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FPMT Service Seminars
During the Foundation Service Seminar, London, 2013.
Overview
Foundation Service Seminar
Inner Job Description Service Seminar
Rituals Service Seminar
Spiritual Program Coordinator Service Seminar
Teacher Development Service Seminar
Hosting and Attending an FPMT Service Seminar
Latest News
FPMT service seminars provide support and training to those offering service, and those wishing to offer service, within FPMT centers, services, and projects. The seminars help develop a shared understanding of the FPMT mission set out by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and a firm basis to serve effectively and joyfully within the organization.
We offer a variety of service seminars for center directors, study group coordinators, spiritual program coordinators, center staff, volunteers, teachers, and anyone interested in offering service to Lama Zopa Rinpoche and FPMT.
Foundation Service Seminar
The Foundation Service Seminar Retreat explores how to best offer our skills and qualities in service. We investigate the purpose and mission of FPMT, what it means to be an FPMT center, and how that vision translates into action for centers, projects, and individuals.
We explore our relationship to resources – both material and human; effective communication; team building; ways to maintain and develop our personal practice in the midst of service; skilful people development and management; and methods to prevent and cure burnout. We discuss service in terms of Guru devotion, karma, compassion, and emptiness, and how to draw strength, inspiration, wisdom, and guidance from these practices.
We use the Inner Job Description, a tool for developing what Lama Zopa Rinpoche calls the “inner professional” (read a teaching on the inner professional), and integrate the Dharma into our daily lives. The training includes group discussion and sharing of experiences, and includes daily meditations as well as group practice as advised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Please enjoy this audio recording of Maitripa College’s Yangsi Rinpoche and Institut Vajra Yogini’s Geshe Loden discussing the purpose and mission of the Foundation Service Seminar during a morning session of this seminar hosted at IVY, August 2014:
Family Feeling
While fulfilling our larger purpose to benefit sentient beings, FPMT is also a family of Dharma practitioners. Lama Thubten Yeshe used to refer to the importance of cultivating a “family feeling” within FPMT. The Seminar Series, and particularly the Foundation Service Seminar, emphasizes our connections to each other, and how to keep those connections harmoniously.
I attended this seminar starving for guidance and have not been disappointed. I have been fully fed and watered and leave happy, satisfied and totally inspired!
–Foundation Service Seminar participant
Foundation Service Seminar, London 2013
upcoming IJD Trainings
- USA: Nov 22-24, 2008
3 day IJD training and North America Regional Meeting, FPMT International Office
Inner Job Description Service Seminar
Lama Zopa Rinpoche advises us to develop the “inner professional” for greatest happiness and success. This two day seminar uses the Inner Job Description to develop our own inner professional and the essential mind of service to others.
The seminar examines FPMT’s unique methods for approaching “problems” and numerous ways of using Dharma at work and in our personal lives. In addition, through group interaction and exercises, we apply the Inner Job Description to experiences brought by participants. Through presentation and group work, participants experience the benefits of integrating Dharma practice with real life situations.
Rituals Service Seminar
The week long Rituals Service Seminar provides in-depth instruction on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s method of leading the pujas and practices that he most often recommends for FPMT centers and students. Encompassing Essential Buddhist Prayers, Vol. 2 and Lama Chopa, students learn how to set up the altar, lead motivations and meditations according to Rinpoche’s style, and the specific tunes used by Rinpoche for these pujas.
At the first Rituals Service Seminar held at Kopan Monastery, Khenrinpoche Lama Lhundrup said: “Every major tradition has its own unique way of doing the mudra, the chant, and so forth, and that is always established by the master. Similarly, within the FPMT centers, establishing the tradition of performing rituals according to the instructions of Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche would be the most significant thing we could do. This will help the center and the whole organization to become special.”
The Rituals Service Seminar Manual and MP3 disc is available through the Foundation Store.
Rituals Training was very inspiring, making me want to practice these rituals. I understand their purpose much better now!
–Rituals Training participant
Spiritual Program Coordinator Service Seminar
Spiritual Program Coordinator Service Seminar assists SPCs in developing their skills in counseling, planning center programs, leading meditations and/or classes, and acting as a key player in the harmonious functioning of the center. Participants have both individual and group opportunities to practice the skill areas emphasized in this week-long training.
Teacher Development Service Seminar
This is a pilot of a weekend seminar for existing and potential FPMT registered teachers, course facilitators and meditation leaders.The seminar will introduce principles of contemporary Dharma pedagogy (method and practice of teaching). The workshop is experiential and participatory, and is suitable for experienced Dharma teachers and complete beginners alike, as it will stimulate reflective practice and a sense of professional development, which are essential processes for everyone helping others learn Dharma in FPMT education programs. The seminar is designed to help participants improve their skills in enabling others to grow and develop deeper understanding of Dharma.
Priority booking will be given to FPMT registered teachers, and those already leading groups and meditations; however aspiring facilitators and teachers are also welcome to apply for a place – find out more from your local center director or spiritual program coordinator.
Hosting and Attending an FPMT Service Seminar
To find out when an FPMT Service Seminar is scheduled near you, or if your FPMT center, project or service would like to host a Foundation Service Seminar or any other Service Seminar, please contact your regional or national coordinator.
Latest News
Foundation Service Seminars Offer Deep Benefits to FPMT Students
Foundation Service Seminar in New Zealand
For more information on FPMT Service Seminars, write to FPMT Center Services
