Charitable Activities

Flowers at Buddha Amitabha Pure Land, Washington, US, 2015. Photo by Chris Majors.

Thanks to a kind benefactor, the Education and Preservation Fund issued several grants earlier this year in support of Liberation Prison Project, an FPMT project founded in 1996, which offers spiritual advice and teachings, as well as books and materials, to people in prison interested in exploring, studying and practicing Buddhism. In total, US$44,100 was offered to programs in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Mexico. 

Approximately 300 Dharma friends correspond with prisoner students worldwide. On average, 2,000 inmates are supported with Dharma materials every year. 

These grants will contribute to the costs of postage, Dharma resources, printing, design needs, computer upgrades, subscriptions to Mandala magazine, and pujas for success at Kopan monastery. 

Please rejoice in the ongoing work of the Liberation Prison Project and in the generosity of the donor who made these recent grants possible. Community Service, such as that provided by the Liberation Prison Project, is one of FPMT’s Five Pillars of Service.

The Education and Preservation Fund supports Dharma study and contributes to the development of Buddhist education programs and the preservation of the Dharma through the publication of Dharma practice materials and translations. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Washington State, USA, June 2018. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab

Welcome to our new initiative, the Protecting the Environment and Living Beings Project. This project began due to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s recent advice that specific pujas and practices should be done regularly to pacify harm from the elements and to protect those (humans, animals, insects) who have been affected.

“If you wonder what to do, what prayers to make when there are disasters caused by the elements (fire, water, wind, and earth) such as tornadoes, hurricanes, heavy rain, storms, floods, earthquakes, fires; as well as disasters that destroy crops; disasters that destroy entire towns and cities within one hour; disasters that cause so many billions of dollars of damage and so much money has to be spent to rebuild the towns; disasters where so many hundreds and thousands of people die or lose their homes, have no food or clean water; disasters where so many animals and insects are killed and harmed – Here I am offering some suggestions on what to do so that you can help a country at risk, save so many lives, and prevent the destruction of houses, villages, and cities,” Rinpoche explained in July 2018. 

According to Rinpoche’s advice, every month the following practices will be offered with strong prayers:

Medicine Buddha by Peter-Iseli

• Extensive Medicine Buddha Puja offered five times by Shu Cho Khangtsen of Drepung Gomang Monastery, Kopan Monastery, and Gyuto Tantric College
• Guhyasamaja root text recited four times by Kopan Lama Gyupas
• Kshitigarbha Sutra recited one time by the nuns of Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery
• Sutra of Golden Light recited eight times by Sangha in the USA
• Arya Sanghata Sutra recited five by Sangha in the USA
• Vajra Cutter Sutra recited four times by Yangsi Rinpoche

We are very happy to announce that these have now all begun. Rinpoche has been emphasizing the tremendous importance of these pujas and practices and that this is one unique way that we can offer support for so many around the world.

In 2012 Rinpoche had advised to build a Stupa to Minimize Harm to prevent earthquakes on the West Coast of the United States. The stupa was to be built in a very specific area, following the precise direction of Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme (Khadro-la). For three years we tried to do this, but there were insurmountable obstacles to securing the exact land. After checking if we could build it elsewhere, Rinpoche then identified specific practices that could mitigate the dangers from the earthquakes. Incredibly, all these practices were completed and much more.

The Protecting the Environment and Living Beings Project is following on from this advice and is relevant to needs right now in the USA and around the world. 

Rinpoche, in his incredible kindness, immediately offered $24,000 enabling us to begin sponsorship of the pujas and recitations without delay.

Please consider being a part of this vision to benefit the environment, those affected by disasters of the elements, and all beings.

You can learn more about the Protecting the Environment and Living Beings Fund, keep up on the latest news, or contribute with a donation. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche making offerings to the Mahabodhi Stupa, Bodhgaya, India. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Lhabab Duchen, one of the four great holy days of the Buddhist calendar when merit is multiplied by 100 million times, takes place this year on Wednesday, October 31. 

On this day, up to 15,650 Sangha are sponsored through the FPMT Puja Fund to offer specific pujas and engage in particular practices selected by Lama Zopa Rinpoche and dedicated to the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and to the success of all the FPMT centers, projects, services, students, benefactors and those serving the organization in any way, as well as all beings. 

The monks of Sera Je Monastery offering puja.

