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FPMT Around the World
From left, front: Dagri Rinpoche, Khadro-la, Lama Zopa Ripoche and Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche visit Ling Rinpoche in hospital, Goa, India, December 6, 2012. Photo courtesy of Ven. Roger Kunsang.
FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited H.E. Ling Rinpoche, who is recovering well from an automobile collision. Ling Rinpoche is the main organizer of the Jangchup Lamrim teachings with His Holiness the Dalai Lama that are concluding in Mundgod, Karnataka, South India. Ling Rinpoche and two other monks were injured and another was killed in the accident, which happened on November 29. They were driving to meet His Holiness in Goa, India.
“They were hit head on by a truck at high speed. The front of the car was demolished,” TibetSun.com reports, adding that Ling Rinpoche was in the front passenger seat and the seat belt he was wearing “protected Rinpoche from being killed like the driver.”
Ven. Roger Kunsang, CEO of FPMT and assistant to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, writes, “We visited Ling Rinpoche; he was well. There was Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Dagri Rinpoche, Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche and Khadro-la [Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme]. It was a short visit, but very nice. Ling Rinpoche will leave the hospital soon and stay at a private home in Goa for some time recovering.”
FPMT’s Preserving the Lineage Fund helped sponsor the Jangchup Lamrin teaching event. Video recordings of the first five days of teachings are available for streaming and download. More recordings are being added. The teachings will continue in 2013 at Sera Monastery in Bylakuppe, Karnataka, South India. For more, visit the Jangchup Lamrim teachings website.
It’s not too late to receive the new print edition of Mandala in the mail. Become a Friend of FPMT at the basic level or higher by December 31, 2012, and we will mail you the magazine, featuring pieces from Lama Yeshe, Geshe Sopa and Osel Hita not available online. In addition, we will send you a link to an electronic version of the print magazine for your tablet or ereader.
Thank you for reading Mandala online!
FPMT News Around the World
The Jangchup Lamrim Teaching Organizing Committee issued an update on H.E. Ling Rinpoche:
“H.E. Ling Rinpoche is recovering very well following a car accident on 28 November 2012. H.E. Ling Rinpoche experienced injuries only to his legs and has already been discharged from the hospital. He has been watching the Jangchup Lamrim Teachings via the live webcast.
“At the time of the accident, H.E. Ling Rinpoche was travelling to Goa to meet and welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama to South India.
“We appreciate the many phone calls and messages of concern and support from students and people all around the world. We would like to assure all of you that H.E. Ling Rinpoche is recovering rapidly and there is no need to worry.”
Ling Rinpoche is the main organizer of the Jangchup Lamrim teachings with His Holiness the Dalai Lama currently taking place at Gaden Monastery and Drepung Monastery in Mundgod, South India.
FPMT News Around the World
Mantras written on stones. Image: Dreamstime.
Mantras, meaning “mind protection” are Sanskrit syllables that bring benefit to all who see, touch, hear or speak them. As a resource for FPMT students, FPMT Education Services has created a new “Mantras” webpage where they have collected PDFs of many popular mantras and practices. You can also find on the page links to advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche about the practice and benefits of reading, writing and reciting mantras.
In addition, Education Services offers resources pages for many prayers and practices as well as a page devoted specifically to sutra practice. These pages are regularly being updated and expanded, so check back regularly to find out what’s new.
FPMT Education Services is the education department of FPMT International Office and develops study programs, practice materials, translations and trainings designed to foster an integration of four broad education areas: study, practice, service and behavior. These programs and materials are available through Education Services webpages, the FPMT Foundation Store, the FPMT Online Learning Center and FPMT centers worldwide.
With 160 centers, projects and services around the globe, there is always news on FPMT activities, teachers and events. Mandala hopes to share as many of these timely stories as possible. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.
FPMT News Around the World
Photo of local paper reporting on November 29, 2012, accident involving Ling Rinpoche
Kyabje Ling Rinpoche, the main organizer of the Jangchup Lamrim teachings with His Holiness the Dalai Lama currently taking place in Mundgod Tibetan Settlement in India, was injured in a deadly automobile collision the day before the teachings began. According to Phayul.com, Ling Rinpoche was traveling to Goa to receive His Holiness on November 29 when there was an accident, which left the driver of Rinpoche’s car dead. Ling Rinpoche is in a hospital in Goa and reported to be “out of danger.”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s attendant Ven. Roger Kunsang, who is currently at the teachings in Mundgod with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, shared in an email that Ling Rinpoche received the full impact of the collision and should be dead. He also wrote that Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme (Khadro-la) miraculously arrived at the scene of the accident five minutes after it happened, just after Ling Rinpoche, who was in a great deal of pain, had been freed from the car.
