Charitable Activities

Most precious Jowo Buddha statue in Tibet.

On full moons and during Sakadawa the Puja Fund sponsors special offerings to the Jowo Buddha Statue in Tibet. Gold is offered to the statue’s face (and will soon be offered to the whole body on Buddha days) and robes are offered to the body. The cost of the precious robes is US$28 and the cost of offering gold to the whole body is approximately US$1,528. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche has indicated that he wants this offering to continue as long as possible, for many lifetimes. 

Also said to have been blessed by Shakyamuni Buddha himself (making it approximately 2,500 years old), the Jowo Buddha statue is one of the most sacred statues in all of Tibet. Originally crafted in India, the Jowo was brought to China, and then brought to Tibet by the daughter  of the Chinese emperor, Princess Wenchen Kongjo, upon her marriage to Songsten Gampo. The Jowo Buddha statue resides in the central chapel of the Jokhang, among the most holy temples in Lhasa.

Gold offered to Jowo Buddha statue.

About the power of statues of Buddha, Lama Zopa Rinpoche has said, “The benefit we get each time we see a statue of Buddha, a picture of Buddha, or a stupa is like the limitless sky. It causes us to achieve all the realizations from guru devotion up to enlightenment and to achieve all the numberless qualities of the Buddha’s holy body, speech and mind.” 

Please rejoice in this ongoing offering which will continue as long as possible to fulfill Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s wishes. 

All are welcome to donate to the Puja Fund and directly support these most precious offerings. 

Completed construction on the headquarters for the Geluk International Foundation in South India.

The Geluk International Foundation was established to preserve and promote Buddhist heritage in general and the Gelug tradition in particular. The vision of the foundation is to promote, propagate, develop, enrich and preserve the Gelug tradition established by Lama Tsongkhapa. The foundation seeks to unite and harmonize all Gelug monasteries and Dharma centers throughout the world under a single umbrella in order to improve and maintain coordination, cooperation, development, function, and friendship.

At a meeting held in South India in December 2014, His Holiness the Dalai Lama stressed the extreme importance of establishing offices for the long-term preservation of the Gelug tradition. Lama Zopa Rinpoche immediately responded to this advice from His Holiness and over a few years offered US$421,400 toward the construction of the building needed for this project. The construction of the foundation’s main building is now complete.

His Eminence Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoche, the 104th Gaden Tripa.

The tradition of the Gaden Tripas (the throne holders of the Gelug tradition) began with Lama Tsongkhapa (1357 – 1419). Before passing away, Tsongkhapa passed the leadership of the newly established Gelug tradition to Gyaltsab Je (1364-1432), who then passed it on to Khedrub Je (1385-1438). Since then the precious legacy established by Tsongkhapa has continued up to this day. His Eminence Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoche was appointed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the 104th Gaden Tripa on June 24th, 2017. The offices of Gaden Tri Rinpoche are located at the Geluk International Foundation headquarters in Mundgod, South India.

Member monasteries include: Gyuto, Tashi Lhunpo, Sera Mey, Sera Je, Rato, Namgyal, Gaden Shartse Norling, Drepung, and Drepung Gomang.

Moving forward, the foundation will establish programs which will include the running of educational centers such as schools, colleges and universities, science education centers, meditation courses, meditation centers, medical centers, hospitals and medical colleges. The foundation will establish publications and engage in research and development in the fields of humanity, religious harmony, interfaith dialogue, relief activities, devotional activities, vocational training, environmental preservation and ecological care.

Activities of the Geluk International Foundation will be extended all over the world through the creation of administrative hubs in different continents and nations.

To support the development of this important foundation, The Lama Tsongkhapa Teacher’s Fund is offering US$40,000 annually for the next two years which is approximately half of the operating budget. This is a tremendous investment in the future and preservation of the Gelug tradition, and an offering of support toward His Holiness’s wishes for a unified Gelug tradition.

You can learn more about the Geluk International Foundation’s important work and future plans.

Some of the nuns of Tashi Chime Gatsal Nunnery.

Young nuns of Tashi Chime Gatsal Nunnery.

Since 2009 sponsorship has been offered to the nuns of Tashi Chime Gatsal Nunnery, Nepal, to complete two 100 million mani retreats (100 million recitations of the mantra OM MANI PADME HUM). In addition to the 100 million mani retreats, funds are offered to cover the cost of food to all the nuns for this period as well as the cost of a very qualified geshe to stay during the retreat in order to give lamrim teachings. With the help of donors, we are hoping to offer this again in 2017. US$14,000 is offered each year for these two retreats.

