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Lama Zopa Rinpoche News
Kopan monks, nuns and students offering Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog on the fourteenth day of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s passing. Photo courtesy of Kopan Monastery FB page.
Today we share some essential updates and reminders about important upcoming events.
Long Life Puja for His Holiness the Dalai Lama
The long life puja being offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on May 24 in India continues to be a major event for us all, as it is the fulfilment of one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy wishes. We hope that many will be able to participate in this extremely auspicious event in person or via livestream. We will bring you information regarding the livestream details soon.
49th Day after the Passing of Lama Zopa Rinpoche
On May 31, Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog will be offered at Kopan Monastery on the occasion of the 49th day since Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s passing. All are welcome to join the livestream of this special puja. As a reminder, this livestream of the prayers and pujas happening continuously for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return is available for all to join: https://www.youtube.com/c/fpmtinc/live
Light of the Path Retreat and Foundation Service Seminar
Due to practical considerations, Kopan Monastery will host the Light of the Path Retreat for the dates and length originally planned which are: September 3 – 17, 2023. Kopan will soon put out an update on this retreat which we will share as it is available. We are happy to share that the Foundation Service Seminar scheduled at Kopan following the retreat will also occur on the dates originally planned: September 21 – 26.
We will continue to send out updates as they become available, and these will be collected on this updates page.
Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.
Prayers continue 24 hours a day in front of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy body, and also on every inch of Kopan Monastery.
We’re pleased to share this letter from Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi, Abbot of Kopan Monastery and member of the FPMT Inc. board. Khenrinpoche has sent this letter, in Tibetan, English, and Chinese for those with a connection to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, on the sad occasion of the seven days since Rinpoche’s passing.
As everyone knows, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, in order to free us from the grasping at permanence, has taken the aspect of passing into parinirvana. Undoubtedly, many are deeply concerned and wondering what is happening now. Therefore, I would like to briefly explain the current situation.
Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche was invited to attend a Dharma function in the Tsum region of Nepal. There, several local groups were celebrating the one-hundredth year of declaring the Tsum Valley as a non-violence area and promoting vegetarianism, as well as their formal commitment to continue in the same way for another hundred years. Rinpoche went as requested to grace this function and bestow a Hayagriva initiation to the faithful.
The elevation of this area is 3,700 meters (12,000 feet) above sea level. Due to some signs of altitude sickness, Rinpoche decided to return to Kathmandu and Kopan Monastery earlier than planned. Around 9:30 a.m. on April 13th, sadly, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche showed the aspect of passing away here at Kopan Monastery. As soon as Rinpoche began his clear light meditation, we informed His Holiness the Dalai Lama who advised that students engage in the practice of Cittamani Tara, recitation of The Essence of Eloquence by Lama Tsonghapa, and perform the self-initiations of Heruka and other deities. Accordingly, all of the disciples and ordained sangha began these practices immediately. Likewise, we have received letters of prayer, condolence, and advice from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness the Karmapa, His Holiness Sakya Trichen, and from various other lineage lamas. For this we express our deepest gratitude.
On April 14th, around 10:00 p.m., when monks reached the point in the Guhyasamaja sadhana of the four goddesses evoking the deity to arise from dharmakaya song, Rinpoche arose from his clear, light meditation. This was reported to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Rinpoche’s other teachers from whom we sought guidance. They advised that, as Lama Zopa Rinpoche has done extensive deeds for the Dharma, and has thousands of disciples from all over the world, it would be good to preserve Rinpoche’s holy body in order that his many disciples can gradually come to pay respects. Therefore, we are now in the process of preserving Rinpoche’s holy body according to traditional practice.
Although in actuality, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche is already a fully enlightened buddha, in order for all of us disciples to accumulate merit and purify negativities; and for the swift return of an unmistaken reincarnation, for seven days we are performing the following prayers twenty-four hours per day: the self-initiations of Yamantaka, Guhyasamaja, and Heruka, Vajrayogini self-initiation, recitations of the Essence of Eloquence, the three root texts (The Ornament of Clear Realizations, Entrance to Middle, and Treasury of Knowledge), Medicine Buddha puja, Heruka Guru Puja, and others.
During this time, many lamas who were close to Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche and many lay people are continuously coming to pay respects and make offerings. Likewise, we offer thanks to the Great Monastic Seats of Sera, Drepung, Ganden, and the Upper and Lower Tantric Colleges, many other Gelukpa monasteries in Nepal, and other monasteries as well as lay associations who performing prayers in solidarity.
