagriva tsog kong puja. This puja was done to stop wars, famine, disease, and the dangers of earth, water, fire, and wind. This puja was part of the more extensive advice Rinpoche gave recently for generating peace in the world. 

During the teaching Rinpoche gave the lungs of several Padmasambhava texts and advised students in Singapore to recite these prayers in order to avoid problems for their country during the next two years. 

Read Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s recent advice for generating world peace: https://fpmt.org/lama-zopa-rinpoche-news-and-advice/lama-zopa-rinpoches-recent-advice-for-generating-peace-in-the-world/

We invite you to go deeper into the topics presented here, plus many others, by watching Rinpoche’s video, below, and reading the full transcript of Rinpoche’s teaching.

Watch Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching “Whenever You Generate Faith in Padmasambhava, He is There”:

This summary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching is by Carina Rumrill, based on the live transcript by Ven. Joan Nicell. This summary is meant to highlight key topics presented by Rinpoche in the recorded video and is not intended to serve as a full representation of Rinpoche’s teaching, which is best received through watching the video and/or reading the full transcript.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is 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 unveiling the new Liberation Cloth, which has a specified number of mantras that have the power to purify negative karma at the time of death, to students at Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, August 13, 2022. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

In Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching on The Four Causes of Unknowing and the Four Dharmakaya Relic Heart Mantras, given on April 9, 2020, Rinpoche recommended that all FPMT centers, projects, services and study groups have cloths covered with beneficial mantras available to help students, friends, and family at the time of death. In the teaching (page nine of the transcript), Rinpoche discusses the intended use of these cloths, which were not yet created. Thanks to generous help actualizing this project by Ven. Tenzin Drachom, we are now delighted to announce that these Liberation Cloths are now available! 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche displaying the small version of the Liberation Cloth, Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, August 13, 2022. Photo courtesy of ABC FB page.

Printed on the cloth are mantras most useful for the time of death: the short Chenrezig mantra, Heart Mantra of Secret Relic, Lotus Pinnacle of Amoghapāśha Mantra, long and short Namgyalma mantras, mantra of the Sutra of Great Liberation. Rinpoche regularly advises, citing root texts, that covering the body with these mantras purifies negative karma, prevents rebirth in the lower realms and causes the sentient being to be reborn in the upper realms, to meet the Dharma, and to achieve enlightenment.

The cloth should be placed with the mantras face down on the body or away from it and can either be kept on the body during cremation or burial, or removed to be used again. Some use the Liberation Cloth for sick people but it is mainly for the dying and dead. If it is used for the sick, one must make sure it is not slept on, and kept on top of the body.

We invite you to watch this video of Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the Liberation Cloth while at Kopan Monastery in July 2022 and explaining the benefits of each of the mantras printed on it.

Additionally, at the beginning of Rinpoche’s Thought Transformation Teaching #131: The Purpose of Living Life as a Couple, given on August 13, 2022 at Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, Rinpoche discusses the new cloths and the intended uses for the various sizes as well as more details about the various mantras used in the design.  

We invite you to rejoice at the availability of these new Liberation Cloths which will be so useful in assisting those we hold dear at the critical time of death. 

How to Order

• America Region: Order from Land of Medicine Buddha
  
• Pacific Region: Order from Chenrezig Institute
• Singapore: Order from Amitabha Buddhist Centre (for local pickups only)

Information on how to order from other regions is forthcoming and we will keep you informed as new outlets become available. 

Many centers, projects, and services have ordered Liberation Cloths. They should have received them by now so if you ever need a cloth for a dear one at the critical time of death, do check with your local, center, project, or service to see what they have available. 

Additional Resources for Death & Dying

Many of these resources are newly available or recently revised and we highly encourage you to take full advantage of all of this invaluable advice and accessible materials which are so useful for helping others at the time of death, as well as preparing for one’s own death. 

