Lama Zopa Rinpoche News

From left: Dagri Rinpoche, Yangsi Rinpoche and Lama Zopa Rinpoche listening to Geshe Ngawang Dakpa, Land of Medicine Buddha, California, US, September 29, 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche was joined by Dagri Rinpoche, Yangsi Rinpoche and Geshe Ngawang Dakpa for the lunch offered after the long life puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Land of Medicine Buddha in California, US, on Sunday, September 29, 2013.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche continues his stay in California. Dagri Rinpoche was teaching a course at Land of Medicine Buddha. Yangsi Rinpoche, president of Maitripa College in Portland, Oregon, flew to California to attend the puja. Geshe Dakpa is the resident teacher at Tse Chen Ling in nearby San Francisco. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche visiting  H.E. Choden Rinpoche, San Jose, California, September 30, 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

During late September, both Lama Zopa Rinpoche and His Eminence Choden Rinpoche were in the Bay Area of California. Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited with His Eminence on September 30 in San Jose. 

 Mandala brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings and events from over 160 FPMT centers, projects and services around the globe. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.

Rinpoche pointing out to Dagri Rinpoche where Lama Yeshe lived. Rinpoche’s house is “by chance” only a few miles away. “It wasn’t planned, it just happened like that!” Aptos, California, September 28, 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche has been in the United States for the last three weeks, staying at Kachoe Dechen Ling, his home in Aptos on California’s central coast. On September 28, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Dagri Rinpoche, who was in California offering teachings at Land of Medicine Buddha, went out on a local pier to bless all the sentient beings in the ocean.

While in California, Lama Zopa Rinpoche regularly goes to the ocean with specially made Namgyälma mantra boards that are lowered into the water to bless all the beings. You can read more about the Namgyälma mantra and blessing the animals in the ocean on Mandala.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche holding ropes attached to mantra boards blessing beings in the ocean, Aptos, California, September 14, 2013. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

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Tenzin Ösel Hita greeting Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Ven. Pemba Sherpa in the background, Land of Medicine Buddha, California, September 21, 2013. Photo by Chris Majors.

By Tenzin Ösel Hita

Read to FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche by Tenzin Ösel Hita, the recognized reincarnation of FPMT founder Lama Yeshe, during the long life puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Land of Medicine Buddha, Soquel, California, USA, on September 29, 2013.

Dearest spiritual friend and guide, Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche, you are so precious to us in so many different aspects. From so many angles in life, do you benefit us constantly with no break, no rest, no sleep.

Dear Lama Zopa-la, we are so grateful for your presence in this planet. We are so lucky to be able to share this space and time with you.

Since the beginning, you have dedicated your life fully to improving peoples’ spiritual lives, even though I’m sure you would love to spend many years in a Lawudo cave deep in meditation. Thank you so much for choosing to stay with us and guide us towards our inner potential.

We know how each and every action you do is dedicated to helping sentient beings – every thought, every breath; every sip of water you take is dedicated to sentient beings. We are so lucky to have you in our midst. You inspire us to be better people, and your presence gives us motivation to follow your example. You are constantly helping so many sentient beings from so many different dimensions. It is amazing to see your work in this world.

Please stay with us for as long as it takes all sentient beings to reach enlightenment. We are willing to follow your advice and work hard to accomplish your dreams, which, of course, are always focused on benefiting in the greatest way, in this life and the next.

We all thank you so much from the depth of our hearts; we wish you success in all of your vast visions present and future. 

Lama Zopa-la please live a long life. And rest a bit when you can.

Thank you for guiding us relentlessly – without rest, without tiring.

Thank you for helping us purify, for sparking interest into investigating our own egos and ignorance.

Thank you for making us see how mistaken we are.

Please continue helping sentient beings, and live a long life, with no obstacles.

Thank you, Rinpoche, for your kindness and dedication.

We love you Lama Zopa-la.

Thank you so much.

—

Video of Tenzin Ösel Offering Praise to Lama Zopa Rinpoche

The long life puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche was offered by FPMT Inc. Board of Directors and FPMT North America with logistical support from local FPMT centers and projects. The long life puja included the dance of the five dakinis in accordance with advice given by Khadro-la (Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme) for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s health and long life.

Photos from Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s visit to Land of Medicine Buddha can be found on photographer Chris Majors’ Flickr page.