For the entire forty-nine-day period, we will perform the following prayers for twenty-four hours daily: special rituals related to preserving the holy body, Yamantaka and Vajrayogini self-initiations, Guru Puja, recitation of Praise of Dependent Origination, Chanting the Names of Manjushri, the King of Prayers, The Ornament of Clear Realizations, Entrance to Middle, and the swift return prayer composed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Finally, to all faithful disciples who have a connection with Rinpoche, whether direct or indirect, I sincerely request you to come together to fulfill all of Rinpoche’s advices whole heartedly, and complete the unfinished projects that remain until the unmistaken reincarnation of Rinpoche comes and again takes responsibility to continue Rinpoche’s enlightened activities.
ln the future we’ll keep you abreast of developments as they arise.
Geshe Thubten Chonyi, Abbot of Kopan Monastery and FPMT Board Member
Please read the PDF version of Khenrinpoche’s letter:
We recently shared the schedule of current prayers and pujas happening around the clock at Kopan Monastery for Lama Zopa Rinpoche, all are welcome to join the livestream on these continual activities.
We will continue to send out updates as they become available, and these will be collected on this updates page.
Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.
Khenrinpoche Thubten Chonyi and Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery amidst the continual offering of prayers for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return. April 18, 2023. Photo by Kopan Monastery School.
Continued Prayers for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Swift Return
Prayers and pujas are continuing twenty-four hours a day at Kopan Monastery in front of Rinpoche’s holy body and also in the gompa for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return. Monasteries, nunneries and FPMT centers around the world also continue with prayers and pujas.
“Every inch of Kopan is in prayers around the clock,” as reported from the monastery. We are pleased to continue to share the livestream of prayers happening (with occasional breaks). You will find it to be much better quality than the stream we offered initially, and all are invited to connect with what is being done at Kopan in this way: https://www.youtube.com/c/fpmtinc/live
Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, a Nyingma lama very close to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, visited Kopan this morning, joining the prayers in Rinpoche’s room. You can read Chokyi Nyima’s heartfelt letter written upon receiving the news of Rinpoche’s passing. We are happy to share this short video of the prayers happening today, joined by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche:
https://youtube.com/shorts/J0eBjsY3j2g?feature=share
Tenzin Osel Hita is at Kopan and spoke to students gathered today. Ganden Tri Rinpoche, head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, arrived at Kopan today.
This is the current schedule of daily prayers and pujas being offered and livestreamed, according to the local time in Nepal:
- 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Dung Choe practice by senior Sangha
- 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Yamantaka Solitary Hero Self-Initiation
- 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. various practices (Lamrim Meditation, Tendrel Toepa (In Praise of Dependent Origination), Calling Guru from Afar, Prayers for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche by international students)
- 7:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Vajrayogini Self-Initiation
- 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Guru Puja, Tendrel Toepa (In Praise of Dependent Origination), Manjushri-nama-samgiti (Chanting the Names of Manjushri), King of Prayers, Abhisamayalamkara (Ornament of Clear Realizations), Mulamadhyamakakarika (Root Verses on the Middle Way), Prayers for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche by monks and nuns.
Every seventh day there will also be Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog at Kopan Monastery. Those dates are: April 19 and 26; May 3, 10, 17, and 24; and May 31.
Prayers around the clock continue at Kopan Monastery for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return. Photo by Alison Murdoch.
Important Events
On the forty-ninth day after Rinpoche stopped breathing, which is May 31, Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog will be offered at Kopan Monastery.
Before that, we have the very significant long life puja offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on May 24 in India. We’re hoping that many will come to this long life puja (or watch it livestreamed), as this puja will be exceptionally poignant and significant as it is a fulfilment of Rinpoche’s holy wishes.
On Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi’s advice, we’re planning to amend the already scheduled Light of the Path Retreat at Kopan (currently scheduled for September 3-17, 2023), and make it a month to come together for focused study and celebration of Rinpoche’s teachings, giving the opportunity to go deeper into and actualize the teachings Rinpoche has so kindly given us. We have such a wealth of teachings from Rinpoche, this will be a special opportunity to actualize them together. There will be senior FPMT registered teachers leading meditations and Khenrinpoche, Ven. Roger Kunsang, and others sharing life stories. It is likely that students will be able to come for any period of time within the Light of the Path month, depending on available accommodation at Kopan.