• Helping Yourself and Others Die Happily: Instructions and Practices for the Time of Death
  Lama Zopa Rinpoche asked that the practices found in this booklet be compiled to make it easy for us students to prepare for our own death, and also easy for us to help other people who are dying or dead.
• Liberation Tools to Help the Dying and Deceased
  This resource, previously known as the Liberation Box, is a collection of tools to help the dying and deceased has been assembled according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice. It contains powerful methods for ensuring a fortunate rebirth for those who are in the process of dying or have just died.
• Practicing the Five Powers Near the Time of Death
  As Rinpoche says in Dying Happily with the Five Powers, practicing “the five powers to be applied during life” serves as a preparation for our death. But as the time of our death approaches, we should specifically engage in the practice of “the five powers for near the time of death,” which are what Rinpoche explains in this booklet.
• The Array of Sukhavati Pure Land: A Concise Mahayana Sutra – MP3 Download
  This album contains Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s oral transmission (*lung) of The Array of Sukhavati Pure Land: A Concise Mahayana Sutra, a prayer that came from Buddha Amitabha.
• Holy Objects to Place on the Body at the Time of Death
  Contains four sets of holy objects to be placed on the body of the person or animal that is in the process of dying. Cut out one set and place it face down on the dying or deceased person’s chest. Leave it there until the body needs to be moved or washed. 
• Death & Dying: Practices and Resources homepage
  This robust resource page has numerous essential practices related to the topic of death and dying, additional teachings and advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and community service resources.

Through comprehensive study programs, practice materials, training seminars, and scholarships, FPMT Education Services nourishes the development of compassion, wisdom, kindness, and true happiness in individuals of all ages.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche during the long life puja offered to him on September 11, 2022, Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

During a long life puja offered to Rinpoche on September 11 at Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, Rinpoche offered the teaching, “The Long Life Puja is Not a Real Long Life Puja.” In this teaching, Rinpoche explains many aspects of the long life puja that are so powerful to consider. 

Requesting the guru to have a long life purifies negative karma created in relation to the guru, Rinpoche explains. Disturbing the guru’s holy mind, having non-devotional thoughts arise, belittling the guru—these are very heavy negative karmas which are purified by doing the requesting prayer to the guru. Requesting the guru to have a long life also becomes a method for us to have a long life. The long life puja is a “very special party,” Rinpoche reminds us. “If you read the prayers, if you pay attention, it leaves a positive imprint on your mind to actualize the path to enlightenment, sutra and tantra, by listening to Lama Chopa. You understand? It is a very incredible teaching.”

“We are doing a long-life puja, but it is not there,” Rinpoche explains. “A real long life puja is not there. Everything is empty from its own side. Not nihilism, but empty from its own side. So not only this long life puja, but our whole life, from birth to death, from beginningless rebirths up to now and also into the future, there is nothing real appearing from its own side. It’s all a hallucination. You have to meditate like that.”

We invite you to go deeper into the topics presented here, plus many others, by watching Rinpoche’s video below, and reading the full transcript of Rinpoche’s teaching.

Watch Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching, “The Long Life Puja is Not a Real Long Life Puja”:

• Dedication verses

This summary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching is by Carina Rumrill, based on the live transcript by Ven. Joan Nicell and checked by Laura Haughey, with editorial input and additions by Justin Jenkins. This summary is meant to highlight key topics presented by Rinpoche in the recorded video and is not intended to serve as a full representation of Rinpoche’s teaching, which is best received through watching the video and/or reading the full transcript.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is 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 offering concluding prayers after initiations at Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, August 2022. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered this unrestricted video teaching on August 27, 2022 from Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, before giving a Heruka Body Mandala initiation. Here’s a summary of Rinpoche’s teaching:

Rinpoche offers the oral transmission of Kachen Yeshe Gyaltshen’s Lojong Chenmo starting at 1:33 in the video and then offers commentary on Advice to Correctly Follow the Virtuous Friend with Thought and Action: The Nine Attitudes of Guru Devotion by mahasiddha Tsogdrug Rangdrol starting at 17:32.

Rinpoche discusses these verses from Shantideva’s Bodhicharyavatara (v. 3.29ab-3.32ab) starting at 1:31:49:

Bodhicitta is the supreme nectar
Destroying the Lord of Death of transmigratory beings.

