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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:
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True religion should be the pursuit of self-realization, not an exercise in the accumulation of facts.
Lama Thubten Yeshe
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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.
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FPMT Community: Stories & News
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We invite you to read our June 2017 FPMT International Office e-News. This month you’ll find:
- highlights from our most recently posted blogs
- Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s current schedule for 2017 and 2018
- updates from Work a Day for Rinpoche, FPMT International Office’s most popular annual campaign
- new Dharma practice materials from FPMT Education Services, including “A Long Life Prayer for Lama Zopa Rinpoche” by Khadro-la (Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme) and “A Requesting Prayer to Maratika: The Source of an Ocean of Siddhis” translated by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
- a new Mandala feature interview with Vicki Mackenzie about her new book, The Revolutionary Life of Freda Bedi: British Feminist, Indian Nationalist, Buddhist Nun
… 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: enews
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Geshe Tenzin Namdak, Sera Je Monstic University, Bylakuppe, Karnataka , India, May 2017. Photo courtesy of Sera Jey Audio-Visual Department.
On April 26, 2016, Ven. Tenzin Namdak, Sera IMI House monk and FPMT registered teacher, received the title of “Geshe” after completing coursework for the geshe studies program at Sera Je Monastic University in South India. On May 8, he was officially awarded the degree during a three-day ceremony that included public debate, recitation of memorized texts, and pujas. Fellow Sera IMI House monk Ven. Tenzin Legtsok reports:
On May 8, 2017, Ven. Tenzin Namdak, registered FPMT teacher and native of the Netherlands, was officially awarded a geshe degree by Sera Je Monastic University in South India. He is the first Westerner ever to complete the full, formal course of studies at one of the “three seats”—Ganden, Sera, and Drepung monasteries—and sit for the final geshe examination there, too.
There are many steps leading up to the geshe degree. First, one must complete nineteen years of coursework comprising three years studying introductory topics, seven years on the Ornament of Clear Realization, four years on Supplement to the Middle Way, three years on vinaya, two years on abhidharma, and two months each year spent debating Valid Cognition.
After Ven. Namdak completed his exams for the final year of study, Lama Zopa Rinpoche requested the monastery to formally grant him the geshe degree as quickly as possible so that he can begin sharing his knowledge and experience with FPMT centers outside India. In July 2016, this request was granted, and Ven. Namdak began preparing for his final geshe examination ceremony.
Geshe Tenzin Namdak with fellow graduates, Sera Je Monstic University, Bylakuppe, Karnataka , India, May 2017. Photo courtesy of Sera Jey Audio-Visual Department.
For two weeks leading up to the final ceremony, Geshe Namdak and eight other monks becoming geshes sat for a small debate examination before each class in the geshe studies program. During the actual three-day ceremony, they sat in front of the entire assembly of over 1,000 monks and answered debate questions on the traditional five topics.
As the other eight geshes had primarily qualified to take the final degree through service to the monastery instead of study, Geshe Namdak was the only one among them to take the role of defender, the person who answers the questioner. The highlight, and perhaps most nerve wracking part of Geshe Namdak’s ceremony, was when he had to recite from memory a 25-page long passage from Jetsun Chokyi Gyaltsen’s commentary on Lama Tsongkhapa’s Thorough Elucidation of the Intent in front of the entire assembly!
Geshe Tenzin Namdak with fellow graduates, Sera Je Monstic University, Bylakuppe, Karnataka , India, May 2017. Photo courtesy of Sera Jey Audio-Visual Department.
On the day of his examination ceremony Geshe Namdak, offered lunch and a small money donation to each monk at Sera Je. During this puja, he was led in procession through the main temple accompanied by his two ordained students and twelve members of Choe Khor Sum Ling, the FPMT center in Bangalore where he teaches.
The final part of the celebration was the following day, when hundreds of well-wishers came to his residence, Sera IMI House, to make offerings and give their congratulations.
Hundreds of people came to offer khatas and their congratulations to Geshe Tenzin Namdak, Bylakuppe, Karnataka , India, May 2017. Photo courtesy of Ven. Gyalten Lekden.
For more about Geshe Tenzin Namdak, see “The Union of Study and Practice,” an article about the benefits of long-term intensive study and practice in Mandala January-June 2016.
To learn more about the structure and purpose of debate in Tibetan Buddhism, read “Dhi! Ven. Tenzin Namjong on Debate, Study, and Life at Sera Je,” a Mandala online feature.
