- Home
- FPMT Homepage
Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition
The FPMT is an organization devoted to preserving and spreading Mahayana Buddhism worldwide by creating opportunities to listen, reflect, meditate, practice and actualize the unmistaken teachings of the Buddha and based on that experience spreading the Dharma to sentient beings. We provide integrated education through which people’s minds and hearts can be transformed into their highest potential for the benefit of others, inspired by an attitude of universal responsibility and service. We are committed to creating harmonious environments and helping all beings develop their full potential of infinite wisdom and compassion. Our organization is based on the Buddhist tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught to us by our founders Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche.
- Willkommen
Die Stiftung zur Erhaltung der Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) ist eine Organisation, die sich weltweit für die Erhaltung und Verbreitung des Mahayana-Buddhismus einsetzt, indem sie Möglichkeiten schafft, den makellosen Lehren des Buddha zuzuhören, über sie zur reflektieren und zu meditieren und auf der Grundlage dieser Erfahrung das Dharma unter den Lebewesen zu verbreiten.
Wir bieten integrierte Schulungswege an, durch denen der Geist und das Herz der Menschen in ihr höchstes Potential verwandelt werden zum Wohl der anderen – inspiriert durch eine Haltung der universellen Verantwortung und dem Wunsch zu dienen. Wir haben uns verpflichtet, harmonische Umgebungen zu schaffen und allen Wesen zu helfen, ihr volles Potenzial unendlicher Weisheit und grenzenlosen Mitgefühls zu verwirklichen.
Unsere Organisation basiert auf der buddhistischen Tradition von Lama Tsongkhapa von Tibet, so wie sie uns von unseren Gründern Lama Thubten Yeshe und Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche gelehrt wird.
- Bienvenidos
La Fundación para la preservación de la tradición Mahayana (FPMT) es una organización que se dedica a preservar y difundir el budismo Mahayana en todo el mundo, creando oportunidades para escuchar, reflexionar, meditar, practicar y actualizar las enseñanzas inconfundibles de Buda y en base a esa experiencia difundir el Dharma a los seres.
Proporcionamos una educación integrada a través de la cual las mentes y los corazones de las personas se pueden transformar en su mayor potencial para el beneficio de los demás, inspirados por una actitud de responsabilidad y servicio universales. Estamos comprometidos a crear ambientes armoniosos y ayudar a todos los seres a desarrollar todo su potencial de infinita sabiduría y compasión.
Nuestra organización se basa en la tradición budista de Lama Tsongkhapa del Tíbet como nos lo enseñaron nuestros fundadores Lama Thubten Yeshe y Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
A continuación puede ver una lista de los centros y sus páginas web en su lengua preferida.
- Bienvenue
L’organisation de la FPMT a pour vocation la préservation et la diffusion du bouddhisme du mahayana dans le monde entier. Elle offre l’opportunité d’écouter, de réfléchir, de méditer, de pratiquer et de réaliser les enseignements excellents du Bouddha, pour ensuite transmettre le Dharma à tous les êtres. Nous proposons une formation intégrée grâce à laquelle le cœur et l’esprit de chacun peuvent accomplir leur potentiel le plus élevé pour le bien d’autrui, inspirés par le sens du service et une responsabilité universelle. Nous nous engageons à créer un environnement harmonieux et à aider tous les êtres à épanouir leur potentiel illimité de compassion et de sagesse. Notre organisation s’appuie sur la tradition guéloukpa de Lama Tsongkhapa du Tibet, telle qu’elle a été enseignée par nos fondateurs Lama Thoubtèn Yéshé et Lama Zopa Rinpoché.
Visitez le site de notre Editions Mahayana pour les traductions, conseils et nouvelles du Bureau international en français.
Voici une liste de centres et de leurs sites dans votre langue préférée
- Benvenuto
L’FPMT è un organizzazione il cui scopo è preservare e diffondere il Buddhismo Mahayana nel mondo, creando occasioni di ascolto, riflessione, meditazione e pratica dei perfetti insegnamenti del Buddha, al fine di attualizzare e diffondere il Dharma fra tutti gli esseri senzienti.
Offriamo un’educazione integrata, che può trasformare la mente e i cuori delle persone nel loro massimo potenziale, per il beneficio di tutti gli esseri, ispirati da un’attitudine di responsabilità universale e di servizio.