It is also the unceasing treasure
Eliminating the poverty of transmigratory beings.

Bodhicitta is the best medicine
Healing all the diseases of transmigratory beings.

It is a tree of rest for transmigratory beings
Wandering and exhausted on the samsaric path.

It is like the rising moon of the mind
Eliminating the suffering of the disturbing thoughts of transmigratory beings.

Bodhicitta is the great sun eliminating
The defective view of the ignorance of transmigratory beings.

Bodhicitta is the essence of butter
From churning the milk of the holy Dharma.

It is very rare to generate bodhicitta, Rinpoche reminds us, but in this life we are fortunate to be able to do so. It is important to prepare for death and to write down how one wants to die and what practices one wishes to do at this time. This is the most critical point of life, and we don’t think of it, we ignore it all the time. However, as a human being we have an incredible opportunity to plan for when we are dying. Bodhicitta is the best nectar, so dying with bodhicitta is the best death.

We invite you to go deeper into the topics presented here, plus many others, by watching Rinpoche’s video below, and reading the full transcript of Rinpoche’s teaching.

Watch Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching “To Practice Tantra You Need Guru Devotion and Bodhicitta”:

• Dedication verses

This summary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching is by Carina Rumrill, based on the live transcript by Ven. Joan Nicell and checked by Laura Haughey, with editorial input and additions by Justin Jenkins. This summary is meant to highlight key topics presented by Rinpoche in the recorded video and is not intended to serve as a full representation of Rinpoche’s teaching, which is best received through watching the video and/or reading the full transcript.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is 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 offering thought transformation teachings at Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, September 14, 2022. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche continued his video teachings on thought transformation from Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore in August and September, 2022. Here is a summary of the most recent teaching recorded on September 14, 2022:

By not harming others, we are creating the cause for peace in the future, Rinpoche explains. If we fight those who harm us in this life, it creates the cause to fight them again in future lives. This can go on for eons with no peace. Those who win create the cause to lose in the future, and those who lose create the case to win in the future. This is repeated on and on endlessly, a cycle of negative karma and no harmony. If we follow the path of not harming, not fighting, this is the way to create peace in the future. 

Rinpoche discusses The Heart Advice of Kadam Scriptures: A Good Vase of Nectar (v. 37):

Whatever happiness and suffering there is in samsara,
All of it comes from your karma.
Therefore, at all times examine your three doors,
And make effort to abandon negative karma and practice virtue.

All the time we should examine our body, speech and mind, all three doors. We should abandon negative karma which is the cause of suffering, and practice Dharma to achieve enlightenment.

When we practice Dharma we are taking care of ourselves, Rinpoche explains. When we don’t practice Dharma, we are not taking care of ourselves, we are using ourselves like garbage, like toilet paper. When we practice Dharma we protect ourselves, we are being a friend to ourselves.

Tonglen is the main practice, Rinpoche urges. When we transform bad conditions into the path to enlightenment, negative experiences are transformed into fortune, into virtue. We can rejoice when we have suffering by thinking of the benefits. Kharag Gomchung said in Seventy-Two Exhortations (v. 7):

Bad conditions are your virtuous friend.
Obstacles persuade you to engage in virtue.
Suffering is a broom that sweeps negative karma away.
Don’t look at suffering as a mistake.

We can begin by transforming small sufferings into the path to enlightenment. By doing this, we are training the mind to be able to transform great problems as well. Since all suffering comes from the self-cherishing thought, when undesirable things arise, we can give it back to the self-cherishing thought, which completely destroys it and we can actually enjoy whatever pain or unpleasant situation arises.

From Lama Chopa (LC 91):

This chronic disease of cherishing myself 
Is the cause giving rise to my unsought suffering. 
Perceiving this, I seek your blessings to blame, begrudge,
And destroy the monstrous demon of selfishness.

Rinpoche leads a tonglen meditation starting at 2:35:27 in the video.