Progress on the new accommodation continues at Tashi Chime Gatsal Nunnery.

Nuns planting a garden on the grounds.

In 2014 a grant was offered for new accommodation needed for the resident nuns. Progress is being made on on the housing and the last row of rooms is now finished and the nuns have moved in. Construction is still in progress and the nuns quarters is expected to be finished by the end of the year. 

In a recent note of thanks, Geshe Lobsang Gyaltsen passed on the following from the nunnery: “Thank you [Lama Zopa] Rinpoche all FPMT members who kindly support the nunnery. Our sincere prayers and dedications are offered for the long lives of our gurus and good health for all friends, benefactors, donors, and well-wishers.” 

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

“My wish is for FPMT to build many holy objects everywhere, as many as possible. Making it so easy for sentient beings to purify their heavy negative karma and making it so easy for sentient beings to create extensive merit. Which makes it so easy to achieve the realizations of the path and so easy to achieve liberation and enlightenment.” — Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Large and smaller prayer wheels at a Tibetan settlement in Bylakuppe, South India, sponsored by the Holy Objects Fund.

The Holy Objects Fund was pleased to donate US$5,262.71 toward the creation of a large prayer wheel and surrounding smaller wheels at Dickey Larsoe Tibetan Settlement, a Tibetan settlement in Bylakuppe, South India. 

The large prayer wheels contains 100,000,000 OM MANI PADME HUM mantras and nearly 400,000 are included in the smaller prayer wheels. 

One of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the FPMT organization is to sponsor 100,000 large prayer wheels around the world. Rinpoche has explained, “Prayer wheels are a great blessing for each country.”

Please rejoice in the creation of these precious holy objects which bless all the residents of the Dickey Larsoe Tibetan Settlement and all who come in contact with the prayer wheels. 

If you would like to contribute to the building of holy objects around the world, you are welcome to offer any amount to the Holy Objects Fund which contributes to the creation of stupas, prayer wheels and statues. 

Some of the work in progress on the new construction at Kopan House at Sera Je Monastery to accommodate the monks of Kopan Monastery who study there.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, through the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund, issued a grant for US$85,400 to assist with much needed construction, maintenance, and repairs at Kopan House at Sera Je Monastery, India. Kopan House is occupied by sixty monks from Kopan Monastery including incarnate lamas (Charok Lama, Lama Tenzin Phuntsok Rinpoche, Lama Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, Lama Lobsang Rigzin Rinpoche, and Lama Kundrol Rinpoche), geshes, monks who are part of the Geshe Studies Program, and younger monks who attend the school there and will eventually enter the Geshe Studies Program. Kopan House is part of Tsawa khangtsen. Generally, the monks reside at Kopan House until they finish the Geshe Studies Program which extends over a period of twenty-six years.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching at  Kopan House Tsawa khangtsen at Sera Je Monastery. January 20016.

Kopan House was built in 2000. At that time there were about thirty monks in the hostel. Over time the number of monks residing in the hostel doubled and the capacity of the residential building needed augmentation. There are currently forty-nine rooms including sixteen new units that are in the process of being built. 

The cost of this expansion and improvements will be approximately US$156,130 and will include expenses incurred from painting the premises, relaying of electrical wires, installation of a new electrical transformer necessitated by the increase in the projected consumption of electricity by the addition to the hostel’s capacity, relocating of the generator to a new generator room, maintenance of the lawn and garden.

To date a total of thirty-six geshes have graduated from Kopan House including Khen Rinpoche Geshe Thubten Chonyi, Geshe Lobsang Sherab, Geshe Thubten Gyurmey, Geshe Lobsang Yeshe and Geshe Lobsang Jamyang.

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

The children of Maitreya School and Tara Children’s Project attending a talk by Lama Zopa Rinpoche about the Eight Verses of Thought Transformation. January, 2017.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche was in Bodhgaya, India, for several weeks from late December 2016 through February 2017. During that time Rinpoche attended the Kalachakra initiation offered by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, went on pilgrimage to many holy sites, met with students and other lamas, and visited and made offerings, through the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund, to three very important FPMT social projects of Root Institute: Maitreya School, Tara Children’s Project, and Shakyamuni Buddha Clinic.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche giving gifts to the children of Maitreya School and Tara Children’s Project. January, 2017.