Mandala brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings and events from over 160 FPMT centers, projects and services around the globe. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.

From Ven. Roger Kunsang:

Dharamsala, India – June 4, 2013

Lama Zopa Rinpoche offers Dharmachakra virtually the first time to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kopan, Nepal, May 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Very early in the morning Rinpoche decides to go to the long life initiation His Holiness the Dalai Lama is giving at the temple here in McLeod Ganj. So far, Rinpoche has been watching the webcast from Tushita [Meditation Centre]. We did try to explain to Rinpoche it would be difficult for different reasons. Rinpoche was very insistent he will go! Rinpoche wanted to offer the large 30-inch (76-centimeter) silver Dharmachakra to His Holiness. A small thing to get through security (never mind we didn’t have teaching passes either.)

During His Holiness’ visit to IOF [International Office] in Portland, Rinpoche offered this beautiful silver Dharmachakra to His Holiness on video. We took the video of Rinpoche offering, visualizing His Holiness, while Rinpoche was in Kopan, then emailed the video to Portland and there George, Ven. Holly [Ansett] and Tom [Truty] arranged for the video to be played to His Holiness after Tenzin Ösel Hita offered the body, speech and mind [mandala]. His Holiness watched the video of Rinpoche humbly offering the Dharmachakra and joined in the chant when Rinpoche did the short mandala offering. Then His Holiness made the comment, “so sincere.”

Now Rinpoche was in the teachings near to His Holiness and at the end of the teachings, after the mandala offering, Rinpoche managed to get to his feet and go up to His Holiness’ throne as best as he could holding the large silver Dharmachakra as high as he could, the five different colored khatas underneath. Rinpoche approached the throne bending down humbly and trying to hold the Dharmachakra high to offer to His Holiness. His Holiness, with arms stretched out and bending down low from the throne, was making an effort to try and reach the Dharmachakra, but then Rinpoche was bending even lower and it didn’t look like His Holiness could reach – this wasn’t going to work! Suddenly somehow they connected and finally His Holiness actually received the Dharmachakra first offered on video!

His Holiness said to Tashi-la, the ritual attendant to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to put the Dharmachakra in front of the large Padmasambhava statue on the main altar. That seemed really auspicious and special. Such a moving offering, it really did feel like something significant.

Ven. Roger Kunsang is CEO of FPMT and assistant to FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

To keep up to date with “Life on the Road with Lama Zopa Rinpoche,” consider signing up for our RSS feed (in the right-hand column of this page).

Lama Zopa Rinpoche making prostrations at Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, March 10, 2013. Photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/fpmtABC.

From Ven. Roger Kunsang:

Hong Kong – March 22, 2013

Rinpoche stood with his hands in the mudra of prostration before a very large thangka of Chenrezig. Rinpoche gradually leaned forward, slowly going to the ground, his stronger left arm reached for the ground, fingers contacted the floor. Gradually, Rinpoche put weight on the arm as his body leaned forward cautiously. The left knee moved towards the ground and made contact. Now the hard part: the right arm reached out to touch the ground with Rinpoche trying to spread his fingers so they landed open and stretched out on the floor.

I was feeling a little anxious as when Rinpoches head goes lower than the waist, he can feel dizzy and that’s a little dangerous after a stroke.

Gradually, Rinpoche lowered his body forward awkwardly, always the left side taking most of the weight. Watching Rinpoche making this kind of effort is very moving. I can see others moved and feeling emotional. The whole hall is very quiet while Rinpoche is making such an effort to do a full length prostration to all the Buddhas.

Rinpoche is now stretched full length on the floor although his right arm can’t straighten out yet. The process is slow but done with great, great determination. Now the really hard part: Rinpoche gets up alone as he won’t let anyone help! Rinpoche has developed a technique as he gradually rises where he shifts his weight over several stages, and finally to the stage where he has to take the weight from his arms and be on his legs only. That is most difficult. It’s quite tense watching this part and I can see some students who are watching, holding their breaths.

Rinpoche is hesitating now as he has to make a huge effort to go from kneeling to his feet … He does so and then straightens his body and is standing. His hands slowly come to his heart in the mudra of prostration in front of Chenrezig. Now two more prostrations and then the climb up on to the throne.

It wasn’t so long ago that Rinpoche couldn’t do this alone and it was dangerous as he would sometimes feel dizzy when his head went below the waist (not a good sign when you have problems with blood pressure and you have had a stroke!)