Since merit is multiplied on this day, you can imagine that each monk is offering every puja or engaging in every practice 100 million times. The following will be sponsored on Lhabab Duchen this year:

• Recitation of the Prajnaparamita (three versions) by 650 monks of Gyurme Tantric College
• Druk Chu Ma, Namgyäl Tong Chö, and Zangcho offered by 6,000 monks of Sera Je and Sera Mey Monasteries
• Druk Chu Ma, Medicine Buddha Puja and Zangcho offered by 3,400 monks of Gaden Jangtse and Shartse Monasteries
• Druk Chu Ma, Namgyäl Tsechog and Zangcho offered by 4,200 monks of Drepung. Gomang, Loseling and Deyang Monasteries
• Namgyäl Tong Chö and Zangcho offered by 600 monks of Gyuto Tantric Colleges
• Druk Ch Ma, Medicine Buddha Puja and Zangcho offered by the 370 monks of Kopan Monastery
• Druk Chu Ma, Medicine Buddha Puja and Zangcho offered by the 400 nuns of Kopan Nunnery,
• Offerings will be made to all of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s gurus
• Offerings will be made to Sangha at IMI communities
• Offering of white wash and four giant saffron flower petals and new umbrellas will be made to Bouddhanath stupa’s and Swayambunath stupa’s pinnacles in Nepal
• Offering of a new set of robes of very precious material will be offered to the Buddha inside the Bodhgaya Mahabodhi temple, Bodhgaya, India
• Offering of gold will be offered to the holy body of the Jowo Buddha in Lhasa’s Jokang, Tibet 

How to Participate

• Take a few moments on Lhabab Duchen to join in with prayer in your mind and rejoice that thousands of ordained Sangha are engaged at all of the above at the exact same time and this merit is multiplied 100 million times.  
• Take a few moments on Lhabab Duchen to rejoice in some of the incredible offerings happening around the world. 
• Make an offering that goes toward covering the cost of these prayers, pujas, and offerings. 

• Specific advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche for practices to do on merit multiplying days can be found on FPMT.org, including advice to recite the Sutra for Remembering the Three Jewels. (Advice for merit multiplying days can also be found in French.) If you choose to recite the Sutra of Golden Light on this special day, you might like to report your recitations using the facility on the FPMT website, which you can find on the Sutra of Golden Light reporting page.

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  All are welcome to donate to the Puja Fund and directly support the merit accumulated by hundreds of millions of prayers and pujas on this holy day by thousands of ordained Sangha.  

This goat and another, who were going to be killed, were liberated and the merit of this was dedicated to the long life of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Beings that would otherwise be killed and eaten as food are purchased for the sole purpose of liberating them.

In July, over 2.5 million living beings, including large and small fish, shellfish, and two goats, were liberated in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Nepal with dedications made for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s long life. These beings were taken around holy objects and blessed with mantras and mantra water before release. 

In Singapore, at Amitabha Buddhist Center, Ven. Tenzin Drachom arranged the liberation of 2.5 million lives. 

In Hong Kong, at  Cham Tse Ling, Ven. Pemba arranged the liberation of 12,516 lives. 

In Nepal, Tania Duratovic of Enlightenment for the Dear Animals joined Kopan Monastery in liberating two goats that would otherwise be killed. The two goats were later put on the Animal Liberation Sanctuary land to live out the rest of their lives. Lama Zopa Rinpoche named the two goats Conventional Bodhichitta and Ultimate Bodhichitta. 

Animal liberation is a specific practice done for animals which would otherwise be killed. The practice involves taking the animals-in-danger around holy objects to leave positive imprints in their minds, reciting mantras for them, blessing water to sprinkle onto their bodies, and then releasing them. This differs from general animal blessings which involve blessing any animal with mantras or a holy object. Animal blessings are, of course, wonderful to do for animals, but this is not what is meant by “animal liberations.”

Some blessed beings being returned to the water in Hong Kong after the liberation practices.

Please rejoice that over 2.5 million sentient beings received blessings and kindness from students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche– those offering the practices as well as those who have donated to the Animal Liberation Fund. All the merit of animal liberations is dedicated to the long life of Lama Zopa Rinpoche—something worth rejoicing in as well!