Il nostro obiettivo è quello di creare contesti armoniosi e aiutare tutti gli esseri a sviluppare in modo completo le proprie potenzialità di infinita saggezza e compassione.
La nostra organizzazione si basa sulla tradizione buddhista di Lama Tsongkhapa del Tibet, così come ci è stata insegnata dai nostri fondatori Lama Thubten Yeshe e Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Di seguito potete trovare un elenco dei centri e dei loro siti nella lingua da voi prescelta.
- 欢迎 / 歡迎
简体中文
“护持大乘法脉基金会”( 英文简称:FPMT。全名:Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) 是一个致力于护持和弘扬大乘佛法的国际佛教组织。我们提供听闻,思维,禅修,修行和实证佛陀无误教法的机会,以便让一切众生都能够享受佛法的指引和滋润。
我们全力创造和谐融洽的环境, 为人们提供解行并重的完整佛法教育,以便启发内在的环宇悲心及责任心,并开发内心所蕴藏的巨大潜能 — 无限的智慧与悲心 — 以便利益和服务一切有情。
FPMT的创办人是图腾耶喜喇嘛和喇嘛梭巴仁波切。我们所修习的是由两位上师所教导的,西藏喀巴大师的佛法传承。
繁體中文
護持大乘法脈基金會”( 英文簡稱:FPMT。全名:Found
ation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition ) 是一個致力於護持和弘揚大乘佛法的國際佛教組織。我們提供聽聞, 思維,禪修,修行和實證佛陀無誤教法的機會,以便讓一切眾生都能 夠享受佛法的指引和滋潤。 我們全力創造和諧融洽的環境,
為人們提供解行並重的完整佛法教育,以便啟發內在的環宇悲心及責 任心,並開發內心所蘊藏的巨大潛能 — 無限的智慧與悲心 – – 以便利益和服務一切有情。 FPMT的創辦人是圖騰耶喜喇嘛和喇嘛梭巴仁波切。
我們所修習的是由兩位上師所教導的,西藏喀巴大師的佛法傳承。 察看道场信息:
- FPMT Homepage
- News/Media
-
- Study & Practice
-
-
- About FPMT Education Services
- Latest News
- Programs
- Online Learning Center
-
-
*If a menu item has a submenu clicking once will expand the menu clicking twice will open the page.
-
-
- Centers
-
- Teachers
-
- Projects
-
-
-
-
*If a menu item has a submenu clicking once will expand the menu clicking twice will open the page.
-
-
- FPMT
-
-
-
-
-
If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
-
-
-
- Shop
-
-
-
The Foundation Store is FPMT’s online shop and features a vast selection of Buddhist study and practice materials written or recommended by our lineage gurus. These items include homestudy programs, prayers and practices in PDF or eBook format, materials for children, and other resources to support practitioners.
Items displayed in the shop are made available for Dharma practice and educational purposes, and never for the purpose of profiting from their sale. Please read FPMT Foundation Store Policy Regarding Dharma Items for more information.
-
-
FPMT Community: Stories & News
8
A group of students from Tara Institute in Victoria, Australia, took the initiative to commence study of the Yamantaka sadhana. A small but devoted number of people soon developed a regular practice, culminating in the decision to undertake retreat this past June.
The result of the group’s practice combined the energy of three centers, each bringing a component part of support to the retreat. A member of the study group, Cynthia Karena, shared some of her reflections on the process in Mandala‘s latest online feature story “Community and Commitment: A Yamantaka Study Group at Tara Institute in Australia”:
… “The study group is good to become familiar with the meditations. Having them read out so you can actually meditate on them allows you to start memorizing them. Then when you do them yourself, you meditate more than just read the words.”
The meditations are outlined in the short sadhana practice, so people know where and how they fit in, said Tara Institute student Jill Lancashire.
“It’s good to introduce the short sadhana to people who were newly initiated and either had no previous experience with the format of a sadhana or for whom Yamantaka was a new practice.
