Lama Zopa Rinpoche News and Advice

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with a Bhutanese family in front of Rinpung Dzong, Bhutan, June 2016. Photos by Ven. Roger Kunsang. The mother of the family is Tibetan and took care of Rinpoche many years ago when he was a boy studying in Tibet.

On June 4, Lama Zopa Rinpoche went on pilgrimage to Jangsarbu Lhakhang, a small temple behind the Rinpung Dzong in Paro that is considered a sacred site connected to Guru Rinpoche’s holy speech.

“Rinpoche was led through a tiny village into a small old gompa,” said Ven. Holly Ansett assistant to Ven. Roger Kunsang, CEO of FPMT, Inc. “Inside was a large statue of Shakyamuni Buddha that had been carried from Tibet to Bhutan. It was meant to go inside the Rinpung Dzong, but the statue got stuck in a crevice not far away. It is said it spoke, saying, ‘This is the place I want to stay.’ A gompa, Jangsarbu Lhakhang, was built around the statue to house it. The gompa also houses a copy of the Prajñaparamita in 8,000 Verses that we were told was a terma and had been written by nagas and dakinis. The writing was exceptional and in pure gold.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in the Jangsarbu Lhakhang gompa, Bhutan, June 2016

A wall in the Jangsarbu Lhakhang gompa, Bhutan, June 2016

“Rinpoche did prayers and offered pearl necklaces and khatas to the holy statue. Afterward, Rinpoche stayed in the gompa until it was very late, giving teachings on emptiness and compassion and the oral transmission of Buddha’s name mantra.”

Rinpung Dzong, Bhutan, June 2016

Many of the sites Rinpoche visited in Bhutan have a connections to Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava). If you’d like to include prayers to Guru Rinpoche in your practice, FPMT Education Services offers PDFs of three prayers:

• Requesting Prayer to Padmasambhava
• Prayer to Clear Obstacles on the Path
• Illuminating the Obstacles and Accomplishing the Wishes

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 at Tso Pema, India, February 2016. Photo by Ven. Holly Ansett.

A student wrote Lama Zopa Rinpoche asking for practice advice, saying he has no job and legal issues. Rinpoche wrote back the following:

My most dear, most kind, most precious wish-fulfilling one,

I am very sorry how long it took to reply to your request and kind letter.

I checked. Would you recite these two mantras, one mala a day? (It is on page 19 of The Method to Transform a Suffering Life into Happiness (Including Enlightenment).

Name and Mantra that Fulfill Wishes

Recite the name and the mantra together for each recitation:

DE ZHIN SHEG PA SA DZIN GYÄL PO LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO

TADYATHA / OM DHARE DHARE / DHARANI BÄNDHE SWAAHAA (108x, 54x, or 21x)

Anyone who recites the name of this tathagata and memorizes the words of this mantra will have all their wishes fulfilled. Reciting both the name and the mantra brings success.

If you do one mala a day of this practice, if you can do it first thing in the morning, it is excellent. The most important thing is to put effort in tong–len practice. You need to purify all the defilements, which cause obstacles, and to collect extensive merits for success, and not just only for your legal and economic issues and joblessness. It is not just to solve that. That is nothing. That is just for this life. Here, ”success” means for success in all the future lives, to not be reborn in lower realms when you die; to receive a deva or human rebirth; to be born in a pure land and to meet the Dharma, the Mahayana tantra teachings; in all the future lives, to meet perfectly qualified virtuous friend; to be free from the oceans of samsaric suffering; to achieve ultimate liberation – not only that, as that is just for yourself – but to achieve enlightenment, the total cessation of all the obscurations and completion of all the realizations for the numberless sentient beings, to free the numberless sentient beings from oceans of samsaric suffering and to bring them in peerless happiness, the total cessation of all the obscurations and completion of all the realizations. For all these reasons you have success. These are the most important reasons to have success.