Rinpoche also offered the Refuge ceremony and some advice regarding taking refuge, starting at 49:56 in the video. 

We invite you to go deeper into the topics presented here, plus many others, by watching Rinpoche’s video below and reading the full transcript of Rinpoche’s teaching.

Watch Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching “Tonglen is the Main Practice”:

• Read the transcript of Rinpoche’s teaching.
• Find Rinpoche’s Teachings on Thought Transformation translated into various languages.
• Dedication verses

​​Summary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching by Carina Rumrill based on the transcript by Ven. Joan Nicell with editorial input and additions by Justin Jenkins. This summary is meant to highlight key topics presented by Rinpoche in the recorded video and is not intended to serve as a full representation of Rinpoche’s teaching, which is best received through watching the video and/or reading the full transcript.

Watch more from the video series Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Teachings on Thought Transformation and find links to videos in transcripts, MP3s, additional practice advice, and more:
https://fpmt.org/fpmt/announcements/resources-for-coronavirus-pandemic/advice-from-lama-zopa-rinpoche-for-coronavirus/

You can listen to this teaching on our full-length-teachings podcast as well:
https://fpmt.org/media/podcasts/

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is 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 visiting students in Singapore, July 2022. Photo by Sengsiong Photography .

Since our last update, Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered very precious teachings at Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, in August and September. Some of these teachings have been part of the ongoing thought transformation series, and some were various talks given on particular occasions to specific groups. Following his visit in Singapore, Rinpoche traveled to India to receive teachings from Togden Rinpoche and Jhado Rinpoche at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Bylakuppe, India. In addition, Rinpoche engaged in a variety of auspicious activities, benefiting and blessing others with Rinpoche’s tireless compassionate action. 

We invite you to read more about some of these activities below and to join us in rejoicing about how Rinpoche inspires us all to live a full and beneficial life. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche leading a Most Secret Hayagriva tsog kong puja at Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, September 4, 2022. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Offering Teachings and Blessings

Rinpoche began teaching at Amitabha Buddhist Centre (ABC) in Singapore in August. While at ABC, Rinpoche offered numerous teachings on thought transformation, recorded as videos 129-137 in the ongoing thought transformation teaching series, which began in the early days of the pandemic in 2020. Other teachings included topics such as: You are So Fortunate to Meet the Lamrim Teachings, With This Human Rebirth You Can Be Happy Day and Night, The Kindness of the Buddha is Limitless Like the Sky, Advice for Generating Peace in the World, and other teachings that we are making available regularly. Rinpoche also offered Heruka Five-deity and Heruka Body Mandala initiations while at ABC and led a Most Secret Hayagriva tsog kong as well as a Lama Chopa puja for Chokhor Duchen (“Wheel-Turning Day”), on August 1. Rinpoche offered a teaching during the puja, titled The Kindness of Buddha is Limitless Like the Sky. 

While in Singapore in September, Rinpoche also benefited the beings in the ocean by leading practices for them, as well as blessing many bottles of water over many days and then putting those in the ocean with Namgyalma mantra boards which purifies any being in the water. Rinpoche strongly encouraged this practice to bless those living in water around the world. This is now being done regularly in oceans and lakes in the United States, Singapore, Nepal, and other countries. 

In South India, Rinpoche was joined by the Gyudmed Monastery abbot and monks at Rabgayling Tibetan Settlement, Hunsur, on October 16 to consecrate the beautiful forty-two foot stupa that Rinpoche sponsored for elders in the home at the settlement. Rinpoche offered a teaching to the local population on the benefits of reciting mantras, seeing stupas, and circumambulating holy objects.

On October 17, Rinpoche began teaching in Tibetan on lojong and offered advice to Sere Je Drati Khangtsen after paying a visit to the monastery’s newly renovated main office, and these teachings will continue in future years. The next day, October 18, Rinpoche began offering teachings in Tibetan on The Foundation of all Good Qualities by Lama Tsongkhapa at Sera Je Tsawa Khangtsen which will also continue in the future. 

