receive our newsletters
join Friends of FPMT
We hope that reading these highlights will inspire you to rejoice in the family feeling and good works happening in our global FPMT community! Soon we will be sharing a news roundup of Saka Dawa and Vesak activities from centers around the world. If you would like to share photos or details from your center, we would be happy to include them in the upcoming edition.
Dialogue & Discussion | Prayers & Practice | Teaching Tours and Visits |
Holy Objects | Compassion in Action | Innovation
Dialogue & Discussion
FPMT Regional Meeting Brings Together Center Leaders Across Australia and New Zealand
Participants at the 2026 FPMT regional meeting at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, April 2026. Photo by Ian Green.
(Australia) The Atisha Buddhist Center hosted on the weekend of April 25, 2026 the annual regional meeting of FPMT centers across Australia and New Zealand. We were overjoyed that over 45 center directors, SPCs, and executive staff gathered at the annual regional meeting. The gathering was hosted in collaboration with the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, where participants stayed and met together throughout the weekend. The meeting offered an opportunity for connection, discussion, and shared reflection while also strengthening the sense of “family feeling” that lies at the heart of the FPMT community.
Bridging Perspectives: Buddhism in Dialogue
(France) Nalanda Monastery hosted the third “Dialogue Between Science and Buddhism” on May 9, 2026, this time exploring “The Nature of Life” with Geshe Tenzin Norbu and Dr. Joana Xavier, attended by 50 people. Two hours of fruitful dialogue brought together academic scientists and Tibetan Buddhist monastics in the spirit envisioned by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. We rejoice for this inspiring collaboration! You can watch the full event on the Nalanda Monastery YouTube Channel.
(France) The Kalachakra Center welcomed practitioners from many traditions on May 1, 2026, hosting an interreligious dialogue entitled “Inner Peace, Outer Peace.” Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, Protestant, and Humanist voices came together to practice and deepen mutual understanding — continuing a commitment to interreligious dialogue that the centre has nurtured for over fifteen years, in the spirit of His Holiness and our Lamas’ wish to foster universal human values and inter-religious harmony.
“Dialogue Between Science and Buddhism” on “The Nature of Life” with Geshe Tenzin Norbu and Dr. Joana Xavier at Nalanda Monastery, France, May 9, 2026. Photo courtesy of Nalanda Monastery Facebook page.
Prayers & Practice
Offering Long Life Pujas to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
(Australia) Chenrezig Institute, as part of an upcoming pilgrimage to India in October 2026, guided by resident teacher Geshe Phuntsok Tsultrim, is making a very special offering to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It is Geshe Tsultrim’s heartfelt wish to offer 135 statues of Long Life Lama Tsongkhapa to His Holiness: each measuring 23 cm, made of red copper, with the face beautifully adorned in 24-karat gold.
The number 135 carries deep significance. In recent years, His Holiness has expressed his wish to live to 130 years, and this offering is made with sincere prayers for his long and stable life for the benefit of all sentient beings. We rejoice wholeheartedly for this extraordinary Dharma offering and for all who will be part of it.
Venerable Konchok and Geshe Tenzin Namdak in London. Photo courtesy of Jamyang London Buddhist Centre.
(US) We also rejoice that the four Bay Area FPMT centers — Land of Medicine Buddha, Ocean of Compassion, Tse Chen Ling, and Vajrapani Insitute — are offering monthly Long Life Prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Jampa on the first Sunday of each month, from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm Pacific Time. In addition, North American FPMT centres offer prayers together every Thursday online, from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm ET. Just hearing the prayers brings great benefit, and the presence of everyone offers support to the whole group. We deeply rejoice for these communities practicing together in such a beautiful spirit of unity.
From Service in London to Higher Tibetan Studies in Dharamsala
(UK) In the FPMT family, we rejoice in seeing students develop their potential of infinite wisdom and compassion. We are especially happy for the young Venerable Konchok, who — in just six years — has gone from volunteering at Jamyang Buddhist Centre London to becoming an upcoming student at the Sarah College of Higher Tibetan Studies in Dharamsala, with the aspiration from there to join Sera Jey Monastery and begin the traditional twenty-year Geshe programme. What an inspiring journey for the next generation of Sangha. Congratulations, Venerable Konchok!
Practice
Student at the Bathing the Buddha Ceremony, Shakyamuni Center, Taiwan, May 23, 2026. Photo courtesy of Shakyamuni Center Facebook page.
(Taiwan) Shakyamuni Center students concluded a two-day intensive Buddha-receiving retreat on May 23, 2026, followed immediately by the auspicious Bathing the Buddha Ceremony, with focused chanting of Buddhist hymns. We rejoice in this beautiful observance and in the dedication of all who took part.
(French Polynesia) We rejoice that on the auspicious day of Losar, Naropa Meditation Center offered a traditional Polynesian welcome ceremony for the relics of Lama Zopa Rinpoche donated by the FPMT and brought back from Nepal. An orchestra accompanied a Tahitian welcome song honoring the occasion and praising peace and harmony.
Pilgrimage
(India) During the Losar period, the Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Program generously organized and offered a pilgrimage for its students to the sacred site of Tso Pema. One of the students later created and released a personal video diary on YouTube, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the pilgrimage experience and the inspiration it brought. We rejoice in this meaningful opportunity for students to deepen their connection with the Dharma and the holy places of Guru Rinpoche.
Teaching Tours and Visits
(Europe) His Eminence Ling Rinpoche’s European tour began in April 2026, with teachings already offered in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Latvia, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Several FPMT centers have had the joy of welcoming him: Aryatara Institute in Munich, Panchen Losang Chogyen Gelugzentrum in Vienna, Ganden Buddhist Meditation Center in Riga, Yeshin Norbu Center in Stockholm, and Maitreya Instituut in Loenen. The tour continues through June — the full schedule is available on Ling Rinpoche’s website.
Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche’s European tour began in Italy in May and will continue through August. The full schedule is available on Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche’s website.
We look forward to sharing stories from these visits in the coming months.
(Brazil) From March 16–30, 2026, Geshe Tenzin Zopa paid his first visit to Brazil, teaching at Shiwa Lha center across two weekends.The first weekend he taught on the Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva; the second on The Two Truths. The visit also included a screening of the documentary The Unmistaken Child at a local cinema, attended by more than seventy-five people. Students and Geshe Tenzin Zopa the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro together. Many who attended were deeply moved by Geshe-la’s devotion to Lama Zopa Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and by his encouragement to deepen their practice. We rejoice in this visit and hope it opens the way for more Dharma teachers to visit Brazil.
Geshe Tenzin Zopa and students at Shiwa Lha center, Brazil, March 2026. Photo courtesy of Venerable Thubten Kalden.
Holy Objects
Prayer wheel’s volunteers. Photo courtesy of Rinchen Jangsem Ling Retreat Centre Facebook page.
(Malaysia) Rinchen Jangsem Ling Retreat Centre has reached a sacred first milestone in the making of their prayer wheel, completing the steel bearings that will carry trillions of mantras enshrined within. This was accomplished through profound dedication, unwavering effort from volunteers and committee members, and the generous support of many donors.
(French Polynesia) We rejoice in a significant milestone for Naropa Meditation Center: the completion of the winding of 377 microfilms to construct a prayer wheel to be installed in the sea off Tahiti — a project requested by Lama Zopa Rinpoche for the Pacific Ocean. The winding was begun by André Mamet and Yannick Sacault, both former directors of the Naropa Meditation Center, together with Jean-Michel Pilaut, treasurer of the Center, and Gilbert Mu Wong, who designed and created the winding system and is the father of current Center director Robyn Mu Wong.
ILTK- Stupa Work in progress. May 2026. Photo courtesy of Stupa Onlus.
(Italy) Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa is building the Stupa of Enlightenment dedicated to Lama Zopa Rinpoche and has now begun work on the four steps, which will be consecrated on June 5th in collaboration with Stupa Onlus.
(Romania) The Garden of Maitreya, in collaboration with Nalanda Monastery, is building a stupa in Bucharest, which has now been filled with mantras.
(Nepal — Kopan) The Memorial Stupas of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khensur Rinpoche Lhundrup Rigsel at Kopan Monastery and Nunnery are nearing completion. On December 11, 2026, the Stupa of Complete Victory — enshrining the sacred relics of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche — will be consecrated at Kopan Monastery. It consists of one large central stupa surrounded by 32 smaller Namgyalma stupas, and the ceremony marks the completion of this memorial to our compassionate Guru. Everyone in the FPMT family is warmly invited to join.
At Kopan Nunnery, a stupa replica of the Mahabodhi Stupa in Bodhgaya commemorates both Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khensur Rinpoche Lhundrup Rigsel, the first abbot of Kopan. Its inner sanctum contains 1,000 statues of Shakyamuni Buddha and 1,000 statues of Heruka. The inauguration is planned for December 14, 2026.
Compassion in Action
(UK) Jamyang Leeds Buddhist Centre serves diverse communities through their outreach work — visiting hospitals, offering end-of-life care, going into schools, colleges, and universities to share knowledge of the Dharma, and supporting Buddhist patients and their families during some of life’s most challenging moments. We offer our deep gratitude to their Lead Chaplain, Roy Poulter, who after many years of dedicated service is now stepping back from this role due to health reasons. As he shares in the center’s annual report, the future of the Buddhist Chaplaincy Service in Leeds is at present uncertain, as there is no one locally able to continue this essential work. We sincerely hope that the causes and conditions for a new Buddhist Chaplaincy Service to arise will ripen soon, and we rejoice deeply for Roy’s years of compassionate service.
At the same time, there is encouraging news from Italy. Through Liberation Prison Project Italy, two new Buddhist operators have recently begun offering support in the prisons of Milano Bollate and Monza, helping to expand access to Buddhist spiritual care within the prison system. We rejoice for this meaningful Dharma activity.
(Spain) Nagarjuna Barcelona has been collaborating with the Primary Care Center Ramón Turró, offering meditation and mental health workshops from February through the first week of April 2026. The program focuses on cultivating mental calmness and developing qualities such as joy, courage, patience, and forgiveness as antidotes to depression, anger, and other causes of mental distress. We rejoice for this thoughtful initiative bringing the Dharma’s practical wisdom into a healthcare setting.
Innovation
(Australia) At Langri Tangpa Centre, SPC Miffi Maxmillion has invented a board game as part of the Discovering Buddhism assessment. Rather than public exams or debates, the center encourages non-confrontational — and highly enjoyable — ways to integrate Dharma study with lived experience. Loosely inspired by Monopoly, the game uses unique lamrim cards to explore how we overcome negative mental states and cultivate positive qualities. Unlike Monopoly, however, the goal is not to become a property tycoon — it is to become a fully enlightened Buddha for the benefit of all!
Photo courtesy of Langri Tangpa Centre Facebook Page.
Miffi designed, printed, and laminated every single card herself. The game unfolds at a relaxed pace, with players collecting positive cards and discarding negative ones as “true cessations.” Instruction cards prompt reflection on one’s own life and study, and a handy booklet helps everyone stay on track and support one another. We rejoice for this creative and joyful way of helping students engage with the path!
We Want to Hear Your Story!
The news 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.