If you do tong-len practice, then as I explained, it is a way to collect the most extensive merits and greatest purification. This is so much more important than you making a billion dollars every minute of your life. Every minute of your life making a billion dollars is nothing.

We are the same suffering sentient being as was Shakyamuni Buddha, so why did Shakyamuni Buddha become enlightened before us? Because Buddha was able to cherish others and let go of himself. We didn’t change our mind that is always cherishing ourselves and giving up others, who are numberless. So, we are still suffering in samsara, even though we were same as Shakyamuni Buddha before. Buddha let go of himself and cherished others, and achieved full enlightenment. We are still suffering, but still we haven’t changed the mind, still only cherishing the “I” and letting go of others, who are numberless.

First thing in the morning, it would be good if you can do The Method to Transform a Suffering Life into Happiness (Including Enlightenment) with the mala of mantras and also tong-len. If you want to change your life, then this will make a huge difference. It will change your life from kaka into gold, from iron into diamond.

I checked and also I am going to do some practices for you: two times I will recite the Arya Sangatasutra and also eight times I will recite the Mantra Promised by Tara.

Please continue to make your life most meaningful with the thought of bodhichitta day and night and in every action that you do.

With much love and prayers,

Lama Zopa

Scribed by Ven. Holly Ansett, Lake Tsopema, India, January 2016. Edited for inclusion on FPMT.org.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Pomaia, Italy, June 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

On July 6, the 81st birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is being celebrated around the world by Tibetans and Western students of Dharma. Lama Zopa Rinpoche is a devoted student of His Holiness and service to His Holiness is the primary aim of FPMT.

“I thought that it would be important especially for Western people who had become Buddhist to remember the great kindness they had received from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Padmasambhava, the Dharma Kings, Shantarakshita and the Tibetan people as a whole,” Lama Zopa Rinpoche said, explaining his motivation for composing the prayer “Remembering the Kindness of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan People.” Rinpoche wrote the short prayer in Australia in June 2011, while recovering from manifesting a stroke. Rinpoche has advised that the prayer be recited following the “Prayer That Spontaneously Fulfills All Wishes” (Tong nyi nying je …) at the end of dedication prayers.

“While thinking how important it is, in addition to providing whatever help to Tibet that they can give, for these Westerners to at least direct their thoughts and wishes to the welfare of the Tibetan people, this prayer came to my mind,” Rinpoche said. “I composed it especially for the success of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s wishes, and in particular for the Tibetan people, and for there to be perfect peace and happiness in the world and for all sentient beings to achieve enlightenment.”

The prayer concludes:

“Our Refuge and Savior, the Supreme One: His Holiness the Dalai Lama
And the Tibetan people have been so kind to us!
Remembering this we make the following dedicating prayers:
May all His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s wishes be successful immediately;
May the Snow Land of Tibet achieve pure freedom
And develop the Buddha Dharma even more than before in Tibet;
And may all mother transmigratory beings achieve enlightenment quickly!”

You can find this prayer, His Holiness’ long life prayer, the “Prayer That Spontaneously Fulfills All Wishes” and others in the booklet “Prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibet.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing Lama Zopa Rinpoche and an audience of geshes and Sangha, during his visit to Italy in June 2014. His Holiness has a white cloth on his head because the weather was very warm. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s webpage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to receive FPMT News.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Geshe Tenzin Khenrab (left) and Ven. Tendar walking down to Drakarpo in Paro, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

On June 3, Lama Zopa Rinpoche made pilgrimage to Drakarpo in Paro, Bhutan, a sacred temple connected to the holy body of Guru Rinpoche. 

“With help, Lama Zopa Rinpoche climbed down a steep mountain to Drakarpo, a site regarded as the holy place of Guru Rinpoche’s body and is one of the most important hidden sacred places of Guru Rinpoche,” said Ven. Holly Ansett assistant to Ven. Roger Kunsang, CEO of FPMT, Inc. “At the base of the mountain, there were many Bhutanese people on pilgrimage who, when seeing Rinpoche, gathered around Rinpoche for blessings. Rinpoche offered everyone blessing strings and small Namgyälma protections, explaining the incredible benefits of the Namgyälma mantra. This went on from some time.

