The News Roundup is a digest of short community highlights from FPMT centers and individuals around the world, as part of our ongoing effort to nourish the “family feeling” and bring back the “News Around the World”  and “News in Brief” sections previously featured in the print Mandala magazine that so many of us have missed! This list of stories is not exhaustive, —just a sample of all the great activities happening in the FPMT family worldwide. 

We hope that reading these highlights will inspire you to rejoice in the family feeling and good works happening in our global FPMT community!  If you would like to share photos or details from your center, we would be happy to include them in the upcoming edition.

Holy Objects  | Prayers & Practices | Teaching Tours & Visits | Milestones | Compassion in Action| International

Holy Objects

The Vajrayogini statue arrives at Institut Vajra Yogini. Photo courtesy of the Institut Vajra Yogini Facebook page.

(France) Institut Vajra Yogini at last welcomed the long-awaited arrival of its sacred Vajrayogini statue, a project years in the making. Modeled in three dimensions and painted by Bertrand Cayla following the recommendations of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the statue was originally commissioned by François Lecointre and created under the direction of Nicolas Brun, with its final stages lovingly completed in recent months thanks to Venerable Tendar and Christophe Rotiel. The lotus base was filled with great care by Venerable Thubten and Venerable Gyaltsen, while Bertrand Cayla filled the body of the statue. Upon its arrival, the statue was blessed by Geshe Loden La and placed on the altar of the small second-floor gompa — an altar designed by Marcel Jolinon and built with the devoted help of his son-in-law and grandson. 

(Italy) Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa was honored to receive the auspicious blessing of His Eminence Ling Rinpoche, who kindly led the puja for the filling of the earth element for the Stupa of Enlightenment dedicated to Lama Zopa Rinpoche together with the resident geshe of the Institute. Geshe Zopa likewise consecrated the water vase for the water element with the resident geshe. Work on the stupa’s crown continues with the devoted support of volunteers from Stupa Onlus. The crown was consecrated by His Eminence Serkong Rinpoche on July 29. This was the final puja before the stupa’s full consecration on December 3, 2026. 

(USA) Kadampa Center announced a wonderful project for the fall: with the devoted help of volunteers, the center will completely repaint its beautiful stupa. 

The thangka arrives at The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion. Photo courtesy of The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion Facebook page.

(Australia) Chenrezig Institute was honored to inaugurate a new Thousand-Arm Chenrezig statue on July 11, fulfilling a wish Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche first expressed more than two decades ago. It took the generous support of sister center Amitabha Buddhist Centre (ABC) in Singapore, together with a new three-dimensional printing technique never before used to create sacred Buddhist art, to bring the statue from China to Queensland. Tara Meditation Centre‘s Kalachakra Stupa is nearing completion at its crown and will be shipped to Australia in approximately two weeks.  The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, home to one of the largest collections of sacred relics — including precious relics of Gautama Buddha — brought part of its collection on tour to the Sri Lankan Buddhist Monastery in Brisbane on the weekend of July 4–5, where three thousand people and twenty-five monks from various Buddhist traditions gathered in devotion to pray before the holy relics. Several more holy objects are on their way to the Great Stupa: the first of twelve huge fully brocaded thangkas depicting the Deeds of the Buddha has arrived from Nepal to grace the walls of the temple; the giant aura for the Kshitigarbha statue, nearly three years in the making, will soon be fixed in place; and a Baby Buddha statue — the same size and gold-leaf finish as the original in Lumbini, generously offered by the NRNA (Non- Resident Nepali Association) and the five municipalities of the Lumbini Buddha Circuit — is in production in Nepal to welcome guests at the main entrance. We rejoice with all who helped bring these blessings to life!

(India) The Maitreya Project in Kushinagar has reached a hopeful new stage. Building on land offered near two of Buddhism’s most sacred sites—the Ramabhar Stupa and the Mahaparinirvana Temple—the project is now moving forward on a clearly defined three-acre site, supported by a new partnership with the International Buddhist Confederation and the kindness of His Eminence Ling Rinpoche.  Plans for a Maitreya statue in Bodhgaya are also advancing, on land offered by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2020. Developed in coordination with the Dalai Lama Trust, the statue will be built above a gompa housing sacred objects gathered by Rinpoche, including life-sized statues of the Twenty-One Taras and Sixteen Arhats. Please read the full update on both of these projects. 

Prayers & Practices

FPMT Centers Celebrate the Ninety-First Birthday of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama

The auspicious Ninety-First birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was celebrated with joy throughout the FPMT mandala family on July 6. The day serves as an international “Day of Compassion,” honoring His Holiness’s boundless kindness with his favorite gift: our practice.