You can find Rinpoche’s recent teachings here: https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/

Lama Zopa Rinpoche blessing the beautiful stupa at Rabgayaling Settlement. Photo courtesy of Gyudmed Monastery Facebook page.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche receiving offering procession during long life puja at Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, September 11, 2022. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Long Life Pujas

On September 11, a few days before Rinpoche’s departure, ABC offered a beautiful long life puja for Rinpoche in thanks for the precious teachings Rinpoche offered during his three-month stay in Singapore.

On October 14, a long life puja and “Expression of Gratitude” award was offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Sera Je Monastery. This special event was to honor Rinpoche for the many decades of support Rinpoche has shown to the monastery, including the 25+ year accomplishment of the Sera Je Food Fund, which is now a full endowment covering the monastery’s yearly food expenses for over 2,000 Sangha. About this event, Sera Je monk Ven. Tenzin Legtsok, shared:

“This was a rare occasion when literally all of the monks of Sera Je came together from the youngest school boys up to the ex-abbots, the most senior monks from Buxa, all the geshes, tulkus, geshe program students, and monastery staff. Among the eminent lamas in attendance were the two former abbots of Sera Je, Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Delek and Logoan Tulku Tenzin Choesang, the ex-abbot of Namgyal Monastery, Jhado Rinpoche, the current abbot of Sera Mey Monastery, Geshe Tashi Tsering, the abbot in waiting of Gyume Monastery, Geshe Ngawang Sangye and others. There were also representatives from the local Tibetan government. Everyone was there. Just the presence of so many monks was a powerful and palpable expression of their sincere respect for Rinpoche and their deep gratitude for His support over so many years. Every monk I spoke to was very happy that the monastery had decided to organize this long life puja and award ceremony for Rinpoche. Inside, the prayer hall was filled to overflowing with geshes and senior monks in the late years of the Geshe Studies Program such that the younger monks and school boys all had to sit outside.”

You can read more about this very special long life puja and recognition of Rinpoche’s beneficial activities. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche being presented “Expression of Gratitude” award during long life puja offered by Sera Je Monastery, Bylakuppe, India, October 14, 2022. Photo Courtesy of Sera Je Monastery Facebook page.

Attending Teachings

From Singapore, Lama Zopa Rinpoche flew to India to receive teachings himself, arriving at the Bangalore airport late in the evening, September 19. Rinpoche was received at the airport by eminent Sangha from the various monasteries in South India. These dignitaries included the Abbot of Sera Je Monastic University, Geshe Tashi Tshethar, the Chant Master (Lama Umze) of Gyume Tantric Monastery, Geshe Ngawang Sangye, the Chief Administrator of Sera Je Monastery, Geshe Ngawang Jangchup, and the Secretary and Chief Mentor of Sera Je Drati Khangtsen. They all offered khatas to Rinpoche and requested blessings. Rinpoche spent about an hour at the airport talking with the monastery leaders over tea.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche offering the thanking mandala to Togden Rinpoche at the conclusion of teachings at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, South India. October 12, 2022.

Beginning on September 22 through October 12, at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Bylakuppe, India, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, along with over 1,000 ordained Sangha, including high lamas, received a number of initiations and commentary from Togden Rinpoche. The teaching event started with the Thirteen-Deity Yamantaka, Guhyasamaja, Heruka, and Heruka Body Mandala initiations. Togden Rinpoche then offered the oral transmission and commentary of The Harbor of the Ocean of Great Bliss, a commentary of the creation and completion stages of Heruka practice in the Ghantapa lineage, that had been given by His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche, one of the tutors to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in 1975. Togden Rinpoche received the teaching at that time directly from H.H. Trijang Rinpoche. Lama Zopa Rinpoche recently sponsored the publication of that commentary in Tibetan.

During the same time in late September, Rinpoche also attended teachings given in the afternoon by Jhado Rinpoche at Tashi Lhunpo on The Three Pith Instructions. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche was very happy to sponsor both of these precious teaching events. This included making offerings every day to the 1,000 Sangha in attendance, offering three meals a day to all, plus offering tea and bread during the teachings. Due to the kindness of two generous benefactors, Rinpoche was able to cover all the costs of sponsorship for these most valuable events. 