Looking down on the holy site of Guru Rinpoche’s body, Paro, Bhutan, June 2016. Photos by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche offering blessing strings and Namgyälma protections at Drakarpo

Many Bhutanese gathered to receive blessing strings and Namgyälma protections from Rinpoche at Drakarpo

“After that, Rinpoche walked down the path around the mountain about a quarter way around. Rinpoche was led into a tiny gompa that hangs off the edge of a cliff. Inside is very small cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated. There were handprints of Guru Rinpoche on the rocks and we were told that the statue that was inside had once miraculously spoken. Rinpoche did prayers and offered a pearl garland to the statue.

View of the Paro Valley from Drakarpo

Lama Zopa Rinopche doing prayers in front of a Guru Rinpoche statue that is said to have spoke, inside the tiny gompa at the holy site of Guru Rinpoche’s body

View of the tiny gompa at Draparko, which overlooks the Paro Valley, Bhutan

“After being requested, Rinpoche promised to help cover the cost of a small water tank to the help the meditators that live in that area have a source of water.  

“On the way down, Rinpoche met one old yogi and three nuns who were doing retreat. They requested some advice and Rinpoche explained the importance of having the right motivation so that the retreat becomes virtuous.”

Lama Zopa Rinpoche gives a teaching on the importance of one’s motivation to yogi meditators he met at Drakarpo, the holy site of Guru Rinpoche’s body in Paro, Bhutan

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 handing out blessing strings at a flower show, Paro, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

“In 1959, Lama Zopa Rinpoche escaped Pagri, Tibet, through Bhutan and from there was sent to Buxa in India. Rinpoche stayed in Bhutan about a week in the temple of Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro,” said Ven. Holly Ansett, executive assistant to the the CEO of FPMT, Inc., during her recent June 2016 travels with Rinpoche through Bhutan.

“When Rinpoche was there, some local Bhutanese came to know that a young rinpoche was staying there and went to ask for blessing strings. Rinpoche up to then had never given out blessing strings like this, but his attendant who was traveling with Rinpoche rushed to the market, bought the strings, and Rinpoche passed them out. Rinpoche had remarked that this was the beginning of him doing the actions of a lama.

“Rinpoche also recently reconnected with a Bhutanese family with whom he had a close connection. The mother of the family took care of Rinpoche when he was studying in Tibet. Rinpoche says she was like his mother and he would go to her house every month to do puja. She married a Bhutanese man, had four daughters, and now lives in Bhutan. The second youngest daughter, Kesang, met Rinpoche when Rinpoche was in Japan.”

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 at the flower show in Paro, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

On June 6, Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited the beautiful annual flower exhibition in Paro, Bhutan, in front of the magnificent Rinpung Dzong in the gardens of the Kings Palace.

“Rinpoche walked around all the beautiful flower offerings, reciting the multiplying mantra and then doing the extensive flower offering practice,” said Ven. Holly Ansett assistant to Ven. Roger Kunsang, CEO of FPMT, Inc. “Rinpoche also spent some time reminding us that we were there not just to look at the flowers, but to offer them.”

The annual flower exhibition in Paro, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

The annual flower exhibition in Paro, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche and a young boy covering his mouth in respect, Paro, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

“At one point, a very small Bhutanese boy came up to Rinpoche and stood in front of Rinpoche for a long time, respectfully covering his mouth. He ran away and then came back. Rinpoche gave him a blessing string, and after that, many Bhutanese people who were visiting the flower show came up for blessings. The line became longer and longer, never ending until the exhibition closed and we ran out of blessing strings.”

