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Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition
The FPMT is an organization devoted to preserving and spreading Mahayana Buddhism worldwide by creating opportunities to listen, reflect, meditate, practice and actualize the unmistaken teachings of the Buddha and based on that experience spreading the Dharma to sentient beings. We provide integrated education through which people’s minds and hearts can be transformed into their highest potential for the benefit of others, inspired by an attitude of universal responsibility and service. We are committed to creating harmonious environments and helping all beings develop their full potential of infinite wisdom and compassion. Our organization is based on the Buddhist tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught to us by our founders Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche.
- Willkommen
Die Stiftung zur Erhaltung der Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) ist eine Organisation, die sich weltweit für die Erhaltung und Verbreitung des Mahayana-Buddhismus einsetzt, indem sie Möglichkeiten schafft, den makellosen Lehren des Buddha zuzuhören, über sie zur reflektieren und zu meditieren und auf der Grundlage dieser Erfahrung das Dharma unter den Lebewesen zu verbreiten.
Wir bieten integrierte Schulungswege an, durch denen der Geist und das Herz der Menschen in ihr höchstes Potential verwandelt werden zum Wohl der anderen – inspiriert durch eine Haltung der universellen Verantwortung und dem Wunsch zu dienen. Wir haben uns verpflichtet, harmonische Umgebungen zu schaffen und allen Wesen zu helfen, ihr volles Potenzial unendlicher Weisheit und grenzenlosen Mitgefühls zu verwirklichen.
Unsere Organisation basiert auf der buddhistischen Tradition von Lama Tsongkhapa von Tibet, so wie sie uns von unseren Gründern Lama Thubten Yeshe und Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche gelehrt wird.
- Bienvenidos
La Fundación para la preservación de la tradición Mahayana (FPMT) es una organización que se dedica a preservar y difundir el budismo Mahayana en todo el mundo, creando oportunidades para escuchar, reflexionar, meditar, practicar y actualizar las enseñanzas inconfundibles de Buda y en base a esa experiencia difundir el Dharma a los seres.
Proporcionamos una educación integrada a través de la cual las mentes y los corazones de las personas se pueden transformar en su mayor potencial para el beneficio de los demás, inspirados por una actitud de responsabilidad y servicio universales. Estamos comprometidos a crear ambientes armoniosos y ayudar a todos los seres a desarrollar todo su potencial de infinita sabiduría y compasión.
Nuestra organización se basa en la tradición budista de Lama Tsongkhapa del Tíbet como nos lo enseñaron nuestros fundadores Lama Thubten Yeshe y Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
A continuación puede ver una lista de los centros y sus páginas web en su lengua preferida.
- Bienvenue
L’organisation de la FPMT a pour vocation la préservation et la diffusion du bouddhisme du mahayana dans le monde entier. Elle offre l’opportunité d’écouter, de réfléchir, de méditer, de pratiquer et de réaliser les enseignements excellents du Bouddha, pour ensuite transmettre le Dharma à tous les êtres. Nous proposons une formation intégrée grâce à laquelle le cœur et l’esprit de chacun peuvent accomplir leur potentiel le plus élevé pour le bien d’autrui, inspirés par le sens du service et une responsabilité universelle. Nous nous engageons à créer un environnement harmonieux et à aider tous les êtres à épanouir leur potentiel illimité de compassion et de sagesse. Notre organisation s’appuie sur la tradition guéloukpa de Lama Tsongkhapa du Tibet, telle qu’elle a été enseignée par nos fondateurs Lama Thoubtèn Yéshé et Lama Zopa Rinpoché.
Visitez le site de notre Editions Mahayana pour les traductions, conseils et nouvelles du Bureau international en français.
Voici une liste de centres et de leurs sites dans votre langue préférée
- Benvenuto
L’FPMT è un organizzazione il cui scopo è preservare e diffondere il Buddhismo Mahayana nel mondo, creando occasioni di ascolto, riflessione, meditazione e pratica dei perfetti insegnamenti del Buddha, al fine di attualizzare e diffondere il Dharma fra tutti gli esseri senzienti.
Offriamo un’educazione integrata, che può trasformare la mente e i cuori delle persone nel loro massimo potenziale, per il beneficio di tutti gli esseri, ispirati da un’attitudine di responsabilità universale e di servizio.
Il nostro obiettivo è quello di creare contesti armoniosi e aiutare tutti gli esseri a sviluppare in modo completo le proprie potenzialità di infinita saggezza e compassione.
La nostra organizzazione si basa sulla tradizione buddhista di Lama Tsongkhapa del Tibet, così come ci è stata insegnata dai nostri fondatori Lama Thubten Yeshe e Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Di seguito potete trovare un elenco dei centri e dei loro siti nella lingua da voi prescelta.
- 欢迎 / 歡迎
简体中文
“护持大乘法脉基金会”( 英文简称:FPMT。全名:Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) 是一个致力于护持和弘扬大乘佛法的国际佛教组织。我们提供听闻,思维,禅修,修行和实证佛陀无误教法的机会,以便让一切众生都能够享受佛法的指引和滋润。
我们全力创造和谐融洽的环境, 为人们提供解行并重的完整佛法教育,以便启发内在的环宇悲心及责任心,并开发内心所蕴藏的巨大潜能 — 无限的智慧与悲心 — 以便利益和服务一切有情。
FPMT的创办人是图腾耶喜喇嘛和喇嘛梭巴仁波切。我们所修习的是由两位上师所教导的,西藏喀巴大师的佛法传承。
繁體中文
護持大乘法脈基金會”( 英文簡稱:FPMT。全名:Found
ation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition ) 是一個致力於護持和弘揚大乘佛法的國際佛教組織。我們提供聽聞, 思維,禪修,修行和實證佛陀無誤教法的機會,以便讓一切眾生都能 夠享受佛法的指引和滋潤。 我們全力創造和諧融洽的環境,
為人們提供解行並重的完整佛法教育,以便啟發內在的環宇悲心及責 任心,並開發內心所蘊藏的巨大潛能 — 無限的智慧與悲心 – – 以便利益和服務一切有情。 FPMT的創辦人是圖騰耶喜喇嘛和喇嘛梭巴仁波切。
我們所修習的是由兩位上師所教導的,西藏喀巴大師的佛法傳承。 察看道场信息:
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No desire means no emotional pain of attachment, anger and jealousy. There is peace, openness and space for genuine love and compassion to arise.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche
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The Foundation Store is FPMT’s online shop and features a vast selection of Buddhist study and practice materials written or recommended by our lineage gurus. These items include homestudy programs, prayers and practices in PDF or eBook format, materials for children, and other resources to support practitioners.