It’s very inspiring and moving to see Rinpoche do this with such determination. In the hospital immediately after the stroke, Rinpoche commented and also explained to His Holiness the Dalai Lama how sad he was that he couldn’t do even one prostration any more … or even bring both hands to the mudra of prostration at his heart to respect the Three Jewels. But now up to 12 long prostrations alone … that’s progress! Rinpoche is going in his own way at his own pace.

Ven. Roger Kunsang is CEO of FPMT and assistant to FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche. 

To keep up to date with “Life on the Road with Lama Zopa Rinpoche,” consider signing up for our RSS feed (in the right-hand column of this page).

From Ven. Roger Kunsang:

Taiwan–March 2, 2013

We stopped for dinner, at a food court on the drive to Kaoshung. (We were driving from Taipei in the north to Kaoshung in the south of Taiwan. We got off to a late start as Rinpoche was trying to squeeze in as much as possible at Jinsui Farlin, our center in Taipei, before leaving.) It’s around midnight and not easy to find something open.

The food court had many small restaurants even an Irish Potato place … Hmmm delicious! But they were all closed except for a place specializing in pork dishes(!) and a coffee shop (midnight, can you imagine … coffee?). So we settled for the only thing existing for midnight vegetarians … tea/coffee and a sandwich of delicious white bread.

Rinpoche was sitting at the table with tea and delicious sandwich and seemed to be thinking contemplatively as he watched the people moving around in the shopping area (seeming to not have the slightest interest in the delicious sandwich). We all were very hungry, so not wanting to wait too long to eat the delicious sandwich.

Rinpoche then mentioned with a mixture of sadness and compassion, “When you don’t think of the next life … people are wandering, like in a dream, believing 100% the dream is real! Like in a illusion or mirage … believing it’s all real.” (Rinpoche was watching the people walking around very focused on the shops and shaking his head.)

Rinpoche continued, “Imagine walking around like this and no idea of your next life and that life is not according to your choice; it is up to karma we create. Most likely insects, jelly fish … what suffering. So knowing Dharma is a huge benefit! Wow wow wow, so so so fortunate having met Dharma. Knowing Dharma is a huge opening of the eyes; the need for money in this life becomes like nothing. So so so fortunate having met Dharma.”      

UPDATE: Ven. Roger share’s a video from the food court.

Ven. Roger Kunsang is CEO of FPMT and assistant to FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche. 

To keep up to date with “Life on the Road with Lama Zopa Rinpoche,” consider signing up for our RSS feed (in the right-hand column of this page).

Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Choden Rinpoche, Taiwan, February 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Taichung, Taiwan — February 16, 2013

From Ven. Roger:

It’s been two years since Rinpoche has had the stroke. Not a lot has changed in Rinpoche’s life style actually. When Rinpoche had the stroke it happened gradually over several days … things got worse gradually, even after arriving at the hospital the stroke seemed to continue for several days. It got to the stage where Rinpoche physically was doing almost nothing, could hardly move. It was a serious stroke … he just lay there and it was very hard to know what to do. Rinpoche took absolutely no interest in his body. He never asked the doctor how he was or what he should do … what were his chances, will he be OK? Not the slightest concern did he seem to have about his critical condition. Rinpoche focused on prayers for the sick people in the hospital and even did a little fundraising for the (Christian) hospital in the later part of his stay.

And so nothing has changed over the last two years in this sense. Rinpoche seems not to have the slightest interest in recovering or not (but recovery is happening). This is hard to relate to for most people, why wouldn’t you want to get better … so you could help others. Prior to the stroke Rinpoche lived the same way … having no worldly concern or interest … everything was for others. There was no concern for sleep or any worldly benefit, no interest in rest. ( Rinpoche’s definition of rest was … abiding in virtue.) From my experience being with Rinpoche, there was no space for the eight worldly dharmas, there was no self cherishing … signs such as these was none.

So nothing has really changed in Rinpoche’s life … oops, there is one thing … Rinpoche doesn’t cough any more, especially in teachings! The more I think about Rinpoche’s life, and wonder, and try to understand, the more I think about Shantideva and the way of the bodhisattva warrior. Rinpoche is a warrior, and I think he has conquered the real enemy within and that’s maybe why it is hard to relate to him sometimes or understand his actions … because they are always opposite to the world. Rinpoche has no rush to go anywhere as he is already there. And as Rinpoche always says, “Taking care of others is the best way of taking care of yourself.”