“The definite thing is that having a schedule and a dedicated group of co-practitioners makes it much easier to do the practices properly and keep them going.” …
Read Cynthia Karena’s new article “Community and Commitment: A Yamantaka Study Group at Tara Institute in Australia” in its entirety:
https://fpmt.org/mandala/in-depth-stories/community-and-commitment-a-yamantaka-study-group-at-tara-institute-in-australia/
6
Earlier this week Lama Zopa Rinpoche traveled to Italy to lead the month-long 100 Million Mani Mantra Retreat at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK) in Pomaia, Italy. Mani mantra is the mantra of Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara), the Buddha of Compassion. During the retreat, participants will collectively recite the mantra more than 100 million times. The retreat’s host, ILTK, plays an important role in FPMT history and serves as a center for in-depth Dharma study, offering many courses, including FPMT Education Services’ Masters Program and Basic Program. ILTK shared the following report about the beginning of the retreat:
The 100 Million Mani Mantra Retreat started Thursday morning, October 5, with a welcome speech from Filippo Scianna, the director of Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa. Filippo expressed his happiness that ILTK is able to host the event and his gratitude to all those, staff and volunteers, that worked hard to make it possible.
Filippo reminded those in attendance that ILKT celebrated its forty year anniversary this year, something which was due to the kindness and inspired vision of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and by the “worldly condition of generosity” from the Corona family.
Massimo Corona spoke on behalf of the Corona family and gave a colorful description of the very beginning of ILTK, with the old main building’s timely rescue from ruin and geshes teaching twice in a flooded room.
In preparation for the Chenrezig empowerment being given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Ven. Olivier Rossi gave an explanation of the tantra vehicle, so that participants, including those never having received a tantric empowerment, could attend the event with full awareness and understanding.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s daily teachings at the 100 Million Mani Mantra Retreat in Italy are being broadcast live over Facebook and YouTube:
https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/lama-zopa-rinpoche-live/
You can watch recordings of previous teachings by Lama Zopa Rinpoche online:
https://fpmt.org/RinpocheNow/
Read advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche about the benefits of Chenrezig Practice:
https://fpmt.org/education/prayers-and-practice-materials/chenrezig-mantra-and-practice/
FPMT.org and Mandala Publications brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings, and events from over 160 FPMT centers, projects, and services around the globe. If you like what you read, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
2
Medicine Buddha Prayers for Those Suffering, Injured, and Killed
From FPMT International Office:
Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims of the tragedy that occurred on the evening of Sunday, October 1, 2017, in Las Vegas.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche always advises to make strong prayers to Medicine Buddha for anyone who is dying, sick, injured, or who has already died from violence such as that which occurred in Las Vegas or elsewhere.
Please make prayers for the sick and injured to recover. For those who lost their lives in the tragedy, please make prayers for their families and survivors to be blessed by and receive healing from Medicine Buddha. Also, please make prayers for those who have died to be born in a pure land and become enlightened, or to receive a perfect human body, meet with the precious Dharma, receive teachings and to achieve enlightenment as quickly as possible.
Medicine Buddha practice can be done for anyone who is sick, dying, or even who has already died. Reciting the mantra of Medicine Buddha is one of the best practices we can do at this time.
The mantra of Medicine Buddha is:
TADYATHĀ / OṂ BHAIṢHAJYE BHAIṢHAJYE / MAHĀBHAIṢHAJYE [BHAIṢHAJYE] /
RĀJA SAMUDGATE SVĀHĀ
You can download a PDF of the Medicine Buddha Sadhana which includes Medicine Buddha practice and mantra.
Students may also recite King of Prayers.
- Tagged: medicine buddha, terrorism, violence
- 0
29
Throughout the month of June 2017, the fifth 100 Million Mani Retreat was held at Idgaa Choizinling Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and hosted by Ganden Do Ngag Shedrup Ling (GDNSL). Center director Ianzhina Bartanova and resident teacher Ven. Thubten Gyalmo shared their reflections of the retreat:
This year marked the fifth major annual retreat event for the center, so staff and volunteers are now very familiar with what needs to be done to help enable the event to run smoothly and harmoniously. Just two weeks prior to the commencement of the event, we were extremely fortunate to receive the Great Chenrezig initiation bestowed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the venue, which brought many rich blessings to the retreat and its participants.
In any one session, approximately 200 people were in attendance, appearing to be inspired by the knowledge of the incredible merit in doing the Chenrezig practice.
Even though the schedule was quite full and demanding, people were happy to come, participate, and make consistent effort in order to accumulate 108,548,100 mani mantras.