Items displayed in the shop are made available for Dharma practice and educational purposes, and never for the purpose of profiting from their sale. Please read FPMT Foundation Store Policy Regarding Dharma Items for more information.
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8
Chokhor Duchen (commemorating Shakyamuni Buddha’s first Turning of the Wheel of Dharma) occurs on July 9, 2024 and is an extremely powerful day to undertake practices, as the merit is multiplied 100 million times.
In honor of Buddhas first teaching, the FPMT Puja Fund has arranged the recitation of the 100 volumes of Kangyur teachings and 100,000 verses of the Prajnaparamita Sutras. These precious teachings are from the direct instructions of Guru Shakyamuni Buddha.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche has said, “The beginning of the Madhyamakavatara text says that [the perfection of wisdom] is called ‘mother’ because all the numberless past, present, and future buddhas have been born from this perfection of wisdom. Also, the numberless bodhisattvas and numberless arhats are born from this wisdom. This wisdom is what liberates numberless sentient beings from all the oceans of samsaric suffering. It is the real Dharma, the real refuge that liberates us from the oceans of samsaric suffering, whose continuation has no beginning.
“This Prajnaparamita teaching is so precious, unbelievably precious. The Buddha said, ‘Wherever this Prajnaparamita teaching is, I am there.’ The Buddha said to Kunga (Ananda) that even if other teachings are destroyed that is okay, but one should not degenerate or allow even a little bit of the teaching of the Prajnaparamita to be destroyed.”
In addition, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche has explained the unbelievable merits in making it possible to read these holy scriptures by the sangha members. The benefits are explained in The Condensed Jewel Quality:
The merit created by reading, writing, keeping, making offering to, and paying respect to the Mother Prajnaparamita and Kangyur, taught by Buddha, who possesses the Ten Powers, the benefits are infinitely greater than: building a stupa of the sorrowless state, making the stupa from the seven jewels, making as many stupas as to fill many thousands of ten million worlds equaling the number of sand grains in the River Ganges, and infinite sentient being making offerings to these stupas three times a day for eons.
We are dedicating these incredibly powerful recitations and all the practices for the health and long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in honor of His Holiness’s 89th birthday; the swift return of our incomparably kind Lama Zopa Rinpoche; the entire FPMT organization; all those working in FPMT, the kind supporters and volunteers; anybody who needs these prayers; anyone who is experiencing any kind of obstacles or difficulties; and for peace in the world—for all of the wars, famine, disease, economic problems, torture, the dangers of fire, water, air, earthquakes and tsunamis to be pacified immediately, to pacify all the problems in the world; and for perfect peace and happiness to prevail in our hearts and in the hearts of all sentient beings of this world.
In addition to these most powerful recitations there will also be these other practices happening throughout Chokhor Duchen day:
- One Thousand Offerings to Namgyalma
- Medicine Buddha Puja
- Namgyalma Long Life Ritual
- 10,000 recitations of Chanting the Names of Manjushri dedicated to the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche
- Painting the entire Bouddhanath and Swayambunath stupas and offering new umbrellas to the stupas’ pinnacles.
- Offering a new set of robes to the holy body of the main Buddha statue in the Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya, India.
- Printing the Golden Light Sutra, Arya Sanghata Sutra, Vajra Cutter Sutra, Sutra of Great Liberation and Amitayus Long Life Sutras.
- 1,000 animals will be liberated
- Making tsa tsas of Mitukpa, the three long life deities and Kadampa stupas
- Offerings are made to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and all of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s gurus and to the 10,000 ordained Sangha who are undertaking these prayers, including those in IMI communities.
Rinpoche often reminded us that these pujas are dedicated for anybody who needs these prayers, and the merit that is created from all these prayers is also your merit, so you can dedicate these merits to having realizations and to achieve enlightenment.
This is the twenty ninth consecutive year that we have arranged these pujas, on each of the four Buddha days. Following the advice of our most kind Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who explained how important these continual prayers are for the success of the organization.
Thank you to all who undertake these practices and those who make the offerings possible. You are welcome to join in all these offerings arranged on Chokhor Duchen and for the future Buddha Days.
The Puja Fund was established by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to provide resources for continuous pujas dedicated to the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to the success of all the FPMT centers, projects, services, students, benefactors and those serving the organization in any way. You can learn more about the Puja Fund, or FPMT’s other extensive charitable activity.
- Tagged: chokhor duchen, fpmt puja fund, puja fund
6
Today, on July 6, 2024, the world celebrates His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 89th birthday! We’ve collected several resources for students to use in their celebration of His Holiness and in their ongoing Buddhist study. FPMT International Office wishes His Holiness a very auspicious 89th birthday and sincerely requests His Holiness to live for a very long time and to continue bringing his universal message of compassion to the world. We were so pleased to hear the news that his recent knee replacement surgery in New York was a success, and that His Holiness is expected to make a full recovery.
Great Festival Celebrating His Holiness
Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered extensive advice on prayers and practices to do for His Holiness’s birthday, remarking that by doing these prayers and practices, students also benefit their own Dharma practice. You can find Rinpoche’s collected advice in the booklet How to Do the Great Festival of His Holiness’ Birthday in the Best Possible Way.
Long Life Prayers
The PDF booklet Prayers for the Long Life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibet contains prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and for Tibet.
Praises and Requests
“Praises and Requests to His Holiness the Dalai Lama” is a collection of praises of, comments about, and requests for His Holiness by Lama Zopa Rinpoche found in the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive Online Advice Book.
Online Teachings by His Holiness
Teachings by His Holiness are usually live streamed, and also available for viewing later as video recordings. The DalaiLama.com also has links to live web streams, scheduled events, summaries of events, and more.
Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara) Practice Materials
His Holiness is respectfully held as a manifestation of Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara), the buddha of compassion, by his disciples. At their request, His Holiness had composed these two Chenrezig guru yogas centering on the inseparability of the guru and Chenrezig:
- The Source of All Attainments: The Yoga of the Inseparability of the Guru and Avalokiteshvara – which incorporates the seven-limb practice and requests for blessings from the guru-deity for one to accomplish the path.
- Staircase to Potala Pure Land Guru Yoga – A Practice of Avalokiteśvara – a short Chenrezig guru yoga that references the Compassion Buddha’s pure land, was composed by His Holiness for our ease of practice.