People at the flower exhibition lining up to receive blessings from Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Paro, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

The line became longer and longer to receive blessings from Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the flower show, Paro, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

The annual flower exhibition in Paro, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

The annual flower exhibition with a view of Rinpung Dzong in Paro, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by 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 with Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche (left) and Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche (standing) at Satsam Chorten, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

On June 4, Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche, the reincarnation of the previous Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche invited Lama Zopa Rinpoche for lunch at Satsam Chorten in Paro, Bhutan.

Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche is the previous Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s grandson and his spiritual heir. Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche’s mother, Dechen Paldron, was also present. 

After the previous Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche fled Tibet in the 1950s, he and his family were welcomed to Bhutan by the royal family. Over time, Rinpoche became revered throughout the country for his teachings and service to the Dharma.

“It was very enjoyable relaxed lunch,” shared Ven. Roger Kunsang, assistant to Lama Zopa Rinpoche and CEO of FPMT, Inc. “After lunch, Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche took Rinpoche upstairs to where the actual skull of the previous Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was kept.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche having lunch with Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche  (left) and Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche (center) at Satsam Chorten, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche receiving blessings from the actual skull of past life Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Satsam Chorten, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

“The previous Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche visited Kopan Monastery in the early days at Lama Yeshe’s invitation and gave a teaching on Lama Atisha’s Lamp on the Path to Enlightenment. Lama Zopa Rinpoche always expresses in amazement that Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche gave the teaching from beginning to end like he was reading a text – but he wasn’t, it just came from his holy mind.”

In the past, Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche has come to bless the land for Buddha Maitreya Bodhgaya, a project to build a large statue of Maitreya in Bodhgaya, India, with His Holiness the Karmapa and Tai Situ Rinpoche.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche and Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche at Satsam Chorten, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by 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 in front of the 169-foot (52-meter) Buddha statue, Thimphu, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

On June 1, 2016, Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Ven. Roger Kunsang, CEO of FPMT, Inc. and Rinpoche’s assistant, described the trip:

“On a mountain above Thimphu is an extraordinary 169-foot (52-meter) statue of Buddha Shakyamuni called Buddha Dordenma. We were fortunate to be traveling with someone who was very much involved in the building of the statue and who had made arrangements for Rinpoche to enter inside the base of the statue, where there is a beautiful gompa, and to meet the head monks and project director.

“Rinpoche led a very extensive seven-limb practice in front of the statue, spending a lot of time on rejoicing in those who had the idea to build the statue, the benefactors, and those who actually built it.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche doing prayers in front of Buddha statue in Thimbu, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

The Buddha Dordenma statue in Thimphu, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche touring the inside of the Buddha Dordenma statue, Thimphu, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

“Later in the day, Rinpoche went to Tashichö Dzong, a Buddhist monastery and castle reconstructed in 1641 and reestablished as the main seat of the Druk Desi (the secular rulers of Bhutan) and the summer residence of the monastic body headed by the Je Khenpo. It also houses the office of His Majesty the King of Bhutan, the cabinet and the council of ministers. The monastic system and religious institutions run alongside the government, as it was once in Tibet, when Dharma and the political system were fully integrated.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche visiting Tashichö Dzong with Geshe Tenzin Khenrab and students, Thimphu, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with  Abbott Lopen Sangay Dorji at Tashichö Dzong, Thimphu, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

“Rinpoche was given a tour of Tashichö Dzong, which has over 30 temples. There are some very important and old gompas inside Tashichö Dzong. While in Tashichö Dzong, Rinpoche met the Chief Abbott Khenpo, one of the five lopons (religious scholars and ministers) under the 70th Je Khenpo.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Tashichö Dzong with Geshe Tenzin Khenrab and students, Thimphu, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

“After that, Rinpoche went to the oldest monastery in Bhutan, Simtokha Dzong, built in 1629. When Rinpoche arrived, the monks were actually doing a puja for Rinpoche that had been sponsored by one student.

“Rinpoche offered pearl necklaces to a number of the very old and important statues in the gompa with prayers. Then, he recited ‘In Praise of Dependent Origination’ by Lama Tsongkhapa and protector prayers in front of the altar for the protectors.”