Tireless in their service GDNSL staff and volunteers provided conducive conditions to all participants—from a 7 a.m. morning welcome breakfast, to a vegetarian lunch, to four servings of tea through to the evening, to a daily gompa cleaning at night. Other essential daily tasks included providing information to all participants, answering visitors’ requests, and the writing down, counting, and safe recording of the dedications from a constant stream of people offering mani mantra accumulations.
This annual event is one of FPMT Mongolia’s significant contributions to the revival of Buddhism in Mongolia, and it is interesting to note that apart from one Australian student and several casual tourist visitors lured to the monastery by the loud and melodious chanting, the participants were all Mongolian, a large percentage of whom were females forty years and older.
The previous four retreats were held in the cooler August-September months. However, this year and for the first time, the retreat was held in June before the July Naadam holiday—the long national celebration when people travel to the countryside for horse racing and camping. The weather was rather hot, and temperatures of up to 32 degrees Celsius (89 degrees Fahrenheit) presented some extra challenges to keeping the mind focused on prayers and sustaining long periods of mani recitation.
The real heroes of the retreat were the Sangha to whom we are deeply grateful—especially Lharampa Geshe Thubten Zopa, who oversaw the preparation and decoration of the beautiful tormas, supervised the entire altar set-up, and who gave an inspirational public talk at both the opening and closing ceremonies. Also, we’re grateful to the nuns of Dolma Ling Nunnery, who were leading the retreat, and the monks of Idgaa Choizinling Monastery, who were ever-ready to help serve tea and food, clean the temple, and offer assistance where needed.
Looking to the future, we are already discussing the possibilities of next year’s event, including organizing a strict retreat that concludes with a fire puja for participants who can commit to full participation and reciting the required number of mantras. For further information on next year’s event, please watch this space!
Learn more about the work of the FPMT in Mongolia: http://www.fpmtmongolia.org/. Read more about the 100 Million Mani Retreats in Mongolia in 2013, 2014, 2016. See photos of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s May 2017 visit to Mongolia: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eweNmY1wsVQ3PBRe6.
The 100 Million Mani Retreat at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa in Italy begins on October 4! Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings from Italy, as well as from Vienna on September 29-October 1, will be live streamed:
https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/lama-zopa-rinpoche-live/
FPMT.org and Mandala Publications brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings and events from over 160 FPMT centers, projects and services around the globe. If you like what you read, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
- Tagged: 100 million mani retreat, fpmt mongolia, ganden do ngag shedrup ling, ianzhina bartanova, mongolia, ven. thubten gyalmo
28
Welcome to the World, Tenzin Norbu
On September 15, 2017, a tsog day, Tenzin Osel Hita and partner Indila Dora welcomed Tenzin Norbu into the world.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche was offering prayers during Tenzin Norbu’s birth.
Warm wishes for much happiness in this new chapter for Osel, Indila, and precious Tenzin Norbu.
- Tagged: tenzin osel hita
22
Rashmi Krishnan, a student and volunteer of Choe Khor Sum Ling in Bangalore, India, shares news about the center’s encouraging expansion of its prison outreach through the Liberation Prison Project (LPP) to women:
For over two years, students at Choe Khor Sum Ling have been visiting male prisoners at a facility as part of their work with the Liberation Prison Project. Over the last year, the program has been expanded to include the female inmates’ section.
Between fifteen to twenty women attend the sessions, which are held every Saturday, except for second Saturdays and public holidays. As part of a session, teachings of the Buddha, which include the subjects of impermanence, karma, forgiveness, and compassion are discussed. It is very encouraging to note that the discussions are very participatory and interactive. Techniques like analytical meditation and calm abiding are also imparted during the classes.
The impact of the teachings has been heart-warming. Patience levels have improved considerably among inmates, and the willingness to be equanimous through forgiving oneself and others is eagerly implemented.
Between discussions on karma, faith, and equanimity, there are times when inmates acknowledge the improvement that has occurred in those who used to be very angry.
One of the inmates very profoundly said that regardless of whether she is inside or outside the prison, she is constantly worried and wanted to learn how to put an end to her worries.
Our work with the inmates clearly showed that it doesn’t matter whether one is at the tenth floor of a posh high-rise or in a dreadful nine-to-five, working endless hours of a soul-numbing job or in prison—the mind that is not at peace is imprisoned and undergoes punishment.