Additional prayers to Chenrezig recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found under Chenrezig Practices and Mantras, including the following:
- Prayer to Chenrezig, Compassionate-Eye-Looking One Lama Zopa Rinpoche, in his English translation of this prayer, advises: “If you keep Compassion Buddha, who is enriched with supreme power, in your mind, you will be protected from all dangers.” The prayer realistically addresses the actual dangers we encounter in our daily lives, from which we need Chenrezig’s protection: our own plethora of delusions, and their karmic consequences, such as death, rebirth, sickness and poverty. The composition is by the seventh-century Dharma King of Tibet, Songtsen Gampo, who is revered as a manifestation of Chenrezig, in a lineage which continues today in the person of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Translation by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, 1999; this edition, 2021.
To further explore the practice of Chenrezig, visit the FPMT website for more information and materials.
On behalf of all sentient beings in desperate need of your perfect example of universal love and unending compassion for others—
please, please live a very long time, Your Holiness!
For more on His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his beneficial activities, please visit DalaiLama.com.
- Tagged: his holiness, his holiness the dalai lama
25
We are very happy to share this short update on recent progress that has been made on the Stupa of Complete Victory that is being built at Kopan Monastery for the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and actualization of all his wishes. We have three new videos we hope give a glimpse into the incredible work happening to finish this stupa.
The building under the stupa started in January 2024, and it has now reached the second story. Now the actual foundation for the Stupa has begun.
Please enjoy these short videos that show the recent progress:
- In this video you can see that the foundation for the stupa has begun on the second floor of the building. You can also see around the poles for the 32 smaller stupas that will surround the main stupa.
- This short video shows the area that will be the gompa beneath the stupa. This is on the second story.
- The Kopan monks regularly help with the building. In this video you can see them joyfully carrying the soil on their backs for the building.
Thank you to everyone who is helping to actualize this precious holy object come into existence, all the donors, those working on the stupa, and everyone concerned.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche has mentioned many times the benefits of holy objects:
“Every day, when sentient beings see stupas and statues, this plants the seed of enlightenment. It is said that even dreaming of a stupa plants the seed of enlightenment. This is mainly due to the power of the holy object. …
“Just by seeing holy objects one’s karma is purified. Holy objects purify the mind and plant seeds for the path to liberation. That’s how stupas and other holy objects liberate [sentient beings] each day. Every day, holy objects bring sentient beings to enlightenment.”
Padmasambhava explained the benefits of building stupas to King Trisong Detsen:
“Listen, Great King. Generate intense devotion. Since all the three time buddhas and bodhisattvas have actually absorbed into the holy object of the mind1 and are abiding in it, any request or prayer done to this great stupa will spontaneously and effortlessly succeed, for it is like a precious wish-granting jewel. The benefits received by any transmigratory being with a pure special attitude who does prostration or circumambulation or makes offerings are incalculable and cannot be expressed even by all the past, present, and future buddhas.
“All those who put clay on the stupa will become thousand wheelturning kings who reign over as many thousands of world-systems equal to the number of particles of clay.
“All those who brought earth and stones for the stupa will have all obstacles to a long life and dangers to their life pacified; they will have a long life, free of disease, and a good holy body.
“All those who put effort with their body, speech, and mind for the stupa will have every single blessing of the holy body, speech, and mind of the buddhas enter their body, speech, and mind.
“All those who rejoice in the stupa will generate every single quality of a buddha in their mental continuum.”
To learn more about this stupa project and to offer support: https://fpmt.org/projects/fpmt/lzr-complete-victory-stupa/
Please read more about the holy objects supported through the Holy Objects Fund.
- Tagged: holy object, holy objects fund, Lama Zopa Rinpoche Stupa of Complete Victory, stupa fund, stupa of complete victory, stupas
14
Since 2016, FPMT’s Social Services Fund has been offering essential support to Tibetan refugees living in elderly homes in India and Nepal. This support includes food, medical care, and upgrades to the elderly homes.
In 2024, we granted US$141,834 to seven different elderly homes in India. This support has benefited over 280 Tibetan senior citizens and includes a contribution for the renovation of a family’s house in Tibetan settlement of Puruwala in Himachal Pradesh.
Offering support to the elderly is guided by the profound kindness of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Many of the elders in these homes have expressed how much it has meant to them that Lama Zopa Rinpoche, through FPMT, has been providing continual and sustained support and that has made a real difference in their lives.
We invite you to rejoice in our collective accomplishments this year. The ability to offer these grants is due to the kindness of many, and we are so grateful for their generosity. We are committed to continuing our support for these elderly homes for as long as possible, thereby repaying the kindness of our elders.
Jampaling Elders Home is in Dharamsala, Northern India, beneath the temple of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Jampaling has become a sanctuary for 96 elder Tibetans living in exile. The residents of Jampaling are accommodated in shared rooms, each housing two individuals. The home ensures they are provided with daily nutritional meals, clothing, and access to necessary medical facilities.
In 2024, FPMT’s Social Services Fund offered US$19,599 to support this home. This contribution covered operational expenses, food, and medical assistance.
In addition, $8,292 was granted to drill a new well. Recently there has been significant water scarcity due to low snowfall and long periods without rain. The home only has water available for two hours each day, which is insufficient for the 73 elders, 13 staff members, and for cleaning, washing, and kitchen use.
Without enough water, the health and cleanliness of the elders’ environment are at risk. This year, it became urgent to fix this situation, and we were happy to provide a grant for this essential need. It will be used for digging a borewell and that will offer a more permanent solution.
Ven. Roger Kunsang recently visited Jampaling Elders Home, spending time with all the residents and observing how well the home is run. There is a moving video of Ven. Roger’s visit, including meeting the eldest resident, who is 99 years old.
Lugsam Samduling Home for the Aged and Disabled in Bylakuppe, South India, is one of the 14 homes operating under the governance of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). It has continued to uphold its mission of providing compassionate care to the elderly and disabled. With the unwavering support of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the home has remained a beacon of hope and support for its residents.
Currently, there are 39 elderly residents, comprising 17 females and 22 males. Despite facing the challenges of aging, most of the residents remain healthy and active. Sadly, in 2023, four cherished elders passed away due to age related ailments. The home is managed by a dedicated team of six staff members, including a director/manager, a nurse, a cook, and three caretakers who provide personalized care to each resident.
To enhance the quality of life for the residents, the home has implemented various initiatives. In October 2023, students from Sambhota Gulladhalla performed traditional Tibetan cultural dances at the facility. This event was not only a showcase of talent but also a way to bridge the generational gap, allowing the elders to connect with their culture. Two elders aged 99 and 92, were invited to the inauguration of the Hand Library at Sambhota Tibetan School Kailashpura. Their recounting of experiences escaping from Tibet to India was a poignant moment, highlighting the resilience of our elders and educating the younger generation about their history. Students from Sambhota Tibetan School and TCV, Bylakuppe, visited the home during their summer vacation. They assisted with grooming the elders, cleaning their rooms, and engaging meaningfully with them, creating lasting bonds between the generations.
