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Lama Zopa Rinpoche with the card “Compassion Is of the Utmost Need,” created by FPMT Education Services, Land of Medicine Buddha, California, September 2013. Photo by Chris Majors.
To help FPMT students around the world access the resources they need, FPMT Education Services have been working to restructure the pages, links and downloads on the FPMT Education Services sections of fpmt.org. You can find links to prayers and practices, sutras and mantras, advice, teachings and much more under the “Education” tab on fpmt.org.
FPMT Education Services has been called “the heart” of the FPMT organization because it creates high quality study programs suitable for all levels in accordance with the wishes and guidance of FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche. These programs are available in FPMT centers, as homestudy materials, or via the FPMT Online Learning Center. Education Services also publishes various practice materials in hard copy and digital formats, and works with a global network of educators, trainers, translators and publishers to develop valuable training programs and translations.
“If you look, then you can understand how fortunate we are having the opportunity to study [Dharma], Lama Zopa Rinpoche said. “With our Dharma knowledge and practice we can give the light of Dharma to others, in their heart. I think that’s the best service to sentient beings, the best service to the world.”
Please take a look at all the education resources that are available to you and share your suggestions (education@fpmt.org) for the continued improvement of the FPMT Education pages.
The work of FPMT Education Services is supported in part by donations to the FPMT Education Fund and Friends of FPMT.
Khadro-la in New Zealand, April 2014. Photo by Carey Aburn.
Mahamudra Centre, an FPMT retreat center in Colville, New Zealand, hosted an eight-day lam-rim retreat with Khadro-la (Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme). The well attended retreat, which ran April 27-May 4, was described as “extraordinary” and “beyond words.” Ven. Nangsel, Mahamudra Centre director, shared with Mandala highlights from the retreat for the July-September 2014 issue.
From the beginning, students quickly realized we were experiencing something rare and special when Khadro-la looked at us directly and said simply, “It’s not easy to practice Dharma, is it!” From there she took new and old students alike in hand, giving many examples of how as students we go astray in the practice of the Dharma, practicing for the material comfort of this life – food, clothes and good reputation – and endlessly engaging in practice, performing rituals, our commitments and mantras without any real understanding of what we are doing. Khadro-la was crystal clear: Dharma is about mental transformation, and if we are not experiencing positive results from our practice, looking to the Dharma for shortcomings isn’t the answer. Instead, we need to recognize the negativity associated with self-cherishing and self-grasping and see the faults in our own attitudes. …
Read more and see more photos …
From Mandala July-September 2014
Lama Zopa Rinpoche on Vulture’s Peak, India, March 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
While staying at Root Institute in Bodhgaya, India, in February 2014, Lama Zopa Rinpoche translated an explanation of the eight auspicious signs, adding brief commentary. Rinpoche’s interest arose from a “conversation when Rinpoche was questioning whether it was OK to step over the eight auspicious signs or not,” shared Ven. Sarah Thresher, who served as scribe for Rinpoche’s dictation.
“Probably many of us do not know how important these eight auspicious signs are and how they affect our lives,” Rinpoche said. “They can be used externally to help with one’s own success as well as with the FPMT organization to be successful in benefiting others and working for the [dissemination of the] teachings of the Buddha. Putting these eight auspicious signs around everywhere, outside and also inside the rooms, makes things very auspicious. It is not necessary to put all eight together, and they don’t all need to be in the same place. They can be placed separately at different locations, but you should have all of them. …”
You can read the entire advice in the online edition of Mandala July-September 2014.
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 being offered the hand-traced Heart Sutra by Dechen Bloom, Portland, Oregon, US, April 2014. Photo by Mandala.
April 21, 2014, was a big day for Dechen Bloom, age six. Lama Zopa Rinpoche was visiting Dechen’s hometown of Portland, Oregon, and Dechen had something special to offer Rinpoche. Leading up to Rinpoche’s visit, Dechen had been working very hard to both memorize the Heart Sutra and to write it out, dedicated to Rinpoche’s long life.
