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Lama Zopa Rinpoche News and Advice
Lama Zopa Rinpoche doing an incense puja at Kachoe Dechen Ling, Aptos, California, US, May 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.
In a recent post on the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, you can read Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice on how to transform depression into the path of enlightenment:
“Depression can be a good thing, because it is a sign of purification, of having practiced Dharma.
“There are different levels of how negative karma is purified. With the first level, you never experience the suffering results of your actions. With the second level, you experience these results, but rather than experiencing the suffering result of the negative action for many eons in the lower realms – the hell, hungry ghost or animal realms – instead, the result manifests in this life in the form of some problem, such as depression, a toothache or headache, or being criticized by people and so forth. Unbelievably negative karma manifests as just this problem or even as bad dreams or nightmares; often in the form of sickness, failure in business, or some disaster in your family or in your relationships – other people treating you badly or abusing you; and also in the form of depression.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche doing incense puja at Kachoe Dechen Ling, Aptos, California, US, May 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.
“This way you never have to experience the heavy suffering for an incredible length of time, therefore, experiencing this depression is a positive thing. This can be related to whatever problems you have, so you feel positive and happy about them. You should understand all the rest of your problems, whatever you have, in this same way.
“Then there’s the next level of purifying karma. By experiencing this [suffering result] now, you don’t have to be reborn in the lower realms, or maybe for a very short time and the suffering is very light. For example, when you throw a stone on a rock, it hits in one second, like snapping your fingers. Similarly, in that way, all those heavy sufferings for a great length of time are finished instead, by experiencing this suffering now. If you compare that to the experience of heavy suffering for an incredible length of time, it’s very positive, very good. It’s fantastic!
“There’s no question that the problems experienced in the human realm are an incredibly great comfort, even a pleasure, compared to those extremely heavy sufferings in the hell, hungry ghost and animal realms. So now that negative karma that we don’t have to experience is really fantastic. …”
You can read the complete post “Advice on Transforming Depression,” part of “Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Online Advice Book,” on the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.
A stupa surrounded by tsa-tsas at Kachoe Dechen Ling, Aptos, California, May 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche is the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), an organization dedicated to preserving Mahayana Buddhism through offering the Buddha’s authentic teachings and to facilitating reflection, meditation, practice and the opportunity to actualize and directly experience the Buddha’s teachings. Sign up to receive news and updates.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khadro-la having tea after long life puja at Kopan Monastery, April 29, 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
A prayer for Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme (Khadro-la)‘s long life composed written by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The translation was done by Ven. Sönam Tharchin at the most auspicious occasion of the retreat with Khadro-la in August 2012 at Nalanda Monastery, France. The prayer was recently posted on the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive. Here are the first three stanzas:
Supplication of long life entreating the holy mind of Khadro Bumkye Tsomo, called Divine Melodious Drum
The enlightened activity of the victorious mother for the sake of taking care
Of all of inferior fortune born at the end of the greatly degenerate time,
Taking an ordinary aspect, endowed with the deeds of the conquerors,
Venerable Tara, we request you to have a long life
And pray that (your) wishes are spontaneously attained.
Your fame pervades the three worlds.
Liberated from the sufferings of bad migrations, attained to enlightenment,
Bestowing the dharmakaya of great bliss to supreme Mila
Acting as companion and knowledge woman, Trashi Tsheringma
A long and stable life, spontaneous achievement of wishes:
We make this request. Please bless us:
We all make this request from our heart.
The channels, constituents and bodhichitta
Are blessed by countless dakinis.
Innate great bliss of subtle completion stage is induced
And one is established in the supreme state of the dharmakaya.
Khadro Bumkye Tsomo, abide long!
We pray that (your) wishes are spontaneously attained. …
Find the entire long-life prayer on the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s homepage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche wrote a thank-you letter to the volunteers who had made the recent Light of the Path retreat go so well. Rinpoche’s focus is on how meaningful it is to serve sentient beings:
“My very dear, very precious, very kind wish-fulfilling ones,
Thank you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much for your really beautiful, amazing, joyful dedication; really beautifully done, all your service, well done!