The path of liberation is practiced by both the volunteers and the inmates as discussions and the lessons on impermanence and equanimity are internalized. During the process, the mind gradually shifts gear to higher levels of acceptance. We’ve especially begun to internalize the lesson that we may not be free to change our external circumstances, but we can use the mind to utilize present circumstances to become a better human.
Read student testimonials, program details, and teacher information on the Liberation Prison Project:
http://www.liberationprisonproject.org/
FPMT.org brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings and events from over 160 FPMT centers, projects and services around the globe. If you like what you read, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
15
The September FPMT International Office e-News is out now!
This month we bring you news about:
- Long Retreats with Lama Zopa Rinpoche
- A New Module of Living in the Path
- Investing in Holy Object Creation
- Mantra Hat Back in Stock!
and more!
The FPMT International Office News comes from your FPMT International Office. Visit our subscribe page to receive the FPMT International Office News directly in your email box.
- Tagged: lama zopa rinpoche news, retreat
8
Over twenty years, Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds (JBCL) in the United Kingdom has grown to become a significant focal point for practitioners, hosting an increasing number of classes and retreats, including those with Geshe Tashi Tsering from Jamyang Buddhist Centre London. Center director Kerry Prest recently shared an update of an encouraging building project at the center and news of an offering that carries the center closer to a new home:
Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds celebrated its twentieth birthday last year and marked the occasion by launching in September 2016 a fundraising campaign to find their new home in Leeds. Within the first five months, it had raised £20,000 towards its target.
The center has just received a matched funding donation of £50,000 from an anonymous donor and is re-launching their campaign in a renewed bid to find a permanent larger home within the city, having reached physical capacity in their current site.
JBCL has a long history in Leeds, having been established in 1996 under the spiritual direction of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. FPMT UK coordinator Jay Simpson praises the center’s continuous efforts to develop:
“JBCL continues to offer a wonderfully varied program of Buddhist and secular teachings and outreach work to the local community, schools, and hospitals, in accordance with the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
“It is fantastic news that Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds is looking to create a permanent home after twenty years of development. The Building a Community campaign is an amazing way to help preserve and spread the Dharma in the north of England, helping establish the heart of Buddhist practice in the heart of the United Kingdom. The team at JBCL have great plans for the future, and I would encourage everyone to get involved to help create a more caring and compassionate society.”
Last year saw a record number of visitors using the center, with over 2,000 individual visits recorded. This year looks set to increase those numbers still further, with the number of visits made to the center so far already standing at 1,500, a higher figure than that recorded over the same period in the previous year. The number of unique visitors to the center looks set to increase by over 20 percent in 2017 than was recorded in 2016, meaning that by December, there will have been a substantial increase in the use of the center by the local community for another consecutive year.
In keeping with their being the home of Tibetan Buddhism in Leeds, the center regularly hosts highly respected Buddhist teachers, both laypeople and ordained monks and nuns. Ven. Robina Courtin, Geshe Tashi Tsering, Tenzin Josh, Paula Chichester, and Ven. Amy Miller have all given teachings in 2017, on topics as diverse as ego-grasping, emptiness, kindness, and meditation.
Fiona Oliver is spiritual program coordinator at JBCL and believes the varied programming to be one of the key contributing factors of the center’s continued success and growth:
“JBCL plays a large part in many people’s lives here in Leeds and across the north of England. Our community of practitioners really value the Dharma, and appreciate the wonderful opportunities we offer to meet and receive teachings from eminent lamas such as Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Dagri Rinpoche.
“As a center, we work hard to offer a program that reflects the spiritual aspirations of all the people who visit us, and that inspires even more people to benefit from the Dharma and the wonderful visiting teachers. We hope to continue to do so for many years to come.”
With hundreds of people regularly attending their events, the team at Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds look to expand into new areas, such as hosting courses on mindfulness for businesses, providing neutral spaces that can be rented out to third parties, enlarging their bookshop area, having a café area that is open to the public daily, and providing accommodation that can be used for visiting teachers or rented out to raise further income.
“Our target of £750,000 (just under $1 million US dollars) could be considered a tall order,” said center director Kerry Prest, “but we firmly believe that the commitment that has got the center so far already will continue to grow and enable this to happen. In the first two months after launching the Building a Community appeal, we had raised £4,500 to purchase 21 Buddha Tara statues on the advice of Dagri Rinpoche during his visit to the center.