On October 2, Rinpoche received teachings online from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, on chapter two of Dharmakirti’s Commentary on Valid Cognition, a teaching that was offered by His Holiness at the request of a group of Taiwanese Buddhists.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche meeting with the 104th Ganden Tripa, H.E. Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoche, September 21, 2022. Photo by Ven. Lhundrup Topgye.

Meeting with High Lamas and Monastery Leaders

During his trip to South India, Rinpoche met with a number of leaders and high lamas from the great monasteries in the region. On September 21, Rinpoche met with the current throne-holder of the Gelug lineage, His Eminence the 104th Ganden Tripa Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoche. Earlier Rinpoche met with Sera Mey Abbott Khen Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsering, the former longtime resident teacher at FPMT-affiliate Jamyang Buddhist Centre in London, England. On September 23, Rinpoche visited with Khenchen Pema Sherab from Namdroling Monastery.

Later that week Rinpoche visited with the abbot and manager of Gyudmed Tantric College. Rinpoche then met with Geshe Drugdra from Gyudmed, a teacher whom Rinpoche has received oral transmissions from recently. 

In October, Rinpoche met with the abbott of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Khen Rinpoche Tehor Zeekgyab Tulku, and on another occasion, Oser Rinpoche. Rinpoche also had visits with the present reincarnations of three of his teachers, Choden Rinpoche, Domo Geshe Rinpoche, and the current tulku of Ribur Rinpoche.

Please Rejoice

Join us in rejoicing in all of these incredible activities, teachings, important meetings, and opportunities Rinpoche has created to benefit beings continuously and in the most expansive ways possible. 

We invite you to see more photos of Rinpoche in our Singapore & India July–September 2022 photo album:

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is 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 during the long life puja offered by Sera Je Monastery, Bylakuppe, India, October 14, 2022. Photo Courtesy of Sera Je Monastery Facebook page.

On October 14, a long life puja and “Gratitude Award” was offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Sera Je Monastery. This special event was to honor Rinpoche for the many decades of support Rinpoche has shown to the monastery, including the 25+ year accomplishment of the Sera Je Food Fund, which is now a full endowment covering the monastery’s yearly food expenses for over 2,000 Sangha. 

Sera Je monk Ven. Tenzin Legtsok, shares the moving show of support to Rinpoche:

“This was a rare occasion when literally all of the monks of Sera Je came together from the youngest school boys up to the ex-abbots, the most senior monks from Buxa, all the geshes, tulkus, geshe program students, and monastery staff. Among the eminent lamas in attendance were the two former abbots of Sera Je, Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Delek and Logoan Tulku Tenzin Choesang, the ex-abbot of Namgyal Monastery, Jhado Rinpoche, the current abbot of Sera Mey Monastery, Geshe Tashi Tsering, the abbot in waiting of Gyume Monastery, Geshe Ngawang Sangye and others. There were also representatives from the local Tibetan government. Everyone was there. Just the presence of so many monks was a powerful and palpable expression of their sincere respect for Rinpoche and their deep gratitude for His support over so many years. Every monk I spoke to was very happy that the monastery had decided to organize this long life puja and award ceremony for Rinpoche. Inside, the prayer hall was filled to overflowing with geshes and senior monks in the late years of the Geshe Studies Program such that the younger monks and school boys all had to sit outside.”

Lama Zopa Rinpoche arriving to Sera Je Monastery before the long life puja, Bylakuppe, India, October 14, 2022. Photo Courtesy of Sera Je Monastery Facebook page.

Sangha of Sera Je Monastery offering a long life puja to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Bylakuppe, India, October 14, 2022. Photo Courtesy of Sera Je Monastery Facebook page.

