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Dagri Rinpoche with Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Kachoe Dechen Ling on the morning of his departure back to India, Aptos, California, October 7, 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Dagri Rinpoche wrapped up a tour of the United States, visiting Lama Zopa Rinpoche on the morning of October 7. Dagri Rinpoche offered Lama Zopa Rinpoche the double dorje with mandala offering before departing for India. Dagri Rinpoche is an FPMT touring lama and taught at three FPMT centers during his visit: Milarepa Center in Vermont, Kurukulla Center in Massachusetts and Land of Medicine Buddha in California.
Kurukulla Center offers video and audio of Dagri Rinpoche teaching on the Three Principles of the Path. And Land of Medicine Buddha (LMB) shares many photos of Dagri Rinpoche’s visit on their Facebook page. While at LMB, Dagri Rinpoche gave a Most Secret Havagriva empowerment and gave 10 full days of Lama Chöpa commentary.
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.
Stupa De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre, Kangaroo Island, Australia, September 2011. Photo by George Manos.
Will Abram, director of De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre on Kangaroo Island, Australia, shared some exciting news with Mandala for the October-December 2013 issue.
Australia’s De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre is located on Kangaroo Island, a 20-minute flight or a 40-minute ferry ride from Adelaide, a city of 1.2 million people and capital of South Australia. The island is unique in many ways, being one of the most recently settled places on the planet. It is estimated that even the aboriginal habitation of the island ceased between five to ten thousand years ago. Home to the second largest numbers of unique flora and fauna on planet earth, the island has benefited from the lack of invasive animals that have damaged much of the mainland’s natural habitat.
De-Tong Ling, nestled into the northwestern part of the “conservation heartland” of the island, was originally established for people to do solitary retreats. So far five retreat cabins have been built with plans for another seven. Group retreats have also been conducted on the island annually for the last 10 years. These group retreats have been held on the adjoining property owned by Kimball Cuddihy, who helped found and direct De-Tong Ling from 1988 until 2012.
This year, the first group retreat was held at the center in the room underneath the newly completed Enlightenment Stupa. Including the gompa underneath, it is the largest completed stupa in Australia, standing some 14 meters [46 feet]. …
From Mandala October-December 2013
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Tenzin Ösel Hita, Kachoe Dechen Ling, Aptos, California, October 7, 2013. Photos by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s home in California is Kachoe Dechen Ling in Aptos. While he’s staying there, Rinpoche has many visitors. Tenzin Ösel Hita, who is studying at a nearby college, visited Rinpoche recently and the two of them kicked around a soccer ball. Rinpoche’s assistant Ven. Roger Kunsang commented, “It’s exercise time with the soccer ball … you have to be creative to get Rinpoche to exercise!”
Tenzin Ösel Hita and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, kicking the soccer ball for exercise, Kachoe Dechen Ling, October 7, 2013
Ven. Roger shared some more photos of a just a few of the people that Rinpoche has been seeing at his home in Aptos, California.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Dagri Rinpoche at lunch, Kachoe Dechen Ling, Aptos, California, US, September 24, 2013
Dagri Rinpoche gave Lama Chöpa commentary September 27-October 6 at Land of Medicine Buddha in nearby Soquel, California. During his time in California, he saw Lama Zopa Rinpoche often.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Dr. Don Brown and Dr. Robbie Watkins, director of Kadampa Center in North Carolina, US, Kachoe Dechen Ling, October 5, 2013
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Dunia Cárcamo Pérez, director of Khamlungpa Center in Zapopan, Mexico, Kachoe Dechen Ling, October 2, 2013
Lama Zopa Rinopche checks out Tenzin Ösel Hita’s new car, Aptos, California, US, October 7, 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Tenzin Ösel Hita recently visited Lama Zopa Ripoche to show Rinpoche his new car. This autumn, Tenzin Ösel moved to California to continue his studies and needed a car to get to class. Rinpoche and many others helped sponsor the car for Ösel.
When Rinpoche came to see the vehicle, he had several Namgyälma mantra decals ready to put on it. Once the decals were in place, Rinpoche pretended to take the car for a test drive. (In actuality, Rinpoche doesn’t drive.)