“We have been astounded by the generosity being shown to us by the community, and in return we give back as much as we can. We are currently a guiding center for three FPMT groups in the north of England, plus mentoring three other groups not yet part of FPMT.”
JBCL has a number of events coming up over the next few months to raise awareness of the Building a Community campaign, including holding a sponsored 24-hour Sutra of Golden Light recitation from September 20-21, 2017, which will be live-streamed worldwide.
More details about the Jamyang Buddhist Center Leeds, and all developments in the building project can be found at www.jamyangleeds.co.uk/building-a-community or contact smile@jamyangleeds.co.uk.
Learn more about how to participate in JBCL’s worldwide Sutra of Golden Light recitation on September 20-21: http://jamyangleeds.co.uk/goldenlight/.
FPMT.org and Mandala Publications brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings and events from over 160 FPMT centers, projects and services around the globe. If you like what you read, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
- Tagged: jamyang buddhist centre leeds
1
Sarah Brooks, spiritual program coordinator at Mahamudra Centre for Universal Unity in New Zealand, shared news from the April 2017 Foundation Service Seminar—a training for those offering and wishing to offer service within FPMT centers, services, and projects.
Mahamudra Centre for Universal Unity welcomed FPMT family from Tahiti, Australia, France, New Zealand, and Mongolia for the Foundation Service Seminar (FSS) in April 2017. Initially mother nature threw up some obstacles with Cyclone Cook and significant mud slides closing the main road into our side of the peninsula. The start of the seminar was delayed so that travelers still stuck in Auckland could take the long way around (once the cyclone had passed) to get to the center. They were determined to take advantage of this precious opportunity— the last time it was offered in New Zealand was in its earlier form Training in Compassionate Cultures in 2006—so they caravanned together and made it just in time!
The seminar was led by FSS registered facilitators François Lecointre, director of Institut Vajra Yogini in France, and Mahamudra Centre’s spiritual program coordinator Sarah Brooks. The result was a lively international discussion about FPMT as an organization and how we can work together in harmony, provide excellent customer service, and support each other in our efforts and region.
We can all rejoice in the eleven attendees who graduated and the efforts of everyone who participated and helped make it happen, as well as Mahamudra Centre for offering it on a donation basis to make it completely accessible to anyone who wanted to come. Graduates went home inspired by Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vision and wisdom, and the amazing efforts of the FPMT family over the years to build and strengthen our organization to continue to fulfill the wishes of our dear founder, Lama Yeshe.
FPMT.org brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings and events from over 160 FPMT centers, projects and services around the globe. If you like what you read, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
25
Attention student offering service in the FPMT organization: Opportunities for developing your skills and deepening your Dharma practice await when you attend an FPMT Foundation Service Seminar!
What Is the Foundation Service Seminar (FSS)?
The Foundation Service Seminar (FSS) is a five-day retreat that has been especially designed, following Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice, for students committed to offering service within the FPMT organization. The FSS offers participants:
- Opportunities to learn, meditate on, and practice applying Dharma to their service in centers, projects, and services.
- Exercises in team building, skillful management and people development, effective communication, stress management, and more, all delivered within an explicitly FPMT Dharma context.
- Information on how to effectively draw strength, inspiration, wisdom, and guidance from the Dharma during difficult times to help prevent and alleviate burnout.
- Introduction to Inner Job Description (IJD), a helpful tool for integrating the Dharma into work life.
- A showcase of the vast activities and resources available within the FPMT organization.
- Immersion in FPMT Wisdom Culture.
- Opportunities to make long-lasting connections with other FPMT students, what Lama Yeshe called “family feeling.”
- An entry point to other in-depth FPMT service seminars, including the Teacher Development Service Seminar and the Rituals Service Seminar.
- Preparation for those wishing to be come registered FSS facilitators.
When and Where Are FSS Held?
The next scheduled Foundation Service Seminar takes place in December 2017 in Spain. Other seminars are being planned for 2018 in the UK, Switzerland, and Mexico. Interested students should contact your area’s regional or national coordinator to find out more about upcoming Foundation Services Seminars.
What Do Participants Have to Say?
“Having seen how challenging life in a Dharma center can be, how easily good intentions can get blown away, I believe it is essential that everyone working or wishing to work in the FPMT does this seminar-retreat,” one participant recently said. “So much suffering could be alleviated if people were more aware of the toolkit available to them, and even more importantly, how working in a center positively helps to develop a deep understanding of wisdom and compassion in action.”