The proceedings began with an hour of opening prayers, followed by processions of mandala offerings made by leaders of the monastery and each khangtsen (monastic community house), as well as the monastery school, healthcare center, and library. The Sangha of Sera Je then made extensive auspicious offerings, completing with the main mandala offering to Rinpoche coming from Sera Je abbot Geshe Tashi Tsethar. The abbot’s words to Rinpoche are recounted here by Ven. Legtsok:

“He began by recounting how difficult the situation was for the monks before Rinpoche began offering food. Money was extremely scarce and most monks struggled to get enough food to eat. As a result, many came down with illnesses or left. Seeing that this situation was a source of much suffering and a hindrance to the development of the monastic community, Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsering requested Rinpoche to help sponsor food for the monks. That was thirty-one years ago. Since then, Rinpoche has continually provided funding for three meals per day enabling the monastic community to thrive.

“The abbot recounted how, wishing to ensure that the monks were provided with food far into the future Rinpoche endeavored on the monumental task to build up an endowment such that the cost of food would be covered by the interest from this fund. In 2017 FPMT offered this endowment of US$5.3 million. Again and again the abbot said that to express all of Rinpoche’s holy deeds would be impossible and totally beyond him. But to mention a few more he recounted Rinpoche’s support for building the current prayer hall when the old one had been outgrown, Rinpoche’s support over many years for the Sera Je School, for the healthcare center, the library, for the many khangtsens and private house groups, for other monasteries belonging to both the Geluk, Sakya, Nyingma, and Kagyu Traditions, as well as for schools, clinics, homes for the elderly and more in the Tibetan exile community as well as Nepal and India, not to mention building countless holy objects.

“The abbot expressed how this immense work of generosity was not Rinpoche’s alone but has also been the work of Venerable Roger Kunsang, other FPMT International office staff, sponsors, and the hundred-fifty plus FPMT centers, projects, and all the benefactors and students. As the abbot spoke all were silent and one could feel the energy of gratitude build as the monks took to mind all that Rinpoche and FPMT have done for them and countless others. Voicing one kindness after another and looking out at the sea of geshes and monks in their yellow robes that Rinpoche’s generosity has enabled to grow so large, the abbot teared up and had to pause for a few moments to collect himself. So sincere was his deep appreciation.”

Lama Zopa Rinpoche receiving a stupa during long life puja offered by Sera Je Monstery, Bylakuppe, India, October 14, 2022. Photo courtesy Sera Je Monastery Facebook page.

The long life puja spanned over four hours, at the end of which Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered words of humility and then requested to informally share some advice. Ven. Legtsok summarizes some of Rinpoche’s words:

“The most important thing in studying in the monastery, Rinpoche said, was for it not to remain mere words but that it be accompanied by sincere practice. The essence of practice is to subdue the mind. To transform the mind into Dharma. If we do not subdue our minds and transform our actions into Dharma then the whole thing becomes a waste, another worldly endeavor with no benefit for ourselves or others.”

Rinpoche then offered further advice on methods to subdue the mind. The events concluded with the monastery disciplinarian offering a telling of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s life story and thanking Rinpoche, Ven. Roger Kunsang, and all the FPMT staff, centers, teachers, students, benefactors, and all the organizers of the event. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche being presented “Expression of Gratitude” award during long life puja offered by Sera Je Monastery, Bylakuppe, India, October 14, 2022. Photo Courtesy of Sera Je Monastery Facebook page.

Awards Presented By the Monastery

The “Expression of Gratitude” award presented to Lama Zopa Rinpoche reads:

In honor of His Eminence Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s immense contribution to the preservation and promotion not only within the Buddhist community domain but across the globe, disseminating the wisdom and knowledge of the Buddha Dharma. In particular, Rinpoche has remained the principal patron and benefactor of Sera Je Monastery through significant support to major projects and programs, such as the Assembly Hall, annual All Gelug Institute’s Winter Debate, known as ‘”Jang-Gun-Choe;” annual All Gelug University Board Examinations, and the Sera Je Food Fund since 1991.

This Expression of Gratitude is hereby presented to H.E. Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, in recognition and profound appreciation of His Infinite kindness and philanthropic support to Sera Je Monastery, and in continuing his numerous spiritual, educational, and social development mission projects and programs.