Dechen bounced with excitement as he waited for Rinpoche to arrive at FPMT International Office. When Rinpoche’s car pulled up, Dechen was out on the sidewalk with his copy of the Heart Sutra. He offered it, smiling, to Rinpoche, who was very pleased. He also recited it on video for Rinpoche the previous day.
This offering to Rinpoche had been a couple of years in the making. As Dechen grew from a toddler into a young boy, his mother, Carina Rumrill, had noticed that while Dechen was able to read, count and learn shapes and colors much more quickly than other children his age, his behavior seemed to her to be a lot more difficult. As he reached school age, she took him to be tested by the local school district to see what they thought was going on. They identified him as having ASD (autism spectrum disorder), specifically they told Carina he had Asperger syndrome and sensory processing disorder.
Ven. Robina Courtin was visiting Portland during this period and spending time with Dechen. (She has known him since his birth.) She encouraged Carina, who is the former managing editor of Mandala and now editorial support for FPMT International Office, to not label him with any disorder and to try and view his behavior in the context of Dharma teachings. …
From Mandala July-September 2014
Tenzin Ösel Hita and Lama Zopa Rinpoche after having lunch together, Italy, June 16, 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Tenzin Ösel Hita both attended His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s recent public teachings in Livorno, Italy, June 14-15. The following day, Ösel joined Lama Zopa Rinpoche for lunch.
Rinpoche was in Italy through the end of June. He gave teachings at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa June 28-29. Rinpoche taught on June 28 and conferred the long life initiation of White Tara on June 29.
Ösel recently finished the semester of studies in Hawaii, and later in 2014 will be taking teachings from Geshe Gendun Chomphel at Sera Je Monastery.
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.
Saka Dawa butterlamp offerings with “Old Lama Gyupa,” Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, India, June 13, 2014. Photo courtesy of Tushita Meditation Centre.
Tushita Meditation Centre is a bustling FPMT center in Dharamsala – the seat-in-exile of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Tushita staff recently wrote Mandala, sharing news about their Saka Dawa events:
Saka Dawa is one of the most important festival days of the Tibetan Buddhist calendar, celebrating Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and parinirvana. This year Saka Dawa fell on June 13. To begin the day, we held a butterlamp light offering puja with our resident “Old Lama Gyupa,” Ven. Thubten Dorjee, to make prayers and dedications for our center, sponsors and all sentient beings.
Students read the Golden Light Sutra in front of Lama Yeshe’s Stupa, Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, India, June 13, 2014. Photo courtesy of Tushita Meditation Centre.
Later, many people joined us for a special program of open drop-in sessions, including “What the Buddha Taught” with FPMT-registered teacher Glen Svensson, a group reading of the Golden Light Sutra on the lawn by Lama Yeshe’s Stupa, and a movie screening of the The Life of Buddha, an excellent BBC documentary.
While the movie was showing, Tushita staff, volunteers and monastics used the auspicious day to refresh the statue boxes on Lama Yeshe’s Stupa. The statues were offered new clothes, and we were able to finally install the Ratnasambhava statue that we had made in Nepal to replace one that was stolen a year or so ago.
The program of Saka Dawa events concluded with a Medicine Buddha puja and then light offerings with meditation at Lama Yeshe’s Stupa.
Additionally, 15 hardcore practitioners joined our final set of nyung nä retreats, which ended on the morning of June 14.
It was also our beloved dog Nying-je’s 9th birthday. Before being renamed Nying-je Chenmo (Great Compassion) by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, she was previously called Saka Dawa, after the auspicious day she turned up at Tushita in 2005. Then, she was a malnourished, stray spitfire puppy. Now, she’s a well-fed, leisurely older woman, but still a very endearing character, much loved by all.
You can see more photos from Tushita’s Saka Dawa events on Facebook.
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.
Nying-je Chenmo at an introductory course led by Glen Svensson at Tushita. Nying-je Chenmo recently turned 9. Photo courtesy of Tushita Meditation Centre.
