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Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa’s Basic Program teachers, staff, graduates, and near graduates offered a thanksgiving puja, Pomaia, Italy, June 2018
On June 10, 2018, several students from Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa’s 2015-2018 Basic Program met to offer a thanksgiving puja to mark the conclusion of their program. From among the thirty-five students who participated in the three-month review and passed the final exam, thirteen have already graduated, while another twenty have plans in place to fulfill their completion requirement of a month-long lamrim retreat this year. The vast majority of students participated in the program online, an impressive achievement considering how difficult it can be for students to complete multi-year online programs!
The ceremony was an opportunity to present offerings and give thanks to Geshe Tenphel and Geshe Gelek, the teachers of Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa’s third Basic Program; to institute staff; and to all those who maintain the excellent quality of the FPMT in-depth education programs.
“Dear Geshe-las, we thank you for your immense generosity and loving kindness that you have shown us in these years with your advice and teachings,” shared all the students collectively. “Thank you for sending us the pure word of the Buddha. And thank you for your patience, availability, smiles, and laughter. May all your holy wishes be fulfilled immediately and may your lives be long and stable!”
Basic Program graduate Paolo Carta reading thank-you notes from students, Pomaia, Italy, June 2018
Graduate Carlo Lo Conte expresses his gratitude, Pomaia, Italy, June 2018
Graduate Carlo Lo Conte receives his Basic Program Completion Card, Pomaia, Italy, June 2018
“Dear friends, sisters, and brothers of Dharma, it is with immense joy that I want to thank you for the journey that has brought us together so far,” said student Carlo Lo Conte during his expression of gratitude. “A journey that has taught us how the reality conceived from our minds’ sides is illusory, about how it actually works; that has taught us how much our afflictions distort the vision of existence by projecting us into misery and suffering; that has taught us how the causes of suffering can be transformed into causes of happiness if we could only get out of the narrow cage in which we are locked up and project ourselves into a broader mental state where we can meet other beings, their sufferings, and their expectations of happiness ….”
“Dear Geshe-la, one of my first memories of the Basic Program is your reassurance: ‘Do not worry. Listen to me. Eventually, you will understand these texts,’” recalled residential student Ven. Dechen. “At that time, for some of us, nothing seemed further from the truth … You took care of everyone and filled the room with warmth and love … You are the perfect teacher of Bodhicharyavatara; you brought this teaching of Shantideva to life, offering the perfect medicine for ourselves and for others. When we were seized by our confusion and thought we did not understand anything, you continued, patiently planting the seeds for our future understanding. Sometimes when you raised the mirror of Dharma and you showed us our minds, it was not nice, but you were able to accompany us with love and compassion, firmly leading us forward. We are all better people thanks to you.”
Students Andrea Fuser, Elena Vangi, Silvia Persico, Nicola Dagnino, and Luca Morelli offer tsog, Pomaia, Italy, June 2018
“Dear Geshe-la, I’m so sorry I can not be at the closing puja of the Basic Program!” wrote residential student Paul Sala in an email. “It was such a great pleasure for me to listen to your teachings. … You often manifested an ‘extremely radiant facial appearance’ and I was so happy to respond to your smile. Naturally, it was not just the smile. I have often noticed how much attention and care you had for us students, addressing our concerns to be able to grasp its essence, and making sure we could really transform our minds.”
Geshe Tenphel, Pomaia, Italy, June 2018
Immacolata Cabras offering a Dharma wheel to Geshe Tenphel, Pomaia, Italy, June 2018
On behalf of the Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa education coordinator, the Istituto itself, and FPMT Education Services, thanks were offered as well to all the students, who have worked so hard in recent years. To quote Lama Zopa Rinpoche: “Studying Dharma means less ignorance, more wisdom. It means more light in your life, in your mind, no darkness. It means that you have more freedom in your life to achieve liberation from samsara, great enlightenment. The more you understand Dharma, the more you can benefit others, give more light to others, get them to have a deeper and clearer understanding of Dharma.”
Registration is open for the fourth round of the residential and online Basic Program at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, taking place September 2018 through June 2022. Completing individual subjects is also possible. For more information and to register, please visit Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa’s Basic Program 2018-2022.
Through comprehensive study programs, practice materials, and training seminars, FPMT Education nourishes the development of compassion, wisdom, kindness, and true happiness in individuals of all ages.