Kopan Monastery celebrates the 91st birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on July 6, 2026. Photo courtesy of the Kopan Monastery Facebook page.

Asia (India)  Kopan Monastery, on the auspicious occasion of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama’s Ninety-First birthday, offered the Sixteen Arhats Puja and an incense puja. At Sera Jey Monastic Institute, the administration was honored to organize a birthday celebration ceremony at Sera Jey Gatseling: Venerable Khensur Tenzin Jampa Chösang Rinpoche graciously served as chief guest, joined by Sera Jey’s council committee, department heads, khangtsens, and council members. The ceremony began with khatas reverently offered to a portrait of His Holiness, followed by tea and sweet rice, and a birthday cake-cutting presided over by Khensur Rinpoche; the chief guest and guests also planted 1,130 trees at Sera Jey Gatseling in his honor. Tushita Meditation Centre marked the day with drop-in meditation, a screening of the documentary Mission: JOY, a birthday cake, and a special puja led by resident teacher Venerable Tenzin Thegchog, with attendees reverently offering khatas and receiving blessings. Choe Khor Sum Ling Centre held a Vajra Cutter Sutra recitation and an extensive light offering, dedicated with devotion to the long life and continued teachings of His Holiness and the benefit of all sentient beings. We rejoice with our whole Indian sangha family! (Singapore) Amitabha Buddhist Centre celebrated with a puja graciously led by Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chönyi together with the sangha. (Taiwan) The Jinsiu Farlin community gathered together to offer their most sincere blessings and heartfelt devotion.

Pacific Region (Australia) Buddha House gathered to offer the prayers recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche for the long life and good health of His Holiness. Hayagriva Buddhist Centre celebrated with a group practice and the raising of 108 Guru Rinpoche prayer flags, followed by a puja. Atisha Centre remembered the kindness of His Holiness with long-life prayers, and Tara Institute prayed that he remain with us for many years to come; as Geshe Lobsang said at the start of the puja, even His Holiness’s mere presence is a precious blessing for the peace and stability of the world! (New Zeland) Dorje Chang Institute offered long-life prayers and recited one thousand OM MANI PADME HUM mantras

Geshe Tenzin Namdak and Ven. Wangyel welcoming precious holy relics into the gompa, Photo by JBC London Facebook Page.

Europe (UK) At Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Geshe Tenzin Namdak led a sutra recitation in the gompa with great devotion, including the Heart Sutra and the Chanting of the Names of Manjushri, offering prayers for His Holiness’s long life and good health. On this special day, Geshe Namdak and the community were also honored to welcome precious holy relics into the gompa, including robes of both the Fifth and Thirteenth Dalai Lamas. We rejoice in this auspicious blessing! (Netherlands) Maitreya Instituut held special guru pujas to celebrate His Holiness’s ninety-first birthday and to pray that he remain with us for many more years to come. We rejoice in this heartfelt wish! (Germany) Aryatara Institut celebrated with an animal liberation ceremony and a Chenrezig practice. (Austria) Panchen Losang Chogyen Gelugzentrum marked the day with a The Praise to the Names of Manjushri and a Lama Chöpa guru puja. We rejoice in this auspicious offering! (Switzerland) Longku Center and Lhagsam Tibetan Meditation Center celebrated with the recitation of the Avalokiteshvara guru yoga sadhana, offerings to His Holiness, a meditation on bodhicitta, and closing dedications and long-life prayers. Gendun Drupa Centre marked the occasion with a teaching kindly offered by Venerable Losang. (France) Institut Vajra Yogini celebrated the day in a truly special way, honored by the presence of His Eminence Serkong Rinpoche and Dr. Alexander Berzin, who were touring Europe together. After a long-life puja and tsog offering, a flag-raising ceremony was followed by a teaching graciously given by Dr. Berzin. To mark the occasion and conclude the Year of Compassion, Nalanda Monastery joined the Great Monlam in Paris, July 6–8, together with Geshe Jamphel, Geshe Gyaltsen, Geshe Norbu, and the monks and nuns of Nalanda Monastery. His Eminence Ganden Tri Rinpoche Lobsang Dorje, His Eminence Jangtse Chöje Gosok Rinpoche, and His Eminence Sharpa Chöje Rinpoche also graciously bestowed teachings and initiations during this deeply auspicious Great Prayer Festival. We deeply rejoice in the blessings of this extraordinary gathering! (Italy) Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Centro Ewam, and Centro Tara Cittamani offered a puja for the long life of His Holiness — that he may continue to grace us for a long, full, and stable life. Centro Lama Tzong Khapa in Treviso marked the day, Geshe Damdul and Lama Palden kindly offered the Meditation on the Two Bodhicittas as transmitted by His Holiness. (Spain) Centro La Sabiduría de Nagarjuna in Bilbao recited, with heartfelt devotion, the sadhana recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Sister centers Nagarjuna Valencia and Nagarjuna Granada celebrated with a Lama Chöpa tsog puja and a long-life puja for His Holiness, respectively, and sister center Tekchen Chö Ling offered five hundred prayer flags, an incense pot, and prayers to mark the auspicious occasion. We rejoice in the collective merit!