Maitreya School is a free school benefiting impoverished children from Bodhgaya and neighboring villages. The children not only have the chance to obtain a traditional education but, more importantly, they receive life skills in compassion, honesty, and loving-kindness presented through Buddhist study. This is the core of the training and vision of the school: making lives meaningful.

Tara Children’s Project (TCP) is the only children’s home caring for HIV-affected orphaned children in the state of Bihar. Currently there are twenty-one children living there. 

Shakyamuni Buddha Clinic began in 1991 as a home for the destitute and has evolved into a diverse community health program encompassing a wide range of medical and rehabilitative services and health promotion activities. Services included allopathic medicine, homeopathic medicine, health promotion and education, and patient care.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche blessing a very sick patient of Shakyamuni Buddha Clinic. January, 2017.

While at Root Institute, Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered new shoes, socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and new towels to all the children of Maitreya School and Tara Children’s Project. Rinpoche also met with the children and gave a talk on Eight Verses for Thought Transformation. 

At the Shakyamuni Buddha Clinic Rinpoche offered INR₹500 plus a blanket to mothers who have children with cerebral palsy. While there Rinpoche also blessed everyone in the clinic on that day and offered extensive prayers for a number of people who were extremely sick. Rinpoche also thanked all of the doctors and nurses of the clinic who offer such an incredible service to those in need. 

Please rejoice in the incredible social services offered by Root Institute which benefit so many in need in the area. For the past six years, due to the kindness of one main benefactor, the FPMT Social Services Fund has been able to offer substantial grants toward this amazing work. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund enables Rinpoche’s compassionate service to others to flourish. All the offerings from the fund are used toward the creation of holy objects and extensive offerings around the world; sponsoring young tulkus, high lamas and Sangha in India, Nepal, Tibet and the West; supporting FPMT centers, projects and services; sponsoring Dharma retreats and events; funding animal liberations and blessings, and much more.  

Completed stupa for Geshe Gendun Choephel.

Earlier this year we announced that a new stupa was being built at Sera Je Monastery for Tenzin Ösel Hita’s teacher, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Gendun Choephel, who passed away on July 31, 2016. Ösel requested Lama Zopa Rinpoche to assist with this precious stupa, and Rinpoche, through the Stupa Fund, offered US$20,000 toward its completion. 

We are delighted to report that this special stupa is now complete.

Building stupas helps develop so much peace and happiness for numberless sentient beings,” Lama Zopa Rinpoche has explained. “As a result, wars, disease, and desire will all be pacified. Instead of feeling hopeless, people will gain courage. This is about peace – for the beings who see it, for the whole country, for the entire world, for all sentient beings.”

Lama Zopa Rinpoche translated “Padmasambhava’s Instructions on Offering to Stupas,” which details the benefits of prostrating to, circumambulating, making offerings, and offering service to stupas. Also available is, “Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Advice for Circumambulation.”

Please rejoice in the completion of this stupa for Geshe Gendun Choephel which brings so much benefit to his students, the world, and all sentient beings.

If you would like to contribute to the building of holy objects around the world, you are welcome to offer any amount to the Holy Objects Fund which contributes to the creation of stupas, prayer wheels and statues.

New robes were offered to 213 scholars who memorized texts.

For seventeen years the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund sponsors an oral examination of Sera Je Monastery’s top scholars who have shown a propensity for memorization. This year, 213 monks were awarded new robes for their successful memorization of particular texts. Please rejoice in these incredible accomplishments!

• eighty-nine monks memorized Commentary Clarifying the Meaning by Haribhadra
  
• seventy-three monks memorized Essence of the Good Explanation by Lama Tsongkhapa
• thirty-six monks memorized Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds by Shantideva
• seven monks memorized The General Meaning of the First Chapter by Lama Jetsunpa
• five monks memorized The General Meaning of the Middle Way by Lama Jetsunpa
• two monks memorized Six Scriptures on Reasoning by Nagarjuna 
• one monk memorized Five Treatises of Maitreya’s Doctrine

Please rejoice in the offering of robes to these future teachers who contribute to the preservation the Lama Tsongkhapa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in the monasteries. Supporting the Sangha of the Lama Tsongkhapa tradition is the main objectives of the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund.

As Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains: “The continuity and spread of Buddhadharma throughout the world depends upon highly qualified teachers. The three great monasteries are the only place in the world where the entire, complete teachings of the Buddha are studied and practiced with deep logic.”

All are welcome to join in on this offering by contributing any amount to the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund. 