Lama Zopa Rinpoche visiting Simtokha Dzong with Geshe Tenzin Khenrab and Ven. Thubten Tendar, Thimphu, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Simtokha Dzong at night, Thimphu, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

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 listening to Khenpo Phuntsok Tashi as he describes the details of the holy site Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang, Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

On the May 28, Rinpoche visited Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang, a Buddhist stupa-shaped temple in Western Bhutan between Paro and Dopchari valleys, built by Thangtong Gyalpo in 1421 (or 1433 depending on the source) to counteract malevolent spirits.

Thangtong Gyalpo (1385–1464), according to a protection image recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche in May 2016 to mitigate the effects of earthquakes, “built in his lifetime 58 iron bridges, 60 wooden bridges, 118 ferries, 120 assembly halls and temples, 111 stupas and many hundreds of large and small statues and innumberable paintings. Also a few life time’s ago he was Guru Shakyamuni Buddha.” Thangtong Gyalpo (also known at Drubthob Thangtong Gyalpo) is famous for completing civil engineering projects not only in Bhutan, but also in Tibet. 

Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang, Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

According to Wikipedia, “In 1433, Drubthob Thangtong Gyalpo and his disciples traveled to Pagri in the Chumbi Valley of Tibet, and from there to Paro Taktsang in Bhutan. According to his biography, while performing rituals of Vajrakilaya there, he had a vision of the assembly of the Eight Classes of Heruka (Wylie: sgrub pa bka’ brgyad) meditational deities with Vajrakumara as the central figure.

“It is said that a nine-headed naga spirit, who was the guardian of the sacred place of Paro Taktsang, declared ‘your religious inheritance was concealed here by Ogyen Rinpoche, please make your discovery and reveal it.’ Thereupon Drubchen Thangtong Gyalpo extracted a sacred scroll ten body lengths long from the cliff of Taktsang.

Inside Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang, Khenpo Phuntsok Tashi shows Lama Zopa Rinpoche sacred objects, Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

“The line of mountains where Taktsang is located is shaped like a black snake with its head in the middle of the Paro valley. On the nose of this snake the Drubthob constructed Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang, a stupa-shaped temple and pronounced that all diseases caused by evil spirits residing under the ground were suppressed and that the valley would be free from leprosy.”

Rinpoche climbed up the three levels inside the building on very steep ladders in darkness. On each level, the walls are covered in paintings of deities, and on the top level is a statue of Milarepa that is said to have miraculously spoken. Rinpoche spent time doing prayers and making offerings in front of all the statues for the benefit of all beings.

Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang, Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by 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 at Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

On May 31, Lama Zopa Rinpoche made a special pilgrimage to Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest), a very special temple complex associated with Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) on the steep cliffsides of the upper Paro valley. According to legend, in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress (sometimes considered to be the magically transformed yogini Yeshe Tsogyal) to Taktsang Senge Samdup cave and meditated there for just over three years to subdue obstructive forces and bless the environment.

Many notable practitioners are said to have visited the cave, including Milarepa, the Tibetan yogini Machig Labdrön and Thangton Gyalpo. In 1692, Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye built a temple complex at the site.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in a palanquin, beginning the pilgrimage to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Twelve men divided into two rotating teams carried the palanquin Lama Zopa Rinpoche needed to make the three-hour journey to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

“Rinpoche had to be carried in a palanquin due to the steep and very long climb from 7,900 feet [200 meters] to 10,800 feet [274 meters], a three hours’ walk one way,” said Ven. Roger Kunsang, Rinpoche’s assistant and CEO of FPMT, Inc. “We had to make arrangements for a group of 12 strong Bhutanese men to come from Thimbu to Paro to help carry the palanquin. A group of six would carry it and then they would change places every 15 to 20 minutes. The climb was very steep and very difficult in some places, with just a narrow dirt trail most of the way. Sometimes the palanquin would be at more than a 45 degree angle. But, the Bhutanese men were very enthusiastic and joyful in carrying Rinpoche. Rinpoche chanted different mantras and prayers much of the time, blessing the people carrying him and others around. In total, there was about 30 to 35 people in our group. 