Details on this Light of the Path Retreat are still being worked out, but we wanted to offer these updates now so that you can have all this in mind for planning what you would be able and most like to join.
(Please note: This means that the Foundation Service Seminar that was scheduled at Kopan in September will be postponed).
Advice for FPMT Centers and Students
The following practices are suggested by Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi for FPMT centers and students to do at this time. These are practices to be offered as one wishes, not everything here has to be done:
- Lama Chopa and Tsog Offering – every day, or every seventh day
- Eight Verses of Thought Transformation
- In Praise of Dependent Origination translation by Thubten Jinpa | translation by Gavin Kilty
- Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri
- King of Prayers
- Prayers for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, and other distinguished lamas
Swift Return Booklet
We are delighted that so many centers and students have made quick use of the booklet containing swift return prayers for Lama Zopa Rinpoche from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Khandro Kunga Bhuma, and others. We have made a recent update to this booklet and all are encouraged to download this most recent version: A Prayer for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche by His Holiness the Dalai Lama with additional prayers by other distinguished lamas
We have also added various translations as well as the standalone of His Holiness’s swift return prayer; and we are adding translations of the other prayers in the booklet as standalones as they become available.
(Please note: This collection of swift return prayers is a work in progress and updated versions of the booklet will be released. Our aim has been to make these prayers accessible as soon as they are available. Further prayers may be added to subsequent editions of the collection and edits made to existing prayers.)
News, Updates, Resources, Tributes
As a reminder, we have created the Updates Regarding Lama Zopa Rinpoche page, where all news and updates we have shared are and will be collected. On that page we’ve also added a link to translations to updates available, with our thanks to the translation services.
We have also made available a page sharing tributes and condolences from great lamas, friends, and monastery officials around the world.
From our Tributes and Condolences page we have recently added a link to an online student tribute page created by Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, for students to add their messages, tributes, and memories about Lama Zopa Rinpoche. We will share links to other online remembrance pages from FPMT centers as we receive them.
Please continue trying to fulfil Rinpoche’s holy wishes, especially to practice impermanence and bodhicitta in the context of the lamrim. Fulfilling the gurus’ holy wishes is a very important part of inviting the guru to return.
May Rinpoche be reborn as quickly as possible in a place where he can be very quickly recognized and be of most benefit to sentient beings.
Big love,
Your friends at FPMT International Office
We will continue to send out updates as they become available, and these will be collected on this updates page.
Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.
The main gompa at Kopan Monastery, April 15, 2023.
Today we share some important updates and newly available resources. Thank you for your continued prayers, offerings of support, condolences, and kindness.
The Embalming Process
The embalming process for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy body has begun. We have a short video to share of the prayers taking place around Rinpoche’s holy body at the start of the embalming process.
Regarding the lamas helping to take care of the embalming of Rinpoche’s holy body, the “Nyingma lama” we referred to in yesterday’s update is one of Rinpoche’s teachers, Lama Ngawang Chokyung. We are exceptionally grateful for his guidance. Lama Ngawang Chokyung is very experienced in this method, and supervised the embalming of His Holiness Trulshik Rinpoche. The “ex-abbot of Gyumed” that we referred to is the present abbot of Segyü Dratsang, Khen Rinpoche Losang Wangdu. We are very grateful for all his care and assistance at this time.
Swift Return Prayer by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
With great rejoicing we have received a prayer which His Holiness the Dalai Lama composed for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. This is available in English and Tibetan and has a particularly poignant colophon. For the convenience of students, we have compiled His Holiness’s prayer (starting on page 5), along with a small collection of additional prayers for Rinpoche’s swift return, composed spontaneously by other distinguished lamas with whom Rinpoche had a connection in this lifetime. It will be updated as we receive new compositions. Please download Prayer for the Swift Return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche by His Holiness the Dalai Lama with additional prayers by other distinguished lamas. This booklet is very user friendly with each prayer bookmarked and linked to from the contents page.