Mandala 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 in Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
- Tagged: geshe tenzin namdak
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Bertrand Beauregard with some of the “Efficient Communication and Excellence in Management” course graduates, Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal, March 2017. Photo courtesy of Bertrand Beauregard.
In March 2017, twenty-four Kopan Monastery monks who also serve in staff positions at the monastery received coaching and training for six days in management, communication, and leadership from French student Bertrand Beauregard, director of Institut International de Coaching Humaniste (IICH). Bertrand offered the tailored training—”Efficient Communication and Excellence in Management”—as part of his service to Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Using role play, the monks learned and practiced skills in management, cross-cultural communication, and leadership. Also, the monks practiced teamwork building exercises and even got exposure to Myers-Briggs (MBTI) personality profiles to help them relate to others more effectively.
“I would like to thank Bertrand for coming at Kopan Monastery to teach us and share his knowledge,” said attendee Geshe Thubten Chyangchup. “I learned new words and how to communicate with others cultures. I really liked learning how to be a leader, how to use motivational drivers, how to say ‘no,’ and how to give feedback.”
Bertrand Beauregard and some of the “Efficient Communication and Excellence in Management” trainees, Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal, March 2017. Photo courtesy of Bertrand Beauregard.
“This training was beyond my expectation,” added Geshe Thubten Jinpa. “I didn’t think it would be before class started, but it fascinated me. I learned so much. It is a bodhisattva action to implement these skills.”
Bertrand was also grateful for the experience. “For me, to train and coach in such an auspicious environment has been a really precious and interesting experience,” Bertrand beamed. “When I’m at Kopan, I’m used to receiving teachings and bowing down to my Dharma teachers—so this was quite different! The students were really open-minded and we could go really deep into communication, management, and teamwork building.”
Bertrand continued, “I was really grateful to share my passion and offer my skills to FPMT. Like in life, it is all about giving and receiving at the same time. We learned so much form each other and I realized, because I was training in a religious organization, that belonging is probably one of the most basic human needs. I would like to thank the entire Kopan family, especially Ani Fran and Vens. Mukhiya and Zoksang, for accommodating me. This has been a great example of compassionate, passionate, and patient teamwork.”
Geshe Thubten Chyangchup offers Bertrand Beauregard a certificate in “Gratitude and Happiness” designed by the young Kopan monks, Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal, March 2017. Photo courtesy of Bertrand Beauregard.
Bertrand will offer “Efficient Communication and Excellence in Management” to the staff of Kopan Nunnery and follow up with the Kopan monks in the next few months.
Mandala 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 in Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
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We invite you to read our May 2017 FPMT International Office e-News. This month you’ll find:
- a new, dynamic photo album chronicling Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s beneficial activities during March–April 2017 in Nepal
- a thank-you message to all who have started doing practices for Rinpoche’s long, healthy life
- a collection of revised protector prayers recommended by Rinpoche
- updates on FPMT International Office’s Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund
- “The Benefits of Monasteries and Nunneries,” Mandala‘s newest online feature story
- a list of the award recipients for the International Merit Box 2017
… 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: enews
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Buddha House board members successful bid on an 1866 bluestone church, Magill, South Australia, Australia, February 2016. Photo courtesy of Buddha House.
On May 12, 2017, Buddha House in the suburbs of Adelaide, Australia, celebrated one year since receiving the keys to its new property and beginning extensive renovations. Buddha House student Carole Migalka described the process of finding the 1866 bluestone church its community now calls home:
“From humble beginnings in a student’s shed after Lama Yeshe’s visit in 1982, Buddha House in Adelaide has grown and flourished into a well-established FPMT center. The pioneer community purchased and renovated the first premises, a residential home, which over the years outgrew the local council bylaws. This forced the center into lease for over a decade while looking for a suitable property to purchase with limited funds.
“During the Bendigo retreat in 2014 a group of Buddha House students met with Lama Zopa Rinpoche to ask for advice about how to develop the center. His advice included doing regular specific practices together and having statues made to create the merit and conditions to finance a new center.
New Buddha House altar with Sixteen Arhats statues, Magill, South Australia, Australia, May 2017. Photo courtesy of Buddha House.
“A statue fund was formed, members and friends donated generously, and the two advised statues were commissioned. At that time Rinpoche also explained the merits of having the Sixteen Arhats statues at FPMT centers and these were made for us at Nalanda Monastery. In November 2015 the Arhats arrived in Australia ready to be painted, filled, and consecrated. Shortly after this, financial support in the form of a loan was offered to Buddha House to assist us in the purchase of our own property, coinciding with the auction of a heritage listed church and hall only eight minutes from the existing center!
