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Updates from Nepal After the Earthquake
The view from Rinpoche’s cave in Lawudo two weeks before the earthquake, Nepal, April 2015. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Lawudo Gompa and Retreat Centre, located in the mountainous Solu Khumbu region of Nepal, is an essential part of FPMT. “Lawudo is the heart where FPMT started,” FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche has said. The cave at Lawudo is where Rinpoche’s previous incarnation Lawudo Lama Kunsang Yeshe meditated for 20 years. Many of the first Kopan monks came from the area and many FPMT students have meditated in the remote location.
Early reports from Lawudo describe considerable damage to the buildings there. On the top floor above the gompa, the side wall is badly cracked and pieces have fallen out. They fear the wall could fall down at anytime. In the dining room, half of the ceiling has fallen down due to the rocks that support the roof falling onto the ceiling. The side walls of the library have collapsed and the rocks supporting the roof have fallen through the ceiling. In the room of Ani Ngawang Samten, Rinpoche’s sister and manager of Lawudo, the rocks supporting the roof have fallen through the ceiling into the room. The cow shed side wall has collapsed as well as Nima’s house (Nima helps Ani Ngawang Samten maintain the center) and the buildings on both sides of the cave are badly cracked and pieces are falling out. In addition, walls have collapsed in the upper and lower retreat rooms.
Sangay Sherpa, Rinpoche’s brother who is the director of the center, has said that he has already booked a builder for the rebuilding, starting in a month. He plans to go to Lawudo soon himself and further assess the damage and begin collecting needed materials. The rebuilding of Lawudo will be supported by FPMT’s Nepal Earthquake Support Fund, which is funding both immediate emergency relief and the long-term rebuilding of FPMT centers and projects in Nepal.
Lawudo is also very near Thame, where Lama Zopa Rinpoche was born. Rinpoche feels a strong connection with the area and is supporting disaster relief efforts there. Through FPMT’s Nepal Earthquake Support Fund and in coordination with Cherok Lama Sherpa and the Himalayan Peoples Project-Nepal, an emergency aid shipment of tents for nearly 200 families in the region arrived last week. Next, food shipments will be sent up to the area, which is at an elevation of 3,800 meters (12,5000 feet) and only accessible by foot or helicopter.
Tent shelters provided by emergency relief set up at Thame, Nepal, May 2015. Photo courtesy of Himalayan Peoples Project-Nepal
You can view Thame and the surrounding area on Google Maps or in a video created by Google Maps of the region, released in March 2015. National Geographic has posted photos of the destruction at Thame.
For more news from Kopan Monastery and other FPMT centers and projects in Nepal affected by the earthquake, visit our “Updates from Nepal after the Earthquake” page:
https://fpmt.org/nepal-earthquake/
To learn more and offer support to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund visit:
https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/
For “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal,” see:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/
You can receive an email daily digest of news from FPMT.org, including our updates from Nepal, by signing up at this address:
https://fpmt.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=97e3ebb09472d09e0e699efd3&id=b248a1a45e
Mandala brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings and events from nearly 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.
Kopan monks hand out emergency relief in Rasuwa, Nepal, May 2, 2015. Photo via Kopan Monastery School on Facebook.
Kopan Monastery monks continue to lead emergency relief efforts, going out to offer aid packages to people in villages far outside of Kathmandu. The Kopan monks are helping hundreds of families in a direct and organized way with rice, dal, oil, blankets, clothing and other supplies that are needed and that can be obtained.
A sign at Kopan Monastery showing what is being sent out for aid that day, Nepal, May 2, 2015
Kopan Monastery staff have been sharing these reports on Facebook:
Day eight
As we are receiving lots of requests from the affected area, we are learning what we need to prepare. We had to shop and pack packages for tomorrow. Tomorrow we’ll be leaving around 6:00 a.m. with a load of foodstuff, blankets and tents. Thanks to all the monks for being all the time there to help. Specially those monks who donated all their extra blankets for the cause.
Today we opened our school after a week-long gap. We let our students discuss natural disasters and their causes. We also let them draw pictures about what they felt or think about the current situation.
Drawing by grade 3 monk at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, May 3, 2015. Photo shared via Kopan Monastery School on Facebook where there are more drawings by students.
Young monks helping to prepare emergency relief, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, May 2, 2015. Photo courtesy Kopan Monastery School on Facebook.
Day seven
Last night we prepared all required things: blankets, clothes, and food packages, which include rice, oil, salt, beaten rices, etc. We again divided things into two trucks, one for Rasuwa and other one for Sindupalchok, and decided to leave at 6:00 a.m.
We woke up 5:30 a.m., loaded the packages, had a breakfast, then headed to Sindupalchok. It took us more than four hours to reach the place (Bade Gaon). The road up to this place is so bad that nobody would dare to go there. But thanks to our driver who dared to drop us there. On the way there is a little town by Melamche riverbank called Sipha Ghat that is almost 70% devastated. Then there’s another village called Ghote Gaun with 90% of houses devastated. All just like war zones. We were totally surprised that we’re the first to come here. At the same we felt very sorry for them that our relief supplies are too little to cover all of them.
Devastation seen along the way to distribute supplies, Nepal, May 2, 2015. Photo courtesy Kopan Monastery School on Facebook.
We climbed the rocky road about 6 kilometers and we finally reached our destiny (Bade Goun). Here also we saw the same situation with other villages though it’s not so populated an area, comparing with other villages. Moreover, there’s no shops and no proper roads and that makes for more suffering. The people around these areas are so humble. There’s no rushing and crowding like we faced in Kathmandu valley in other days.