You can learn more about the many activities of the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund including support given to the most senior teachers of the Tsongkhapa tradition, the annual Gelugpa Exam, and the annual Winter Debate in India and Nepal. 

Stupa and prayer flags bless the animals at the Animal Liberation Sanctuary, Nepal.

Every day around the world millions of animals are killed and mistreated needlessly. In countries like Nepal, the care and management of animals is very poor and animal sacrifices are common creating tremendous suffering for the animals and those involved. 

Animal Liberation Sanctuary, near Kopan Monastery, was established to provide shelter and care for animals who have been rescued from being killed, so that they may live out their natural lives in peace and attain a higher rebirth through exposure to the Dharma. The animals regularly hear mantras and are led around holy objects. 

Cows, sheep, and goats enjoy their days at the Animal Liberation Sanctuary.

The sanctuary has a main animal shelter designed to provide a healthy environment throughout Nepal’s seasons, it has facilities to separate weaker animals from the main flock, and it is designed to reduce water use and waste. The sanctuary has a quarantine area, a treatment room, and the property also has a live-in caretaker. 

For the fifth year, a very kind benefactor has worked with the Social Services Fund to issue a substantial grant for the ongoing work and care of the sanctuary. We are delighted to report that a US$10,000 grant has recently been issued which will be used for ongoing food and care expenses, as well as for urgent repairs needed for the sanctuary’s goat shed. These are fenced pens which are used to separate and protect weaker goats from the the rest. 

Please rejoice in another year of support being offered to this wonderful project which benefits animals so in need of support, care, and kindness.

You can donate to the Animal Liberation Sanctuary or learn more about the work being done for animals in Nepal: http://kopanmonastery.com/charitable/animal-sanctuary-nepal

The Animal Liberation Fund supports weekly animal liberations and extensive dedications offered by Sangha at the residences of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. When funds allow, additional animal liberations conducted in Singapore and Hong Kong are supported, as well the Animal Liberation Sanctuary in Nepal, MAITRI Charitable Trust in India and elsewhere. You are welcome to offer any amount toward this ongoing work. 
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Lama Zopa Rinpoche enjoying reading about the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund in the recent issue of Mandala magazine.

The Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund was established to support monasteries, nunneries, and individual monks and nuns with food, accommodation, health care, education and Dharma practice. Supporting monks and nuns is one of the highest priorities for the FPMT organization, because the preservation of the Buddhadharma is dependent on the existence of Sangha.

We invite you keep up on all the beneficial projects that this fund supports. Recent grants have been released or are soon to be given toward the following initiatives: The rebuilding of Maratika Gompa in Nepal; the renovation and expansion of Iggda Chozing Monastery in Mongolia; food offered to monks in Mongolia and Thame, Nepal; support to nuns in Tashi Chime Gatsal Nunnery, Nepal; the health of various khangtsen in Sera Je Monastery, India. 

All are welcome to support these beneficial grants offered to Sangha. 

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

MAITRI Charitable Trust provides essential education, medical care, aid to mothers and children, animal care, and various forms of charitable service to the destitute in Bodhgaya, India. 

MAITRI began its work in 1989 when Adriana Ferranti put her leprosy training to good use by helping people those with the disease and working towards its eradication. Since then, the project has expanded greatly to meet the needs of the people in the Bodhgaya-area in Bihar, one of the poorest, most depressed and most populated states in India.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Adriana Ferranti at MAITRI Charitable Trust, blessing all the staff, children, patients and animals. January, 2017.

For the fifth year in a row, a very kind benefactor has offered a substantial grant to MAITRI via the FPMT Social Services Fund. Please rejoice that US$70,000 was recently issued toward another year of services for those in need in Bodhgaya. Here we invite you to rejoice in some of MAITRI’s many accomplishments from 2015-2016 which were made possible by last year’s grant:

Leprosy Program

The MAITRI information stall in (in front of the Chinese Temple) in Bodhgaya , Bihar, 2016.

• Detection, verification, and management of 516 new cases that were registered for treatment.
• Prevention of Deformities (POD) program was implemented by instructing 1,853 individuals on self-care of their needs, particularly ulcers.
• Assessing and instructing 625 high risk cases on prevention of deformities.
• Distributing 276 sandals and supplying 522 kits for ulcer dressing.
• Performing 3,240 dressings of ulcers.
• The implementation of the Information, Education, Communication (IEC) program to raise awareness on the identification and treatment of leprosy by covering a population of 1,223,550 people in 3,908 villages and by particularly contacting 6,354 community members to promote collaboration among villagers.
• Addressing 69,300 school students in routine visits to government and private schools.
• Celebrating World Leprosy Day on January 31 with a promotional drive in 221 villages populated by 295,890 individuals.
• The hospitalization of 61 leprosy-affected individuals.
• The distribution of blankets in the winter season to 385 leprosy-affected individuals.