“Checks were carried out by Rinpoche for its suitability. Prayers, practices, and pujas were advised and hastily completed with world-wide support, including the making of 1,000 Ganapati tsa-tsas. This task was completed by volunteers at Chenrezig Institute in five days before the date of auction.
“On February 13, 2016, the Buddha House board gathered in front of the church to successfully bid—the only offer!
“One year has passed since settlement and with great effort by many volunteers, generous donations, numerous working bees, and a dedicated building committee, an old run-down property has been transformed. The result is a wonderful Dharma center with the gompa housed in the heritage chapel, a Dharma shop and office at the entrance, a community lounge and café in the center, and a large hall and courtyards at the rear that is available for hire by local community groups.
Completed Buddha House lounge, Magill, South Australia, Australia, May 2017. Photo courtesy of Buddha House.
“At the request of our kind and skillful sponsor, a loan repayment agreement has been reached between Buddha House and the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo, enabling us to directly assist this wonderful project!
“In keeping with Lama Yeshe’s vision, Buddha House aspires to continue growing and attracting people to the center, enabling generations of sentient beings to generate merit and benefit from the pristine and inspirational teachings of the Buddha.”
Mandala 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 in Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
- Tagged: australia, buddha house
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We are saddened to share the news of the passing of the 103rd Ganden Tripa Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoche, who died on April 21, 2017, at 11:45 p.m. in Delhi, India, after an illness. According to the Central Tibetan Administration, the Ganden Tripa’s death was announced by Gelugpa members of the Tibetan Parliament in exile, who urged devotees to do special prayers for the Ganden Tripa.
Sikyong (Prime Minister) Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the head of the Tibetan government in exile, said, “With profound sadness, I on behalf of all Tibetans pray that Kyabje Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoche will be reborn and carry forward his mission to spread the teachings of Lord Buddha and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. … May he be reborn in Tibet, the land of snow.”
The 103rd Ganden Tripa Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoche, who served as the head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, was appointed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in October 2016. He was enthroned on November 5, 2016, at Ganden Trithok Khang in Mundgod, India, succeeding Rizong Sey Thubten Nyima Lungtok Tenzin Norbu in the position.
According to the Central Tibetan Administration, the 103rd Ganden Tripa was born in 1937 in Eastern Tibet. He joined Tsem Monastery at age nine and later received his higher education at Drepung Loseling Monastic University. In 1959, he followed His Holiness into exile and continued his geshe studies in Buxa Duar, a former prison camp where refugee monks were housed for several years. When the major monasteries were reestablished in South India, he served Drepung Loseling Monastery in various capacities. He was awarded the Geshe Lharampa degree in 1982 and attended Gyuto Tantric College the following year. In 2003, he was enthroned as Sharpa Chöje at the Ganden Monastery.
Becoming the Ganden Tripa
from Mandala January-June 2016
Ganden Tripa, which can be translated as “holder of the Ganden throne,” is the title given to the head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Unlike reincarnation lineages, the Ganden Tripa is an appointed position based on knowledge and merit, and held for seven years. There is a saying in the monasteries that “If a mother’s child has the knowledge and wisdom, then there is no ownership of the Ganden throne,” meaning that any monk who has the intelligence and makes the effort could eventually become the Ganden Tripa.
In order to progress into the position of Ganden Tripa, a monk must first achieve the Lharampa Geshe degree, the highest degree awarded by the Gelug monasteries, and then study for at least one year and take exams at one of the tantric colleges—Gyuto or Gyume. After that, the geshe would have to be appointed to serve as the tantric college disciplinarian and then be chosen as the head lama of ritual ceremonies, an appointment currently made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. From that position, he would become the abbot of the tantric college for three years. The former abbots of the tantric colleges are in line to be appointed as the Jangtse or Sharpa Chöje, coming from Gyume and Gyuto Tantric Colleges respectively. The Jangtse and Sharpa Chöjes alternate in eventually becoming the Ganden Tripa.
The first Ganden Tripa was Lama Tsongkhapa (1357–1419), who founded the Gelug lineage. His disciples Gyaltsab Je and Khedrup Je were the second and third Ganden Tripas respectively.
For more on the life and death of the 103rd Ganden Tripa, you can read the Central Tibetan Administration’s Tibet.net article in its entirety. You can also visit the Ganden Tripa’s Facebook page.