This morning Rinpoche did 12 long prostrations unaided … quite an effort. We are in the 15 Days of Miracles, so Rinpoche is making an effort to use every minute to create merit. Yamantaka self initiation started a few days ago and is still not finished … it started with prostrations and then Lama Chopa and in between many other things kept happening … pujas, incense offering for people who are sick … this and that. The day finishes around 3 a.m., 4 a.m. is tea and then some prayers … a little rest after breakfast.

Video: Lama Zopa Rinpoche doing prostrations, Shakyamuni Center, February 2013

For the last few days Rinpoche has been visiting Choden Rinpoche to receive shabtu puja (clearing pollution) and also offering lunch to Choden Rinpoche. They sit together quietly, very peacefully and occasionally there is a little conversation and warm smile.

Today … right now Rinpoche is giving Dzambala initiation here at Shakyamuni Center, there could be as many as 500 people in the gompa. When the initiation finishes, the Yamantaka self initiation will continue. And so it goes on.

Rinpoche in front of Shakyamuni Center, Taichung, Taiwan, February 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Rinpoche’s blood pressure and sugar levels are OK. The doctors seem to be happy considering Rinpoche’s situation. And although Rinpoche has no interest in the conventional types of exercise … very gradually there seems to be improvement in his right leg and arm, the arm being the slowest to improve but it does seem to be improving.

Most days here Rinpoche does long prostrations and then walks up the stairs to the top floor where he stays … six stories. It leaves most of us puffing, and Rinpoche manages OK.

Ven. Roger Kunsang is CEO of FPMT and assistant to FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Dharamsala, India — April 2, 2012

From Ven. Roger:

It’s very dark. There is a strong storm with blasting winds and the road is narrow with room for only one vehicle at a time. The road is on the edge of a cliff at least a 1,000-foot [305-meter] drop on one side – it makes you dizzy looking over the edge. The road is in bad condition: sometimes just gravel and rock, with too many holes really jarring the car. There is a truck coming the other way heading straight for us blasting its horn. (Indian trucks are big and heavy and often held together by wood! They are actually huge pieces of scrap metal on wheels with tires that have no tread or very little.) I have nowhere to go (it’s me driving) and I can’t figure how to avoid this oncoming scrap metal heap on wheels that moves like a crab. The roads are so narrow so when an oncoming vehicle appears, you have to find quickly where the road is a little wider so you can pass each other, otherwise you get stuck and someone has to reverse up. And even then it could be a long way and then you might find another car behind you and he is blasting his horn and the car behind him is blasting away on his horn. Actually, Indian drivers drive with one hand on the wheel and the other on the horn, and it is very acceptable. Anyway, I manage very luckily to find a place where we can pass and we continue in complete darkness. The journey is 12 hours so you really have to be alert all the time, like really alert!

Indian road. Photo by John Haslam. Creative Commons (Flickr: foxypar4)

Everyone has the right-of-way on the roads which is confusing, everyone thinks they own the road which also goes for pedestrians, cows, dogs and donkeys … earlier in the day we came across a guy on the phone rolling with his feet a large gas bottle down the middle of the road, the gas bottle picked up speed and he lost control which didn’t seem to be a problem for him as he continued talking on the phone as the gas bottle picked up more speed and headed straight for us! We swerved and all was fine as it is with Indian roads as there are no rules so no one is doing anything wrong so all is OK … I like it with no rules, but can’t handle the overtaking on blind curves, which is common. (I thought it appropriate to have no full stops when describing the roads here.) (more…)

You can view the entire archive of Ven. Roger’s wonderful “Life on the Road with Lama Zopa Rinpoche” blog here.

Bodhgaya, India — January 28, 2012

From Ven. Roger:

Elephant practicing Dharma with Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Can elephants create virtue? Of course they can. Rinpoche was offered an elephant here in Bodhgaya. He accepted to keep it for 10 minutes and then return it to its owner. During those 10 minutes (which did get extended a little) Rinpoche had the elephant circumambulate the large Maitreya statue a few times, then with others he fed the elephant a lot of food while reciting mantras. After the great blessing, Rinpoche asked the owner to bring the elephant from time to time to Root Institute to do korwa (circumambulations). Since then a few friendly camels have come to do korwa. (more…)