Some Kopan Monastery monks involved in relief work, Nepal, May 2, 2015. Photo courtesy Kopan Monastery School on Facebook.
They lined up and called each person from each house to get the supplies. I saw each person giving big smiles under their sad faces when they get their supplies. Everyone staying in the field. They insisted on us to have a lunch, some asked us to see their destroyed houses. My eyes got wet. I wish to cry aloud but how can I do that in front of them. We all went to see their devastated house. They’re asking whether we are coming again or not. I was speechless to their questions. We called to Radio Nepal and reported all the situations and asked them to send a help immediately. … We distributed all things in ward 4, 2 and 3. Then we had our lunch with their cattle, where they settled as their camp. They’re not willing to take money, but we insisted that they have at least 1000 Nepalese rupees.
We learned that the urgent things they needs are tents, blankets and mosquito nets. We were a little happy when we saw on the way back that Sikkim relief groups are going towards Sindupalchok. If anyone interested to go these area to help, make sure to carry those three things, please!!!
Kopan monks with villagers in Tare Bir Gaon, Nepal, May 2, 2015. Photo via Kopan Monastery School on Facebook.
For the latest updates and news from Kopan Monastery and other FPMT centers and projects in Nepal affected by the earthquake, visit our “Updates from Nepal after the Earthquake” page:
https://fpmt.org/nepal-earthquake/
To learn more and offer support to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund visit:
https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/
For “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal,” see:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/
More frequent updates and news can be found on FPMT’s Facebook page.
Mandala brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings and events from nearly 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 departing from Kopan Monastery, Nepal, May 4, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.
After completing the Most Secret Hayagriva initiation late at night on May 3, Lama Zopa Rinpoche departed from Kopan Monastery in Nepal on May 4 to begin a worldwide teaching tour. Rinpoche travels first to New Zealand’s Mahamudra Centre, where he is scheduled to teach May 9-10.
The Most Secret Hayagriva initiation at Kopan Monastery had been scheduled for April 27-30. Even after the devastating earthquake of April 25, Rinpoche decided to offer the initiation, which was given in the main gompa at Kopan Monastery, beginning on the evening of May 2.
Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi offering the mandala to Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the beginning of the Most Secret Hayagriva initiation, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, May 2, 2015. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Kopan Monastery monks continue to lead emergency relief efforts, going out to offer aid packages to people in villages outside of Kathmandu. They are coordinating their efforts with Losang Namgyal Rinpoche‘s organization and together hundreds of families are receiving emergency aid in a direct and organized way.
On May 1, the first shipment of aid arrived in Thame, the birthplace of Lama Zopa Rinpoche located near Lawudo Gompa in the remote Solu Khumbu district. Five Kopan monks traveled with the supplies, which were flown to Lukla and then helicoptered to Thame. The monks helped organize the distribution of tents for 190 families. Most structures in the area received significant damage making them uninhabitable.
Emergency relief supplies arriving in Thame, Solu Khumbu district, Nepal. May 1, 2015. Photo courtesy of Tara Melwani on Facebook.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered US$50,000 through FPMT’s Nepal Earthquake Support Fund for emergency relief in Thame. Cherok Lama Sherpa, who is also from the area, is raising money and contributing to this relief effort as well. A second shipment of food is being organized and will be delivered as soon as possible. Cherok Lama Sherpa will be arriving in the area this week to personally offer help and view the destruction.
Relief supplies being distributed in Thame, Nepal, May 1, 2015. Photo courtesy of Tara Melwani on Facebook.
For the latest updates and news from Kopan Monastery and other FPMT centers and projects in Nepal affected by the earthquake, visit our “Updates from Nepal after the Earthquake” page:
https://fpmt.org/nepal-earthquake/
To learn more and offer support to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund visit:
https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/
For “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal,” see:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/
More frequent updates and news can be found on FPMT’s Facebook page.
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s webpage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche offering prayers, blessings and teaching in the new gompa at Khachoe Ghakyil Nunnery, also know as the Kopan Nunnery, Nepal, April 30, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher. This was an important event for the nunnery to have Rinpoche enter their newly completed gompa, especially in light of the trauma of the earthquake and aftershocks.
Ven. Joan Nicell, a Canadian nun currently living at Kopan Monastery, shared this report of events at Kopan Monastery and Nunnery after the April 25 earthquake in Nepal. This report wraps up a week of blog posts on FPMT.org covering the earthquake and its aftermath.
Day 1
At noon on April 25, 2015 the earth swayed and shook at Kopan Monastery and across Nepal. The earthquake registered 7.8 on the Richter scale. At Kopan 40 or so frightened foreign visitors left their lunch and stumbled out of the dining room to the open ground of the stupa garden. More than 100 monks, who were also eating lunch on their Saturday off, soon joined them. Lama Zopa Rinpoche was carried on a bamboo chair down the two flights of stairs from his room above the main temple to the garden. Rinpoche took the opportunity to give an impromptu teaching on impermanence. Meanwhile, several monks and lay people returned to Rinpoche’s room to sop up the water from the many overturned offering bowls and pick up the statues and text that had been thrown from the altars.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche leading prayers the day of the earthquake, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 25, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sangpo Sherpa.
In Kopan Nunnery the nuns quickly gathered in the open field between the many new buildings. One nun sleeping in her room above the old gompa watched in fear as her room shook and books and pots crashed to the ground. One of the deer on the roof of the old gompa fell and smashed to pieces on the gompa steps. The other deer and the Dharma wheel remained hanging precariously over the edge of the roof. Lay people from the surrounding houses soon began to join the nuns, many with small children.
Spilled water bowls in Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s room, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 25, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sangpo Sherpa.