On the trail to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, pray wheel houses such as these utilize the stream’s current to help the wheels continually spin, blessing the water and surrounding environment, Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

“More than half way, we arrived at a small tea shop built on the edge of the cliff. There was a small room with a view of Tiger’s Nest across the valley. It was a tsog day so Rinpoche offered Most Secret Hayagriva tsog for about two hours. We had a quick lunch during which a number of Bhutanese gathered around Rinpoche for blessings. Rinpoche blessed a lot of water for them to take back to their homes.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche and entourage stop for a short break along the trail to Tiger’s Nest Monastery. It had just started to rain, Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche stopped two-thirds of the way to have lunch and to perform a puja in a tea house with a view of Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

In a small tea house, Lama Zopa Rinpoche performed a Most Secret Hayagriva tsog in view of Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

“It took a further 90 minutes up a steep climb to arrive on the cliff opposite Tiger’s Nest Monastery. By this time, it was getting late. The light was disappearing, rain was coming and Rinpoche felt it was too difficult to complete the last part of the journey to the cave, which he would have had to walk to himself without the palanquin due to the steep and narrow stairs. Instead, Rinpoche did extensive prayers from a place directly opposite the monastery. While doing prayers, a few people went off to make the last part of the pilgrimage to the actual cave and monastery.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Geshe Tenzin Khenrab, the men who helped carry Rinpoche’s palanquin, and others in front of Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

“After this, we made our way as fast as we could down the mountain as it was now raining and the dirt path was getting more and more slippery and dangerous. It took about two hours to come down and we were very fortunate that nobody slipped and fell! Rinpoche chanted mantras and prayers all the way down.

“When we reached the bottom we were greeted by many Bhutanese who had gathered there to greet Rinpoche with tea and cheese momos. They had also quickly erected a tent to keep off the rain.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche arrives back at the trailhead after three hours in the rain with the assistance of generous volunteers, Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Several local Bhutanese came to greet Lama Zopa Rinpoche when he returned from attempting to visit Taktsang Senge Samdup cave, Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

“When everyone arrived and settled and had tea, Rinpoche was so very grateful to those who had carried him that he gave them more blessings, holy objects and a short teaching on the three principles of the path.

“Rinpoche plans to visit one more time while in Bhutan to actually compete the journey and visit the cave of Guru Rinpoche.”

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.

Medicine Buddha statue at Buddha Amitabha Pure Land, Washington, USA.

When Lama Zopa Rinpoche heard about the June 12 attack on a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, USA, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 50 people and injuries to at least 50 more, he began offering prayers immediately. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche always advises to make strong prayers to Medicine Buddha for anyone who is dying, sick, injured or has already passed away. These prayers can also be dedicated to anyone who needs protection, support, strength and love.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche doing naga torma puja by the river, Taiwan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

In May 2016, Lama Zopa Rinpoche made a private visit to Taiwan. While there, Rinpoche found plenty of time to benefit others. Rinpoche, with the assistance of Sangha members, preformed naga torma puja near the river next to Shakyamuni Center where he stayed. The puja is meant to benefit the beings in the immediate area and the entire country.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche doing naga torma puja by the river, Taiwan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Over his short stay, Rinpoche converted the rooftop veranda where he was staying into a beautiful practice space for circumambulation. A table with a large main stupa and many tsa-tsas was set up and Rinpoche went out a few times to shop for offerings, including potted flowers and trees. Rinpoche circumambulated the table a few times each day.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche shopping for flowers, Taiwan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Rinpoche circumambulates rooftop veranda altar at night, Taiwan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Also, Rinpoche found time to meet with the board of FPMT Taiwan before departing for Bhutan. 

Rinpoche meets with board of FPMT Taiwan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

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.