“Khadro-la had just arrived in Goa (about two or three hours away) and said to her two attendants they needed to do puja as it was a bad day, and then suddenly she said they should leave Goa straight away and drive quickly ‒ that was all!” Ven. Roger wrote. “Then they came on the accident scene. There was no one else there. The accident had just happened and one man had dragged Ling Rinpoche free. It was a strange scene they said. The driver was already dead. Also in the car was TT-la (a 79-year-old monk who had been the previous Ling Rinpoche’s secretary), who was in a bad way, as well as another young monk. It took a long time to get help.
“Khadro-la took control of the whole scene and started checking everyone and doing her thing,” Ven. Roger wrote. “They got everyone to a small hospital and after some quick patching and more transport, took them to the main hospital in Goa ‒ in all more than eight hours. It was 11 hours before they got Ling Rinpoche in on the operating table and then it was a seven-hour operation. The young monk is OK. TT-la has had several operations and seems stable.”
With 160 centers, projects and services around the globe, there is always news on FPMT activities, teachers and events. Mandala hopes to share as many of these timely stories as possible. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.
A new film by Osel Hita and Matteo Passigato, Being Your True Nature, will be available for viewing on December 8, 2012. Filmed in France in August 2011, Being Your True Nature introduces a new form of education, Universal Education, that enables people of all ages, cultures and traditions to lead a happy and meaningful life and be of service to others.If you are interested in supporting this project, you can find out how here.
FPMT News Around the World
Namgyälma mantra board
By Pam Cayton
Some years ago, Lama Zopa Rinpoche requested me to help get a Namgyälma mantra board made that could be used to bless the oceans and waters of the world. With the great mastery of Peter Griffin, a sculptor in the UK, we produced the first large, 3-by-4-foot (0.9-by-1.2-meter) mantra board. While in California, Rinpoche has since taken it out several times to Monterey Bay and blessed the Pacific Ocean and all the beings that live in the ocean or touch the ocean. I figure, because the water evaporates and moves around the world, we have possibly all been blessed by the mantra already.
Immediately after the inaugural launch of the board, Rinpoche requested a much larger board. Now, five years and several design changes, mantra corrections and much trial and error later, we’ve created a prototype of a magnificent mantra board for Rinpoche! The 5-by-7-foot (1.5-by-2.1-meter) board (pictured above) is made from resin and fiberglass cast from a mold. The three Long Life Deities, which are not yet complete, will be mounted in the three small frames you see along the top.
November 2012
Dear Family,
First of all I would like to say hello to everybody working so hard every day for the benefit of sentient beings through the organization of FPMT. I understand that many of you have extra jobs in order to maintain your family and basic needs in life. Also many of you work as volunteers part time, apart from all the other work you have to cope with. It is very hard, and inspiring. I truly admire every one and each of you for all the effort, dedication and consistency that keeps the organization going.
Around a month ago, I attended an FPMT board meeting in California. This is the fourth Board meeting I have attended in the last three or four years. Each time of participation, I gain a deeper insight and understanding of the incredible scope of activity that FPMT is undertaking around the world every day.
In the last few days I have had the privilege to attend the highly professional and inspiring FDCW (Foundation for the Development of Compassion and Wisdom) meeting in Kuala Lumpur. FDCW’s mission is to help children, youth and adults of all cultures and traditions to develop their innate capacity to be kind and wise, and contribute to peace in the world.
As I learn more about FPMT from these perspectives, my respect, and profound appreciation for Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the whole community grows exponentially.
What has taken place since Lama Yeshe’s passing in 1984 in my view is completely miraculous and inspiring.
I have nothing but the greatest admiration and gratitude for everyone that has taken part in this wonderful and positive development.
It will take me some time to really grasp everything that Rinpoche accomplishes with the tireless support of Venerable Roger who works to handle all the tasks 24/7/365 days a year every year supported by Venerable Holly, and the amazing International Office staff.
Most people cannot possibly realize the myriad activities IOF undertakes in support of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. IOF develops multi language education programs, practices, and prayers, translates sutras, trains translators, finds Geshes and western teachers, and develops policies and guidelines based on 40 years of experience. IOF helps Rinpoche guide international projects, like the Amdo Eye Hospital in Tibet, the building of statues and stupas. IOF manages Sera Je Food Fund, supports young tulkus, and the expenses of 650 monks for the annual Gelug Exams. IOF manages the Lama Tsongkhapa Teacher Fund assisting 110 main teachers, and providing allowances for Abbots and ex Abbots. IOF publishes Mandala magazine and newsletter updates on FPMT global activities.
The list goes on and on and the above is just a small taste of the way IOF closely follows Rinpoche and supports Rinpoche’s every wish as much as possible.