“I definitely recommend to new directors to go to an FSS!” encourages another student. “It’s very informative. An FSS could fill any gaps of knowledge the new directors might have. Plus it’s a very inspiring seminar! I rejoiced a lot! As well, it’s a good team-building activity. New directors will learn something just by listening others’ experience; it’s indeed precious knowledge. Plus, through sharing information and representing their own center, the new directors plant the positive seeds for the future. Definitely the FSS practices will help me to be a better manager!”
Learn more about Foundation Service Seminars on FPMT.org. Next week, we’ll share a first-hand report from the Foundation Service Seminars held in New Zealand and in Malaysia earlier this year!
- Tagged: foundation service seminar
19
“Finishing the whole study program [at Sera Je Monastic University] gives an opportunity to rejoice,” Geshe Tenzin Namdak told Ven. Gyalten Lekden in the just published interview “‘Something to Rejoice In’: Geshe Tenzin Namdak In His Own Words.” In the interview Geshe Namdak, who grew up in the Netherlands, talks about meeting the Dharma, studying twenty years at Sera Je in India, helping develop Choe Khor Sum Ling, the FPMT center in Bangalore, and other topics. In his characteristically humble way, he explained, “I didn’t do much, but at least there was some Dharma activity involved for the last twenty years, so that is something to rejoice in, and that makes the mind happy.”
Geshe Namdak was formally awarded his geshe degree during a three-day ceremony in May 2017, becoming the first Westerner to complete the full course of studies there and also to sit for the final geshe examination. Towards the end of the interview, Ven. Lekden asked Geshe Namdak, “Other than the actual Buddhist philosophy, what have you learned the most over the last twenty years here at Sera?”
“I don’t know. I mean, to develop the mind takes a long time, right? It’s the same with learning a language, it takes a long time. And you don’t really notice if you progress or not because it is a very slow process,” Geshe Namdak replied. “I have learned a lot from the Tibetans: to be more relaxed, to do things in a relaxed manner. Some of the monks are very relaxed, but at the same time they work very hard. Keep the mind in that relaxed state—that’s what the gurus show us all of the time. I learned quite a bit from the Tibetans to be serious, to work as hard as you can—but keep a kind of relaxed state of mind. Sometimes that’s not always easy, though!
Read the entire interview, “‘Something to Rejoice In’: Geshe Tenzin Namdak In His Own Words”:
https://fpmt.org/mandala/in-depth-stories/something-to-rejoice-in-geshe-tenzin-namdak-in-his-own-words/
FPMT.org and Mandala Publications brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings and events from over 160 FPMT centers, projects and services around the globe. If you like what you read, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
18
Welcome to the August FPMT International Office e-News!
In this month’s e-News we bring you:
- Updates on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Schedule
- News about New Modules of Living in the Path
- New Features from Mandala
- News of a New Book by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
…and much more!
The FPMT International Office News comes from your FPMT International Office. Visit our subscribe page to receive the FPMT International Office News directly in your email box.
- Tagged: lama zopa rinpoche, news
- Home
- News/Media
- Study & Practice
- About FPMT Education Services
- Latest News
- Programs
- New to Buddhism?
- Buddhist Mind Science: Activating Your Potential
- Heart Advice for Death and Dying
- Discovering Buddhism
- Living in the Path
- Exploring Buddhism
- FPMT Basic Program
- FPMT Masters Program
- Maitripa College
- Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Program
- Universal Education for Compassion & Wisdom
- Online Learning Center
- Prayers & Practice Materials
- Translation Services
- Publishing Services
- Teachings and Advice
- Ways to Offer Support
- Centers
- Teachers
- Projects
- Charitable Projects
- Make a Donation
- Applying for Grants
- News about Projects
- Other Projects within FPMT
- Support International Office
- Projects Photo Galleries
- Give Where Most Needed
- FPMT
- Shop
Translate*
*powered by Google TranslateTranslation of pages on fpmt.org is performed by Google Translate, a third party service which FPMT has no control over. The service provides automated computer translations that are only an approximation of the websites' original content. The translations should not be considered exact and only used as a rough guide.Unlike an external enemy, the inner enemy cannot regroup and launch a comeback once it has been destroyed from within.