About the photos, Rinpoche’s assistant Ven. Roger Kunsang said, “Rinpoche getting the feel of the car … for the first time this life. Rinpoche said he would never drive this life … if he did … the next life would come very quickly!”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche pretends to drive Tenzin Ösel Hita’s new car, Aptos, California, US, October 7, 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
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 like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche doing Dzambala offering before lunch at Kachoe Dechen Ling, Aptos, California, US, October 4, 2013. Photos by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
When FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche is in California, he lives at Kachoe Dechen Ling in Aptos on California’s central coast near Santa Cruz. Life at Kachoe Dechen Ling is very busy for Rinpoche and the resident Sangha who live there. Rinpoche’s assistant Ven. Roger Kunsang captures in photos some of the activity going on at Kachoe Dechen Ling over the past few weeks.
Vens. Sangpo, Sherab and Tsering rolling mantras and filling the statues offered to Rinpoche at the long life puja, Kachoe Dechen Ling, October 5, 2013
Sangha making dinner for Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Dagri Rinpoche, Kachoe Dechen Ling, October 4, 2013
Lama Zopa Rinpoche wishing everyone “Big Love!” Kachoe Dechen Ling, September 24, 2013
Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Vens. Pemba, Sherab and Tsering doing puja at Kachoe Dechen Ling, September 22, 2013
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Ven. Tsering late at night circumambulating the stupas in front Kachoe Dechen Ling, September 14, 2013
Lama Zopa Rinpoche sorting through his texts, Kachoe Dechen Ling, September 13, 2013. “All these we carry in four big heavy suit cases everywhere we go!” Ven. Roger said about the texts.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche after arriving back in California from Mongolia, September 13, 2013
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 like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
Maitreya School for Universal Education and Tara Children’s Project’s new bus, Bodhgaya, India
Root Institute, the FPMT center in Bodhgaya, India, helps offer care and education to children through Shakyamuni Buddha Community Health Care Centre, Maitreya School for Universal Education and the Tara Children’s Project (TCP), which takes care of HIV-affected children and orphans. Tara Children’s Project kids and Maitreya School students are benefiting from receiving a new bus to take them to and from school.
Dr. Sanjay at Shakyamuni Buddha Health Care Centre, Root Institute, Bodhgaya, India
The Shakyamuni Buddha Health Care Centre is a free health care clinic that began in 1991. Dr. Sanjay works at the health care center and has been the main doctor for the children of TCP, visiting every week and overseeing the care for the physical and emotional health of each child.
Tara Children’s Project children spell out words for six essential guidelines
Juhi Pandey, from an organization called Tara Trust, spent five days collaborating with the TCP staff in engaging the children in activities that cultivate positive states of mind such as love and compassion. They engaged in many activities including listening to stories about companionship and the benefits of working together. To end the week, the children painted the letters of words of the six essential guidelines recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
His Holiness the Karmapa visits Tara Children’s Project children at Root Institute, Bodhgaya, India
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.
Long life puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Land of Medicine Buddha, California, US, September 29, 2013. Photo by Chris Majors.
Photographer Chris Majors captured in vivid and glorious detail the long life puja offered to FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Land of Medicine Buddha in California. You can see all of his photos from the festive and beautiful day on Chris’ Flickr page.
Dakini dance at long life puja, Land of Medicine Buddha, California, US, September 29, 2013. Photo by Chris Majors.
The long life puja, held on Sunday, September 29, 2013, included the special 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.
Tenzin Ösel Hita (in gold) greets Dagri Rinpoche while Yangsi Rinpoche and Geshe Ngawang Dakpa look on, Land of Medicine Buddha, California, US, September 29, 2013. Photo by Chris Majors.
Dagri Rinpoche, Yangsi Rinpoche, Geshe Ngawang Dakpa as well as Tenzin Ösel Hita all attended the puja, which was offered by FPMT Inc. Board of Directors and FPMT North America with logistical support from local FPMT centers and projects. Tenzin Ösel is the recognized reincarnation of FPMT founder Lama Yeshe. For the puja, he composed and read praises for Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Tendil Nyersel prayer flags at Land of Medicine Buddha, California. Photo by Chris Majors.