North America (Canada) At Lama Yeshe Ling, Geshe Sonam honored the day with a transmission of A Prayer to Kindle the Three Kinds of Faith Addressed to the Seventeen Great Panditas of Glorious Nalanda, composed by His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, and recited the long-life prayer for His Holiness. (USA) The FPMT North American Regional Office hosted a session to recite the Chenrezig practice with Gen Don Handrick, part of the FPMT Global Mani Retreat. Vajrapani Institute, following Rinpoche’s advice and led with devotion by Venerable Angie, offered the Prayer for the Long Life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Prayer that Spontaneously Fulfills All Wishes, Remembering the Kindness of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan People, and the Prayer for Tibet, concluding with a group khata offering. At Kurukulla Center, Geshe Tenley graciously joined the Tibetan community and local Dharma students to celebrate with a birthday cake.

Latin America (Brazil) Centro Shiwa Lha celebrated with a long-life prayer and the mantra OM MANI PADME HUM, honoring His Holiness’s steadfast commitment to peace and compassion. (Colombia) Centro Yamantaka celebrated with the resident teacher, offering prayers and renewing the heartfelt aspiration to develop wisdom and compassion for the benefit of all beings.

Chökhor Düchen

On this special day, the FPMT community also rejoiced deeply in the Sangha Jewel, celebrating International Sangha Day. Lama Zopa Rinpoche considered the sangha to be the real heroes, defeating the delusions; they are our guides, our inspiration, and a precious field of merit. We rejoice with all the monasteries and nunneries in the FPMT mandala, and with the International Mahayana Institute (IMI), which supports the worldwide FPMT sangha community.  

(International) On this auspicious day, the FPMT Puja Fund was pleased to sponsor numerous pujas, including a Guhyasamaja self-initiation, a Namgyalma long-life puja, and Drukchuma puja. The stupas of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath in Nepal were freshly painted, with new umbrellas offered at each pinnacle, and a new set of robes was reverently offered to the Buddha statue in the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya. Animals were liberated, sutras recited and printed, and offerings made with devotion to all of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s gurus and to the IMI sangha communities throughout FPMT — extensive practices established by Lama Zopa Rinpoche for the benefit of the whole organization and all beings. We rejoice in this precious day!

Offering from Root Institute during the auspicious occasion of Chökhor Düchen. Photo courtesy of the Root Institute Facebook page.

Asia (Nepal) Kopan Monastery commemorated the first turning of the Wheel of Dharma by Buddha Shakyamuni with ceremonies, prayers, offerings, and other merit-making activities; the sangha of Kopan Nunnery joyfully engaged in prayers, recitations, and Dharma practice. May the light of the Buddha’s teachings continue to illuminate the world, bringing peace, wisdom, compassion, and lasting benefit to all sentient beings! (India) Sera Lachi — the monks of both Sera Jey Monastic Institute and Sera Mey Monasteries — joined together in prayers in the main gompa, offering the Namgyalma Buddha puja, and in the protector room offered the Drukchuma puja ten times, dedicated to the long life, health, and protection from obstacles of the whole FPMT family —May the powerful prayers offered by the sangha on this auspicious day be swiftly actualized! Tushita Meditation Centre marked Chökhor Düchen with guided morning meditation, a screening of the film Life of Buddha, sutra reading, a public teaching by Venerable Thubten Drolkar titled “The Heart of Buddha’s Teachings,” a Medicine Buddha puja, and a light-offering ceremony with the sangha. Root Institute was honored to commemorate the holy day in Bodhgaya with a Festival of Lights and Merit: the resident nuns offered butter lamps, flowers, and prayer flags at the Mahabodhi Stupa, sponsored a guru puja and protector puja, and made offerings to the monks of Namgyal Monastery. (Singapore) Amitabha Buddhist Centre celebrated with a Sixteen Arhats puja. We rejoice with ABC! (Malaysia) The Chokyi Gyaltsen Center community celebrated with extensive offerings — eight-offering sets, tsog, flowers, and lights. Geshe Deyang led heartfelt prayers to Shakyamuni Buddha, followed by a Tara puja, warmly attended by many who joined together to offer devotion and accumulate merit.