Ven. Roger Kunsang was also recognized at this ceremony for his decades-long devotion to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vision with a “Expression of Appreciation” award. The award plaque reads:

In honor of Venerable Roger Kunsang for his commendable and enduring service in the capacity of personal secretary to His Eminence Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and as CEO leading the FPMT, the centers, and its mission successfully over the years.

Sera Je Monastery has received immense contribution support from His Eminence Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche through FPMT’s programs during the last three decades.

This Expression of Appreciation is hereby presented to Ven. Roger Kunsang, in recognition and profound appreciation for his commitment and devotional service to His Eminence Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and leading the FPMT successfully and particularly in the preservation and promotion of the Buddha Dharma and also towards social developmental welfare of communities and institutions.

Please join the entire FPMT community in rejoicing at this sincere offering of gratitude and well wishes for the long and healthy life of Lama Zopa Rinpoche from the Sera Je Monastery community on behalf of all who Rinpoche has been benefitting in so many numerous and expansive ways; and for acknowledging the tireless devotion and service of Ven. Roger Kunsang. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is 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 during a long life puja offered to him at Sera Je Monastery, Byalakuppe, India, November 2017. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Sera Je Monastery is offering a long-life puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche on October 14 at the Main Prayer Hall in the monastery, and presenting Rinpoche with a special “Gratitude Award” for the many decades of support Rinpoche has shown to the monastery, including the 25+ year accomplishment of the Sera Je Food Fund, which is now a full endowment covering the monastery’s yearly food expenses for over 2,000 Sangha.  

All are welcome to join in this auspicious event on Facebook or through an English translation on Zoom (Meeting ID: 837 8829 0095). 

We look forward to sharing photos and details from this special puja after the event. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is 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 teaching at Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, August 2022. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche continued his video teachings on thought transformation from Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Singapore in August and September. Here is a summary of the teaching offered on September 10, 2022:

During Rinpoche’s September 3 teaching (#134  In Your Life as a Couple, Practice Good Heart), Rinpoche offered the oral transmission for Lama Tsongkhapa’s Utilizing Suffering in the Path to Enlightenment. Rinpoche began giving commentary on this important thought transformation text in the September 7 teaching (#135: The Great Difference Between Taking and Not Taking Vows).

In this latest teaching from September 10, Rinpoche continues the commentary on Utilizing Suffering in the Path to Enlightenment starting at 40:06. During this commentary, Rinpoche discusses the benefits of experiencing suffering, including:

1. When You Experience Suffering, You Develop Renunciation of Samsara
2. When You Experience Suffering, You Develop Trust in the Objects of Refuge
3. When You Experience Suffering, It Dispels Arrogance
4. When You Experience Suffering, You Become Careful of Negative Karma
5. When You Experience Suffering, You Enjoy Virtue
6. When You Experience Suffering, You Develop Compassion for Sentient Beings

We invite you to go deeper into the topics presented here, plus many others, by watching Rinpoche’s video below, and reading the full transcript of Rinpoche’s teaching.

Watch Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching “The Benefits of Experiencing Suffering”:

• Read the transcript of Rinpoche’s teaching
• Find Rinpoche’s Teachings on Thought Transformation translated into various languages.
• Dedication verses

​​Summary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching by Carina Rumrill based on the rough transcript by Ven. Joan Nicell with editorial input and additions by Justin Jenkins. This summary is meant to highlight key topics presented by Rinpoche in the recorded video and is not intended to serve as a full representation of Rinpoche’s teaching, which is best received through watching the video and/or reading the full transcript which we will make available once completed. 

Watch more from the video series Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Teachings on Thought Transformation and find links to videos in transcripts, MP3s, additional practice advice, and more:
https://fpmt.org/fpmt/announcements/resources-for-coronavirus-pandemic/advice-from-lama-zopa-rinpoche-for-coronavirus/

You can listen to this teaching on our full-length-teachings podcast as well:
https://fpmt.org/media/podcasts/

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is 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.