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Offerings during commemoration of Rinpoche’s parinirvana 2nd anniversary, at Atisha Centre, Victoria, Australia, April 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of Atisha Centre Facebook page.
April 13, 2025, marked the two-year anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche passing into parinirvana. Around the world students gathered for collective prayers and practice, and to sincerely remember with immense gratitude the great kindness of our most precious spiritual guide. We were moved by all of the auspicious activity being done collectively around the world, on this special day of prayer and remembrance. Here we share, not an exhaustive list of all the activities organized in centers, monastic institutions, and in the homes of individual students, but rather an example of some of the activities offered:
The monks of Sera Je Tsawa Khangtsen offered Chanting of Names of Manjushri and swift return prayers. Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, India offered Lama Chopa. At Chokyi Gyaltsen Center in Penang, Malaysia, students performed Lama Chopa with extensive offerings presided over by Geshe Deyang and recited Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri with dedications and prayers for Rinpoche’s swift return.
At Kopan Monastery, CPMT Summit participants joined the Kopan community in Heruka Lama Chopa with extensive offerings followed by group recitation of Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri. Kopan Lama Gyupas and senior monks offered Yamantaka self-initiation in Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s room in front of his holy body, followed by recitation of the Guhyasamaja root tantra.
Ogmin Jangchup Sishu Tsogpa, a community association of former Kopan Monastery monks and nuns residing in New York, USA, offered prayers. Buddha House members and friends commemorated with a day of extensive offering practice, recitation of Chanting the Names of Manjushri, Lama Chopa Puja and enjoyed a meal together.
We share below some scenes from the powerful group prayers and we thank everyone who participated in this heartfelt collective effort to remember the immeasurable kindness of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and pray for his swift return.
The sangha of Sera Je Monastery commemorating Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s parinirvana 2nd anniversary. Photo courtesy of Sera Je Facebook page.
Kopan sangha performed a Heruka Lama Chopa and many other prayers and practices for the 2nd anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s parinirvana, April 13, 2025. Photo courtesy Kopan’s Facebook page.
Sangha of the Sera Je Monastery Kopan House, commemorating the 2nd anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s parinirvana, April 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of Sera Kopan House Facebook page.
Guru puja being offered at Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, India on 2nd anniversary of Rinpoche’s parinirvana. Photo courtesy of Tushita’s Facebook page.
Sangha of the Sera Je Drati Khangsten commemorating Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s parinirvana, April 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of SJDK Facebook page.
Students at Chokyi Gyaltsen Center, Penang, Malaysia, offering Guru Puja and prayers for Rinpoche’s swift return, April 13, 2025.
Members of Ogmin Jangchup Sishu Tsogpa, New York, the association of former Kopan Monastery monks and nuns living in New York, offering prayers on the 2nd anniversary of Rinpoche’s parinirvana, New York, USA, April 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of OJST Facebook page.
FPMT Taiwan students making offerings during the commemoration activities on the 2nd anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s parinirvana.
Gathering at Kalachakra Centre, Paris, France, for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s parinirvana 2nd anniversary. Photo courtesy of Centre Kalachakra Facebook page.
Shrine for the commemoration of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s parinirvana at Buddha House, Adelaide, Australia, April 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of Buddha House Facebook page.
This is just s small sampling of the thoughtful activity organized around the world and we offer extensive thanks to ALL who participated in commemorating Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s passing into parinirvana.
As a reminder, His Holiness recently confirmed that the reincarnation of Lama Zopa Rinpoche has been born and His Holiness has advised to continue reciting Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri as well as Migtsema practice. Additionally, all swift return prayers previously advised are still encouraged at this time.
Advice for the Anniversary of the Guru’s Passing Away is a short text translated by Rinpoche that explains the importance of making offerings on the anniversary of the passing away of one’s guru.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche (1945-2023) was 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.