Children are offered powdered milk and supplements by MAITRI Charitable Trust. This child’s mother passed away from tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis Program

Paramedical workers find another leprosy case in this young woman in Bodhgaya , Bihar. Photo courtesy of MAITRI Facebook page.

• Identification, promotion, and management of 209 new case.
• Implementation of the Information, Education, Communication (IEC) program to raise awareness on the identification and treatment of TB by covering a population of 578,958 in 864 villages.
• Hospitalization of fourteen under treatment patients in serious conditions, 10 of whom were successfully released from MAITRI’s hospital.
• The distribution of food items and supplements to 87 indigent patients under treatment.

Mother Care Program

• The identification, registration, and management of 227 new cases that were registered at MAITRI’s outpatient and mobile clinics. 
• The collection of 110 blood samples for blood tests for women with first time pregnancies. 
• The monthly medical check-ups of an average 161 patients under treatment.
• The field follow-up of 171 registered cases during treatment and after release. 
• Delivery of 180 healthy babies including 16 twins and 3 triplets.
• The post-natal field follow-up of women after third pregnancy to facilitate tubectomies. 127 tubectomies were completed.
• Distribution of 273 blankets during Winter. 

Aid, education and medical care from MAITRI is offered to India’s poorest and most densely populated area in Bodhgaya. Photo by Adriana Ferranti.

Child Care Program

• Identification, registration, and management of 44 new cases that were registered at MAITRI’s clinics.
• Monthly medical check-ups of an average 129 children in treatment.
• Distribution of fifty-five rations of milk powder and ten rations of cereal. 
• The identification, registration, and management of ten new cases of girls aged 5-14 that were registered at MAITRI’s clinics.
• Monthly medical check-ups of an average of sixty-six girls aged 5-14.

Maintenance of Campus

• Repair work was completed on the building. 

Adriana Ferranti expressed her gratitude for last year’s grant in the following way: 

The grant was very gratefully received and has enabled us to continue our support to some of Bihar’s poorest people. MAITRI always manages the funds it receives from generous donors around the world with the utmost care so that as many persons can be benefited as possible.  

Please rejoice in another year of essential charitable service offered through MAITRI and in director Adriana’s dedication to this work for nearly thirty years. 

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. 

You can donate directly to MAITRI and learn more about the vast services to those in need. 

Some of the 15,650 Sangha who will be doing prayers on Chokhor Duchen.

Each year on Chokhor Duchen, one of the four great holy days of the Tibetan Buddhist calendar, The Puja Fund sponsors pujas and offerings all over the world dedicated to success of the entire FPMT organization. The practices are offered by up to 15,650 monks and nuns. This year Chokhor Duchen takes place on Thursday, July 27. 

Also known as the Festival of Turning the Wheel of Dharma, Chokhor Duchen commemorates the anniversary upon which Shakyamuni Buddha first began teaching the Dharma. For seven weeks after his enlightenment, the Buddha did not teach. After this period, Indra and Brahma offered a Dharmachakra and a conch shell and requested Shakyamuni to teach. Accepting, Buddha Shakyamuni turned the Wheel of Dharma for the first time at Sarnath by teaching on the four noble truths.

On Chokhor Duchen the Puja Fund will sponsor: Recitation of the Prajnaparamita (short, medium and long versions) by the monks of Gyurme Tantric College, recitation of the entire Kangyur by the nuns of Kopan Nunnery, extensive offerings for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s gurus and holy objects in India and Tibet, among many other virtuous activities, prayers and pujas which were advised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. 

You are welcome to participate in these offerings which take place every holy Buddha day, and rejoice that 15,650 monks and nuns will be doing these prayers, remembering that they are all “pores of the guru” and thus extensions of our teachers.

Specific advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche for practices to do on Buddha Multiplying Days such as Chokhor Duchen can be found here, including advice to recite the Sutra for Remembering the Three Jewels. 

If you would like to make a donation toward the meritorious activities being sponsored by the Puja Fund on Chokor Duchen, you can do so by offering any amount you are able. 

The Puja Fund was established by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to provide resources for continuous pujas 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. You can learn more about the Puja Fund, or FPMT’s other extensive charitable activity.