Over 100 people watched two videos in celebration of Amitabha Buddhist Centre’s 25th anniversary, Singapore, June 7, 2014. Photo via Facebook (Amitabha Buddhist Centre).
On June 7, 2014, Amitabha Buddhist Centre (ABC) in Singapore celebrated its 25th anniversary. The center commissioned two videos, which were screened to an audience of about 130, including Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi, ABC’s resident teacher since 1999 and current abbot of Kopan Monastery. In addition to The Heart of Our Happiness, a short documentary reflecting on ABC’s growth and accomplishments over 25 years, students watched Thank You, ABC Family! Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s hour-long special message to ABC students and supporters.
Amitabha Buddhist Centre offers the broader FPMT community Thank You, ABC Family! as a subtitled video so that others can benefit from Rinpoche’s warm greetings and inspiring advice:
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.
Enlightenment Stupa at Land of Calm Abiding, California, April 2014. Photo courtesy of Land of Calm Abiding.
A Land of Calm Abiding is a 485-acre (196-hectare) wilderness ranch in Big Sur, California and is dedicated to supporting long-term solitary retreats. Director Ven. Lhundup Chonyi (Patricia DeVoe) recently reported to Mandala some of the progress the center has made since June 2013.
In less than a year, our Enlightenment Stupa was completed with the motivation that it would become “a wish-fulfilling jewel.” On June 1, 2013, with 25 people present, the stupa was consecrated and dedicated to the long life of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Built within park-like surroundings, it is located near the entrance gate welcoming and blessing everyone who comes.
Nine months later, all eight of us who now live on the land, came together outside of the front of the main house and participated in a naga puja along with a consecration for the wonderful and completed water feature. With its bubbling sounds of water cascading down the eight steps and entering into the pool at the bottom, it creates such a pleasant and relaxing presence.
Rejoicing continues as the staff here, who were committed to setting aside two months for being in retreat mode, completed this challenge March 26, 2014. Each of us experienced this time in different ways and all three of us are unanimous that it changed our lives and perspective, affecting our minds and bodies, as well as enhancing our prayers and practices. By actually stopping and gradually moving into retreat mode regardless of what “needed to be done,” we emerged with a greater sense of meaning and confidence that we can actually serve residents on the land in a more healthy and spiritual manner.
All five retreat cabins are now occupied with meditators committed to accomplishing long retreats. Needless to say, there is a calmness that pervades throughout the land.
Water feature at Land of Calm Abiding, California, April 2014. Photo courtesy of Land of Calm Abiding.
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.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the Chenrezig empowerment, Livorno, Italy, June 15, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrapped up his visit to Italy with two days of well attended public events on June 14-15 at Modigliani Forum in Livorno.
On the morning of June 14, His Holiness spoke on how on a basic level all human beings are the same. “His Holiness then remembered the great contributions from the learned scholars of Nalanda University in India such as Shantarakshita, Kamalashila and Dharmakirti,” DalaiLama.com reported. “He said that Nalanda was not just a monastery but a great learning center. He expressed happiness that Tibetans have kept the Nalanda tradition alive having translated all major Nalanda teachings and commentaries into Tibetan. Buddhists from all around the world including China, Sri Lanka and Burma have shown recognition of this work and now many Buddhists are discussing and studying Buddhist philosophy.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the afternoon teaching with Fabrizio Palliotti interpreting, Livorno, Italy, June 15, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
In the afternoon, His Holiness spoke to a gathering of more than 200 Tibetans and then taught in the larger main venue on Nagarjuna’s “Letter to a Friend” and Tsongkhapa’s “Praise of Dependent Origination.”
Children asking questions at end of His Holiness’ talk, Livorno, Italy, June 15, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
On June 15, His Holiness offered a Chenrezig empowerment during the morning session. In the afternoon, he gave a talk on “Compassionate Ethics,” attended by more than 6,000 people. The talk was followed by an hour-long question and answer period.