Taking care of sentient beings from the heart: so this is the really most meaningful life. Cherishing sentient beings and serving them as well as serving the teachings of Buddha to educate sentient beings to practice and actualize the path, in order to free them from the oceans of samsaric sufferings, not only that, but to achieve the peerless happiness, the state of omniscient mind. … Therefore, what you are doing is most pleasing to all the buddhas and bodhisattvas, by cherishing sentient beings and taking care of them and serving them … wow … wow … wow.”
Read the full letter
Lama Zopa Rinpoche speaking to the FPMT European Regional Meeting participants, Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Pomaia, Italy, June 17, 2014. Photo by Sirianni.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave advice on working for centers in May 2012 at Tushita Meditation Centre:
“Sometimes people who are working at centers only think of the problems – problems, problems, problems. Maybe it makes them feel sick. Their heart becomes very dry, very uninterested. [However,] if you know how to think, it’s really unbelievable. The highest merit is collected and there is the greatest purification by working for the center. Otherwise, you might think, ‘Oh, maybe I’ll go and work in the hospital, there’s much more merit from doing that.’ You see, when you don’t think of Dharma, when you completely forget that the Dharma is the only way to really benefit sentient beings, to liberate them from suffering, then you start thinking things like, ‘Oh, maybe I’ll go and help in a children’s camp, that’s more beneficial.’ People think like that.
“This is a recent letter that I wrote that I thought would be helpful for others:
“Thank you very, very much for working for the center, arranging facilities and so forth. The Dharma center is to benefit sentient beings, to free them from the oceans of samsaric suffering, all the sufferings, and bring them to enlightenment. So you working for the center means that. …”
Read the complete advice and find other advice from Rinpoche on fpmt.org.
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s homepage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Pomaia, Italy, June 13, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
Lhungtok Choekhorling Monastic Project, which was named by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is an FPMT project to create an ideal environment conducive to study, meditation and a lifestyle based on the vinaya. The meaning of the name is “place where the Dharma is transmitted and realized.”
On Friday, June 13, His Holiness visited the project site in Pomaia, not far from Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, to bless the grounds. During the program, His Holiness “expressed his appreciation to the people of Italy for their warm welcome. He praised the efforts of Zopa Rinpoche, for his foresightedness in keeping the Nalanda tradition alive in his institutes,” DalaiLama.com reported.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the future site of Lhungtok Choekorling Monastery where he blessed the grounds and took part in a formal program, Pomaia, Italy, June 13. Photo by Olivier Adam.
The idea for the monastery began in Nepal in 1980 with Lama Yeshe and Geshe Jampa Gyatso envisioning the construction of a monastery in the West for both monks and nuns. The project has been able to acquire 30 hectares (74 acres) of land to build upon that was a former quarry. Currently the project is working with local government for approval of its building plans.
You can learn more about Lhungtok Choerkorling on their website and also see more photos from His Holiness’ visit to the project site.
For more detailed news on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s activities, visit His Holiness’ website at DalaiLama.com. You can also read Mandala’s coverage of His Holiness.
Learn more about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche and his beneficial activities by visiting Rinpoche’s homepage, where you will find links to Rinpoche’s schedule, new advice, recent video, photos and more.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche offering thanks to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Livorno, Italy, June 15, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
On the last day of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to Italy, Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered His Holiness thanks during the final public event. DalaiLama.com reported, “Lama Zopa Rinpoche concluded the program with thanks to His Holiness for blessing Lama Tzong Khapa Institute with his presence and he also thanked all concerned for making His Holiness’s visit a success.”
His Holiness at the conclusion of teaching in Livorno, Italy, June 15, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
His Holiness spent a week in Italy, participating in events organized by Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK), the FPMT center located in Tuscany. Lama Zopa Rinpoche also was present for the events and will remain in Italy through the end of the month. Rinpoche will offer teachings at ILTK on June 28-29 and also attend the FPMT European Regional Meeting, which is taking place at ILTK on June 17-18.