The home also organized introductory talks on Buddhism, led by Geshe Lharampa Lobsang Thokmey. Additionally, elders from the home went to Sera Lachi for His Eminence the 104th Ganden Tripa’s teachings, and nine geshes from Sera Je Monastery came to the home to recite Buddhist scriptures (Zungdu and Gyetongpa) for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Recently, the home’s staff participated in a crucial medical education workshop organized by Tso Jhe Hospital, focusing on heart attacks, strokes, cardiac arrests, and choking incidents. This workshop equipped the staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to respond effectively in emergency situations. Additionally, they received valuable contributions from the Mental Health Department of Tso Jhe Hospital, enhancing the staff’s understanding of mental health issues among the elderly.
In 2024, the FPMT Social Services Fund was very happy and inspired to offer a grant of US$30,924, covering the entire budget for the home.
The Hunsur Old Age Home is situated in the Rabgayling Tibetan Settlement, Hunsur, South India, provides accommodation and care for 15 elders. In 2024, a few residents in the home faced several medical emergencies. This resulted in an increase in the home’s expenses. The residents and staff of this home expressed their deepest gratitude for the care provided by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the FPMT family. They informed us that the elders hold prayers every day for the swift return of Rinpoche.
FPMT’s Social Services Fund offered a grant of US$31,825 this year to support their entire year’s operational expenses. Through this financial support, we strive to alleviate the burdens faced by the Rabgayling Tibetan Family Welfare Association and enable them to continue providing essential care to those in need.
Dhondenling Old People Home, located in Kollegal, is situated in one of the most remote and underdeveloped Tibetan settlements in southern India. At present, the elderly home accommodates 21 Tibetans residents including 9 male and 12 females.
In 2024 we were pleased to offer a grant of US$14,881 to cover nutritional support for all the elders, as well as to enhance the infrastructure of the elderly home. This included replacing the mud road with 205 feet of concrete. The road improvement will provide safer and more accessible routes for residents. Additionally, the grant provided support for the maintenance of the home’s furniture, washing machine, electricity, and drinking water facility.
The Old Age Home in Kalimpong, managed by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), provides essential care and support to elderly individuals. Kalimpong is hilly town located in the district of Darjeeling in the state of West Bengal, India. Once a main trade center between Tibet and India, today it is home to more than 3,000 Tibetans who reside scattered across the area. Many of these residents lack a steady source of income and are economically disadvantaged.
The Kalimpong elderly home was initiated in 2008 and completed in 2012. It was established to meet the urgent needs of the increasing number of individuals who lack financial assistance and family support. The home specially caters to elders from the northeast regions including Gangtok, Darjeeling, Kaimpong, Ravangla, Shillong, Sonada, and Bhutan. This year, FPMT’s Social Services Fund offered a monetary contribution of US$7,662 to cover the food and medical expenses for the 20 elders. This support is crucial for ensuring the wellbeing and care of these individuals who rely on the Kalimpong Old Age Home for assistance.
Odisha Phuntsokling Settlement Old People’s Home is in Eastern India and managed by the Central Tibetan Administration. Since 2021, we have been providing support to this facility. Recently, the home received a commitment of ongoing support from another organization, and we are delighted to know they will have this security. In 2024, the FPMT’s Social Services Fund offered a grant of US$3,176 for roof repairs for the home and a new computer. This home cares for 17 elders over the age of 85.
Dhonden Old People’s Home, located in Chauntra at the Bir settlement in Mandi district, was established in 2004. The home accommodates 23 elders, consisting of 13 males and 10 females, who are above the age of 60 and lack familial care. Many of them were former residents of Kullu-Manali Tibetan settlements, Bir Settlement, and other places. There are currently 22 elders and 5 staff.
In 2022, the home was rebuilt with the assistance of a grant of US$69,570 from the FPMT Social Services Fund, with the remaining budget covered by the Department Home fund. The reconstruction introduced innovative and modern facilities, including attached bathrooms and emergency alarms next to the beds. During the construction period, the elders were relocated to Jampaling in Dharamsala, and they are now ready to move back.
In 2024, we offered a grant of US$13,985 to cover the costs of the remaining furniture, including kitchen equipment, medical equipment, office equipment, computer, CCTV, TV for the dining hall, and pooja tables for each elders room.
Paonta Cholsum Tibetan Settlement was established in 1967 at Bhuppur Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh State, initially accommodating 105 families with a population of 475 Tibetan Refugees. The Tibetan Settlement Office requested support to organize an annual picnic and outing for 55 elders in nearby Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand. The FPMT Social Services was pleased to offer US$2339 to cover the expenses for food, accommodation, and transport for the two-day event.
Puruwala Tibetan Settlement Office is in the Sakya Tibetan Settlement in Puruwala, close to the Paonta Sahib town in Himachal Pradesh State. The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) plays a crucial role in overseeing and supporting the ongoing efforts to assist destitute families and facilitate necessary renovations within the settlement. Recently, the CTA identified a family of four who are experiencing financial difficulties and unable to repair their one-room house. In response to a request made by the CTA, the FPMT Social Services Fund provided a grant of US$4,728 to address the family’s housing needs. The grant aims to replace the current deteriorated roof with a new, more durable, and resistant tin shade, and to fix internal damage caused by the leakages.
We are happy to support these homes with grants totaling US$141,834 that provide a safe and supportive environment for our Tibetan elders. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors who make these grants possible. Your compassion and commitment have profoundly impacted many lives.
Your continued support to the Social Services Fund, helps ensure continuous assistance for elderly homes and those who are in need.
- Tagged: elderly, elderly home, elderly homes, jampaling elders home, lugsam samduling home for the aged and disabled, odisha phuntsokling settlement old people's home, old age home in Kalimpong, rabgayling tibetan family welfare association, social service fund, support to elders, supporting elderly, tibetan elderly
11
“I would like for FPMT to offer service to His Holiness the Dalai Lama as much as possible and to be able to fulfill His Holiness’ wishes.,” Lama Zopa Rinpoche stressed continuously. “This is the highest priority for the organization.”
The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama recently released a statement concerning His Holiness’s schedule and health:
This is to inform all concerned that no engagements, including public audiences will be scheduled from June 20 onwards until further notice. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is scheduled to travel to the United States for medical treatment on his knees. Upon his return to Dharamsala, regular engagements will resume.
We are inviting students of His Holiness to recite, individually or as part of group practice, the Medicine Buddha mantra for the successful treatment of His Holiness’s upcoming procedure.
