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Lama Yeshe at Kopan Monastery, 1971. Photo courtesy of Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.
In 1971, at the famous Kopan November course in Kathmandu, Nepal, FPMT founder Lama Yeshe took time to speak with his students about Christmas time and the figure of Jesus.
The teachings were originally published by Wisdom Publications in 1978 under the title Silent Mind, Holy Mind.
This is the week of Holy Jesus’ birth, and I suggest that in honor of this special event we make some sort of celebration. But we should try to make it meaningful. It should not be some sort of physical sensation, bringing only more confusion and superstition to our minds.
For a Christmas celebration to be a good one, it must be of a truly religious nature. Jesus came to this Earth and presented his teachings, but worldly beings completely disregard this fact. For them, Christmas means—first and foremost—spending money, buying presents, and creating confusion. Such confusion is entirely of our own making. We have the power to make Christmas meaningful, peaceful, and truly religious, but instead of using this power we succumb to worldly negative energy. We go shopping to buy presents, but this is not done with anything even resembling a loving attitude. We think, “I really must buy something for my sister, because if I don’t give her anything, maybe she won’t like me anymore. Maybe she won’t give me anything either.” Or, “I better not get my friend a cheap present, or I might not get anything valuable back from him next year.” Such thoughts are extremely negative, leading to nothing but dissatisfaction. They are totally involved with egotistic and immature notions about what true happiness is. They have nothing whatsoever to do with religion.
True religion brings peace and satisfaction to the mind. Actions that arouse only confusion serve no religious function at all. They stem instead from a political mind that thinks, “If I give this, I’ll get that in return.” Such a mind is extremely immature. It delights when many presents are received, and is depressed when expectations go unfulfilled. What difference, then, is there between such a mind and that of a small child? We consider ourselves to be grown up, but our actions and attitudes show us to be little different from our children. They exaggerate the importance of receiving gifts, and so do we. In fact, their exaggerated expectation of their minds of confusion and dissatisfaction are mainly developed by watching us. If we were to act in a consistently mature and meaningful way, our children would also become peaceful. We sometimes think that they are naturally berserk, and that we are something special but this is not so. Check up and see exactly what happens when a holiday approaches. We are the ones who create the commotion. The first thing that happens at the beginning of a holiday is that husband and wife, brother and sister and so forth begin to fight with one another. Be honest, and investigate the truth of this. I am not trying to be excessively negative; just check up and see if this is true or not. Holiday bickering has so much jealousy in it, “Let me see, what did you get? What did you get?” Such a dualistic mind is totally submerged in selfishness and wrong conceptions.
This deluded behavior is not common only to one type of culture. It can be found everywhere. Similarly, the antidote to this confusion is not taught merely in Buddhism. All religions strive to counter unsatisfactory, confused attitudes and bring us peace of mind.
It is characteristic of materialistic people that they believe their happiness and frustration to be totally dependent on external phenomena and possessions. If they do not receive enough ice cream and cake they are despondent: “I feel so empty. This Christmas has been such a flop I could die!” For them, the success or failure of a religious holiday depends entirely on material things. They cannot discover peace and happiness within their own consciousness, depending instead on some external, physical sign of “love.” It does not matter how much they might profess to be spiritual; their minds are completely obsessed by the gross, material level of reality ….
When Jesus was living on earth, there were no churches and such. His religion was not divided up into many groups and societies with people saying, “I’m a member of this sect; what denomination are you?” Things had not yet tightened up to the point where the religious follower felt compelled to choose one path or another. In this respect, at least, the people were much more liberated than we are today. Whatever they did in terms of their religion was done honestly and sincerely. Nowadays when you ask someone why he follows a particular religious tradition, he is likely to say, “Because my father did,” or “Because that church is near my house.” It is ridiculous to follow a particular set of teachings for these reasons. Others belong to a certain religion because it has the largest congregation in town. This also has nothing whatsoever to do with the true spirit journey.
Jesus Christ, from Lama Yeshe’s “Silent Mind, Holy Mind”
One solitary being sincerely actualizing the everlasting peaceful path to liberation is more precious than a whole host of confused beings shouting. “This is my religion!” Such people may easily criticize the sincere seeker, despising him for holding beliefs contrary to those of the multitudes. Sheer numbers count for nothing in spiritual terms. It does not matter how many people are engaged in building a church, temple, or monastery; if they lack true religious feeling, their actions mean nothing ….
