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. Please also stay tuned for our upcoming roundup of beneficial activities around the world undertaken on Lhabab Duchen (November 1) which we will share soon. 

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 | Milestones | Compassion in Action | Interfaith | Community | International FPMT Family

Holy Objects

Artist Sonam restoring holy statues at O.Sel.Ling Centro de Retiros. Photo courtesy of the O.Sel.Ling Centro de Retiros Facebook page.

(Spain) O.Sel.Ling Centro de Retiros is hosting the artist Sonam, who has come from Nalanda Monastery in France to restore several of the statues in the gompa! We rejoice in this offering of skill to the holy objects of O.Sel.Ling.

(US) Kadampa Center is rejoicing in the work being done on its stupa! Thanks to many volunteers, as well as artist Jampal Lama and project lead Trina Smith, the center has almost completed the repainting of this beautiful and sacred object. 

(US) We rejoice with Vajrapani Institute in celebrating forty years of its beautiful Enlightenment Stupa. We are grateful to everyone who has helped bring stupas around the world to life, contributing to the realization of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Vision!

(US) At Shantideva Center last summer, Geshe Tenley noticed that some of the statues’ faces were worn or damaged and cautioned that it was not auspicious to let them stay that way. The center was fortunate to have an experienced Tibetan artist, Sonam Rinzin, who used real gold to restore the faces of the altar’s large central Buddha and several of the smaller ones. In addition, he opened the eyes of a couple of other statues. Congratulations to Shantideva Center on the completed restoration! 

Map showing the locations where Rinpoche’s relics are enshrined in French Polynesia. Photo courtesy of the Naropa Meditation Center Facebook page.

(French Polynesia) The Naropa Meditation Center on October 8 participated in the global Black Guru Rinpoche Statues Project, an initiative of Tibetan Buddhism, initially founded by Kathok Moktsa Rinpoche, to contribute to eradicating disasters, resolving conflicts, and promoting peace in the world. Here is the map of the sites where Rinpoche’s relics are enshrined in French Polynesia. These relics contain relics, texts, amrita pills, and more. We rejoice with Naropa Meditation Center and everyone who participated in this magnificent project in French Polynesia and around the globe.

Prayers & Practice

Long-life puja for Geshe Doga. Photo courtesy of the Tara Institute Facebook page.

(Australia) Tara Institute has been offering a puja of long life for Geshe Doga since 1998. The tradition began following a request for advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche when Geshe-la was in the hospital experiencing back and leg pain. Rinpoche advised that there were no obstacles to Geshela’s health, but recommended that Tara Institute offer the Sixteen Arhats Puja five times, with more than 500 sets of offerings.  This year, thirty-nine sangha members and more than 200 people gathered for this auspicious occasion. In preparation for the puja, Tara Institute invited students to undertake the White Tara sadhana and mantra recitation over the six weeks leading up to the occasion. In all, twenty-six students participated, completing an extraordinary 815,960 mantra recitations. 

One-day Chenrezig retreat led by Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi at Amitabha Buddhist Centre. Photo courtesy of Amitabha Buddhist Centre’s Facebook page.

(Singapore) Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi at Amitabha Buddhist Centre in led two special practices in October. On October 17, he enabled participants to deepen their Dharma practice and cultivate greater compassion through the blessings of Chenrezig. The one-day retreat consisted of a Chenrezig sadhana practice, guided meditations, and mantra recitations. On October 24–25, during the Medicine Buddha Healing Festival at the center, Khen Rinpoche led long pujas together with the Sangha from Kopan Monastery, who arrived earlier to prepare for the weekend. On Saturday, participants offered a Medicine Buddha puja with 1,000 offerings, followed by a White Mahakala puja, and on Sunday a White Umbrella Deity puja. Students gathered to pray for peace, their loved ones, and all sentient beings.

(India) Tushita Meditation Centre was honored and delighted that His Eminence Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche accepted the request to give the Vajrasattva Jenang on October 22. We rejoice with the Tushita Meditation Centre and everyone who received this precious transmission.

(India) The entire monastic community of the Sera Jey Monastery has united to mark the anniversary of a historic milestone for Tibet and global peace: on October 17, 2007, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was honored with the United States Congressional Gold Medal. In a joint statement, the Abbot, former Abbots, Tulkus, Chief Disciplinary Master, Chant Master, Administration, Heads of Departments, and Khangtsens, alongside the member monks, conveyed their collective joy on this memorable occasion. The prestigious medal was bestowed in deep recognition of the Dalai Lama’s outstanding and enduring contributions to peace, non-violence, human rights, and interfaith understanding, as well as his unwavering leadership in promoting democracy, freedom, and peace for the Tibetan people. For the Sera Jey community, the anniversary serves as a profound moment to reflect on His Holiness’s lifelong message of universal responsibility and compassion, which continues to inspire millions across the globe.