The aftershocks continued throughout the afternoon, often not more than 20 minutes between each one. Screams from the frightened people crowded into every available open area could be heard with each tremor. News began to arrive via phone of deaths and injuries throughout the country accompanied by warnings to remain outside. At Kopan, as evening approached, several small tents were quickly set up for Rinpoche, the geshes, older monks and Western nuns. A larger dormitory-like tent was erected for some of the foreign visitors. The younger monks and foreigners slept on camping mats under the open sky, while the youngest of the monks were sent to sleep in the gompa. The Kopan nuns spent the night wrapped in blankets and cloaks under the sky.
Tents set up after the earthquake, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 2015. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.
Day 2
The next morning at Kopan was surreal, with Rinpoche sitting, apparently very relaxed and even sleeping, in the shade of a big tree surrounded by cross-legged foreigners doing their own prayers and practices for the earthquake victims. Young monks ran around, as young boys do, excited to have a day off. At 1 p.m. when the second big tremor hit (over 6 on the Richter scale), the atmosphere turned somber again as everyone quietly gathered around Rinpoche. Prayers were recited for those who had died and been injured. The monks set up more tents at Kopan and the nuns erected plastic tarps at the nunnery as everyone prepared for another night outside. Bright orange and blue plastic tarps could be seen popping up in every open space in the valley below Kopan.
Kopan monks involved in efforts to clean up areas to prevent the spread of disease after the earthquake, Kathmandu, Nepal, May 1, 2015. Photo from Kopan Monastery School on Facebook.
Day 3-7
As the days are passing and news from around the country continues to worsen, “Kopan Helping Hands” is organizing truckloads of food and water to distribute to needy people in the city. The monks are also volunteering to clean up some of the tent cities that dot the city. Evening prayers with Rinpoche are an unscheduled but regular part of the day, most often in the garden but, when raining, in the main temple.
Ven. Nawang Thinley and other Kopan monks offering emergency relief, Nepal, April 30, 2015. Photo courtesy Nawang Thinley on Facebook.
Damage to Kopan Monastery
Cracked walls at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 2015. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.
One of the buildings with the biggest damage is the Chenrezig Gompa, the temple where all the introductory courses for foreigners are normally held. The building appears to have shifted away from the embankment resulting in large cracks in the stairwell and outer walls. Both inside and outside large pieces of plaster have shattered on the floor revealing the bricks beneath. Fortunately the statues in the altar, many of them an important part of Kopan’s history, were not damaged.
The nearby accommodation block was also seriously damaged with a gaping hole in the back of one room and deep cracks in the walls in all the lower rooms and toilets.
One of the older brick buildings that houses the monks has extensive cracks beneath the cement beams in every room but is structurally sound. The nearby large accommodation block also has many cracks, especially in the rooms on the second floor. A brick railing around the rooftop room crashed to the ground; fortunately no one was injured.
The library and bookstore floors are covered in books that spilled to the floor. A week after the quake, it was deemed safe enough for a group of guests, nuns, and monks to begin the work of putting them back on the shelves.
A collapsed brick wall at Kopan Nunnery, Nepal, April 25, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sangpo Sherpa.
Damage to Kopan Nunnery
The old gompa has been badly damaged. The walls around the building are cracked, a deer and the Dharma wheel remain dangling from the roof, some of the decorative cement victory banners fell to the ground, and windows are broken. Much of the boundary wall that surrounds the nunnery land collapsed, making it easy for anyone to enter the property. The interior walls of the new gompa have ugly cracks spoiling the beautiful artwork of the wall paintings. Externally the back wall has been damaged. The walls of the new, not yet finished, dining room also have many cracks. The new accommodation block also sustained some damage. It is not yet clear whether or not the old accommodation block has sustained structural damage. Strangely the old kitchen remained unharmed.
How to Help
Kopan Monastery and Nunnery will need financial help to repair damaged buildings and perhaps even tear down and rebuild the more badly damaged ones. For more up-to-date information check out their websites.
After today, we will post updates from Nepal after the earthquake to FPMT.org less frequently. For those interested in finding more FPMT-related news from Nepal, follow FPMT on Facebook.
Helping prepare the emergency relief aid for Thame, May 1, 2015. Photo by Tara Melwani. The emergency relief is sponsored, in part, by FPMT’s Nepal Earthquake Support Fund. Five Kopan monks traveled with the suppies to manage their distribution, which an eyewitness on the ground described as “orderly.”
For updates and news from Kopan Monastery and Nunnery and other FPMT centers and projects in Nepal affected by the earthquake, visit our “Updates from Nepal after the Earthquake” page:
https://fpmt.org/nepal-earthquake/
To offer support to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund visit:
https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/
For “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal,” see:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/
You can receive an email daily digest of news from FPMT.org, including our updates from Nepal, by signing up at this address:
https://fpmt.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=97e3ebb09472d09e0e699efd3&id=b248a1a45e
Emergency relief supplies headed to Thame at the airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, May 1, 2015.
Mandala brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings and events from nearly 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.
Kopan monks distribute aid to villagers after earthquake, Nepal, May 1, 2015. Photo via Ven. Nawang Thinley’s Facebook page.
FPMT.org makes available a variety of resources to help concerned students and supporters stay abreast of the latest updates and news from Kopan Monastery and other FPMT centers and projects in Nepal affected by the earthquake.
Learn more and offer support to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund, a fund offering initial aid in some of the most remote areas and helping to rebuild Kopan Monastery, Kopan Nunnery and Lawudo (https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/).
Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice regarding “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal” to help prevent earthquakes and benefit those who have recently died (https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/).
