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Image by Louise Light shared on the occasion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday
July 6 was His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 77th birthday, and in recognition of the day, FPMT North America (FPMT NA), the regional group representing centers, projects, services and students from Canada and the United States, launched Compassion Day, making special effort to remember not only His Holiness’ presence and contribution to the world, but also “to come together and celebrate compassion.”
FPMT centers, projects and services in North America celebrated Compassion Day with gusto. Compassion Day’s Facebook page has dozens of photos and we’re happy to share some of our favorites here for those of you that still haven’t had the chance to get online and start exploring.
Guhyasamaja Center celebrated Compassion Day early by making donations to a food bank and reciting the “Golden Light Sutra” for world peace, Centreville, Virginia, USA, June 30, 2012.
Milarepa Center in Barnet, Vermont, USA hosted an animal liberation, buying all of one store’s bait worms to release in the center’s garden. Later, Ven. Amy Miller led a meditation on compassion. The group also celebrated with birthday cake and prayers, July 6, 2012.
In Austin, Texas, USA, Land of Compassion and Wisdom organized a "hike-and-bike" trail cleanup in addition to hosting a compassion meditation, community potluck, face painting and gift making, July 6, 2012.
Tubten Kunga Center in Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA celebrated Compassion Day with long-life prayers and a Lama Chöpa tsog. Geshe Konchog Kyab distributed $10 pre-paid cards that each participant could use to make a donation to a charity of their choice. The cards were donated by a generous benefactor, July 6, 2012.
Children at Kadampa Center, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA prepared and offered handmade gifts to His Holiness’ throne. Other events from the day included Ven. Choekyi Lhamo reading a biography of His Holiness and students picking vegetables in the center garden to offer to a food bank, July 6, 2012.
Land of Medicine Buddha in Soquel, California, USA hosted a contemplation on compassion followed by Chenrezig Guru Yoga, July 6, 2012.
Maitripa College in Portland, Oregon, USA had tsog with Yangsi Rinpoche and gathered 130 pounds (59 kilograms) of food for Oregon Food Bank, July 6, 2012.
It seems to us at Mandala that the inaugural Compassion Day was a huge success! Check out Compassion Day’s Facebook page to see the other photos that we were unable to post here.
With 158 centers, projects and services around the globe, there is always news on FPMT activities, teachers and events. Mandala hopes to share as many of these timely stories as possible. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.