Therefore, if our Christmas celebration is to be truly religious, it is important to remember who Jesus was, what he did and what he stood for. In this way we can understand how he benefited so many sentient beings and why he has been such a positive force, not merely in his own time, but throughout the last 2,000 years, and up to the present day.
Jesus had exceptionally great compassion. It is very good to check up on this fact, and consider it deeply.
If the thought comes to our mind, “I must gain his realizations and become as compassionate as he was,” then this is the most perfect basis on which to have a celebration of his birth. With this feeling in our hearts, a Christmas festival can be very meaningful and worthwhile.
Lama Thubten Yeshe is the founder of FPMT, an international 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, spread the Dharma to sentient beings.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with one of his teachers, Rato Rinpoche, Sera Je Monastery, India, January 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
In FPMT centers, a great deal of emphasis is placed on the practice of guru devotion. Advice Regarding Gurus, a short booklet available through the FPMT Foundation Store, introduces new students to the concept of guru devotion and explains why such importance is placed on establishing and maintaining a positive relationship with a qualified spiritual teacher.
“Although you can learn a lot from books,” long-time student Ven. René Feusi explains, “if you want to become excellent in any field of knowledge, you have the best chance of success if you have a qualified teacher. This is true if you aim to become a ballet dancer, a pianist, a pilot, a craftsman, a scientist, etc. Likewise, if you aspire for spiritual development, your progress will be safer and faster if you are under the guidance of a qualified guru.”
- The Heart of the Path: Drawing from nearly fifty teachings, this is a lengthy collection of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings on guru devotion.
- Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s “Advice on Guru Devotion”: In this short and poetic composition, Lama Zopa Rinpoche outlines the essence of guru devotion and includes a beautiful dedication.
- Discovering Buddhism, Module 4: “The Spiritual Teacher”: This module from FPMT Education Services’ online Discovering Buddhism course is an excellent place for students new to the Dharma to begin their studies of guru devotion.
- Living in the Path: “Guru is Buddha”: This module from FPMT Education Services’ online Living in the Path course offers an experiential taste of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings on guru devotion.
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Light of the Path 2017, Black Mountain, North Carolina, US, September 2017. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
In 2014, Indian FPMT students heard Malaysian and Singaporean students chant Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s name mantra in Mundgod, India, and wished to learn how to do the same. Long-time student Ven. Kabir Saxena suggested that they use an Indian tune instead, since the mantra is in Sanskrit. A Sanskrit chant teacher helped them to compose a tune for the mantra and Indian students were later able to offer this to welcome Rinpoche into the teaching hall when Rinpoche visited Bangalore in December 2016.
In January 2017, FPMT India national coordinator Deepthy Shekhar shared a beautiful recording of her chanting the mantra for the use of all of Rinpoche’s students.
https://shop.fpmt.org/Lama-Zopa-Rinpoche-Holy-Name-Mantra–MP3-Download-_p_3625.html
Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s name mantra is available to download, and all are welcome to enjoy and utilize the heartfelt chant offered by Deepthy.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Deepthy Chandrashekhar, FPMT’s India national coordinator, Bangalore, India, December 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
FPMT Education Services makes many other commonly used mantras available for free download. All are welcome to peruse and freely utilize what’s available.
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.
Statue of Lama Tsongkhapa at Buddha Amitabha Pure Land, Washington State, US, June 2015. Photo by Chris Majors.
Lama Tsongkhapa Day, or Ganden Ngamchoe, is a celebration of the anniversary of Lama Tsongkhapa’s parinirvana. It is celebrated on the 25th day of the 10th month in the Tibetan calendar. This year, Lama Tsongkhapa Day falls on Tuesday, December 12.
Lama Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) was a Tibetan Buddhist master whose studies and meditations in all the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism resulted in the founding of the Gelugpa lineage.
A young monk offers light on Lama Tsongkhapa Day, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, December 2016. Photo by Laura Miller.