“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. The Director of Lama Tzong Khapa Institute Mr. Fillipo [Scianna] thanked His Holiness for the teachings, the Avalokitesvara Empowerment and his public talk on compassionate ethics. His Holiness then offered scarves to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Mr. Fillipo and all the interpreters,” reported DalaiLama.com.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama offering a khata to Filippo Scianna, director of Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Livorno, Italy, June 15. Photo by Olivier Adam.
In total, His Holiness spent a week in Italy, participating in events organized by Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK), the FPMT center located in Tuscany region of Italy. During the visit, His Holiness spent several days at ILTK in the village of Pomaia, where he gave a talk and blessed a restored Chenrezig statue. Filmmakers have documented the visit in many beautiful short videos available on the Dalai Lama Italy YouTube channel.
VIDEO: Day 5 of His Holiness’ Visit to Italy
“I had a very memorable visit here in Italy. It is now time to say goodbye, not just to Italy, but to this heat,” His Holiness said, as reported by DalaiLama.com. “We are separating for the time being but in spirit we are together. We will remain friends until our death. Everyone please realize that the ultimate source of our happiness is within oneself, and does not depend on outside sources. So please pay more attention to inner moral values. Please keep this in mind.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama descending from throne, Livorno, Italy, June 15, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
His Holiness traveled next to Leh, Ladakh, in mountainous northern India. His Holiness will be conferring the Kalacharkra initiation in July in Ladakh.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche also was present for the events with His Holiness and remains in Italy through the end of the month. Rinpoche is attending the FPMT European Regional Meeting, which is taking place June 17-18 at ILTK, and will also give teachings there on June 28-29.
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. Visit Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa online at www.iltk.org/en.
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 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.
Kylie Plunkett begins the ordination ceremony with Choden Rinpoche overseeing, Vajrayana Institute, Ashfield, NSW, Australia, March 2014. Photo courtesy of Vajrayana Institute.
“Sydney’s Vajrayana Institute (VI) hosted Choden Rinpoche for one week in March, along with his wonderful translator, Voula Zarpani,” shared Kathy Graham, Vajrayana Institute’s communications manager. ”During this blessed time, students received a number of teachings and initiations from the great master including a general teaching on the Eight Verses of Mind Training, a commentary on ‘taking the three bodies into the path,’ and a conferral of the action tantra form of Vajrasattva.
“Choden Rinpoche also very kindly presided over an ordination ceremony for new monks and nuns, among them Liberation Prison Project’s Ven. Gyalten Drolkar (formerly, Kylie Plunkett), and offered the eight Mahayana precepts on what was an auspicious Buddha Day, when the merit of taking precepts and other virtues multiplies 100 million times. Plus, a number of lucky students got to accompany Rinpoche on a visit to Sydney Wildlife Zoo.
“The center also hosted the Maitreya Loving Kindness Tour, a collection of sacred relics of the Buddha and other Buddhist masters touring Australia, and exhibited at VI on the weekend of March 28. The event was a huge success. More than 200 visitors attended the opening ceremony alone, which featured chanting by monks, prayers, a presentation by the tour team about the relics, and a talk on ‘The Power of Loving Kindness’ by Jonathon Fisher of the Wake Up Project. All told, around 1,000 people viewed the relics with many receiving personal blessings – along with their beloved pets.
“Then to top off what’s been an amazing few months at VI, Khadro-la (Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme) was our special guest last weekend, April 11-13. Visitors filled the gompa on Friday night to hear her public talk ’How to Develop Wisdom and Compassion’ and attend her weekend teachings ‘What Can Buddhism Bring to Your Daily Life – Whether You’re Buddhist or Not.’ We feel very fortunate here at Vajrayana Institute!”
Khadro-la teaches to a packed gompa at Vajrayana Institute, Ashfield, NSW, Australia, April 2014. Photo via Vajrayana Institute’s Facebook.
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.