For more detailed news on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s activities, visit His Holiness’ website at DalaiLama.com. You can also read Mandala’s coverage of His Holiness.
Learn more about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche and his beneficial activities by visiting Rinpoche’s homepage, where you will find links to Rinpoche’s schedule, new advice, recent video, photos and more.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche receiving a khata from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Livorno, Italy, June 15, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
“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.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the conclusion of teachings organized by Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Livorno, Italy, June 15, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
“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 and others in the booklet “Prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibet.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama teaching in Livorno, Italy, June 14, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
For more detailed news on His Holiness’ activities, visit His Holiness’ website at DalaiLama.com. You can also read Mandala’s coverage of His Holiness.
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s homepage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with (from left) Ven. Roger Kunsang,assistant to Rinpoche and CEO of FPMT; Geshe Jampa Gelek, resident geshe at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK); and Ven. Sangpo, Rinpoche’s attendant, going to hear His Holiness the Dalai Lama at ILTK, Italy, June 13, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
On Friday, June 13, FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche attended His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s talk at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK), the FPMT center in Pomaia, Italy. Rinpoche was surrounded by the familiar faces of many FPMT geshes, Sangha, teachers and students.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama teaching at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa with Geshe Tashi Tsering, resident geshe at Jamyang Buddhist Centre, and Fabrizio Palliotti, providing interpretation, Pomaia, Italy, June 13, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
You can watch video of the events with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa on Dalai Lama Italy’s YouTube channel. His Holiness next teaches in Livorno, Italy, June 14-15.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche after His Holiness’ talk at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Pomaia, Italy, June 13. Photo by Olivier Adam.
For more detailed news on His Holiness’ activities, visit His Holiness’ website at DalaiLama.com.
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s homepage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, June 10, 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
During His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK), he had an audience with Lama Zopa Rinpoche and others. You can watch their touching and affectionate interaction in this short video produced by Dalai Lama Italia and shared on their YouTube channel.
Video: His Holiness the Dalai Lama at ILTK–day 2
You can see photos from His Holiness’ visit to ILTK on Flickr.
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s homepage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Vens. Tsering and Sangpo blessing all the beings in the ocean, California, US, May 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.
While staying in California, Lama Zopa Rinpoche likes to go to the nearby Pacific Ocean and bless all the sentient beings in the ocean. For the blessing, Rinpoche has had special boards made with the Namgyälma mantra on them. When the boards are placed in the ocean, the blessings of the mantra are carried throughout the water.
Namgyälma mantra boards for ocean blessings, California, US, 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s homepage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche offering His Holiness the Dalai Lama a khata, Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Pomaia, Italy, June 10, 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK) on Tuesday, June 10. During his six-day visit, His Holiness will teach on compassion at ILTK on Saka Dawa, June 13. His Holiness will also be consecrating a restored Chenrezig statue. Lama Zopa Rinpoche arrived at ILTK the day before His Holiness and welcomed His Holiness when he arrived at the FPMT center in Pomaia, Italy.
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s homepage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche reading Mandala, Kachoe Dechen Ling, California, US, June 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche received Mandala July-September 2014 in California last Friday and lost no time looking through the new issue. In addition to featuring Rinpoche’s many virtuous activities during the Days of Miracles, Mandala highlighted some of the work FPMT centers, projects and services are doing to help children and cultivate the seeds of compassion in the minds of the young.
Mandala magazine is offered as a benefit of the Friends of FPMT program. If you’d like to receive the quarterly publication, please consider joining our Friends program, which supports the education, web streaming and communications work of FPMT International Office.
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Even Rinpoche’s dog Uma enjoys checking out the new issue of Mandala, Kachoe Dechen Ling, California, US, June 2014. Photo by Ven. Holly Ansett.
In addition to the print magazine, Mandala published a dozen new stories online and continues to add new stories daily to the blogs ”Lama Zopa Rinpoche News” and “FPMT News around the World.”
Learn more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), and Rinpoche’s vision for a better world. Sign up to receive news and updates.