You can download three versions of the Medicine Buddha mantras in one practice booklet using one-click download: The Precious Long Dharani of Medicine Buddha, the long mantra, and the short mantra.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche has explained, “The Medicine Buddha encompasses all the buddhas. This means that when we practice the seven-limb prayer and make offerings with the seven limbs, we receive the same merit as we would if we had made offerings to all the buddhas. Similarly, when we recite the mantra of Medicine Buddha, we collect unbelievable merit just as when we offer the seven-limb practice to Medicine Buddha.”
Students of His Holiness around the world are joining together to offer Medicine Buddha mantras at this time. In addition, Tibetans from Herbertpur, Lakhanwala, Khera, and Baluwal in India gathered in the Lakhanwala Community Hall on June 6, 2024 and recited Medicine Buddha mantras for His Holiness.
All Medicine Buddha Practices available to you:
- A Brief Meditation-Recitation on Guru Medicine Buddha | PDF | Audio
- A Very Short Medicine Buddha Practice | PDF
- Medicine Buddha Sadhana | PDF
- Medicine Buddha Mantras | PDF | Audio
- Medicine Buddha Pujas
* Extensive Medicine Buddha Puja: The Wish Granting Sovereign | PDF
* Medicine Buddha Puja: The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel
A simple puja (set of prayers) that can be performed by anyone with faith in the Buddha | English | Sinhalese
Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.
- Tagged: his holiness the dalai lama
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Recently, when Venerable Roger Kunsang was in Dharamsala meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he also took the opportunity to visit Jampaling Elders Home.
This home is located on the circumambulation path that surrounds the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Namgyal Monastery. There are 73 Tibetan elders living in the home, comprising 31 females and 42 males. Jampaling is one of the 14 elder homes operating under the governance of the Central Tibetan Administration.
Through the FPMT Social Services Fund, we have been supporting this home since 2016, providing grants totaling US$392,087. These funds have been used for food, medical care, and infrastructure improvements, including a retaining wall, roof, heating system, and recently, a new well. The well became urgently needed due to recent low snowfall and prolonged dry periods, which resulted in the home having water available for only two hours each day—insufficient for the 73 elders and 13 staff members need for cleaning, washing, and kitchen use.
Please enjoy this moving video of Ven. Roger’s visit to this home, where he met each of the residents personally and reviewed the accommodations, kitchen, and dining room. The eldest resident is 100 years old! The home has many prayer wheels on each dining room table and outside, providing many opportunities to create merit, which the residents utilize in the best way.
Ven. Roger’s Visit to Jampaling Elders Home:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg_HQg82JHY
Ven. Roger remarked that it was very moving to see the care of the staff and the facilities. Offering support to our elders has been an important part of the FPMT Social Services Fund and a priority of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, as he laid out in his Vast Visions for the organization.
We are happy to support this home that provides a safe and supportive environment for our Tibetan elders. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors who make these grants possible.
All are welcome to contribute any amount to the Social Services Fund, helping us ensure continuous support for elderly homes and those who are truly vulnerable and in need
The Social Services Fund, established to support Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the FPMT organization, focuses efforts primarily in India, Nepal, Tibet and Mongolia. Funds help children, the elderly, sick, and very poor.
20
Saka Dawa falls on May 23, 2024, and is a very special day to create merit and offer prayers and practices*.
On behalf of the entire FPMT organization we have arranged a full day of merit making practices undertaken by 10,000 sangha.
100,000 Praises to the Twenty-One Taras will be recited twice at Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery and Sera Je and Sera Mey Monasteries
In addition, we have arranged for the recitation of the entire Prajnaparamita Sutra, Medicine Buddha pujas, 1,000 Offerings to Buddha Namgyalma, and over 10,000 recitations of Jampal Tshen Jo (Chanting the Names of Manjushri) as well as many other pujas and practices.
Offerings will be made to the 10,000 sangha undertaking these different practices and to all of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s gurus.
The stupas of Boudhanath and Swambyunath in Nepal will be freshly painted, and the umbrellas at the pinnacle of each stupa will be replaced and a new set of robes will be offered to the Buddha statue in the Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya.
My idea is for these offerings and pujas to continue forever or for as long as the monasteries exist. Please if you make offerings, you can also remember on the actual day that the pujas are happening, rejoice, and dedicate. This is the best business, the best way to create the most extensive merit. —Lama Zopa Rinpoche
For the last 29 years, through the FPMT Puja Fund, we have been arranging extensive pujas for the whole FPMT organization. The specific pujas and dedications were set up by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, to ensure that we are continually creating merit for the organization, by sponsoring the pujas, making offerings to the individual sangha, and supporting the monastic communities and we are committed to fulfilling Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s request.
All these prayers are dedicated to the swift return of our most precious guru Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, for the success of all the FPMT centers, to all the kind donors, students, and volunteers and specifically for all the supporters of the FPMT Puja Fund.
This is a very special opportunity to be part of these collective prayers and we would like to offer everyone the opportunity to join in the extensive merit from these prayers and pujas, by offering any amount, but also (and most importantly), by remembering that these pujas are happening, rejoicing in the activities, and dedicating the merits.
*All the prayers are happening on Saka Dawa, any merit created on that day is multiplied 300 million times, as it commemorates Shakyamuni Buddha’s three major life events.
Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.
- Tagged: fpmt puja fund, puja fund, saka dawa, tara
10
We are so happy to share with you an update on the progress of the building of the Stupa of Complete Victory at Kopan Monastery. This stupa is being built for the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and for all his wishes to be actualized exactly as he planned.
In May, the building work was completed up to the second story. This was a huge task due to the extensive excavation, foundations, and pilings. In the next months, the actual building of the stupa will begin on top of the second story. You can view a short video of the progress.
The estimated cost for the entire project has been updated, as previously we did not have the completed budget for the overall project. The major expenses involved are related to the civil works required to prepare the ground, including the excavation, and building up from the lower level, the construction of the stupa, the extensive landscaping, as well as all the decorative painting, ornamentation works on the main stupa, and the construction and installation of an additional 32 small stupas that will go around the perimeter. This is a short animated video showing the plans for the stupa.
We have raised just over 34% of the funds needed to complete this project, which is incredible! Thank you to everyone who has contributed to date. We also offer tremendous thanks to all those working on the actual stupa.
This is a short video of the Kopan monks carrying the soil on their backs for the building of the stupa: https://youtu.be/2FTFyU1vSOA?si=ZZUoj6zjCHlEhnxf
Padmasambhava explained the incredible benefits of building stupas to King Trisong Detsen:
“All those who brought earth and stones for the stupa will have all obstacles to a long life and dangers to their life pacified; they will have a long life, free of disease, and a good holy body.
