Ven. Roger visiting the soup kitchen during preparations. Photo courtesy of FPMT Mongolia.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited Mongolia for the first time in 1999 at the invitation of Bakula Rinpoche, who had already been working for 10 years to reestablish Buddhism in the country, and a small group of Mongolians. It was explained to Rinpoche how important it was for high lamas to come to Mongolia to teach and actively support the revival of the Buddhist heritage for future generations. Due to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s wish to help, FPMT Mongolia became a registered Mongolian religious organization in 1999 and a few dedicated FPMT students moved to Ulaanbaatar to begin work. Since then, dozens of Westerners and hundreds of Mongolians have developed an organization that provides Dharma education, Universal Education, Sangha support, and social services for some of Mongolia’s most needy.

Director of FPMT Mongolia, Susan Roe, overviewed Chief Executive Officer of FPMT Inc. Ven. Roger Kunsang’s recent visit to Mongolia this October. We share this report to inspire you to rejoice in the incredible activities happening in Mongolia for the benefit of so many! 

The FPMT Mongolia team was happy and honored to host Ven. Roger’s recent visit in October in Ulaanbaatar. The week was very busy and full of many activities but the team rejoiced in having him return as there was much to discuss and share with him since his last visit in 2017.  

Key activities included a warm welcome from monastic partners at Idgaa Choizinling Monastery who requested support from FPMT for various activities. They were appreciative of the continued support to the monks’ food program, and this also supports logistics for the annual Mani Retreat and other needs. (One of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the FPMT organization is to establish 100 Million Mani Retreats (100,000 recitations of 100 million OM MANI PADME HUM) around the world and FPMT Mongolia has been hosting this annual retreat for thirteen years.)

Ven. Roger spent much time meeting and discussing with FPMT Mongolia staff and the FPMT Mongolia Board through both one-to-one meetings and by participating in regular administrative meetings such as the management meeting and specially organized board meeting to discuss more complex, pending issues and future directions for the center. He also visited Lamp of the Path and the Dolma Ling Nunnery property to observe ongoing and new community support programs and spent time inspecting improvements to the Mahayana Apartment Building while also considering future directions and alternatives related to ongoing management and continued development of these assets or resources. (Lamp of the Path, FPMT Mongolia’s flagship community service project, continues to serve as a vital support system for vulnerable populations in the Amgalan ger district of Ulaanbaatar. FPMT’s Social Services Fund has been substantially supporting Lamp of the Path since 2012 to date, most years covering the entire budget, in recognition of their incredible life saving work.)

Ven. Roger with the Mahayana Children’s Program, Mongolia. Photo courtesy of FPMT Mongolia. Photo courtesy of FPMT Mongolia.

Ven. Roger visiting the progress of the Maitreya statue in Mongolia. Photo courtesy of FPMT Mongolia.

While in Mongolia Ven. Roger also helped to inaugurate the Fall session of the Mahayana Children’s Program and attended a book launch aimed at generating interest in a new 16 Guidelines resource which has been translated into Mongolian language in support of Universal Education. He was also able to meet with local donors and long-time FPMT Mongolia friends and enjoyed a day traveling outside of Ulaanbaatar to visit the new Maitreya statue which is currently under construction, to visit a newly established retreat center being operated by Buddhist friends, and to enjoy a traditional Mongolian lunchtime feast at one of Mongolia’s most famous ger camps with selected members of the team.

The entire FPMT Mongolia team was thrilled and felt equally blessed to have Ven. Roger’s extensive support and guidance throughout his short visit; his continued advice and recommendations related to the further development of the spiritual program and the importance of continuing our work on secular education was also greatly appreciated. And of course, everyone was very interested in and happy to hear his many stories of shared adventures, informal or unexpected teachings and unique experiences with both Lama Yeshe and Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche based on his long service and deep devotion to our guiding teachers. It is hoped that Ven. Roger will find time to come again to Mongolia and continue to provide his wisdom, insight and encouragement to the team and our continuing efforts and that his next visit will happen before too much time passes us all by again!

You can learn more about all of the exciting beneficial activity happening through FPMT Mongolia’s compassionate effort. 

With grateful thanks to Susan Roe for this report. We welcome the submission of news stories from those within the FPMT community. This can be a story about something you have personally completed or accomplished, about someone else who has done so, or about the FPMT center, project, or service of which you are a part. Ideal submissions will give readers reasons to rejoice, share ideas, and create connections between those in the international community. Have something to share? Please let us know!

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.