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Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe conducting a long life puja at end of the First Enlightened Experience Celebration, Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, India, May 1982. Photo by Bill Kane.
Every organization has its own distinctive culture. Around the world, in FPMT centers, projects and services, reflected in policies, charitable giving, and educational programs, FPMT “Wisdom Culture” remains at the heart of all activity.
Wisdom Culture signifies a fusion of two perfectly unique presentations of Buddhist philosophy epitomized in the life-work of our founders, Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Their collective presentations are reflected in the “study-practice-service” teaching format perfected in the month-long Kopan meditation courses in Nepal, which began in 1971.
Lama Yeshe felt so strongly that Wisdom Culture defined FPMT that he included “for Wisdom Culture” in the names of early centers and projects. For example, Chenrezig Institute in Australia began as Chenrezig Institute for Wisdom Culture and Wisdom Publications, now in the United States, began as Publications for Wisdom Culture.
The term “Wisdom Culture” is now not used as widely as it was during Lama Yeshe’s time. In this age of abbreviations and e-speak, it is possibly viewed as too lengthy an appendage to attach to center and project names. However, while Lama Yeshe’s vocabulary was sometimes unconventional, it was extraordinarily accurate. Lama Yeshe explained:
Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe, Chenrezig Institute, Australia, 1975. Photo by Nick Ribush, restoration by David Zinn.
What we normally understand as the meaning of “culture” is the relative mind or spirit, the collective illusions of a certain land or people. It actually has nothing to do with the wisdom truth of Dharma. If we stretch the meaning we could say that Dharma is the “culture” of our progressively developing wisdom. I was brought up in a great culture that is two thousand years old. Now I am working with Westerners. I think the meeting of East and West is on a gross level, but could be worked progressively towards a finer level of understanding. I think we must work towards a wisdom culture.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching methods typify a detailed, traditional presentation of Buddhism enlivened by Rinpoche’s yogi-like conduct. About the purpose of FPMT, Lama Zopa Rinpoche has said:
The conclusion is for all the people to practice the lamrim, which is the heart of Dharma. Especially to try to put all the effort to live with bodhichitta motivation, in particular to have kindness to others, which is the most essential practice. Aiming to have the realization of bodhichitta as our main goal, of course based on guru devotion.
Between Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, we find the entire spectrum of possible ways in which to fully develop one’s highest potential. Wisdom Culture is rooted in the joy, love, and utter dedication to the service of others that both Lamas embody and inspire, as well as constant emphasis on navigating the road map of mental development outlined in the structured teachings of the “Graduated Path” or “lamrim.”
FPMT Wisdom Culture, which is a reflection of that spectrum, is summarized in the following way:
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Openness and breadth in presenting the Dharma. Lama Yeshe’s teaching style was non-traditional, yet completely pure in source and content. Lama Yeshe made the Dharma accessible according to the individual culture and needs of a particular student.
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Detail and depth of instruction. Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching style emphasizes how to practice and make each moment deeply meaningful through an emphasis on guru devotion; bodhichitta motivation; intensive practices to purify negativities and accumulate merit; and actualizing the lamrim teachings in the heart, not just through intellectual study.
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Constant practice of merit accumulation and purification. These practices are emphasized as essential to bringing temporal happiness and preparing the mind for realization.
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Reliance on tantra; encouraging students to have spiritual confidence.
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Respect and support for ordained Sangha. We consider ordained Sangha essential to the tradition.
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Cultivation of a close family feeling. FPMT is a worldwide family of practitioners, united by our culture, devotion to our teachers, and standard practice materials.
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Thinking big. Lama Yeshe taught: “Anything is possible. Everything is possible.”
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Big love. Cherishing others. Imparting a universal love for all beings.
FPMT Education Services is dedicated to preserving and innovating integrated education programs, practice materials, and training seminars true to Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s unique tradition of Wisdom Culture.
Lama Yeshe teaching at University of California at Santa Cruz, 1978. Photo by Jon Landaw.
Through comprehensive study programs, practice materials, training seminars, and scholarships, FPMT Education nourishes the development of compassion, wisdom, kindness, and true happiness in individuals of all ages.