“All those who put effort with their body, speech, and mind for the stupa will have every single blessing of the holy body, speech, and mind of the buddhas enter their body, speech, and mind.
“All those who rejoice in the stupa will generate every single quality of a buddha in their mental continuum.”
“Holy objects make it so easy for sentient beings to achieve realizations and enlightenment,” Lama Zopa Rinpoche has explained. “No matter how much negative karma they collect, and how many negative deeds they do, they give hope in life. We can see very clearly what an incredible opportunity and hope we have in our life. Through holy objects, the resulting benefit of every single action is inconceivable and immeasurable, creating the cause of happiness, because the object has inconceivable qualities, like the limitless sky. Because of that, everything you do regarding a holy object, such as prostrations, making offerings and so forth, has benefits as vast as the sky.”
To learn more about this stupa project and to offer support: https://fpmt.org/projects/fpmt/lzr-complete-victory-stupa/
Please read more about the holy objects supported through the Holy Objects Fund.
- Tagged: holy object, holy objects fund, Lama Zopa Rinpoche Stupa of Complete Victory, stupa fund, stupa of complete victory, stupas
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Grants Offered Through FPMT Charitable Projects in 2023
Last week we shared FPMT International Office’s 2023 Annual Review, Repaying the Kindness, Looking to the Future. We hope you have enjoyed reading about our various accomplishments from the past year. Today we would like to bring your attention to the Charitable Work section of this report.
The FPMT Charitable Projects exist to benefit others in the most extensive ways possible. In 2023, US$3,486,569 was offered to initiatives including: supporting ordained Sangha, investing in the main teachers of the Lama Tsongkhapa tradition; providing essential support and health care to the elderly, children, and disadvantaged in India, Nepal, and Mongolia; sponsoring holy objects such as statues, stupas, and prayer wheels; and offering continuous prayers and practices for the success and benefit of the entire FPMT organization and all beings.
In this year’s Annual Review you will read details about the following accomplishments in 2023:
- The Social Services Fund offered US$263,938 in support to eight different schools in Nepal and India that benefited over 1,500 students; US$169,067 in grants for operations expenses to hundreds of Tibetans living in six different homes for the elderly in India; and US$219,091 in support for health and essential services to those disadvantaged in Mongolia, Nepal, and India.
- US$529,466 was offered to support the precious ordained Sangha with food, accommodation, education, practice support, and medical expenses.
- The Puja Fund and other funds arrange and sponsor continual prayers for all within the FPMT organization and beings. US$397,697 was offered toward these activities, including offering to thousands of Sangha who undertake the practices.
- Due to the power of the holy objects, one can purify negativities and create merit simply by making contact with them. US$930,405 was offered toward holy object creation around the world.
- Through the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund, US$960,228 were offered in grants to monasteries, nunneries, and Sangha around the world; to FPMT centers, projects, and services; and for prayers, practices, pujas, and much, much more. Many of these grants were requests that Rinpoche made right up until early April 2023, and we are trying to fulfill his wishes to the best our ability.
- US$18,930 was offered through the Animal Liberation Fund which offers support for saving animals from untimely death and to different to organizations that are saving animals from death and caring for them with food, medicine, and shelter for the rest of their lives.
- US$173,156 was offered through the Education and Preservation Fund in support of contributions to the development of Buddhist education programs and the preservation of the Dharma through the publication of practice materials and translations, as well Dharma education.
We invite you to read more information about these initiatives and how the various funds were used in the Charitable Work section of our 2023 Annual Review.
Please read more about all of the FPMT Charitable Projects.
Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.
- Tagged: animal liberation fund, Education and Preservation Fund, fpmt puja fund, holy objects fund, lama zopa rinpoche bodhichitta fund, social service fund, supporting ordained sangha fund
12
Help Actualize Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Stupa of Complete Victory
The Fifteen Days of Miracles (Feb 10-24 this year) is an auspicious time when merit is multiplied by 100 million each day.
We want to take this opportunity to invite everyone who wishes to, to support the building of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Stupa of Complete Victory.
The 42-feet high (12.8 meters) Stupa of Complete Victory is being built at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, for the swift return of our most precious and kind teacher Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. It is also fulfilling Rinpoche’s wishes for building many large stupas around the world for the benefit of all beings.
We invite you to take a virtual circumambulation of the stupa.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche has explained:
“If you go around the stupa thinking that it is your root guru, the merit is far greater than just going around a stupa, a statue, a scripture. Going around the stupa without thinking that still collects the most unbelievably powerful merit, but by thinking of the stupa as the guru, there is no comparison, it’s like the difference between the earth and the sky.
The merit that you collect by seeing the stupa, statues, scripture as the guru is unbelievable, unbelievable, the most extensive merit. And it also becomes the most extensive purification, purifying all the defilements.”
Holy objects bless the land and plant the seed for enlightenment. Every time beings see holy objects; their minds are purified. Just by seeing a stupa, you collect numberless merits. In addition, if you make offerings, you collect much, much more merit.
Padmasambhava explained the incredible benefits of building stupas to King Trisong Detsen:
“All the three-time buddhas and bodhisattvas have actually absorbed into the holy object of the mind and are abiding in it, any request or prayer done to this great stupa will spontaneously and effortlessly succeed, for it is like a precious wish-granting jewel.
“Anyone who sees the stupa with their eyes closes the door of rebirth in the lower realms.
“Anyone who hears about the stupa with their ears leaves the seed of supreme enlightenment.
“Anyone who remembers the stupa is saved from the harms of craziness and paralysis and generates a special concentration in their mental continuum.
“All those who treat the stupa as a Guru will become a holder of tantric realizations having control over life.
“All those who put clay on the stupa will become thousand wheel-turning kings who reign over as many thousands of world-systems equal to the number of particles of clay.
“All those who brought earth and stones for the stupa will have all obstacles to a long life and dangers to their life pacified; they will have a long life, free of disease, and a good holy body.
“All those who put effort with their body, speech, and mind for the stupa will have every single blessing of the holy body, speech, and mind of the buddhas enter their body, speech, and mind.
“All those who rejoice in the stupa will generate every single quality of a buddha in their mental continuum.”
Please consider supporting the building of the Stupa of Complete Victory for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return:
fpmt.org/support/lzr-stupa-complete-victory/
Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.
- Tagged: holy object, holy objects fund, Lama Zopa Rinpoche Stupa of Complete Victory, stupa fund, stupa of complete victory, stupas
31
Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche always emphasized the importance of holy objects and how they are wish-fulfilling. This is evident in the amount of teachings that Rinpoche has given on their benefits and importance, how to make extensive offerings to them, circumambulate, prostrate, and how to regard holy objects.