(Canada) Lama Yeshe Ling Centre continues its commitment to peace in our world by reciting the Sutra of Golden Light on the first Saturday of every month. On Saturday, October 3, students met on Zoom once again, helping to fulfill the wishes of Lama Zopa Rinpoche to create the causes for peace in our world and in our own lives. In Australia, too, the Tara Institute’s students are continuing their Friday evening group recitations of the sutra, in person and online, and have now reached a total of 3,116 recitations. 

Milestones

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama granted an audience to Australian FPMT students and Geshe Phuntsok Tsultrim. Photo courtesy of Tibet.Net’s Facebook page.

(India) On October 14, His Holiness the Dalai Lama welcomed more than 280 devotees at his residence in Dharamshala, including a pilgrimage group of around 165 organized by Chenrezig Institute in Australia. Many members of FPMT centers in Australia were present, along with Chenrezig Institute’s resident teacher, Geshe Phuntsok Tsultrim; board member, Calvin Yu, Miffi Maxmillion, SPC of Langri Tangpa Centre; and Iwona, Alex, and Jim from Buddha House. During the audience, Geshe Phuntsok Tsultrim offered His Holiness 135 long-life Lama Tsongkhapa statues, along with prayers for his long and healthy life. You are welcome to watch the video here.

(Australia) Hayagriva Buddhist Centre has announced that Geshe Ngawang Rabga, a lharampa geshe (the highest grade) of Sera Jey Monastery and former resident geshe at Root Institute in Bodhgaya, will join the center as its new resident geshe. We rejoice with Hayagriva Buddhist Centre in welcoming Geshe Ngawang Rabga! 

(Australia) Hayagriva Buddhist Centre member Wayne Tinlin is volunteering at Project 108, together with some 40,000 other volunteers, to raise 108 Stupas of Enlightenment in a single day in Bhutan. 

(Australia) François Schick is continuing his Buddhist pilgrimage on the new Stupa Walk, an 808-mile (1,300-kilometer) route from the Australian Buddhist Vihara in Katoomba, one of Australia’s first established Buddhist monasteries, to the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo, which he expects to reach by mid-December.

(Australia) Congratulations to Tara Institute, which, thanks to generous sponsors, has made the teachings given by Venerable Geshe Doga at Tara Institute in 1988 available once again,  releasing a new booklet featuring the teachings on the Ganden Lha Gyama Commentary and Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga, edited and compiled by Mark Fernandes, with the Tibetan source material translated by Sandup Tsering. The booklet was launched on October 10, giving students the opportunity to study and practice this profound material.

(France) Congratulations to Nalanda Monastery for obtaining approval for its renovation project of the barn at the retreat center, Maitreya Pure Land, to create a space for hosting group or solitary retreats at reasonable cost. They plan to begin the renovation in 2027 and complete the work before the end of 2028.

(Spain) Congratulations to Tekchen Chöeling Center! This month marks one year since the center moved. A year of work, perseverance, and joy; also, of course, of overcoming obstacles.  The center looks forward to continuing growing and contributing to the world as a place of personal growth, peace, understanding, and love, so necessary in these times. Thank you to Tekchen Chöeling Center and to all the FPMT centers in the world for your incredible efforts to benefit all!

Compassion in Action

Animal rescue organized by FPMT Mongolia. Photo courtesy of FPMT Mongolia’s Facebook page.

(Mongolia) On October 6, the Great Khulna Preservation Center, thanks to the donations received for its animal rescue efforts, rescued 18 more sheep, bringing the total number of sheep to 120. In accordance with the vision of Lama Zopa Rinpoche for Mongolia, all these aged sheep, goats, horses, and cows will be herded and fed until the end of this generation, and all donations are dedicated solely to this cause. We deeply rejoice in the merit of this animal rescue effort!

(Australia) Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha Hospice on October 18 presented the South Australia Death Festival, a warm, community-led gathering about what it means to be human. For one day, it opened a space to explore death, dying, grief, and remembrance with honesty, creativity, and compassion. We rejoice in this compassionate space for the whole community.

(UK)  Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW) this autumn announced the launch of A Mindful Heart, a comprehensive twelve-session downloadable course designed specifically for facilitators, teachers, session leaders, and anyone who brings groups together in their community. Inspired by Pam Cayton’s Creating Compassionate Cultures program, this toolkit equips educators, community leaders, and mindfulness teachers to guide transformative journeys of inner growth. We look forward to seeing how these tools help create safe, trusting spaces for genuine connection in our communities.