“Where there is a mind, there are feelings such as pain, pleasure, and joy. No sentient being wants pain; instead all want happiness. Since we all share these feelings at some basic level, we as rational human beings have an obligation to contribute in whatever way we can to the happiness of other species and try our best to relieve their fears and sufferings.”
                                                                                                                          — His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Mothers and children being cared for at Maitri, Bihar, India, January 2018. Photo by Phil Hunt.

Since 1989, Maitri has been operating as a beneficial example of Dharma in action. Maitri is a registered charitable trust in India working to support the poor and disadvantaged in the province of Bihar, India. 

Director Adriana Ferranti with women receiving support from Maitri.

While Maitri was created to fight and provide education about leprosy and support leprosy patients, this NGO is also engaged in eradicating, controlling, and educating others about tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and birth control; offers medical assistance and care for expecting mothers and new born babies; provides life-saving assistance to malnourished small children; supplies rehabilitation for disabled people; and rescues and cares for animals. 

Please take a few minutes to watch this inspiring video of Maitri’s work by Marc-Andre Brunelle.

For the sixth year in a row, due to the kindness of a benefactor, the FPMT Social Services Fund has been offering substantial grants to Maitri in support of their incredible and compassionate work and service. Please consider supporting Maitri in any way you are able so this work can continue, as director Adriana Ferranti wishes, “as long as there is suffering.”

For more information about Maitri Charitable Trust and to donate directly to their work, please visit their website: http://www.maitri-bodhgaya.org/

Read “Maitri Charitable Trust: Service in the Land of Noble Truths,” published recently by Mandala:
https://fpmt.org/mandala/in-depth-stories/maitri-charitable-trust-service-in-the-land-f-noble-truths/

Ven. Roger Kunsang showing Lama Zopa Rinpoche the Inner Job Description app on a phone, Pisa, Italy, October 2017. Photo by Violette Pilot.

An example of the Inner Job Description app in Chinese on a phone.

The Inner Job Description App, a free app created by FPMT Inc., is now available in the Amazon, Apple, and Google Play stores in Chinese (更新了截图), English, French (Description du travail intérieur), Italian (Descrizione del Lavoro interiore), Russian (Оценка внутренней работы), and Spanish (Descripción del trabajo Interior).

The Inner Job Description app is a tool to help people transform their daily work and activities into their Dharma practice.

As Lama Zopa Rinpoche has said, “A person may have all this education from college, university, how to do this, how to do that, how to be a business person and so forth, but if they are missing the inner profession then what is missing is mentally how to live life, how to do everything.

“The real profession is missing,” Rinpoche said.

An example of the Inner Job Description in Spanish on a phone.

“That is the positive attitude, living life with this peaceful, happy, healthy mind, non-ignorance, non-anger, non-attachment, and especially with the thought of cherishing others, the ultimate good heart.”

The Inner Job Description app reminds users of three sets of attitudes to be mindful of each day:

“Bodhichitta” reminds app users of six attitudes to cultivate, as discussed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche in the teaching How to Be a Real Professional: Why We Need Dharma.

“Perfections” reminds app users of the six perfections practiced by bodhisattvas; generosity, ethical discipline, patience, enthusiastic effort, concentration, and wisdom.

“Communications” reminds app users of the importance of skillful spoken and unspoken communication in our daily lives, with suggestions such as “praising others.”

The Inner Job Description app can be used to track personal behavior over time, so app users can learn how to make their daily activities a profound inner practice.

The app also includes an option to receive regular reminders from Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe in the form of short teachings.

An Inner Job Description app reminder in English.

As an alternative to the app, the Inner Job Description Card can be printed on A4 or letter size paper.

Thank you to the all of the translators and supporters who enabled the creation of the Inner Job Description app.

The app was made possible by a grant from the Education and Preservation Fund, which supports Dharma study and contributes to the development of Buddhist education programs and the preservation of the Dharma through the publication of Dharma practice materials and translations. Additionally, this project was awarded a Merit Box grant.

Learn more about the Inner Job Description:
https://fpmt.org/education/training/inner-job-description/

Khadro-la (Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme) with some of the nuns of Dorje Pamo Monastery.

Dorje Pamo Monastery is in the process of becoming a new nunnery for approximately twelve FPMT nuns in the South of France. The Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund was pleased to offer US$93,760 toward the building of a gompa, reception area, offices, and library. Funding for renovating the nuns’ quarters was secured from other sources. Due to past fire damage, and the need to expand residential accommodations, renovation work must be completed before this is a functioning nunnery. The property has the potential to accommodate 15 or more nuns. 