Rinpoche expressed in his Vast Visions that it his wish for FPMT to build many holy objects everywhere, as many as possible. Making it so easy for sentient beings to purify their heavy negative karma and making it so easy for sentient beings to create extensive merit. Which makes it so easy to achieve the realizations of the path and so easy to achieve liberation and enlightenment.
The Holy Objects Fund is dedicated to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s wish and provides the resources to create holy objects around the world for the success of the FPMT organization and for the benefit of all beings.
An incredible US$930,405 was granted for holy objects in 2023 and we are so happy to share some of the new holy objects that have come into being recently, and how the funds of the Holy Objects Fund and others such as the Stupa Fund, Padmasambhava Project for Peace, One Thousand Buddhas Fund, Prajnaparamita Project, have been utilized, for rejoicing in.
One Thousand Buddhas
One of the most amazing achievements in 2023 was the creation and offering of one thousand statues of Shakyamuni Buddha. Lama Zopa Rinpoche wanted to make this offering during the long-life puja that was offered by FPMT to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The work started in February 2023 with the commission of one thousand statues to be created by various statue makers in Nepal. The art of the statues had been carefully checked by Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the statue makers created each statue based on this. Each statue was gold gilded, faces painted, and carefully filled and consecrated before they were offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. How amazing that we were able to create one thousand statues of Buddha and how unbelievably fortunate to be able to offer these to His Holiness the Dalai directly. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.
Holy Objects in Lawudo
Victory Stupa
In Lawudo Retreat Centre, Solo Khumbu, the Everest region of Nepal, fourteen thousand feet above sea level, we offered most of the funds to build the 12-foot high Victory stupa, this beautiful stupa was consecrated on Lhabab Duchen with fifty-five monks and nuns as well as the three main lamas in the valley—Thame Rinpoche, Charok Lama, and Kyarok Lama—along with locals and foreign guests. Inside the stupa is Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy relic.
Kalachakra Statue
In addition, a new seven-feet high Kalachakra statue was commissioned for Lawudo. Lama Zopa Rinpoche had indicated this statue was needed first, in order to create the causes to build the future Zangdog Palri . Zangdog Palri refers to the Glorious Copper Colored Mountain, and is the pure land of Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), the great tantric master who brought Buddhism to Tibet. This ambitious project will span several years as all of the building supplies for the four storey three dimensional pure land palace needs to be carried up to Lawudo.
The new Kalachakra statue, which took a few years to be made, was carried to Lawudo this year and now graces the gompa.
31-Foot Tall Amoghapasha Painted on a Cliff
We rejoice in the incredible 31-foot tall Amoghapasha on Drak Karma Cliff Above Lawudo. For many years Lama Zopa Rinpoche had expressed the wish for this new holy object. The deity has been painted directly on the cliff face overseeing the whole area. Funds for this project were raised by the Thamichowa community; Anila Ngawang Samten (Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s sister) provided all the necessary materials and tools needed for painting; and Ven. Nyima Tashi, Ven. Thubten Tendar, and Pasang Dekyi helped to actualize this incredible project. It was an incredible feat and an unbelievable task to complete. For instance it took ten days just to get the scaffolding up to the site, there the conditions were freezing and windy making the scaffolding and painting quite dangerous. The actual painting took seven days by Nepali artists and was completed the day before Lhabab Duchen and consecrated on the day of this merit-multiplying occasion.
114-Foot Tall Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in India
In March 2023, Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered $150,000 towards the building of a new 114-foot tall (34 meters) statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in Dhondeling Kollegal, India. The foundations for the statue are currently underway. Lama Zopa Rinpoche was very moved when he heard about this project and immediately wanted to help with funds and was very happy about the size of the statue and the amount of benefit it will bring the area. We will provide updates as the statue progresses.
New Tara Statue in USA
A long-time student of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche passed away in 2023 and Lama Zopa Rinpoche advised that a 3-foot tall statue of Tara was important to be created for her future rebirth. Immediately also Rinpoche wanted to sponsor the statue and we rejoice that this beautiful new Tara that has come into being and now resides in the USA.
Displaying the 75-Foot High Guru Rinpoche Thangka Twice in 2023 in Nepal
In 2023 we had the incredible fortune to display the very large thangka of Guru Rinpoche two times at Khachoe Ghakyil Ling (Kopan Nunnery). The thangka, which is 75 feet (23 meters) high, and 87 feet (27 meters) wide is stitched in appliqué, and depicts the Padmasambhava merit field in the center. Lama Zopa Rinpoche personally designed and oversaw the creation of this huge thangka and also raised funds for it. Creating and displaying huge thangkas is also one of the Vast Visions of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, as well as dedicating a day to display the thangka with a puja and extensive offerings, as well as offering dances and music and a meal to all who attend.
Rinpoche explained that displaying large thangkas is an auspicious way for anyone in the area to make a Dharma imprint and connection to the deity depicted. “You may think that a statue or thangka is just a statue or thangka,” Rinpoche has said, “but it is the transcendental wisdom of dharmakaya, which understands and directly sees absolute truth, as well as conventional truth.” Both of the events displaying the thangka in 2023 were entirely sponsored, including the 100,000 tsog offerings and lunch to all who attended. The puja is an incredible undertaking by Kopan monks and nuns as it takes days to set up and arrange and the cost in 2023 for these two pujas was over US$34,000.
Writing the Prajnaparamita Sutra
The live creation of the Prajnaparamita sutra, which is being written out daily in beautiful calligraphy in gold ink is in its eighteenth year. Lama Zopa Rinpoche explained in a teaching in Bendigo, Australia, his clear wishes for the writing of the Prajnaparamita sutra to continue for as long as FPMT exists. Even when completing the twelve volumes of the sutra currently in process, Rinpoche asked that this project begin again and in this way the sutra is continually being written out as it is a powerful holy object. Currently Ven.Tsering is on the fifth volume and Jane Seidlitz in the USA is writing out the second volume. The gold for the sutra costs about $10,000 a year.
Even writing one letter or syllable from the Prajnaparamita, the benefits you receive are unbelievable, unbelievable, more than making skies of extensive offerings to all the buddhas for so many eons. The merits are far more greater than that. — Lama Zopa Rinpoche
New Padmasambhava Statue in Pokhara Nepal
We have the incredible news that a new statue of Guru Rinpoche statue is being built in Pokhara Nepal. The comprehensive cost of this remarkable project encompasses both land procurement expenses and the construction of a grand monument and is expected to be US$2,993,217. Situated alongside the esteemed Annapurna Cable Car, the Guru Rinpoche statue, to be erected in Pokhara, will seamlessly blend with the surrounding natural landscape, creating a serene and captivating environment.