- Tagged: ganden tripa
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Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Thubten Rigsel Rinpoche, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi, and Losang Namgyal Rinpoche, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, March 2017. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
We welcome you into our April FPMT International Office e-News – out now!
Click to find:
- Practices to do for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Health, and a Highlighted Teaching from Rinpoche
- New Additions to Rinpoche’s Schedule
- New Mandala ebook
- Highlighted Retreats At FPMT Centers
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.
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Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Khadro-la (Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme) in Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Every year Ven. Roger Kunsang, on behalf of the FPMT organization, checks with one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s gurus or Khadro-la (Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme) to determine what practices should be done to help create the conditions for Lama Zopa Rinpoche to have good health for the coming year. Khadro-la has recently advised that some prayers need to be recited, together with the completion of a number of pujas.
The prayers Khadro-la advised are the Vajra Cutter Sutra and the Dependent Arising: A Praise of the Buddha (Tendrel Topa).
We are requesting everyone to join in and keep track of their recitations of these prayers during the rest of this Tibetan year! At the end of the Tibetan year (i.e., just before Losar 2018) we will ask everyone to send us the number of prayers recited and will offer the total number of accumulated recitations to Rinpoche. It would be very beneficial if all FPMT centers, projects, services, and study groups can arrange regular recitations of these prayers.
Please use the following dedication (ideally, in addition to the usual FPMT dedication prayers):
For Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche to always have perfect health and to always be free of obstacles; and for all Rinpoche’s Dharma projects around the world to be highly successful, including all FPMT centers, projects, and services.
Offering tsog at the long life puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche on the last day of the Kopan November course. The five dakinis are also shown. Kopan Monastery, Nepal, December 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
The pujas advised by Khadro-la will be offered in a number of monasteries every month until the end of this Tibetan year. Any contributions to help cover the costs of the pujas will be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made to the FPMT Puja Fund.
In addition, there will be an extensive long life puja offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, on April 23, 2017. Everyone is welcome to attend!
Lama Zopa Rinpoche is the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.
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Ian and Judy Green with Victorian members of parliament Jacinta Allan, Jaala Pulford, and Maree Edwards, Myers Flat, Victoria, Australia, March 2017. Photo courtesy of Bendigo Weekly.
On March 24, 2017, the Victoria state government in Australia announced that the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, an FPMT project that once completed will be the largest stupa in the Western world, would received a AUS$2.5 million matching grant. The grant will help the project complete the top portion of the stupa—the bumpa roof and walls, harmika, thirteen-ring tower, parasol, and finial—as well as water and sewer treatment facilities to service the stupa itself and sister FPMT centers in the surrounding area, including Atisha Centre and Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery.
In its announcement, the Victoria government recognized the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is already “an impressive landmark” with 25,000 visitors annually with projections of 90,000 annually within ten years. In addition to bringing many economic benefits to the region, the government “acknowledges The Great Stupa’s role in promoting social cohesion by encouraging awareness and support of cultural diversity.”
“The announcement of this funding was the culmination of three years’ work with Regional Development Victoria and City of Greater Bendigo,” said chairman of the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion Ian Green. “These funds will be a game-changer in developing the Great Stupa to realize its full potential to benefit so many beings. It is also very gratifying to see the recognition that government now has for the significant contribution of the Great Stupa.”
Ian Green addressing Great Stupa visitors and Victorian members of parliament, Myers Flat, Victoria, Australia, March 2017. Photo courtesy of Bendigo Weekly.
The Victoria government will match up to AUS$2.5 million to support the completion and infrastructure of The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion. Your financial support and prayers are always welcome. Read more about The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion on FPMT.org.
Mandala 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 in Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
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Student Carole Migalka of Buddha House, near Adelaide, Australia, shared a brief profile of resident artist Ven. Lobsang Konchok:
During Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s visit to Buddha House in May 2015, Rinpoche spoke of a Tibetan artist, Ven. Lobsang Konchok, residing in Brisbane, Australia, who would be suitable for painting Buddha House’s Sixteen Arhat statues, newly acquired from Nalanda Monastery in France. Ven. Lobsang Konchok agreed to do the work and is being hosted in the Adelaide Hills by some of Rinpoche’s students. In the past year he has been embraced by local Tibetan families, shopkeepers, neighbors, and animals alike.