Dorje Pamo Monastery nuns show Yangsi Rinpoche around the facilities during an August 2018 visit. Photo courtesy of Dorje Pamo Facebook page.

FPMT monks and nuns are collectively known as the International Mahayana Institute (IMI), which has more than 300 monastics, and among them 180 nuns, of which approximately 60 are European. There is much need for a monastic community for IMI nuns in Western Europe.

The gompa building of Dorje Pamo Monastery.

The new Dorje Pamo Monastery is located 5 miles [8 kilometers] from Nalanda Monastery, where both a Basic Program and Master Program are taught, making it easy for the nuns to join the study programs there. 

Ven. Chantal Carrerot, coordinator of the new nunnery explained: “Monastic communities that provide a proper environment where Buddhists nuns can live according to their vows, where they can practice together, where new nuns can be educated, and where all can be taken care of, are very rare in the world, even more so in the Western world. That a few such projects are coming forward at this time in various places in the FPMT is a source of great rejoicing!”

There is a critical need for monastic communities to provide a proper environment where nuns can live according to their vows, practice together, pursue their education, and receive care.  Lama Zopa Rinpoche has said that without proper monastic communities and discipline, it will be very difficult to preserve and spread the Dharma. We are very happy to be able to offer support to this new monastic community.

Please stay tuned for news on the official opening of this nunnery and also progress on the renovation. All are welcome to help bring this beneficial project to fruition. 

You can learn more about the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund and the ways it supports monasteries and nunneries.

Monks participating in the annual Winter Jang Debate.

This January, monks from various Gelug monasteries participated in an extensive twenty-two day debate on Buddhist logic in Bodhgaya, India, known as the Winter Jang Debate. 

This annual debate dates back to the time of Lama Tsongkhapa and was continued each year until 1959. In 1981 the present and former abbots of the three great monasteries met to revive this debate. However, due to costs the monasteries were only able to sponsor about 200 monks to attend. Seeing the incredible importance of this tradition of bringing together the best scholars to hone their understanding of the Buddha’s highest teachings, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, through the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund, now sponsors 400 monks from Sera Je Monastery to attend. This expenditure includes: bus rentals to transport the monks to and from Bangalore; train accommodation to and from Bangalore to Bodhgaya; floor mats for the monks; food offering; as well as the expenses associated with three professors, two teachers, and four monitors to attending. 

Monks during examination.

The Sera Je Monastery Office sent a sincere letter of thanks to Lama Zopa Rinpoche as well as a request for Rinpoche to remain among us for “hundreds and hundreds of eons” for the sake of “Buddha’s teachings and all sentient beings….Rinpoche’s support of the annual Winter Debate continues to benefit the monks immensely. We are all extremely grateful to Rinpoche for this generous support as well as the continual offering to the top position students who passed their Special Memorization Exam. Tremendous thanks from all of the monks…. Just as we have been blessed with Rinpoche’s kind attention and support in the past please allow us to rquest Rinpoche’s kind support in the future too.”

Additionally this year, annual sponsorship was offered to Sera Je Monastery for 190 monks who qualified and passed the yearly Special Memorization Examination.

• 68 monks memorized Commentary on the Ornament of Clear Realization 
• 74 monks memorized The Essence of Eloquence on the Art of Interpretation by Lama Tsongkhapa
• 62 monks memorized Bodhisattvacaryavatara (Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life) by Shantideva
• 9 monks memorized A Presentation of General Meaning
• 3 monks memorized General Meaning (of the) Middle Way
• 2 monks memorized  Six Treatises on the Middle Way by Nagarjuna
• 1 monk memorized Five Treatises of Maitreya

A new set of robes was offered to these future teachers who contribute to the preservation the Lama Tsongkhapa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in the monasteries. The memorization of these monumental works is truly something to rejoice in. 

The grants toward the Winter Jang Debate and the Special Memorization Examination totaled US$26,959 this year. 

Tremendous thanks to the many donors who support the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund enabling FPMT to sponsor the monks engaging in debate and memorization at this high level for the benefit of all. You are welcome to participate in this offering at any time.

You can learn more about the beneficial activities of the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund or the many Charitable Projects of FPMT.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing respect to a Hayagriva statue on the altar at Idgaa Choizinling College in Mongolia.

The Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund sponsors the electricity for lotus light offerings to all the holy objects on the altar at Idgaa Choizinling College in Mongolia. The lights are offered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Among the holy objects on this altar is an incredible Hayagriva statue (pictured on the right).

Additionally, the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund offers sponsorship of daily lunch for the young monks studying at Idgaa Choizinling; and has recently offered a grant to cover the cost of a complete renovation of the monastery so there are more rooms and accommodation for the monks. 

Idgaa Choizinling was established in 2003 through Ganden Do Ngag Shedrup Ling due to the kindness of many benefactors. Idgaa is strongly connected to Sera Je Monastery in India and serves as a focal point of Buddhist learning in Mongolia. Since its inception, FPMT has been offering food to the monks studying there. 

The monks of Idgaa Choizinling enjoying lunch.

The annual 100 Million Mani Retreat, which is one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions, is also held in the Idgaa Choizinling gompa. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, quoting the Buddha, explains:

Any sentient being who, during the period of my teachings, makes charity well
(even if the material is the size of a hair),

For 80,000 eons there will be great results of great enjoyment:

No pain, no disease, and enjoyment of happiness.

Like that, one will be enriched with the desirable things.

At the end, you can actually achieve the result: the peerless cessation and completion (enlightenment).

Please rejoice in this continuous offering of light to these incredible holy objects, the daily lunches for the young monks, the renovation of the monastery, and the annual 100 Million Mani Retreat in Mongolia.

You can learn more about the many beneficial activities of the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fundor other Charitable Projects of FPMT.

Children and staff of Maitreya School.

Maitreya School, a social service project of Root Institute, Bodhgaya, is a free school benefiting impoverished children from neighboring villages.

Students of Maitreya School.

The school offers children living in one of India’s poorest states a precious opportunity. Not only do they engage in a traditional education but, more importantly, they receive life skills in compassion, honesty, and loving-kindness presented through Buddha’s teachings. The core of the training and vision of the school is: making lives meaningful.

For the sixth year, the Social Services Fund, thanks to a kind benefactor, has offered support to Maitreya School. A grant for US$10,000 was offered toward the school’s operating costs. 

A US$30,000 was also offered to cover the 2018 operating costs of Tara Children’s Project, another social service project of Root Institute. This orphanage, which unfortunately closed in June 2018, was a children’s home caring for HIV-affected orphaned children in the state of Bihar. Root released a heartfelt statement explaining this closure: “Over the years and despite our ongoing efforts, we have continuously struggled to gain sufficient cooperation from the local and state government to receive the support needed to ensure professional quality care to work effectively with the children. We ultimately realized that the most compassionate way we could benefit these children was to explore other highly-qualified and well-established homes who have the professional skills, expertise and compassion to serve and care for the children.” 

Please rejoice in another year of support offered to the education needs of at-risk children in Bodhgaya, India. 

If you would like to support the Social Services Fund and help ensure grants such as this can continue, you can read more about the charitable projects this fund supports, or donate any amount to the fund itself. 

Extensive torma offerings during Extensive Most Secret Hayagriva Puja offered monthly at Sera Je Monastery on behalf of the entire FPMT organization.

Twenty-three years ago, Lama Zopa Rinpoche established the Puja Fund as a way to sponsor ongoing prayers and practices dedicated to the success and longevity of the entire FPMT organization. One puja that Rinpoche advised as particularly important for FPMT, due to the organization’s close connection with the deity Hayagriva, is the Extensive Most Secret Hayagriva Puja. 

Every month, on the Tibetan 29^th day, the Puja Fund sponsors about 40 of the most senior monks of Sera Je Monastery, who specialize in the practice of Most Secret Hayagriva, to offer the Extensive Most Secret Hayagriva Puja. This is an all-day puja with an elaborate torma offering and extensive prayers and meditation. 

The Puja Fund makes a small offering to the 40 monks who perform the puja, sponsors tea, and covers the cost of extensive torma offerings  for the puja. In this way, the puja not only benefits all FPMT centers, projects, services, students, benefactors and those serving the organization in any way; it also benefits the monks of Sera Je Monastery. 

Please rejoice that this powerful puja is done every month for the entire FPMT organization. All are welcome to participate in this monthly puja by offering any amount to the FPMT Puja Fund.  

You can learn more about the beneficial prayers, practices, and pujas sponsored by the Puja Fund, or about FPMT’s other extensive charitable activity.