For FPMT.org’s coverage of Nepal after the earthquake, visit our “Updates from Nepal after the Earthquake” page (https://fpmt.org/nepal-earthquake/).
Consider receiving an email daily digest of news from FPMT.org, which includes our updates from Nepal (https://fpmt.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=97e3ebb09472d09e0e699efd3&id=b248a1a45e).
Kopan Monastery monks preparing for more emergency relief work, Nepal, May 1, 2015
As the shaking of the ground in Nepal tapers off and electricity returns to Kathmandu, relief efforts have been moving forward. Ven. Roger Kunsang shared that the first aid shipment to Thame arrived on May 1.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered US$50,000 in initial emergency aid through FPMT’s Nepal Earthquake Support Fund to help families in the Thame area. Thame, located near Lawudo in Solu Khumbu, is Rinpoche’s place of birth and nearly all buildings there were destroyed by the earthquake. (You can find photos of the destruction here.) The location is remote and difficult to reach.
Rinpoche’s brother Sangay Sherpa, who directs the Lawudo Gompa and Retreat Centre, and Ven. Nyima Tashi primarily organized the effort. The first shipment, which included tent material for more than 190 families, was flown to Lukla and then helicoptered to Thame. It arrived safely along with five Kopan monks to help manage the distribution. The flight to Lukla was sponsored by Goma Air. Charok Lama Sherpa, who is a 22-year-old rinpoche studying at Sera Monastery, is also from the area and helping sponsor the relief. He will be traveling to the area next week and will personally oversee the relief activities.
The next shipment to go up is for food supplies for one month for all 190 families. Food will take longer to get up there. Ven. Roger said, “gathering materials and food is very difficult as there are shortages.”
The monks from Kopan Monastery have been very active distributing food and water locally and in the areas around Kathmandu. Some of the young monks got involved, donating their blankets to earthquake victims, according to Ven. Thubten Jinpa.
Young Kopan monks donating blankets to earthquake victims, Nepal, May 1
“Kopan monks are going to one of the hardest hit places tomorrow,” Ven. Roger said. “It is one day’s drive to get there and back, they are delivering food, blankets and clothing.” Kopan Monastery described some of their relief work from today on Facebook:
“We loaded more than 100 sacks of rice, dal, salt and oil and went to distribute in Chapagaon, ward 7 [a village south of Kathmandu]. Meanwhile another group was set up for cleaning. There’s fear of the spread of disease, which often happens after earthquakes. We cleaned the most affected area of Kopan village.
“We witnessed that normality among the people came much better than other days. Shops are opened, restaurants are opening, normal life is returning slowly in the valley. We know there are still many places outside the valley where people need lots of helps, especially around the Sindupalchok district, where more than 1,800 are dead and around 3,000 missing.
“Still it is a little confusing about what really they need. Tents are for sure, because those people whose homes got affected need to stay outside till they get recovered. Maybe they may need food and blankets. So, we’re looking forward to prepare those things as much as we can and will head tomorrow to those areas. We decided to send two groups, one to the Sindupalchok and other one to Rasuwa.”
Losang Namgyal Rinpoche with workers from the Namgyal Rinpoche Foundation and aid to be delivered to Tamang communities, Kathmandu, Nepal
Losang Namgyal Rinpoche, a Kopan monk and a lama for the Tamang people, one of the largest ethnic groups in Nepal, has for several years been doing work through the Namgyal Rinpoche Foundation in remote areas, building schools and creating stupas. (This work has been supported in part by Lama Zopa Rinpoche through the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund.) Their teams are now very active in relief efforts, sending aid to different parts, including as many remote districts as they are able to get to. The Tamang, who are Buddhist, may have experienced devastating losses from the earthquake as they live in very remote mountainous areas and are often very poor.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche is also going to help Losang Namgyal Rinpoche with supplies for Tamang people. Losang Namgyal Rinpoche shared on Facebook on May 1 a short report on the situation:
“Now we receive requests for supplies from many villages, but we are still unable to help. Only some has been benefited. We try our best to help all. We are here for long-term helping, so there are many things we have to be aware of as there are terms and conditions from the government. We will continue to assist no matter what. We cannot give out all, it has to be organized. Many are receiving help already. It can three months at least to know the all the casualties. After that, it take from a year to 7 years to complete, so long way to go. ….”
Kopan monks moving feed for the animals at the Animal Liberation Sanctuary, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phil Hunt, a coordinator of the Animal Liberation Sanctuary, which is a project of Kopan Monastery, has been sharing his reports on the work being done to look after animals in the wake of the earthquake on his news blog for Tree of Compassion. The animals at the sanctuary came through the earthquake without injury and have the supplies and care they need. Phil and sanctuary manager Pema have been offering assistance as they can to animals throughout the area.
“We had a request to visit the Bhaktapur area where there was extensive damage from the earthquake,” Phil wrote. “Local vet Dr. Pranav had been virtually sleepless dealing with the many animals in distress. His staff had to all go home to help their families. Half a dozen cows with deep lacerations and injuries were treated and some others died. A festival was imminent meaning many people had goats with them to slaughter. He rescued one from the seventh floor of a severely damaged building at great risk. He has had to stop this kind of rescue as damaged buildings are still coming down due to the rain.
“We gave him what medical supplies we could spare and will work to resupply him and support his valuable work in the area. Once the immediate area has been searched and dealt with, we will join in patrols of nearby villages where there has been no veterinary/animal care support at all.”
At the end of the day, Rinpoche teaches and leads prayers at Kopan. And most still retire to sleep in tents and shelters outside.