Prayers Offered, April 16
The following prayers are being offered today, April 16, at Kopan Monastery:
- Vajrasattva bath offering
- Thirteen Deities Yamantaka self-initiation offered by Rinpoches, Khenrinpoche, Gyumed senior monks and Kopan lama gyupas
- Extensive Medicine Buddha puja offered by general assembly of monks and nuns
- Bodhicharyavarara recitations offered by senior nuns
- All Kopan monks and nuns together with all monks of the Gelug monasteries in Nepal are gathering in the afternoon to recite prayers
- Lay devotees come in various group to make offerings and prayers
- All monks and nuns together with international students are reciting Madyamulakarika in the evening
- More pujas will continue all night
You can watch a livestream of the continued prayers and pujas at Kopan.
Tributes and Condolences
We have received many tributes to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and messages of support and condolence, including some prayers and practices offered for Rinpoche’s swift return, from lamas and monasteries around the world. You can read these on our new Tributes and Condolences page, which we’ve added to our Updates Regarding Lama Zopa Rinpoche page.
The monks of Sera Je Monastery gathering to offer prayers for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Photo courtesy of Sera Je Monastery.
Ongoing Practice and Dedication
Please continue trying to fulfil Rinpoche’s holy wishes, especially to practice impermanence and bodhicitta in the context of the lamrim. Fulfilling the gurus’ holy wishes is a very important part of inviting the guru to return.
May Rinpoche be reborn as quickly as possible in a place where he can be very quickly recognized and be of most benefit to sentient beings.
Big love,
Your friends at FPMT International Office
We will continue to send out updates as they become available, and these will be collected on this updates page.
Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Nepal, March 27, 2023. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
On April 14 at 10 p.m. Nepal time, blood came from Rinpoche’s left nostril, signaling that Rinpoche had ended his meditation.
The room was then made cold to maintain the holy body, and this morning the holy body was packed in ice.
The embalming process is the next step.
Khandro Kunga Bhuma has advised that today (April 15) is a dakini day, and that 7: 30 p.m. Nepal time today is the special time of the dakini day that fits for Rinpoche’s holy body to begin the embalming process. Khandro Kunga Bhuma will continue to take care – she is now in Nepal.
Two lamas are there who will be in charge of the embalming process, which may take several months. They are Geshe Wangdu, ex-Gyumed abbot; and a Nyingma lama (from whom Lama Zopa Rinpoche had taken transmissions), and who looked after the embalming of Trulshik Rinpoche. Ven. Roger will keep us informed about the process and timeline and we will continue to share updates on this process.
His Excellency Ling Rinpoche suggested that Rinpoche’s holy body be embalmed (rather than cremated) because Lama Zopa Rinpoche has so many students and is so widely known, as then people can come and pay their respects to Rinpoche’s holy body—it will become an object of pilgrimage at Kopan. As previously mentioned, Ven. Roger requested His Holiness the Dalai Lama to comment on this suggestion, and His Holiness advised that this is a very good way forward.
Pujas continue to go on constantly everywhere at Kopan: everyone in the monastery and nunnery is participating. The livestream of the prayers by Rinpoche’s room is continuing.
Additionally, groups are coming from other monasteries to do their own prayers in the gompa at Kopan in their own way for Rinpoche. We are making offerings to them.
Many, many monasteries are also doing pujas and prayers for Rinpoche in their own gompas. We will make offerings to them also.
Please continue trying to fulfil Rinpoche’s holy wishes, especially to practice impermanence and bodhicitta in the context of the lamrim. Fulfilling the gurus’ holy wishes is a very important part of inviting the guru to return.
We are delighted to share that we just received the swift return prayer composed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in Tibetan, which is downloadable from the Updates Regarding Lama Zopa Rinpoche page. We will make it available in English as soon as possible.
We are also very happy to share the swift return prayer composed by Khandro Kunga Bhuma, in Tibetan and with a quick translation into English, also now downloadable from the Updates Regarding Lama Zopa Rinpoche page.
We rejoice in the swift return prayers kindly composed by other lamas also. We will add them to the Updates Regarding Lama Zopa Rinpoche page as soon as possible.
May Rinpoche be reborn as quickly as possible in a place where he can be very quickly recognized and be of most benefit to sentient beings.
Big love,
Your friends at FPMT International Office
We will continue to send out updates as they become available, and these will be collected on this update page.
Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery, March 25, 2023. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab
Yesterday we shared the incredibly heart breaking news that on April 13th, Lama Zopa Rinpoche showed the aspect of passing away.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche is still in the meditation stage in his room in Kopan Monastery. A short video of Rinpoche in clear light meditation is available on Youtube if you would like to view our precious guru at this time.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche in clear light meditation, Kopan Monastery, April 13, 2023. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
In the room next to the room where Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy body sits in meditation, Kopan monks immediately started and are continuously engaged in twenty-four hour prayers, pujas and self-initiations, and in Kopan’s main gompa prayers are being offered continually. The ongoing prayers with the monks and nuns are being livestreamed and you can connect with that now on Youtube.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama advised on the prayers and practices to be done in Kopan, and also immediately accepted to compose a swift return prayer for Rinpoche’s students.
Lelung Tulku is at Kopan and offering special prayers and puja, and Khandro Kunga Bhuma will arrive tomorrow.
The Kopan monks twenty-four hour prayers, pujas, and self-initiations have thus far included Yamantaka self-initiation, The Eight Prayers (many times), Lama Chopa (several times), recitations of Manjushri’s root text and Drang Nge Lekshe Nyingpo, and many Tara prayers.
This morning, April 14, the Kopan nuns took over and began an all day Vajrayogini self-initiation, which is done extensively. In the evening the monks will perform Guhyasamaja self-initiation, which will continue all night.
On April 15, a number of Gyudme tantric monks arrive and will be joined by Kopan monks to do extensive Five-deity Heruka Body Mandala self-initiation. This will continue every day, twenty-four hours a day, for many days.
Following advice from His Eminence Ling Rinpoche, and confirmed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s body will not be cremated, but will be embalmed. Khandro Kunga Bhuma will help to take care of this process.
We will announce information regarding the main prayer ceremony for Rinpoche once the time comes and we have specific details to share.
Khandro-la very clearly said that Rinpoche took on the obstacles for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and maybe other lamas also, but definitely Rinpoche took on obstacles of His Holiness.
Rinpoche continues in clear light meditation, which gives us a very special opportunity to connect with Rinpoche’s holy mind.
Please keep trying to fulfil Rinpoche’s holy wishes, especially to practice impermanence and bodhicitta in the context of the lamrim. Fulfilling the gurus’ holy wishes is a very important part of inviting the guru to return.
We will continue to send out updates as they become available, and these will be collected on this update page.
Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche arriving at Tsum Valley, Nepal, April 10, 2023. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Our precious guru is sitting in meditation at Kopan Monastery.
Rinpoche had been up in the mountains in the Tsum Valley since Monday, and had to be brought down urgently as Rinpoche was experiencing altitude sickness.
On arrival back in Kathmandu this morning, Rinpoche stopped breathing. The main doctor at Karuna Hospital tried for some time to revive Rinpoche, but that was not successful. Rinpoche entered meditation at about 9.30am Nepal time, today Thursday April 13th.
His Holiness has been informed, and is giving advice.
The lama gyupas and monks are taking turns in sessions offering Cittamani Tara with Rinpoche, as advised by His Holiness. Other pujas and prayers are being offered here in Kopan.
Khadro-la has advised that this is a most important and precious time for students. Khadro-la went on to advise that the best thing for the students to do at this time is to practice bodhicitta in particular, as well as impermanence in the context of the lamrim, and then also as much as one can to help fulfil the guru’s holy wishes.
Khadro-la insisted that we should take this opportunity to try to achieve all or some of the lamrim in our own practice. Meditating and praying to the guru to receive his blessings and guidance is very important. And to try as much as possible to complete Rinpoche’s projects and holy wishes, so already to generate that wish that we’ll be able to do that.
Please pray and dedicate for Rinpoche to be reborn as quickly as possible in a place where he can be very quickly recognized and be of most benefit to sentient beings.
Please keep trying to fulfill Rinpoche’s holy wishes, especially to practice impermanence and bodhicitta in the context of the lamrim. Fulfilling the gurus’ holy wishes is a very important part of inviting the guru to return.
As you know, Rinpoche was the embodiment of bodhicitta, and always stressed the importance of remembering impermanence, and the essential need to put the teachings into practice. This is what we can do for our precious guru now – please try to follow Rinpoche’s heart advice. We can all connect with the guru and receive the guru’s blessings in this way – NOW is a very important time for this.
Our hearts are breaking, we take all our support from Rinpoche’s teachings, and the guidance of His Holiness and our teachers, and in our FPMT family.
Big love
On behalf of Ven Roger Kunsang
FPMT International Office
We will send out updates as they become available.
Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche greeting participants of the Kopan November Course, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, December 2022. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Since our last update, Lama Zopa Rinpoche spent beneficial time in India and Nepal in October and November, including a moving visit with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Rinpoche also visited Tashi Chime Gatsal Nunnery in Bigu, Nepal where he gave ordination vows for forty-five new nuns and participated in a ceremony for their new gompa. Rinpoche then taught at the fifty-third Kopan November Course at Kopan Monastery throughout December, and received a long life puja on behalf of the entire FPMT organization. Rinpoche engaged in a variety of other auspicious activities, benefiting and blessing sentient beings in any way possible along the way.
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.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Ven. Roger Kunsang, and other monks, November 2, 2022. Dharamsala, India. Photo courtesy of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
A Most Auspicious Meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama
On November 2, 2022, Rinpoche, accompanied by Ven. Roger Kunsang, Geshe Ngawang Sangye, Ven. Tendar, and Ven. Topgye; had a private audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in His Holiness’s residence in Dharamsala, India. 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.” During the meeting, His Holiness thanked Rinpoche for bringing Buddha’s teachings to the West, and accepted Rinpoche’s request that FPMT offer His Holiness a long life puja. You can read more details about this auspicious event.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave ordination over two days, with explanation, to forty-five new nuns at Tashi Chime Gatsal Nunnery, Nepal. November 18, 2022. Photo by Ven. Lhundrup Topgye.
Visit to Tashi Chime Gatsal Nunnery, Bigu, Nepal
On November 14, Rinpoche ceremoniously arrived at Tashi Chime Gatsal Nunnery in Bigu, Nepal. Since 2009, the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund and some kind donors has been sponsoring the nuns of this Kagyu nunnery to complete one and often two 100 million mani retreats (100 million recitations of the mantra OM MANI PADME HUM) each year, including sponsoring the cost of food for all who participate. In addition to sponsoring the retreats, grants have also been offered for medical expenses and other needs at the nunnery over the years.
Rinpoche led an opening ceremony for their new gompa with Drukpa Rinpoche, offered Amitayus initiation, Vajrayogini initiation, and ordination for forty-five new nuns.
Young Kopan monks singing, “happy birthday” to Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery, December 3, 2022. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
A Birthday Celebration at Kopan Monastery
On Rinpoche’s birthday, December 3, the Kopan community, joined by monks and nuns, locals, and November Course participants, offered a Sixteen Arhats long-life puja to Rinpoche, and organized a joyous celebration for FPMT’s spiritual director. The events included many performances of song, traditional Tibetan dances, and prayers. FPMT centers, projects, and services around the world also held their own celebrations and offerings for this special occasion.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching at the fifty-third Kopan lamrim meditation course, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, December 9, 2022. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Teachings at the Fifty-third Lamrim Meditation Course at Kopan Monastery
Rinpoche arrived back at Kopan Monastery on November 9. On November 25, after a two-year break due to the pandemic restrictions and safety concerns, 175 students started the fifty-third lamrim meditation course (also known as the November Course) at Kopan with Geshe Tenzin Namdak serving as retreat teacher. Geshe Namdak is a Dutch senior monk who completed his Geshe degree at Sera University in India in 2017. Geshe Namdak is the first Westerner to complete the full course of studies at Sera Je Monastery and also to sit for the final geshe examination there, a tremendous achievement.
On December 7, Rinpoche began teaching at the November Course and offered sixteen teachings through December 25, concluding with a jenang (permission to practice) of Vajrasattva. The teachings were livestreamed on YouTube for all to join. All of these teachings are also available as edited videos, which are added to the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Teachings from Kopan 2022 page with summaries of the teachings as they become available.
During this time, Rinpoche also offered course participants a refuge ceremony on December 23; course participants went on pilgrimage to the Swayambunath and Boudhanath stupas on December 24. Rinpoche also took this opportunity to meet with quite a few representatives of FPMT centers who were attending the November Course.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with IMI Sangha on Lama Tsongkhapa Day at Kopan Monastery. Photo courtesy of Kopan Monastery.
Pujas, Prayers, and Practices
Rinpoche is continuously engaging in pujas, prayers, and practices to benefit all sentient beings and benefit all variety of external conditions, including the elements, as extensively as possible.
Rinpoche spent time at Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, from October 30 to November 5 where Rinpoche led Lama Chopa tsog with 102 students and visitors in attendance, protector prayers, and prayers to Ksitigarbha.