Covering a total site area of 3,226 square miles (34,728 square feet), the project includes various features such as a meditation hall capable of accommodating 100 individuals, additional rooms and a prayer hall, a mantra wall, vast green areas, and a magnificent 15-meter-tall statue that gracefully rises 1556 meters above sea level. The land was successfully acquired in 2023 and through the Padmasambhava Project for Peace we were able to offer US$285,000 to this amazing project.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche Stupa of Complete Victory at Kopan Monastery
We rejoice in the beginning of the work for building of the Stupa of Complete Victory in Kopan Monastery. This magnificent stupa will be 42-foot high (13 meters) and is dedicated to the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
The intention is to create a significant monument situated on ground level covering an area of 180 square feet (55 square meters) and a semi-basement level spanning 715 square feet (218 square meters). The stupa is located on the northeast side of the Stupa Garden at Kopan Monastery where the stupas of Geshe Lama Konchog and Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lhundup are also situated. This stupa will be facing exactly mid-way between Swayambhunath stupa and Boudhanath stupa. While maintaining the vastness of Kopan’s beautiful gardens, Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s stupa will be built from the level below thus enlarging the whole area and enabling for two retreat rooms under the stupa. We expect that the building below the stupa will be finished in about 4-5 months and then the building of the actual Stupa of Complete Victory will begin. The building of the stupa will take some time due to all the extensive artwork, but we are hoping the stupa will be finished in about a year.
Ksitigharba Statue Arrival at Kopan Monastery
We also rejoice in the beautiful new Ksitigharba statue that was completed and placed in a beautiful house on the top of the hill at Kopan Monastery. Lama Zopa Rinpoche had advised for this statue to be made. One of the incredible benefits is from protection from earthquakes among any other things. The statue has been placed on the highest part of Kopan Monastery.
Maitreya Project in Kushinagar, India
Funds were also sent for the master plan and ongoing work for the Maitreya Project in Kushinagar India. In 2023 the new Master Plan was completed, and a number of important meetings happened such as with the Director General of the International Buddhist Council (the key office that plans and executes all the support work for Buddhist projects in India and internationally), when the Master Plan was presented. Work was done to bring special statues of Sixteen Arahants, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Twenty-one Taras, that Lama Zopa Rinpoche had commissioned many years ago for Maitreya Project, from Nepal to Kushinagar as well as to bring the 24-foot high statue of Maitreya that has graced the land in Bodhgaya to Kushinagar.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche has explained:
“Every time you look at holy objects – pictures of the Buddha, statues, scriptures, stupas – they plant the seed of liberation and enlightenment in your mental continuum. So, every time you look at them they purify your mind. How? When you look at them, they plant a seed or positive imprint on your mental continuum so that later when you meet Buddhadharma, either in this life or in future lives, you are able to understand the words and the meaning of the teachings. From that, you are able to practice the meaning of the Dharma you have understood, which causes you to cease the gross and subtle defilements by actualizing the path and then your mental continuum becomes omniscient mind. This is what is meant when we say that by seeing holy objects it plants the seed of enlightenment on the mind – it contains the whole path from guru devotion and the three principles up to the two stages of tantra and enlightenment.”
Thank you to all who supported these different projects that enable the creation of new holy objects around the world for the benefit of all beings. In 2024 we will be mainly focusing on actualizing the Stupa of Complete Victory for Lama Zopa Rinpoche and appreciate any support.
To help ensure our support to the creation of holy objects around the world, we invite you to offer a donation of any amount to the Holy Objects Fund.
- Tagged: 1000 buddha project, holy object fund, holy objects fund, Lama Zopa Rinpoche Stupa of Complete Victory, padmasambhava project for peace, prajnaparamita project, stupa fund, stupa of complete victory
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In 2023, an incredible US$173,156 was disbursed in grants from the FPMT Education and Preservation Fund to promote the development of Buddhist education programs and the preservation of the Dharma through the publication of Buddhist practice materials and translations. We invite you to read some of the activities supported this year below and rejoice!
- US$4,607 in grants were provided for translation projects of Dharma texts from Tibetan into Bengali and Hindu, to the Indo-Tibetan Translation Team at Visva-Bharati University of West Bengal, India. West Bengal was the birthplace of great masters such as Shantideva, Lama Atisha, and Shantarakshita, and the intention for the translation projects was to aid in the revival of Mahayana Buddhism in the region. One of the translations sponsored was the Bengali translation and editing of Bhavanakrama by Kamalashila. The other translation from Tibetan to Bengali and English was of Bodhipathapradipam (Atisha’s Lamp of the Path to Enlightenment), Suhrllekha (Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend), and The Thirty-Seven Practices of the Bodhisattva. The books were completed by teams of university translators and advisors. The translated Bhavanakrama text was also offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Bodhgaya recently.
- Further grants were given for the development of new FPMT education programs and materials, including support of FPMT educational activities in Mongolia.
- Grants were given this year through the Translation and Scholarship Fund for the translation of Vajrayogini self-initiation, Heruka Chakrasamvara Body Mandala commentary by Trijang Rinpoche, and A Precious Garland: A Commentary on Engaging in the Deeds of a Bodhisattva (Bodhicaryāvatāra)
. In addition, ongoing translation progress continues on the following texts: Sutra of Golden Light (21 Chapter, 29 Chapter, and 31 Chapter), Chittamani Tara practice texts, A Detailed Commentary on the Six Yogas of Naropa, Sunlight That Causes the Lotus of Faith to Blossom: A Guidebook to the Supreme Sacred Place of Clear and Cool Mountain, and Ornament of the Essence. - Grants were also issued in support of the FPMT Masters Program scholarship and toward the support and education of a geshe studying in a University in the UK.
We rejoice in all these inspiring activities, the work of all those involved, and in the kind generosity of supporters to the Education and Preservation Fund, which provided the much-needed resources for these projects.
Learn more about the Education and Preservation Fund, and all of our FPMT Charitable Projects that are working to build a more compassionate world.
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*powered by Google TranslateTranslation of pages on fpmt.org is performed by Google Translate, a third party service which FPMT has no control over. The service provides automated computer translations that are only an approximation of the websites' original content. The translations should not be considered exact and only used as a rough guide.It is important to understand that true practice is something we do from moment to moment, from day to day. We do whatever we can, with whatever wisdom we have, and dedicate it all to the benefit of others. We just live our life simply, to the best of our ability.