Kopan monks delivering aid
For the latest updates and news from Kopan Monastery and other FPMT centers and projects in Nepal affected by the earthquake, visit our “Updates from Nepal after the Earthquake” page:
https://fpmt.org/nepal-earthquake/
To learn more and offer support to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund visit:
https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/
For “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal,” see:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/
You can receive an email daily digest of news from FPMT.org, including our updates from Nepal, by signing up at this address:
https://fpmt.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=97e3ebb09472d09e0e699efd3&id=b248a1a45e
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s webpage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
Kopan monks delivering supplies to families in need in the Kathmandu area, Nepal, 30 April 2015. Photo courtesy Kopan Apso on Facebook.
30 April 2015, 10 p.m. Kathmandu time
From Ven. Roger:
Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching was in the gompa due to the rain. Rinpoche taught that the earthquake fear is similar to what we create in Chöd, and that the earthquake came from karma and from our self-cherishing mind. Rinpoche also taught, when someone gets angry at us, we should think this is from our self-cherishing attitude, otherwise we put the blame outside on others; whatever bad things happen to us we should put the blame on our self-cherishing attitude, instead of pointing the finger outside at others. Usually we make friends with our self-grasping and self-cherishing mind and it becomes very hard like stone, Rinpoche said. The three jewels come from sentient beings, all the Buddha came from all the sentient beings.
We are sleeping outside in tents, according to Rinpoche’s observation that this is safer. Day seems OK, but at night, there is still some danger of another aftershock. You still feel minor aftershocks and many people are still nervous. Some shops started to open today which is good because people can buy food.
We received reports and photos from Lawudo Gompa and Retreat Centre today that the quake did do some major damage to the retreat cabins, library and dining area.
Kopan monks loading supplies on to truck for distribution, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 30, 2015. Photo courtesy of Kopan Apso Facebook page.
Kopan monks delivered rice and some essentials to local hospitals there were running out of food. [You can read more about the monks tireless work on FPMT.org.]
We have a plane leaving tomorrow loaded with tent material for Thame. Then we have rented a big Russian helicopter to bring food up to Thame. But it’s in a queue, so the helicopter cannot go immediately — there is quite a delay.
Rinpoche is right now doing the Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dead [which you can find on FPMT.org] with the Kopan monks. Every evening Rinpoche with monks do prayers for the dead and sick and injured
Ganden Yiga Chozing Buddhist Meditation Centre, the FPMT center in Pokhara, Nepal, is the only FPMT center or project in Nepal to not receive any damage. All others have serious damage.
Our Nepal Earthquake Support Fund will be used to assist with rebuilding as well as helping with initial emergency needs. Thank you everyone for your kind donations so far to the fund! We are already using it with the US$50,000 of aid going to Thame. You can make a donation at: https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/
Some of the supplies Charok Lama is coordinating for relief efforts in Solu Khumu, Nepal
Rinpoche, through the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund, has also offered $30,000 to Charok Lama Sherpa, who is coordinating another $50,000 of aid to be taken up to the Solu Khumbu region close to Lawudo. Charok Lama is also from this area and will be traveling soon from Sera Je Monastery in India, where he is studying, to Nepal.
For the latest updates and news from Kopan Monastery and other FPMT centers and projects in Nepal affected by the earthquake, visit our “Updates from Nepal after the Earthquake” page:
https://fpmt.org/nepal-earthquake/
To learn more and offer support to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund visit:
https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/
For “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal,” see:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/
You can receive an email daily digest of news from FPMT.org, including our updates from Nepal, by signing up at this address:
https://fpmt.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=97e3ebb09472d09e0e699efd3&id=b248a1a45e
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found onRinpoche’s webpage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
Some of the damage at Kopan Nunnery, Nepal, April 30, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.
30 April 2015, 1 p.m. Kathmandu time
From Ven. Sarah Thresher:
Today, Tara Melwani, who is the Southeast Asia FPMT regional coordinator from Singapore, and myself went down to check on the Khachoe Ghaykil Nunnery also known as Kopan Nunnery. On the way, we passed the Kopan reception where Geshe Jinpa was coordinating Kopan relief efforts. He told us this morning Kopan sent out 1,500 packed lunches and 1,200 bottles of drinking water to the camps, along with two trucks and 30 monks to help collect garbage.
On the road from Kopan Monastery down to the nunnery, the only sign of the earthquake was the makeshift tents in every field. Apart from that, shops and small eating places are open and people are getting on with their lives.
Tents in the field at Kopan Nunnery, Nepal, April 30, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.
When we arrived at the nunnery Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi was there and the nuns were preparing for a visit by Lama Zopa Rinpoche this afternoon and an opening ceremony puja in the new prayer hall. Khen Rinpoche, who is the abbot of both the monastery and nunnery, pointed out the cracks all along two walls of the new prayer hall, the broken plaster and damaged paintings that had been newly completed. “Right now we are not even sure how to fix it,” he told us. “Some of the cracks look quite superficial, but they run deep into the building’s structure.”
Damage in the gompa at Kopan Nunnery, Nepal, April 30, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.
There has been quite extensive damage to nunnery buildings and the nuns themselves have been sleeping outside under makeshift tents made of plastic and tarpaulin, or in the long open basement of a new construction of classrooms. Ani Shedrup, one of the senior nuns, took us on a tour of the damage. She explained that the earthquake struck around lunchtime on Saturday, which is a holiday for the nuns. Some of the nuns were in the small reception building, preparing a special lunch for Ösel Rinpoche and his party; some were in Boudha doing puja; others were memorizing, etc. There was even one small group of nuns down in Kathmandu doing puja in a nine-story building when the quake struck. Miraculously they survived and walked back. Nobody was injured.
Nuns staying in an open basement of a building being constructed at Kopan Nunnery, Nepal, April 30, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.
