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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.
“Satisfaction and Challening Your Limits” Video Part 1
Tenzin Osel Hita giving a talk at Aryatara Institute, Germany, February 2017. Photo by Hermann Wittekopf.
- Reincarnation: The Boy Lama, by Vicki Mackenzie
- Reborn in the West, by Vicki Mackenzie
- Man’s Work, From Telegraph Magazine, London, England
- 1987 TV3 issued a documentary entitled Osel: the petit Lama
- 2010 RTVE issued a documentary entitled Osel, Granada Lama
- Ösel in Mandala- all Articles.
- Audio of Ösel and Gomo Tulku engaged in Q & A at Amitabha Buddhist Center, Singapore, April 25, 2016.
- Audio and unedited transcript of Ösel’s talk, “How to Understand Reality from the Universal Point of View” in Bangalore, India, February, 2013.
- Audio interview between Ösel and the BBC called, “The Reluctant Lama.”
- Interview with Ösel by Thane Burnett of the Toronto Sun.
- Interview with Ösel from July – September 2010 Mandala magazine.
- Videos of Tenzin Ösel’s talks.
Tenzin Osel Hita during long life puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Sarnath, India, February 2017. Photo by Paulo Regis.
Watch a video of Osel’s talk at Losang Drakpa Centere here!
FPMT News Around the World
Satellite image of Sandy, Monday, October 29, 2012. Image by NOAA.
FPMT students on the Atlantic coast of North America are hunkered down as hurricane Sandy make its way across the eastern United States and Canada. The powerful storm has already passed through Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas, claiming many lives and creating much destruction.
Over the years, Lama Zopa Rinpoche has offered several practices to mitigate the potential harm from the elements and made them available online on fpmt.org/mandala/ and fpmt.org. Students are able to do these practices in order to benefit those impacted by natural disasters.
The July-September 2011 issue of Mandala shared Rinpoche’s translation of a collection of practices to control earthquakes and the four elements which Rinpoche dictated shortly after a devastating tsunami that killed thousands of Japanese in March 2011.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Advice page offers further instructions on how to dispel the disasters of the elements, including five common practices recommended by Rinpoche during a visit to New York City in 2007. Also on Rinpoche’s Advice page, you can find a 2002 letter to concerned students from Rinpoche regarding natural disasters; a downloadable PDF of the protective Heart Mantra of Arya Vairochana, which can be printed and posted around one’s home; and a story from Ven. Holly Ansett about how the Heart Mantra of Arya Vairochana was revealed by Buddha and made public.
In addition to flooding, destroying property and leaving communities without power or access to necessities, storms like Sandy can profoundly impact vulnerable and overlooked populations such as people who are homeless or in prison as well as animals not able to find appropriate shelter. Mandala wishes for the safety and well-being of all sentient beings affected by the storm.
With 158 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
Buddha Shakyamuni. Image by Jane Seidlitz.
On Monday, October 29, many Buddhists worldwide will celebrate the day marking Buddha’s acceptance to descend from the God Realm of Thirty-three and return to Earth after teaching Dharma there to the gods and his mother. This occasion is considered a Buddha Multiplying Day – a day on which karmic actions are one hundred million times stronger.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche recommends three different practices to individuals and groups to make the most of this special Buddhist holiday.
Of course, any other meritorious activities are also good to do on these days, such as recitation of various sutras like the Sanghata Sutra and the Golden Light Sutra.
And for those students with a special connection to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, October 29 is a perfect day to make your offering to Rinpoche’s annual long life puja made on behalf of the centers, projects, services and students of the FPMT at Kopan Monastery on December 29.
With 158 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
FPMT Taiwan celebrated its “Thanksgiving Day to Teachers” on September 30 in conjunction with the traditional Chinese Mooncake Festival. The event began in the morning with a Yamantaka fire puja hosted by the resident geshes of the three FPMT Taiwan centers at a retreat site surrounded by green hills.
Yamantaka fire puja, September 2012, Taiwan
Afterwards the geshes and participants, which included 20 Sangha members and more than 50 lay students, had a nice luncheon at a nearby resort. During the lunch, the three geshes were thanked in a speech for their generous service to the FPMT centers.
“Geshe Gyurme [of Jinsiu Farlin] is the longest resident geshe in FPMT Taiwan. Geshe Gyatso [of Shakyamuni Center] has been living in Taiwan for three years. Geshe Tsethar [of Heruka Center] came to Taiwan most recently for a year,” Ven. Osel, director of Jinsiu Farlin in Taipei shares.
Geshe Gyurme, Jinsiu Farlin
“The luncheon speech not only let the geshes know about our appreciation, but it also reminded everyone that despite how much difficulty we have in our lives and Dharma practices, our resident geshes, who put aside their monastic lives and students and came to Taiwan to live with us, also undergo difficulty of which they never complain,” Ven. Osel writes. “Meanwhile we also thank Kopan Monastery, Sangha, translators, staff, volunteers and everyone.”
Geshe Gyatso, Shakyamuni Center
The three geshes were presented a long khata, a bouquet of flowers and a card signed by everyone. Sangha each received a thanksgiving card from FPMT Taiwan. Then lay students took part in a festive gift exchange game, ensuring no one went home empty-handed.
After the luncheon, the geshes, Sangha and students had a relaxed walk in a nearby forest.
Geshe Tsethar, Heruka Center
With 158 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.