His Eminence the 102nd Ganden Tripa Rigzong Rinpoche passed away at the age of 95 on December 8, 2022. Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi, and the Kopan Lama Gyupa offered Yamantaka self-initiation at news of the passing of this great lama, who was one of Rinpoche’s gurus.
A Sixteen Arhats long life puja was offered for Rinpoche at Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery on December 15, prior to a celebration honoring eight nuns who completed their Geshema degrees in 2019 and 2022.
This year Lama Tsongkhapa Day fell on December 18. The day started at Kopan Monastery with a 1,000 Offerings to Maitreya Buddha puja offered by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi, and all of the sangha at Kopan. After a lunch for more than 35 IMI sangha members, Rinpoche led everyone around the Guhyasamaja sand mandala in the Lama Gyupa gompa, explaining the incredible benefits you get just from seeing the mandala. All of the sangha at Kopan then offered a heartfelt and powerful Heruka Lama Chopa with extensive light offerings made outside.
On December 22, Rinpoche led Chod tsog at Boudhanath stupa with Yangsi Rinpoche, a few nuns from Khachoe Ghakyil Nunnery, and Umze Geshe Sherab from Kopan Monastery.
Among many ongoing practices, Lama Chopa tsog, Wealth Vase puja, and Guhyasamaja self-initiation were offered at Kopan Monastery while Rinpoche was there.
Lama Zopa Runpoche during the long life puja offered to Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery, December 21, 2022. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Long Life Puja for Rinpoche
A long life puja was offered by the entire FPMT organization to Rinpoche on December 21, at Kopan Monastery. This puja was offered in accordance with the advice of Khandro Kunga Bhuma (Khandro-la), and is part of a collection of practices offered for Rinpoche’s health and the well-being of the entire FPMT organization.
Book Release Event for Rinpoche’s New Book in Nepali
Rinpoche recently authored a new book in Nepali, titled The Effects of Smoking and Living a Healthy and Happy life. Kopan Nunnery hosted a public book release, which drew over 600 guests, including dignitaries such as Mr. Gagan K. Thapa from the Nepali Parliament’s House of Representatives. Music was offered by renowned singers Raju Lama and Ani Choying Drolma during the event. This book is a mixture of life advice and also details the harms of smoking tobacco, citing Padmasambhava’s advice, as well as modern science.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche blessing a turtle and rabbit, with friends on the new land for Tushita Meditation Centre, New Delhi, India, November 6, 2022. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Blessing Beings Everywhere
Rinpoche’s care for animals is legendary, and he uses every opportunity to bless and benefit sentient beings of all shapes and sizes, wherever he goes. While traveling, Rinpoche recited mantras and lamrim prayers to the dogs of Osel Labrang at Sera Je Monastery in October; and while in Delhi in November, Rinpoche recited “The Foundation of all Good Qualities” as a blessing for a turtle and a rabbit and then touched the texts to their heads.
Teachings with His Holiness the Dalai Lama
On December 27, Rinpoche left Nepal for Bodhgaya to attend teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Kalachakra Teaching Ground in Bodhgaya, India. His Holiness began on December 29, offering a two-day teaching on Nagarjuna’s Commentary on Bodhicitta. On December 31, His Holiness conferred a jenang blessing of the Twenty-one Taras. On January 1, a long life puja was offered to His Holiness by the Gelug International Foundation, the organization representing the entire Geluk Tradition, at the Kalachakra Teaching Ground, in the place of the Buddha’s enlightenment.
We invite you to see more photos of Rinpoche in our India & Nepal October–December 2022 photo album:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wQAPmuSsYjnBm6Ey9
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 Kopan lamrim meditation course, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, December 9, 2022. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
As a reminder, an official long life puja will be offered on behalf of FPMT centers, projects, services, study groups, and students for Lama Zopa Rinpoche, on December 21, at Kopan Monastery, Nepal. This second long life puja in 2022 will be offered in accordance with the advice of Khandro Kunga Bhuma (Khandro-la), and is part of a collection of practices offered for Rinpoche’s health, and the well-being of the entire FPMT organization.
The puja will be live streamed on the main FPMT Youtube livestream page and the FPMT Facebook page, starting around 8:30am in Nepal (2:45am GMT).