As we toured the buildings – the new prayer hall, the nuns accommodation block, the new kitchen, dining room, the incense factory, classrooms, etc. – there were cracks everywhere. Anila explained to us that every day they sweep up the debris, but every day more plaster falls down as the aftershocks widen the cracks. It’s very sad.
The old prayer hall at Kopan Nunnery, Nepal, April 27, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sangpo Sherpa.
Most damaged – and likely beyond repair – is the old prayer hall. The deer and Dharma wheel hang from the roof; pillars are cracked and the plaster has fallen off. The cracks are extensive and it feels derelict. This is where the nunnery began and it is full of memories; everywhere is the reminder of Buddha’s teaching on impermanence.
Rinpoche will lead a puja at the nunnery this afternoon and hopefully the prayers will mark the beginning of a long project to restore and rebuild. Please give whatever support you can to those who are shouldering this responsibility; it is immense.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche opening and blessing the new gompa at Khachoe Ghakyil Nunnery, Nepal, April 30, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.
Ven. Sarah shared photos from the opening and blessing of the beautiful new gompa at Khachoe Ghakyil Nunnery.
Rinpoche and Kopan nuns in their new gompa, Khachoe Ghaykil Nunnery, Nepal, April 30, 2015.
For the latest updates and news from Kopan Monastery and Nunnery and other FPMT centers and projects in Nepal affected by the earthquake, visit our “Updates from Nepal after the Earthquake” page:
https://fpmt.org/nepal-earthquake/
To learn more and offer support to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund visit:
https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/
For “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal,” see:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/
You can receive an email daily digest of news from FPMT.org, including our updates from Nepal, by signing up at this address:
https://fpmt.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=97e3ebb09472d09e0e699efd3&id=b248a1a45e
Mandala brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings and events from nearly 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.
Day 4: Kopan Monastery monks help distribute drinking water, Kathmandu, Nepal, April 2015. Photo via Facbook, Kopan Monastery School.
Posted 30 April 2015, 10:18 p.m. Kathmandu
From Kopan Monastery staff:
Day five
We’ve come to know that food and water are needed at the hospital, which is full of sick people and their families living with little amounts of food and water. We prepared cooked meals and water bottles. Thanks to our cook and helpers, who made really good food and worked selflessly! Meanwhile, we prepared one more truck full of raw food. This will go to the remote villages around Shivapuri Hill.
Day 5: Kopan Monastery monks distribute food aid packages to earthquake-affected villages, Nepal, April 2015. Photo via Facbook, Kopan Monastery School.
We drove our truck to Sinemangal Kathmandu Medical College, which we found very crowded people. We didn’t know where to begin. Thanks to Mrs. Sunita Panday (college manager) who helped us to distribute the food and water. Then we drove to Patan Hospital, Lagankhel. We saw the same situation and distributed the food and water. Thanks to the hospital which also offered meals to all the earthquake victims so that we did not need to cover all. We got information from someone who asked us to help at Chapa Gaon, where people remain hungry and homeless. We immediately drove with them to the area.
There is no proper road and one small village totally collapsed. It is interesting to know that no help reached here even after five days. We distributed what we had promised to come back tomorrow with food. We learned that we need to take rice, dal, oil, salt, etc. but there is no water shortage. As we came back home, we prepared packages for tomorrow.
Day 5: Kopan Monastery helps provide relief for earthquak victims, Kopan, Nepal, April 2015. Photo via Facbook, Kopan Monastery School.
Posted 30 April 2015, 7:18 a.m. Kathmandu
From Kopan Monastery staff:
Day four
After breakfast, while our young monks assembled for morning prayers, we divided into two groups: one for cleaning and one for water supplies. The cleaning group was set up according to DSP suggestion. It was to cleaning the area where hundreds of people tented, advising and making people aware to keep the area clean or else there might be the possibility spreading many diseases.
We hired two trucks for water supply and set up 2,000-liter (528-gallon) tanks for each. Thanks to the Nepal government’s Kathmandu Water Supply Center for providing free water at this time.
The first load headed toward Tundi-khel where thousands of people live outside. We witnessed a hundred people rush toward the water tank as soon as they saw us and heard that there could be drinking water. We distributed 6,000 liters (1,585 gallons) of water and more than a hundred boxes of face masks.
The second load of water was distributed around the Swyambunath area; the third load was distributed around the Kopan area.
At night we distributed food and water bottles in and around the hospital. We found many asking for soap, Dettol and iodine.
Day 4: Kopan Monstery monks and staff help bring drinking water to earthquake-affected people, Nepal, April 2015. Photo via Facbook, Kopan Monastery School.
Day 5: Kopan Monastery monks and stuff help prepare food aid for earthquake victims, Kopan, Nepal, April 2015. Photo via Facbook, Kopan Monastery School.
Posted 30 April 2015, 7:18 a.m. Kathmandu
From Kopan Monastery staff:
Day three
Day three started with a pretty good morning. But we can’t make any conclusions on what really we need to do. Since most ways of communication is not so good, we really don’t know what kind of help people need. We went to search around the affected areas. In the meantime, we decided to help prepare food items through NBF (Nepal Buddhist Federation). A team was set up and sent to the NBF center.
While we’re looking around, we learned that water is what they really needed. So, as we came back to monastery, we made a decision to supply water and clean up the affected areas.
For the latest updates and news from Kopan Monastery and other FPMT centers and projects in Nepal affected by the earthquake, visit our “Updates from Nepal after the Earthquake” page:
https://fpmt.org/nepal-earthquake/
To learn more and offer support to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund visit:
https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/
For “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal,” see:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/
You can receive an email daily digest of news from FPMT.org, including our updates from Nepal, by signing up at this address:
https://fpmt.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=97e3ebb09472d09e0e699efd3&id=b248a1a45e
Mandala brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings and events from nearly 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.