In addition to hosting the long life puja, Land of Medicine Buddha hung dozens of Tendil Nyersel prayer flags. FPMT centers, projects and services are encouraged to continue to do the practices for Lama Zopa Rinpoche as advised by Khadro-la, which include hanging the Tendil Nyersel prayer flags as well as reciting Most Secret Hayagriva mantra and organizing animal liberations. More information is available on the page “Rinpoche’s Health – Official Updates and Practices.”
If you’ve hung Tendil Nyersel flags at your center, send your pictures to Mandala!
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 like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
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.
Medicine Buddha by Peter Iseli
“Warm greetings from here in Pure Land of Medicine Buddha,” project coordinator Maria Domsholt wrote to Mandala. Pure Land of Medicine Buddha is the hospice project of Tong-nyi Nying-je Ling, the FPMT center in Denmark. In September, the project began organizing 19 volunteers to cover both night and day shifts for dying people in their last days of life. Volunteers also visit with chronically sick and terminally ill people. Medicine Buddha puja and prayers are part of the volunteers practice as well.
“When one of our patients die, a volunteer paints the name of the patient on a small stupa that had been filled and blessed from Kopan Monastery. We give that to the family of the patient,” Maria wrote.
Volunteers also continue training to use the Liberation Box, a collection of Dharma tools for the time of death assembled according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice. Materials on how to use the Liberation Box have been translated into Danish and edited by Dharma Wisdom Publishing, another project of Tong-nyi Nying-je Ling.
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.
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.
Choe Khor Sum Ling members and others with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala, India 2013. Photo courtesy of CKSL.
Choe Khor Sum Ling (CKSL) is an active and enthusiastic FPMT study group in Bangalore, India. In June 2013, several CKSL members attended teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India. It was a special teaching for Indian students on Shantideva’s Bodhicharyavatara (Bodhisattva’s Way of Life).
In August, study group coordinator Shanti Yajnik sent Mandala a piece written by one of the group’s members about his experiences receiving teachings at CKSL. Nidhi Aggarwal first came into contact with FPMT in November 2010 at the “Introduction to Buddhism” course at Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala and has continued develop his understanding of lam-rim and other Buddhist teachings at CKSL. Nidhi writes:
Just to let you know, the first turning of the Wheel of Dharma for me in this lifetime was back in 2001, when I visited Sarnath and picked up a booklet on four noble truths. So, I shall call FPMT the second turning in this life!!! As I see it, the visit to Sarnath left an imprint in my mindstream, which ripened when I fell in love with His Holiness Dalai Lama’s autobiography, Freedom in Exile. I was never able to associate with a sect or guru, however, His Holiness’ smile, compassion and sense of humor went straight to my heart. His teachings were so logical to my deluded mind that I wanted to explore the teachings of the Buddha.
CKSL holds weekend teachings in Bangalore and I have been quasi-regular at the center for one and a half years now. What brings me back each time are the teachings from the venerables [who are Sangha members living at IMI House and studying at Sera Monastery]. They have made me question the mistaken view of grasping at ‘I’ and phenomena. The teachings on the stages of the path to enlightenment have engrossed me intellectually and as a way out of cyclic existence of samsara. Most of the other teachings that I have attended have focused on the nature of the mind, mind’s infinite potential or mind transformation. The teaching style of the venerables is commendable. If I was ever taught with so much dedication, perseverance, patience and motivation in engineering school or management college, I certainly would be working with NASA or McKinsey.
The Mahayana motivation of enlightenment for the sake of all mother sentient beings is at the core of the teachings. This conceptually annihilates my twenty years of education and another over ten years of work experience, competing each day for self-serving motives. Another teaching that deserves mention herein is the guru devotion – seeing our guru in the aspect of the Buddha. … It is extremely important to have living examples of our highest aspirations and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is a living buddha of our times. I have been fortunate enough to receive his blessings in the way of teachings and initiations directly from him. I see him as father taking care of all my future lifetimes. I wish that all his holy aspirations be fulfilled spontaneously without a moment’s delay and wish him a very long and stable life for the benefit of all sentient beings.
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.
If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.