Please note: in our December FPMT Monthly e-news, we incorrectly shared the date of this puja as being December 22. The correct date is December 21 and we apologize for any confusion this has caused.
Our prayers have tremendous power, and we invite you to join us by rejoicing in the puja being offered, generating your own prayers for Rinpoche’s health and long life, or making an offering toward the expenses associated with the pujas and practices for Rinpoche’s health and long life.
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.
For all sessions and information about Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s livestreamed teachings during the fifty-third Kopan November Course, which continues until December 26, please visit: https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/lama-zopa-rinpoche-live/
Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the celebration of his birthday, with Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi, Ven. Roger Kunsang, and others at Kopan Monastery, Nepal. December 3, 2022.
Birthday Celebration
On Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s birthday, December 3, the Kopan community, joined by monks and nuns, locals, and November Course participants, offered a Sixteen Arhats long-life puja to Rinpoche, and organized a joyous celebration for FPMT’s spiritual director, which included many performances of song, traditional Tibetan dances, and prayers. During the celebration, Lama Zopa Rinpoche shared and explained some extremely impactful quotations, including this verse from Padmasambhava:
However much effort you put into worldly activities, they never finish.
If you put effort into holy Dharma, you quickly finish the work.
Although samsaric works are good at the beginning, in the end they fail.
If you practice holy Dharma, the result never goes down.
And verses on bodhicitta, including this from Lama Atisha in the Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment:
If the merits of generating bodhicitta
Were to take form,
They would fill the whole sky
And be even more than that.
Please enjoy this video of Rinpoche’s message as well as the ceremonies and festivities offered at Kopan Monastery in celebration of Rinpoche’s birthday:
FPMT centers, projects, and services around the world also had their own celebrations and offerings to Rinpoche on his birthday, including, for example, this video prepared by Chenrezig Institute, Australia, and this video offered by Institut Vajra Yogini, France.
Traditional Tibetan dance offered during the celebration of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s birthday, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, December 3, 2022.
Long Life Puja
An official long life puja will be offered on behalf of FPMT centers, projects, services, study groups, and students to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, on December 21, at Kopan Monastery. This second long life puja in 2022 will be offered in accordance with the advice of Khandro Kunga Bhuma (Khandro-la), and is part of a collection of practices offered for Rinpoche’s health, and the well-being of the entire FPMT organization.
Current Teachings at Kopan Monastery’s November Course
Lama Zopa Rinpoche started teaching at Kopan Monastery as part of the 2022 lamrim meditation retreat (known as the November Course). These teachings are being livestreamed so that everyone can receive them, please explore all the ways you can engage in these teachings both live and following each teaching.
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.
These teachings are being livestreamed with transcription so that everyone can receive them. Subscribe to the FPMT YouTube channel to get notified when new videos are uploaded or a livestream starts. Livestreams are also announced on Telegram as well as Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Facebook page, and the FPMT and Kopan Monastery Facebook pages. Livestreams can also be watched without a transcript for those who prefer that format. Additionally, we will also be blogging about the teachings and providing final videos, transcripts, and summaries of the topics Rinpoche is covering regularly, so if you haven’t yet, subscribe to our FPMT Daily News blog email list!
Lama Zopa Rinpoche meeting students from Spanish speaking countries who are doing the November course, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, November 30, 2022. 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.
For all sessions and information about Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s livestreamed teachings, please visit: https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/lama-zopa-rinpoche-live/
Lama Zopa Rinpoche, November 2022. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s birthday is celebrated on December 3. We invite you to join the entire FPMT community as we rejoice in another year of Rinpoche’s compassionate and inspiring life, and transformative teachings.
A celebration for Rinpoche will begin at Kopan Monastery, first thing on December 3. Early in the morning a long life puja (Namgyal Tsechok) will be offered to Rinpoche. During this puja a monetary offering will be made to all of the monks and nuns in attendance on behalf of the entire FPMT organization. In the afternoon, lunch will be offered to all at Kopan including local people from the area, and November Course participants. After lunch, traditional entertainment will be offered including skits and Sherpa dance. We will share photos and more details of this joyous event after the occasion.
Please join the entire FPMT community, including students and friends around the world, in offering sincere prayers for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s long and healthy life. (All are welcome to download Long Life Prayers for Lama Zopa Rinpoche.)
Rinpoche, on behalf of all the six-realm sentient beings who rely on you—please, please live long!
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.