Sangey Sherpa, Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s brother and director of Lawudo Gompa and Retreat Centre, and Ven. Nyima Tashi with supplies that are being flown up to Thame, which is near Lawudo in the Solu Khumbu district, Kathmandu, Nepal, April 29, 2015
29 April 2015, 1 p.m. Kathmandu
From Ven. Roger Kunsang:
Emergency relief volunteers, some will be traveling to Thame with food and shelter for families there, Kopan Monastery, April 29, 2015. Photo by Tara Melwani.
So many people have been affected and many seriously. It’s an impossible job to help everyone at the same time.
The government with the support of many overseas and local organizations are prioritizing the worst-affected areas with what resources are available. One of the key issues is the remoteness and high altitude of many of the areas … and being cut off by landslides.
Rinpoche is focusing on Thame, his birthplace [near Lawudo Gompa in the Solu Khumbu district], and some of the other nearby areas to Lawudo, which is Rinpoche’s “local community,” so to speak.
In this area, there are about 100 families (our estimate so far, telephones are not working as yet, so communication is very difficult up there and still also hard in Kathmandu valley) who have lost their homes, and a few have been killed. They are living under plastic sheets huddled together as it is very cold and wet. There are still a few house standing, but people are too scared to go into them in case there is an aftershock. Food is running out.
Today we are organizing 100 food and shelter packages (basic food and a tent for each family). Each package is US$500, so a total of $50,000. This money is the first disbursement from FPMT’s Nepal Earthquake Support Fund.
Thank you for everyone’s support thus far. There is definitely more assistance required. So if you can help, it is greatly needed. And we are now able to directly offer immediate help.
We hope we can get a helicopter (all are commandeered by the government) to make several trips up to Thame, which is remote and at about 4,000 meters [13,100 feet]. This will help them get through the initial stage until, we hope, the bigger agencies and governments arrive with aid.
Kopan emergency relief volunteers, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 29, 2015. Photo by Tara Melwani.
Most of the Kopan monks and nuns are now out helping in the affected areas, especially trying to get water and basic food to people. Some of the Westerners who are staying here are with them helping. The monks and nuns at Kopan are often from remote areas and some are trying to get back to help the older people. A lot of remote areas just have older people living there as the young come into Kathmandu to find work or go overseas for work.
Some of the supplies going to Thame
There has been a lot of confusion and it’s very disorganized. That will improve. In the meantime, lives are lost and others are in need or hurt badly. Especially in difficult to reach mountainous regions, it’s really bad.
In the evenings Rinpoche with the Sangha are doing many prayers and pujas for those who have died and hurt as well as pujas to prevent further aftershocks.
One of the difficulties is getting people back to work. People are too scared to go into buildings in case there are more aftershocks. Shops don’t open and people can’t buy food and other necessities. Or the workers have left to help their families in outlying areas. Still soon they will be forced to open as people mostly live day to day. They have to work to buy food. Still many are living in tents in open areas.
People really got scared due to how violent the main two earthquakes were. Most people who died or were seriously hurt were killed or injured due to badly built buildings or very old buildings collapsing on them. I had a wall collapse on me while having a meeting. And I was lucky to receive just minor cuts and bruises, nothing really compared to many others.
Kopan Monastery and Nunnery have suffered a lot of damage. The engineers will come soon and let us know the extent and seriousness of the damage.
Today Rinpoche is moving back into the main monastery building. Hopefully that means no more serious aftershocks. And overhead there is the constant sound of helicopters shuttling back and forth with injured people or supplies. It’s constant as there are smaller light aircraft doing the same.
Monks receiving donations at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 29, 2015
A collapsed house in Thame, Solu Khumbu district, Nepal, April 28, 2015. Photo by Jimmy Grant.
Jimmy Grant visited Thame not long after the earthquake. Here is his eyewitness account of the area, shared in an email to his father:
Yesterday [April 28, 2015], I went to visit Thame, in the hope of contacting you and spending some time at the lodge. I was absolutely heartbroken by what I saw and what’s worse is that Thame, from what I have seen, has yet to receive any assistance from anyone. I started talking to a young boy named Mingma, who took me to his house. You can see him in one of the pictures attached. I also met the little girl you can see in another picture near her home. The lodge is still standing, but has some serious damage. I wouldn’t stand inside of it, that’s for sure. Oh and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s house is pretty well completely gone.
Young girl stands next to a collapsed home in Thame, Solu Khumbu district, Nepal, April 28, 2015. Photo by Jimmy Grant.
For the latest updates and news from Kopan Monastery and other FPMT centers and projects in Nepal affected by the earthquake, visit our “Updates from Nepal after the Earthquake” page:
https://fpmt.org/nepal-earthquake/
To learn more and offer support to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund visit:
https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/
For “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal,” see:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/
You can receive an email daily digest of news from FPMT.org, including our updates from Nepal, by signing up at this address:
https://fpmt.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=97e3ebb09472d09e0e699efd3&id=b248a1a45e
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s webpage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
Kopan monks ready to distribute water, Kathmandu, Nepal, April 28, 2015. Photo by Phil Hunt.
29 April 2015, 8 p.m. Kathmandu time
From Ven. Sarah Thresher:
Teachings canceled today [at Kopan]. Most people went down to help in diverse ways: distributing food in Bhaktapur, moving rubble, collecting garbage. In Durbar Square they found one person still alive as well as many bodies. They say the energy of everyone working together – Westerners, Nepalis, etc. was very inspiring.