My admiration for, and thanks to them have no bounds.
Similarly I thank most deeply and sincerely all the directors, the board and committee members, the volunteers, and everyone who helps past, present, and future, in all the centers and projects – activities as diverse as teaching and organizing teachings, leading retreats, providing hospice care, preparing educational materials, archiving, providing
monastic education, secular universal education, publishing, translation, media and communications, and the solid governance, finance, and administration that such a global scale demands.
I have already been able to visit many centers and recently was able to participate in the European Regional FPMT meeting. My intention is to keep on doing so. I hope to spend as much time as possible with Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Venerable Roger, as well as deepening my traditional philosophical studies, and learning more about media communications and finance.
Whilst the positive aspect of what has been achieved in 30 years is overwhelming, there are some areas that I find concerning. I have mentioned before the importance of recognizing, appreciating, and showing respect and concern for everyone who has made today’s success possible. Again I would like to stress that in my view every center and project should clearly display the names of everyone who has carried the load in some way whether it be as a director, manager, cook, gardener, or some other position, a donor, or volunteer. These people are the real Foundation and truly the “F” in FPMT.
While our goal is to benefit as many living beings as possible, and while the scope of that is so vast, we must not allow that to blind us to our immediate responsibility of showing appreciation, kindness, and concern for each other and each other’s welfare within our own community. Unfortunately sometimes our rapid growth has caused a number of situations where we haven’t measured up in this respect.
It is my intention to make sure that in the next phase of FPMTs growth we focus on looking after each other. Some of our teachers and students who pioneered the early days of our development are now in their 60s and 70s. While one of our priorities is education for the youth of our world today, as our organization matures, we also have to take care of those who have contributed so much and who are now reaching the stage where they require care and consideration.
For a long time I have also been concerned that so far the organization has relied almost exclusively on donations. The generosity that has been responsible for where we are today is mind blowing and beyond words. Without it FPMT would not be what it is today. However I feel strongly that for the long-term ever expanding development that must take place, we have to think strategically about also generating additional sources of income through business and other commercial activity. This can also provide jobs and employment opportunities so people can earn a living and still have time for practice and study.
I believe it is possible to develop a business model on a positive and moral basis that ensures that business to benefit all parties – owners, management, staff, customers, and the wider community.
I have been spending a lot of time thinking about how to do this and I am trying in my way to explore a number of possibilities along these lines. Like creating Eco lodges where there is available very healthy vegetarian food, Eco friendly and organic grown vegetables, yoga and non-religious courses and meditation, for people outside our community, as a window of introduction to Buddhism. It is essential to have a healthy body in order to fully practice dharma. So we would make that opportunity available, and in exchange have a solid income to support the centers. It is now becoming very fashionable today, to eat healthy organic foods, spend time in nature, and exploring inside oneself through yoga and meditation.
When we are involved day-to-day work with all the difficulties and challenges we face, it is hard to step back and see the big picture and take pride in what we have achieved together. Attending Board meetings and the European Regional meeting has given me the luxury of beginning to see what an incredible job Lama Zopa Rinpoche has done. This in turn is based on the perfect inspiration His Holiness the Dalai Lama provides everybody, which helps us to learn about the true nature in each and every one of us.
The lineage from which we draw our understanding and inspiration is unsurpassable. The real scope of Mahayana in the widest sense is so vast and really can bring such benefit that the potential is almost incomprehensible. That gives us an equally huge responsibility to execute this task to the absolute best of our ability.
Within our FPMT community there is a vast pool of talent and skills that is equal to this task. We have to find better ways to draw more on the expertise that is available, to focus it where it can do the greatest good.
We have to approach this task practically continuously, untiringly and yet from time to time we must pause to measure the way in which we act to ensure that we don’t leave anyone behind.
I really look forward to meeting everyone as my travels allow, and I am really looking forward to the next Board meeting and another chance to learn and hopefully in a small way input into the plans for the next 30 years of our development.
Sorry if this became long – my main point is to thank everybody so much from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you so very much everyone!!
Take care, and keep up the good work!!
Big love
Osel
FPMT News Around the World
North American Regional Group meeting, including Yangsi Rinpoche (center), Thubten Norbu Ling, Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S., November 2012. Photo by David Kittelstrom.
In early November, a group of 35 directors, spiritual program coordinators and teachers from FPMT centers in North America traveled to Thubten Norbu Ling Tibetan Buddhist Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to discuss the priorities and development of the North American region. The group focused on improving regional communications, developing internal structures and identifying working groups. Maitripa College president Yangsi Rinpoche attended the meeting and offered to host the region’s next meeting, planned for May 2013 in Portland, Oregon.