“Lama Tsongkhapa Day is for us to remember what Lama Tsongkhapa did and then follow his example,” said Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi, the abbot of Kopan Monastery and Nunnery. “This verse from a text called An Autobiography of Realization: Fulfilled Wishes (rtogs brjod mdun legs ma) illustrates what Lama Tsongkhapa did:
In the beginning I strove extensively in the vast ocean of learning.
In the middle all the scriptural traditions dawned on me as advice.
In the end I practiced all day and night.“
Light offering around the Chenrezig statue at Kopan Monastery on Lama Tsongkhapa Day. Photo courtesy of Kopan Monastery.
There are many practices you can do to create merit on this special day! The main practice, recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, is Lama Chöpa. The FPMT Foundation Store makes this practice available in hardcopy and as a downloadable PDF. If you are unable to do Lama Chöpa, Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga is also recommended.
Additionally, there are other practices students are encouraged to do, as you are able. Consider some of the following:
English
- 1000 Offerings to Lama Tsong Khapa
- Extensive Offering Practice
- “The Glorious One of the Three Worlds” (English Version of “Palden Sa Suma”)
- “A Hymn of Experience” by Je Tsongkhapa
- “Destiny Fulfilled”
- “Prayer for the Flourishing of Je Tsongkhapa’s Teachings” (a4 version)
“Prayer for the Flourishing of Je Tsongkhapa’s Teachings” (letter version) - Lama Tsongkhapa’s Secret Biography (a4 version)
Lama Tsongkhapa’s Secret Biography (letter version) - “Dependent Arising: A Praise to the Buddha”
French
- Prière pour le développement de Lama Tsongkhapa (lecture)
- Prière pour le développement de Lama Tsongkhapa (livret)
Tibetan
- 1000 Offerings to Lama Tsongkhapa
- “Palden Sa Suma” (Tibetan Version of “Glory of the Triple Ground”)
- Lama Tsongkhapa’s Secret Biography
The main gompa at Kopan Monastery decorated with offering lights on Lama Tsongkhapa Day, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, December 2016. Photo by Laura Miller.
You can read more about this advice, plus a teaching from Lama Zopa Rinpoche about Lama Tsongkhapa Day:
https://fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/advice/lamatsongkhapa/
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche blessing and offering food, Omak, Washington, US, August 2017. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
The holiday season means, for many, an increase in festive meals celebrated with family and friends, and Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaches that there are a variety of ways to enjoy your meals while practicing virtue.
Living in the Path: “Offering Food and Drink”
We invite you to check out the complimentary Living in the Path module “Offering Food and Drink” on the FPMT Online Learning Center. In this module, you’ll find Rinpoche’s extensive explanation of how he offers food, which Rinpoche gave during a picnic in Denmark in July 2015. The module includes videos, written transcripts, and a discussion forum for students to communicate with a Living in the Path facilitator.
In “How I Offer Food – Motivation Part 1,” a nine-minute video taken from the module, Rinpoche guides students through the first section of the extensive motivation for blessing, offering, and enjoying food and drink:
Food Offering Practice
For those students who prefer print materials in addition to digital options, we invite you to take a look at Food Offering Practice (print and digital), first published in 2011, which includes Rinpoche’s extensive food offering practice, general food offering prayers, and the yogas of eating food according the Hinayana, Mahayana sutra, and Mahayana tantra teachings.
Whatever your traditions this time of year, you can make each meal a meaningful offering for yourself and others. Enjoy!
The FPMT Social Services Fund supports a variety of projects that give nutritious food and drink to the poor living India, Nepal, Tibet, and Mongolia. We welcome your support:
https://fpmt.org/projects/fpmt/social-services-fund/
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching on the Heart Sutra as the sun begins to set, Vulture’s Peak, Rajgir, India, February 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
FPMT Education Services makes a variety of Heart Sutra materials available on the Heart Sutra resource page on FPMT.org. In addition to the sutra in English and Spanish, you will find a recording of Maitripa College president Yangsi Rinpoche and his students chanting the sutra in English. In April 2011, Lama Zopa Rinpoche commented that he enjoyed this style of chanting.
The Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra (the Heart Sutra) is perhaps the most widely known sutra of the Mahayana tradition and is often recited daily by practitioners all over the world, particularly before receiving Dharma teachings. Part of the Prajnaparamita Sutras, the Heart Sutra is a condensed presentation of the wisdom of emptiness as revealed by Avalokiteshvara (known as Chenrezig in Tibetan) on Vulture’s Peak in Rajgir, India, to Shariputra, one of the Buddha’s main disciples, based on the Buddha’s own power.
Also on the resource page, you’ll find links to the Foundation Store, where you can discover many Dharma items related to the Heart Sutra and emptiness, including Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s How to Meditate on Emptiness and “Bringing Emptiness to Life,” a Living in the Path online learning course.
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching in front of 1,000 Arm Chenrezig, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, August 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
From October 4 to November 5, hundreds of participants will collectively recite OM MANI PADME HŪM, the mantra of Chenrezig. This retreat is organized by Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK) in Pomaia, Italy, and helps to fulfill one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the FPMT organization that retreats such as this take place around the world.
During the retreat, Lama Zopa Rinpoche has taught on the benefits of the Chenrezig mantra and also offered the lung of the Longest Chenrezig Mantra to participants. You can listen to this advice on YouTube:
The FPMT Foundation Store has many Chenrezig resources available to you in addition to beneficial Chenrezig mantras you can incorporate into your daily practice:
Short Chenrezig Mantra
OṂ MAṆI PADME HŪṂ
Long Chenrezig Mantra
NAMO RATNA TRAYĀYA / NAMA ĀRYA JÑĀNA SĀGARA VAIROCHANA VYŪHA RĀJĀYA / TATHĀGATĀYA / ARHATE / SAMYAKSAṂ BUDDHĀYA / NAMAḤ SARVA TATHĀGATEBHYAḤ / ARHATBHYAḤ SAMYAKSAṂ BUDDHEBHYAḤ / NAMA ĀRYA AVALOKITEŚHVARĀYA / BODHISATTVĀYA / MAHĀSATTVĀYA / MAHĀKĀRUṆIKĀYA / TADYATHĀ / OṂ DHARA DHARA / DHIRI DHIRI / DHURU DHURU / IṬṬE VAṬṬE / CHALE CHALE / PRACHALE PRACHALE / KUSUME / KUSUMA / VARE / ILI MILI / CHITI JVALAMAPANAYA SVĀHĀ
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.
Shakyamuni Buddha in sambhogakaya aspect with offerings in the jokhang of Maitripa College. Photo by Noah Gunnell.
Lhabab Duchen, one of the four great holy days of the Buddhist calendar, takes place this year on Friday, November 10.
Lhabab Duchen celebrates Guru Shakyamuni Buddha’s return from the god realm Thirty-Three after teaching Dharma for several months to his mother, who has been reborn there, along with other gods. As a Buddha Multiplying Day, the karmic results of actions done on this day are multiplied 100 million times. This amazing result is sourced by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to the vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic.
As merit is multiplied on this holy day, it provides an excellent opportunity to follow Khadro-la’s advice that students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche offer recitations of the Vajra Cutter Sutra and Dependent Arising: A Praise of the Buddha (Tendrel Topa) for Rinpoche’s long life.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche has also recommended practices for these four holy days. Specific advice for practices to do on the Buddha Multiplying Days can be found on the FPMT website, including new advice to recite the Sutra for Remembering the Three Jewels. If you choose to recite the Sutra of Golden Light on this special day, you might like to report your recitations using the facility on the FPMT website, which you can find on the Sutra of Golden Light reporting page.
Please keep in mind that according to the late Kyabje Choden Rinpoche, one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s gurus, the observation of auspicious days should be according to the date in India, not the date in one’s home country. Therefore, when Lama Zopa Rinpoche is not in India, Rinpoche celebrates Buddha Days and other auspicious dates according to the time in India.
Special thanks to the Liberation Prison Project for preparing a Tibetan calendar with information on holy days and other important dates for avoiding or engaging in various activities.
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche offering a motivation before the Great Chenrezig initiation at Idgaa Choizinling Monastery, May 2017. Photo by Lobsang Sherab.
For those wishing to understand Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s explanations of the verse for taking refuge and generating bodhichitta, which is commonly recited at the beginning of teaching sessions and many practices, Living in the Path module “The Refuge and Bodhichitta Verse” (available through the Foundation Store) is a wonderful way to do so. Lama Zopa Rinpoche unpacks each word of these deceptively simple four lines to reveal their great profundity and tells us how to meditate on the whole path to enlightenment while reciting it.