Pacific Region (Australia) Buddha House began the day by taking the eight Mahayana precepts in the early morning, followed by Rinpoche’s morning motivation and prostrations to the Thirty-Five Buddhas, continuing with extensive offerings, the chanting of the names of Manjushri, and closing with a Shakyamuni Buddha puja. Tara Institute held a recitation of the compassion mantra, OM MANI PADME HUM, one thousand times, followed by In Praise of Dependent Origination by Lama Tsongkhapa, dedicating the merit to the long life of His Holiness. At Vajrayana Institute, Geshe Ngawang Samten led a guru puja and a practice session for the FPMT Global Mani Retreat.

The Nalanda Monastery community with Khen Rinpoche Geshe Wangdu on the auspicious occasion of Chökhor Düchen. Photo courtesy of the Nalanda Monastery Facebook page.

Europe (UK) At Jamyang Buddhist Centre London, Chökhor Düchen was honored with a sutra recitation led by Geshe Tenzin Namdak.(Germany) Aryatara Institut gathered from early morning to take the eight Mahayana precepts, followed by a Shakyamuni Buddha puja and Lama Chöpa with tsog. (Switzerland) Lhagsam Tibetan Meditation Center honored the day with a meditation on the four noble truths and the recitation of The Yoga of the Inseparability of the Guru and Avalokiteshvara. Longku Center marked the occasion with prayers from the Lhagsam Prayer Book, a meditation on the four noble truths, The Source of All Attainments: The Yoga of the Inseparability of the Guru and Avalokiteshvara, and closing dedications. (France) Nalanda Monastery was honored to welcome Khen Rinpoche Geshe Wangdu for a full day of teachings on this auspicious day: developing bodhicitta through the six causes and one effect, a commentary on Nagarjuna’s Homage to Buddha Shakyamuni, and a guru puja, during which the great thangka of Guru Shakyamuni Buddha, kindly offered by Amitabha Buddhist Centre, was also blessed. We deeply rejoice in this precious visit!

North and Latin America (Canada) At Lama Yeshe Ling, Geshe Sonam led a meditation on bodhicitta, followed by a ceremony for receiving the aspiring and engaging bodhisattva vows. Geshe Sonam also kindly gave the oral transmissions of Lama Tsongkhapa’s Three Principal Aspects of the Path, the Migtsema prayer and name mantra, and Shakyamuni Buddha’s mantra, concluding with dedication prayers and prayers for the unmistaken and swift recognition of the reincarnation of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. (USA) The FPMT North American Regional Office hosted a recitation of the Chenrezig practice with Gen Don Handrick, part of the FPMT Global Mani Retreat, commemorating the anniversary of Guru Shakyamuni Buddha’s first teaching. Kadampa Center took the eight Mahayana precepts before dawn, followed by a Tara practice and, in the afternoon, a special online Chenrezig practice with Gen Don Handrick. At Kurukulla Center, Geshe Tenley kindly offered a twenty-four-hour Mahayana precepts ceremony and a Lama Chöpa guru puja. (Mexico) Centro Khamlungpa celebrated the holy day with a recitation of the Buddha Shakyamuni puja and a light offering.

Teaching Tours and Visits

(France) Institut Vajra Yogini had the great honor of welcoming His Eminence Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche, July 2–4, who graciously bestowed teachings from the Lojong: Taking Suffering on the Path by Lama Tsongkhapa, with a commentary by Dr. Alexander Berzin, followed by two lectures on July 4–5 on ignorance and karma, and on dependent origination. After celebrating His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday together with the Institut Vajrayogini community, His Eminence Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche paid a visit to Nalanda Monastery on the same day, July 6. His Eminence also graced Centre Kalachakra with his presence, teaching for four days on key points of Chandrakirti’s foundational text, Entering the Middle Way, from July 8, with a commentary by Dr. Alexander Berzin, concluding his European tour.

Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche bestows a weekend of teachings and an initiation at Land of Medicine Buddha. Photo courtesy of the Land of Medicine Buddha Facebook page.

(USA) Land of Medicine Buddha was honored to host an extraordinary weekend of teachings and initiation with Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche. Overflowing with gratitude for Rinpoche’s profound wisdom, compassion, and generosity in sharing these precious teachings, the community gathered together for these practices for the benefit of all beings.

We deeply rejoice in the kindness of all involved in these extensive Dharma tours and the careful preparation they require. We look forward to sharing stories from these visits in the coming months.

Milestones

Graduation certificate ceremony for the Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Program. Photo courtesy of the Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Program Facebook page.