Ven. Lobsang Konchok was born in Kham in eastern Tibet. When he was a child, his family gave sanctuary to a master thangka painter in the top story of their house due to the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Ven. Lobsang began to train in traditional thangka painting. In 1989 when his teacher and other monks were allowed to return to their monasteries, Ven. Lobsang entered Gansa Monastery-Tashi Ganden Chopeling at age fifteen.
Ven. Lobsang Konchok stands in front of the statues and altar he decorated. Photo courtesy of Buddha House.
In 1990, Ven. Lobsang and his cousin escaped from Tibet to India, trekking across the Himalayas, through Nepal, and arrived in India three months and two days later. In India, Ven. Lobsang took gelong ordination from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, completed his monastic studies, and continued his rigorous religious art training, studying thangka painting under His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s personal thangka painter in Dharamsala, at Norbulingka Institute, and at Drepung Monastery .
Ven. Lobsang Konchok installing Sixteen Arhat statues in completed altar. Photo courtesy of Buddha House.
In addition to the stunning art work on both the statues and the altar cabinetry, Ven. Lobsang has made new signs for Buddha House; adorned the Medicine Buddha thangka with brocade; crafted a donation box out of recycled timber; built a life-size yak for a Tibetan float in the Australia Day parade; tamed the resident koala; made a bird feeder encircled with mantras; and is spotted walking the property misting the millipedes and bull-ants with a specially prepared mani pill spray.
Ven. Lobsang Konchok creates life-size yak for Australia Day parade. Photo courtesy of Buddha House.
“I’m very happy here in Bridgewater,” Ven. Lobsang shared. “While painting the Sixteen Arhat statues and rolling the mantras, I had the good result of obtaining permanent residency in Australia after four years of trying. The family I live with is very kind; it’s nice and quiet, nice view and many parrots and koalas. Now when I’m painting thangkas and listening to teachings, I feel it’s like a pure land!”
Watch Ven. Lobsang Konchok chant to and give water to a koala:
https://vimeo.com/208234582
Ven. Lobsang Konchok is available for thangka painting and other art projects on request. For more details contact info@buddhahouse.org.
Mandala 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 in Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
- Tagged: art, buddha house, ven. lobsang konchok
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These butter sculpture tormas (ritual cakes) offered during Monlam at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, take one month to make, are nine feet (three meters) tall, and will remain for one year. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
During March 9-13, Kopan Monastery hosted its annual Monlam, a prayer festival first founded by Lama Tsongkhapa in 15th-century Tibet that has survived the Tibetan diaspora. Kopan hosts the annual event for all of the Gelug monasteries and nunneries in Nepal.
Public display of large Eight Taras thangka during Monlam, painted by Peter Iseli, Kopan Monstery, Nepal, March 12, 2017. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Throughout the festival, sangha and lay students are invited to spend the day engaged in prayers and pujas, view and receive blessings from holy objects, and attend monastic debates. On the Day of Miracles, the final day in a series of fifteen holy days, thousands of people attend the Monlam festivities. This year, Jangtse Chöje Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoche presided over the ceremonies. He also gave public a teaching and an oral transmission on March 14.
Jangtse Chöje Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoche presides over Monlam, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, March 12, 2017. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Ven. Legtsok answers debate questions during Monlam, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, March 14, 2017. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
A special torma is burned on the last day of Monlam, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, March 13, 2017. Photo by Laura Miller.
Many important teachers and lamas were in attendance, including Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi, the abbot of Kopan Monastery; Cherok Lama; Phuntsok Rinpoche; and Kundol Rinpoche. Other Kopan monks currently studying at Sera Je Monastery in South India were also able to participate.
Watch the activities of Kopan’s Monlam on Facebook (via Kopan Apso, March 12):
https://www.facebook.com/choekuapso
https://www.facebook.com/choekuapso/videos/1345290738847684/
Mandala 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 in Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
- Tagged: chotrul duchen, jangtse choje, kopan monastery, kopan monlam
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Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi and Thubten Rigsel Rinpoche during the enthronement ceremony for Thubten Rigsel Rinpoche, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, March 2017. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab
We invite you to read our March FPMT International Office e-News. This month you’ll find:
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- Tagged: fpmt news, lama zopa rinpoche
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*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.I hope that you understand what the word ‘spiritual’ really means. It means to search for – to investigate – the true nature of the mind. There’s nothing spiritual outside. My rosary isn’t spiritual; my robes aren’t spiritual. Spiritual means the mind and spiritual people are those who seek its nature.