In this short video, Ven. Amy Miller explains the meaning of this verse, as well as the meaning of bodhichitta, and the reasons for generating this altruistic thought to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
Watch “Refuge and Bodhichitta Verse – An Introduction” on YouTube
All of the modules of the Living in the Path program are available on the FPMT Online Center. This program is ideal for anyone who wishes to deepen their personal practice and develop the realizations of the path to enlightenment by relying on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s heart advice and teachings. As the teachings often assume familiarity with the lamrim, participants are recommended to have previously received teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Ven. Amy Miller (Lobsang Chodren) attended her first course at Kopan Monastery in Nepal in 1987 and ordained in 2000. She has offered service in a variety of FPMT centers since 1992 and has led pilgrimages to India, Nepal, Bhutan, Darjeeling, and Sikkim. She has completed the FPMT Basic Program and is the co-author of Buddhism in a Nutshell and a contributor to Living in the Path. Ven. Amy is an FPMT registered teacher.
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.
Heart Advice for Death and Dying, an FPMT Education Services program available on the Online Learning Center, is designed to provide practical instructions for the time of death to students who are interested in learning about death and dying from the Tibetan Buddhist perspective in a structured way. It is recommended that students have some prior knowledge of Buddhism in the Tibetan tradition, in particular the topics of the lamrim, by having completed an introductory course, such as Buddhism in a Nutshell, and at least some of the lamrim modules of Discovering Buddhism.
The Liberation Box contains powerful methods for ensuring a fortunate rebirth for those who have died or are in the process of dying. This collection of tools for the time of death has been assembled according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice.
And as always, students are welcome and encouraged to take advantage of all the other resources and training available on FPMT.org to help navigate oneself and others through the death process.
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche reciting the Sutra of Golden Light, Bodhgaya, India. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.
“Anybody who wants peace in the world should read the Sutra of Golden Light [also known as the Golden Light Sutra],” Lama Zopa Rinpoche has advised. “This is a very important practice to stop violence and wars in the world. The Sutra of Golden Light is one of the most beneficial ways to bring peace. This is something that everyone can do, no matter how busy you are, even if you can read one page a day, or a few lines.”
“For anyone who desires peace for themselves and for others this is the spiritual, or Dharma, way to bring peace that doesn’t require you to harm others, doesn’t require you to criticize others or even to demonstrate against others, yet can accomplish peace. Anyone can read this text, Buddhists and even non-Buddhists who desire world peace.
“This also protects individuals and the country from what are labeled natural disasters of the wind element, fire element, earth element and water element, such as earthquakes, floods, cyclones, fires, tornadoes, etc. They are not natural because they come from causes and conditions that make dangers happen. They come from past inner negative thoughts and actions of people, and from external conditions.”
You can download the Sutra of Golden Light in many languages, learn more about the incredible benefits of this most precious sutra, or receive the oral transmission from Lama Zopa Rinpoche by watching/listening to video/audio.
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche examines a “Just By Seeing” Mantra he has written out, Washington, USA, October 2016
FPMT Education Services makes available many commonly used mantras that students can download freely for their personal use.
For extensive advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche about the benefits of reading, writing, or reciting particular mantras, or how to engage with mantras to eliminate or reduce potential or ongoing obstacles, please visit the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Online Advice Book and FPMT.org for Advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Mani stone at Rinpoche’s house at Buddha Amitabha Pure Land, Washington, US. Photo by Chris Majors.
Mantras, meaning “mind protection,” are Sanskrit syllables, usually recited in conjunction with the practice of a particular meditational deity, and embody the qualities of the deity with which they are associated. They bring benefit to all who see, touch, hear or speak them.
Further, when you recite mantras with the correct motivation (the wish to benefit others), your speech becomes holy speech capable of offering blessings to others. Some mantras are so powerful that they are said to be able to benefit others even when no virtuous motivation is present.
If you are in need of mantras not listed on this page, feel free to contact FPMT Education Services at education@fpmt.org and we will do our best to get you what you need.
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.