(India) Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Program (LRZTP): Congratulations to all the graduates! The online Tibetan-language course, running from 2021 to 2026, has come to a close. While graduates will receive their certificates by post, one student was able to receive hers in person on July 2 at LRZTP. She is also the recipient of a scholarship for Indian students and is completing an extra week of free personal classes at the school. Congratulations to all the graduates!! Tushita Meditation Centre‘s half-year report is out, and we rejoice with the whole community: 1,045 students have joined the center for residential courses and retreats, and 469 more for short courses, through mid-July this year. Rejoice, rejoice!

(Australia) On the weekend of July 18, the new Yeshe Gompa at Machig Labdron Nunnery was officially and joyfully opened and consecrated. Geshe Doga, Geshe Rabten, Geshe Lobsang Dorje, Geshe Tenzin Zopa, Geshe Jangchub, Venerable Dorje, the two Gyuto ritual masters Venerable Kedrub and Venerable Konchok, together with Venerable Tsapel and all the nuns of Machig Labdron and Venerable Cathy and Venerable Anna from Melbourne, conducted the rituals over three days, attended by many benefactors and friends of the nunnery. The first day featured speeches by Geshe Doga, Ian Green, Geshe Rabten, and Venerable Tsapel; Geshe Doga reflected with gratitude that the fruits of his forty-four years of teaching in Australia rest firmly on the generosity of Ian and Judy Green, particularly their donation of the land that now forms the basis of the Machig Labdron nunnery. Adding to the joy, Geshe Doga turned ninety-one on July 13; he was directly invited by Lama Yeshe to come to Australia and to Tara Institute. We rejoice for his forty years of service fulfilling the wishes of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche! Congratulations!

Celebration of Geshe Doga’s 91st birthday at Tara Institute on July 13, 2026. Photo courtesy of the Tara Institute Facebook page.

Compassion in Action

Ganden Do Ngag Shedrup Ling presents gifts in honor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday to 50 mothers and their newborn babies in the postpartum ward. Photo courtesy of the FPMT Mongolia Facebook page.

(Mongolia) Ganden Do Ngag Shedrup Ling Center, in collaboration with Kunchab Jampaling Asral, presented gifts in honor of His Holiness’s birthday to fifty mothers and their newborns in the postpartum ward of Khüree Maternity Hospital. We rejoice with our Mongolian sangha in this compassionate offering! 

(Singapore) Amitabha Buddhist Centre, on July 4, partnered with the Chinese Development Assistance Council to distribute groceries to 250 low-income households across the heartlands of Singapore; each household received US$80 worth of donated food and groceries, including rice generously donated during the Vesak celebration. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of ABC’s members, friends, and sponsors, the early rounds of JINPA (Joy in Practicing Altruism) have been a resounding success since the program’s launch in April 2013. We rejoice with ABC in this compassionate service! Congratulations!

(Australia) Congratulations to Atisha Centre, which is developing a Centre for Universal Education, to be housed in a beautiful yurt village — the first yurt is now going up! We rejoice in this new and auspicious beginning!

(USA) Shantideva Meditation Center helped send five hundred local children back to school with essential school supplies for the fall term, partnering once again with Camp Friendship in Brooklyn, New York. We rejoice in this compassionate outreach! Congratulations!

(Colombia) We rejoice in the kindness and generosity of the Centro Yamantaka community, who came together to collect donations and food for people affected by the earthquake in Venezuela. On Sunday, July 26, together with resident teacher Geshe Lobsang Kunchen, community members delivered the donations to a nearby shelter. They also continue to dedicate prayers for the Venezuelan community, especially those facing the greatest hardship during this difficult time, with the heartfelt wish that conditions improve and that all those affected may find peace, stability, and happiness.

International FPMT Family 

In celebration of our fiftieth anniversary, the entire FPMT community has been participating in an unprecedented Global Mani Retreat — an inspiring collective offering of practice, harmony, and dedication to the awakening and benefit of all beings, helping to fulfill Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Vision of accumulating 100 million mani mantra recitations worldwide.

The next major teaching of the retreat will be on August 9 with His Eminence Serkong Tsenshab Rinpoche who will be generously offering a teaching on bodhichitta! 

The next online practice sessions are with Venerable Amy Miller on August 15, and Venerable Tenzin Drachom on August 22. We rejoice with the whole FPMT mandala in this precious collective offering!

We Want to Hear Your Story! 

These highlights are sourced from the social media, newsletters, annual reports, websites, and WhatsApp groups of FPMT centers, projects, and services. If you would like to share your news and highlights with the wider FPMT family, we would be so happy to hear from you! 

In addition to these highlights, please also read longer community news stories and news from around the world!

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.