Interfaith

Members of the Nelson Tasman Interfaith Council, the Nelson-Tasman Bahá’í, Latter-day Saints, and Zen Buddhist communities, and the sangha of Chandrakirti Meditation Centre gather for an interfaith event. Photo courtesy of Chandrakirti Meditation Centre’s Facebook page.

(New Zealand) Chandrakirti Meditation Centre on October 17 held an interfaith gathering and celebration to come together in prayer, song, and shared intention to celebrate our common humanity, and to extend compassion, healing, and peace to all beings and to the world. They were joined by the Nelson Tasman Interfaith Council and members of the Nelson-Tasman Bahá’í, Latter-day Saints, and Zen Buddhist communities. The center is very grateful to have shared this celebration with everyone who attended!

“Buddhist Relics and Cultural Relics Exhibition and Blessing Ceremony” at Taichung Guangyang Dazang Temple. Photo courtesy of Shakyamuni Buddha Center’s Facebook page.

(Taiwan) Shakyamuni Buddha Center monks on October 5, joined the Dhananjayagupta, Nibbana monks at the Taichung Guangyang Dazang Temple for the “Buddhist Relics and Cultural Relics Exhibition and Blessing Ceremony.” We rejoice in this shared celebration of the Buddha’s relics.

Phara Khenchen Rinpoche and representatives of the Land of Joy volunteer team meet with Theravada monks at Aruna Ratanagiri (Harnham Buddhist Monastery). Photo courtesy of the Land of Joy Facebook page.

(UK) Phara Khenchen Rinpoche and representatives of the Land of Joy volunteers met on October 9 with the Theravada monks of Aruna Ratanagiri (Harnham Buddhist Monastery), a monastery in the Thai Forest tradition and part of the lineage of Ajahn Chah. Visits like this are a reminder that the Buddha’s teachings flow through many streams. Different traditions share the same aspiration to wisdom and compassion.

Community

Community visit to the Asian Civilisations Museum with Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi, organized by Amitabha Buddhist Centre. Photo courtesy of the Amitabha Buddhist Centre Facebook page.

(Singapore) Amitabha Buddhist Centre organized a visit to the Asian Civilisations Museum with Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi on October 4, focused on the Journey to the Sacred Caves of Dunhuang: Buddhism and the Silk Road exhibition. A unique community opportunity to learn more about Buddhist history, art, and the spread of Buddhism across Asia.

(Malaysia) Losang Dragpa Centre started on October 4 a regular lamrim study group to study and reflect on the teachings of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche compiled in the book Lamrim Year: Making Life Meaningful Day by Day. We rejoice that they are helping to fulfill Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s wishes wishes: “The lamrim contains everything we need to take us all the way to the ultimate state of enlightenment.” 

(Romania) White Mahakala Study Group volunteers, after completing the stupa, are working hard on the final mile, building the gates of the land and the walls in the attic for the first visit to Romania of His Eminence Jhado Rinpoche. A big thank you to all the donors, supporters, and volunteers!

(US) Thubten Kunga Ling Center offered a new one-day seminar, “Volunteer Service,” based on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vast vision of cultivating “service as practice”. The volunteers explored with Venerable Kalden how offering service can benefit ourselves, others, and ultimately the wider world. We rejoice in all the people interested in offering service as part of their practice!

(US) Land of Medicine Buddha just finished the series “Parenting with Compassion and Wisdom,” led by Pam Cayton and following the framework developed over 35 years at Tara Redwood School inspired by Lama Thubten Yeshe’s vision of Universal Education, based on ancient wisdom and contemporary science. We rejoice with all the parents and kids who took part!

International FPMT Family 

GMR Group, Dharamsala, India, October 2026. Photo courtesy of the Global Mani Retreat Group.

(International) On October 17, FPMT Global Mani Retreat (GMR) Coordinator Selina Foong and members of the GMR team had the privilege of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama to offer him 100 Buddha statues. We are grateful to the entire GMR team led by Selina Foong for their tremendous efforts in organizing this global online retreat. 

October 25, Khandro Tseringma Rinpoche offered a major teaching for the Global Mani Retreat (GMR) on “How to Generate Chenrezig in Daily Life.”

On Sunday, October 25, Khandro Tseringma Rinpoche offered a major teaching on “How to Generate Chenrezig in Daily Life.” The Global Mani Retreat concluded on Sunday, November 1, following five months of practice together. A closing session celebrating this shared effort will be held on Saturday, November 7, with His Eminence Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche kindly joining us for the occasion. The session will also include the announcement of the total number of mantras collectively accumulated during the retreat.  Discover more about the Global Mani Retreat.

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.