27 April 2015, evening
From Phil Hunt, coordinator of the Animal Liberation Sanctuary at Kopan Monastery:
… The afternoon field trip [to check on animals] was delayed due to more rain. This is supposed to be the dry season with increasing temperatures and dust storms. Yet Kathmandu has had many alternate days of rain this month already and more to come. The roads become muddy and slippery and the moisture weakens buildings where new faults lie. Locals are worried that the real rain coming during the monsoon will result in more collapses of otherwise strong looking buildings.
Finally a let up in the weather allowed Pema [manager of the Animal LIberation Sanctuary] and myself to go out to survey the Boudha area – the heart of Tibetans in Kathmandu. The majestic stupa is normally radiating calm amid swaying lines of fluttering prayer flags. Now the golden apex is askew with deep cracks on several sides and the prayer flags have fallen. The bustling circuit around the stupa is still very quiet with few shops and cafes open and even fewer people circumambulating the holy object. Tourists are almost non-existent. However, the boom-boom of Tibetan Buddhist drums comes from a monastery as the monks return to buildings to do prayers.
The “stupa dogs” that we saw had no injuries. Pema gave the pigeons some food, as did some passing monks.
Tent city where Animal Liberation Sanctuary manager Pema and his family are camped out, Kathmandu, Nepal, April 27, 2015. Photo by Phil Hunt.
South of the stupa and closer to the airport is a large makeshift tent city. Thousands of people are sheltering here out of the adjacent high-rise apartments of the area. Most shops are still shut and people are still making do with what they brought with them. It will still be another night or two before they feel comfortable to return to their homes, although, thankfully, now the atmosphere is much more cheerful. People I spoke to felt more relaxed and that the worst of the danger was over. …
Water will be the biggest concern and it always is in short supply at the best of times. At Kopan Monastery a meeting was called for all international visitors. People who could leave were encouraged to head to a functioning hotel but to wait 2-3 days before attempting the airport, where long queues and chaotic conditions ruled. Scheduled flights were disrupted to allow for essential aid flights. The roar of the big military planes is both chilling and heartening in equal measure. For those guests remaining [at Kopan], water conservation is the rule. One of the large water tanks is broken and the daily pumping of water to keep this monastery on top of the hill running can only be done with the twice-daily dose of generator power. ‘Please don’t flush’ was the request.
After our visit we returned to check on the animals [at the sanctuary]. Pema finished the round of daily wound treatment and medicines, particularly for Kalden the calf who is almost fully recovered from terrible wounds back in January when we were notified of his near-death state. He has become a great friend to Christmas [the cow] who generally can’t socialize with the other cows as he has a congenital condition that restricts his mobility.
We double check food supplies. There is enough for the cows for 10-14 days, which is hopefully enough to get through the shortage that will ensue soon. The goats’ stores were restocked the day before the earthquake and will be adequate for at least a month. Beyond that the price may be affected, but hopefully supplies will be available.
Tomorrow we will head out to worse affected areas so that we can provide assistance to any injured animals.
Samadhi the goat at the Animal Liberation Sanctuary being held by the caretaker (who’s from Tsum) while Pema (the manager) treats him, Kathmandu, Nepal, April 28, 2015. Photo by Phil Hunt.
To read more from Animal Liberation Sanctuary coordinator Phil Hunt, visit the Tree of Compassion news blog.
For the latest updates and news from Kopan Monastery and other FPMT centers and projects in Nepal affected by the earthquake, visit our “Updates from Nepal after the Earthquake” page: https://fpmt.org/nepal-earthquake/
To learn more and offer support to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund visit:
https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/
For “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal,” see:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/
You can receive an email daily digest of news from FPMT.org, including our updates from Nepal, by signing up at this address:
https://fpmt.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=97e3ebb09472d09e0e699efd3&id=b248a1a45e
Mandala brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings and events from nearly 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 in garden at Kopan Monastery on the day after the earthquake, Nepal, April 25, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.
Phil Hunt, coordinator for the Animal Liberation Sanctuary, a project of Kopan Monastery, was enroute to Nepal when the earthquake struck on Saturday, April 25. He arrived safely in Kathmandu on Sunday, April 26, and traveled up to Kopan Monastery.
“At Kopan Monastery the monks and international visitors were outside, most gathered at the open stupa garden in a mini tent city,” Phil wrote for the organization Tree of Compassion. “Damage was minimal but several of the older buildings had some serious cracking and slipping and were no-go areas.
“I found Pema the Animal Liberation Sanctuary manager and he confirmed our earlier email notification that the animals were fine and the structures unharmed. I visited the cows, who had just started to come into the shed, including Kalden, the calf who we rescued from the street in January and who had a most amazing recovery from terrible wounds after being attacked by dogs.
“I put my bags away and found a place in a tent for the night ahead. Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the founder and spiritual director of the monastery and the international Buddhist organization FPMT, not to mention the rescuer of the majority of the animals at the ALS, was sitting on a chair under a tree talking to visitors and later gave a teaching. …”
Phil shared a short video of Rinpoche and the enlightenment garden at Kopan on the day after the earthquake on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/A1tus0YZdwQ
For the latest updates and news from Kopan Monastery and other FPMT centers and projects in Nepal affected by the earthquake, visit our “Updates from Nepal after the Earthquake” page:
https://fpmt.org/nepal-earthquake/
To learn more and offer support to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund visit:
https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/
For “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal,” see:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/
You can receive an email daily digest of news from FPMT.org, including our updates from Nepal, by signing up at this address:
https://fpmt.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=97e3ebb09472d09e0e699efd3&id=b248a1a45e
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s webpage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.