Regionalization is part of a “strategy we are in the process of developing in order to fulfill Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s wishes for the FPMT,” Claire Isitt, FPMT center services director, explained in a September 2012 email to the leadership of FPMT centers, projects and services. “Our aim is to create a local tier of management at a national/regional level in order to support the current and ongoing growth of the organization as we work to fulfill Rinpoche’s vast visions now and in many future lifetimes.”
There are eleven regional/national offices in FPMT, which are meeting regularly.
With 160 centers, projects and services around the globe, there is always news on FPMT activities, teachers and events. Mandala hopes to share as many of these timely stories as possible. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.
If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
FPMT News Around the World
LRZTP6 Students reading Golden Light Sutra, November 2012. Photo courtesy of LRZRP6.
“On behalf of all the students of the sixth Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Programme (LRZTP6), I would like to offer to Lama Zopa Rinpoche our reading of the Golden Light Sutra in Tibetan that we did on Lhabab Duchen,” LRZTP coordinator Claire Yeshe Barde wrote. “As most of the students are still learning how to read, they have proved to be very brave and diligently read the whole sutra altogether and finished in two hours. Everyone was very joyful and happy to be able to read the sutra in Tibetan. Sally, the assistant director who doesn’t read Tibetan, joined in and read the Vajra Cutter Sutra in English. It was really wonderful and I told the students I shall offer this meritorious endeavor to Lama Zopa Rinpoche.”
The translator program, which is located in Dharmasala, India, began in early October 2012. Lhabab Duchen (Buddha’s actual descent from God Realm of Thirty-three) was celebrated on November 6.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche sent an immediate response to the students:
LRZTP6 Students reading Golden Light Sutra, November 2012. Photo courtesy of LRZRP6.
My Most dear most kind most precious wish fulfilling students of LRZTP 6
Zillions and billions of thanks for reading the Golden Light Sutra in Tibetan … especially to those who only started Tibetan one month ago … you people must be like Manjushri! And also I appreciate Alison’s recitation of the Diamond Cutter Sutra in English.
Since many of you received teachings from His Holiness … think you are fulfilling His Holiness’ wishes learning Tibetan for the purpose of preserving the Dharma. That means following the wishes of numberless buddhas and bodhisattvas!
It becomes the most powerful purification and the most extensive way to create merit … this means quick enlightenment .. . and also benefiting sentient beings, to bring them to quick enlightenment. With each Tibetan word you translate think this.
As much as possible each day with each action have compassion for all sentient beings, or at least many times in the day … this is the way to make the life most meaningful and to become the most happiest life!
And you have a very qualified teacher … a very good teacher, please recognize this, thank you very much and see you very soon.
With much love and prayer,
Lama Zopa
To learn more about sutras, recitation and to find sutra texts, visit FPMT Education Services’ Sutras page.
With 160 centers, projects and services around the globe, there is always news on FPMT activities, teachers and events. Mandala hopes to share as many of these timely stories as possible. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.
If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
FPMT News Around the World
Members of Dharmaraskshita Study Group on an outing to Alexander Falls, Mauritius, October 2012
As part of their program, Dharmarakshita Study Group, in Vacoas, Mauritius, makes a group outing three times a year. In October 2012, study group members went to Alexandra Falls in the south of Mauritius Island.
Members of Dharmarakshita Study Group, October 2012
“We had a one-and-a-half-hour walk in the forest to the falls and back. Then we shared a light lunch,” writes Vimla Koonja, study group coordinator. “This time only few members made it out of 22. They were Milly, Tooshma, Eeshita, Nishal, Yashveer, Ashwan, Nitish, Kirran, Vanessa and myself.”
With 160 centers, projects and services around the globe, there is always news on FPMT activities, teachers and events. Mandala hopes to share as many of these timely stories as possible. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.
If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
FPMT News Around the World
Stupas at Kachoe Dechen Ling, Aptos, California, October 2012. Photo by Ven. Katy Cole.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche recently expressed a wish to share photos of some of the stupas at Kachoe Dechen Ling, Rinpoche’s house in California, to illustrate how stupas can be part of our daily life. The stupas in the photos were installed according to Rinpoche’s advice so that they can be walked around when talking on the phone and as part of the daily comings and goings.
Stupa at Kachoe Dechen Ling, October 2012. Photo by Ven. Katy Cole.
Rinpoche shares the story of how he came to give this advice. One day, Rinpoche was talking on the phone and walking round “all the relics, pictures of Buddha, and tsa-tsas that I [had] piled up on a round table in my room.” Rinpoche had the thought that Ven. Roger (Rinpoche’s attendant) and Ven. Holly (Ven. Roger’s assistant) should have a stupa to walk around for the many hours they spend talking on the phone. Rinpoche then thought to extend this advice to all centers and the International Office.