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Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Tushita Meditation Centre staff at Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India, February 2019. Photo by Tushita Meditation Centre.
Tushita Meditation Centre, the FPMT center in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India, enjoyed visits from Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khyongla Rato Rinpoche in 2019. Ven. Tenzin Kunphen, spiritual program coordinator, and Maria Nobuko Corrales, creative project assistant, share those stories and more.
Our 2019 season started extra early on February 5 to coincide with the Tibetan New Year and the auspicious Days of Miracles. The weather at that time of year can make things difficult in Dharamsala, but we made the best of some serious snowstorms and power cuts and didn’t have to wait long for the miracles to happen. To our great delight we welcomed our Spiritual Director Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche for ten days later in February.
We also welcomed all the students who braved the middle of winter at Tushita to attend our first Introduction to Buddhism course of 2019. One of those students was Abdulwahab, who was our first student from Kuwait. Abdulwahab’s presence made Kuwait the 100th nation represented by students attending our residential courses. In July, we welcomed Douangluethay from Laos, our 101st nation. And in August, we welcomed Dolly from Kenya, our 102nd nation.
Dolly and fellow Introduction to Buddhism retreat students at Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India, August 2019. Photo by Tushita Meditation Centre.
We are so excited to have reached this momentous accomplishment and rejoice deeply in what it represents: the Dharma reaching the far corners of the planet. We are now aiming to reach the auspicious number of 108 nations at Tushita since we began keeping records ten years ago.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche arrived at Tushita after midnight on February 18, the last day of the first introductory course of the year. Beautiful snowflakes began to fall as Rinpoche greeted the shivering and excited crowd, seemingly blessing the land and the fortunate students who waited in the dark to warmly welcome Rinpoche.
Khyongla Rato Rinpoche and Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India, February 2019. Photo by Tushita Meditation Centre staff.
On February 25, Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered a long life puja for Khyongla Rato Rinpoche at Tushita. This was an incredibly special day in which we welcomed many lamas, geshes, and Sangha. We pray that Khyongla Rato Rinpoche and all our precious gurus have long and stable lives, connecting many hearts and minds with the Dharma. May all their holy wishes be fulfilled instantly.
Still dazzled by so many blessings, we started another introductory course and an intermediate course two days later. Straight after their arrival, these lucky students (joined by the participants of our Pre-Ordination Course and many visitors) were extremely fortunate to receive two afternoons of precious teachings from Lama Zopa Rinpoche on emptiness and guru devotion.
Geshe Tenzin Namdak returned to again lead the Pre-Ordination Course in support of eight new western Sangha members, Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India, February 2019. Photo by Tushita Meditation Centre staff.
Rinpoche even made time to meet with and give a teaching to all Tushita staff and volunteers before leaving Tushita on the morning of February 28, showing us how to use every moment to benefit sentient beings. May we become just like you, Rinpoche.
Tushita Receives Consecrated Vases Blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
There are many natural disasters happening all over the world today due to environmental destruction. In order to protect life and stop these natural disasters from occurring, His Holiness the Dalai Lama advised that consecrated vases be distributed wherever needed. Representatives from His Holiness’s private office, Namgyal Monastery, Gyudmed Monastery, and Gyuto Monastery came together to consecrate these vases over seven days.
Puja at Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India, March 2019. Photo by Tushita Meditation Centre staff.
Tushita was kindly offered three vases. To our great surprise and delight, on March 4 ,the abbot of Gyudmed Monastery, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Wangdu, and a few monks from Namgyal Monastery came to conduct a puja to place these vases here at Tushita on our main altar.
Blessed by His Holiness, these vases serve to protect those who come here from obstacles, sickness, natural disasters, and harm from other beings. It also serves as a blessing to receive timely rain and water. Wherever the vase is placed there will be prosperity and flourishing without any obstacles.
Khylonga Rato Rinpoche Teaches on Bodhichitta
Khyongla Rato Rinpoche, despite his busy schedule and advanced age, very kindly returned to Tushita on April 7 before leaving for his home in the US. Rinpoche gave teachings titled “Bodhichitta: The Mind of Enlightenment” with his long-time student Simon Houlton interpreting.
Khyongla Rato Rinpoche, students, and Nyingje Chenmo at Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India, April 2019. Photo by Tushita Meditation Centre staff.
This special event was attended by our 130 residential students from our introductory course and intermediate course on “Developing a Fearless Heart” as well as outside guests. All present were hugely inspired by Rinpoche’s bodhisattva-like qualities of a brave heart, deep humility, and quick humor. How fortunate we are to have these real life examples of amazing practitioners around to show us where the Dharma path is leading and that it’s really possible.
Towards the end of the event our Tushita canine matron Nyinje Chenmo snuck into the gompa to listen to the teachings. She circumambulated His Holiness’s throne as well as Rinpoche and enjoyed the attention of the amused audience before laying down right in front of Rinpoche. Rinpoche looked at her and, to our great surprise and delight, spoke of Nyinje Chenmo having a calm mind and being so fortunate to live at Tushita and see so many holy objects.
Pema Wangmo and Archhana Kombrabail at Nalanda, Bihar, India. Photo courtesy of Tushita Meditation Centre.
Tushita Welcomes Our First Female Tibetan Director
Early in the season we said farewell to acting director Archhana Kombrabail, who has served Tushita for the last two-and-a-half years in this role. We are grateful for all the energy, positive intentions, and beneficial actions she took on behalf of Tushita and all the students. Thank you so much, Archhana!
We are happy to welcome Pema Wangmo into the director role. Pema first joined Tushita in February 2017 as our friendly and ever-so-patient receptionist. With her particular skills and temperament Pema naturally transitioned to the role of center manager in mid-2018 before being appointed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche as director. We are so grateful for Pema’s dedication, hard work, and the kind heart she brings to the position.
Yeshe at Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India, October 2017. Photo by Tushita Meditation Centre staff.
Our Beloved Dog Yeshe
It is with a heavy heart that we relay the passing of our beloved dog Yeshe on May 22. Our canine friends fulfill a very important job description at Tushita. Yeshe was our ever-so-patient therapist with excellent listening skills for our students as they undertook their difficult inner work and also a loyal companion and best friend, delighting and supporting our staff and volunteers by keeping their blood pressure steady and taking them for regular walks.
Yeshe’s life is a lesson of love: she showed us all how we are interconnected and that we need each other for our survival and happiness, that throughout our lives we must support and benefit each other daily, and that we can practice generosity by accepting the help of others.
We miss you, dearest friend and loyal companion. But we are confident that thanks to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s and so many people’s prayers you smoothly made the transition from Tushita to the real Pure Land.
This story was extracted from “Tushita’s News July 2019”, available on Tushita’s website:
http://tushita.info/news/news-july-2019/
For information about Tushita Meditation Centre, visit their website:
http://tushita.info
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.
Ven. Thubten Gyalmo and liberated animals, Bulgan province, Northern Mongolia, August 2019. Photo by Ianzhina Bartanova.
In August 2019, Ganden Do Ngag Shedrup Ling, the FPMT center in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, successfully liberated four male goats and ten male sheep. They now have a new home in Bulgan province, Northern Mongolia, approximately 400 kilometers (248 miles) from the capital Ulaanbaatar, and are in a peaceful environment with beautiful green surroundings. They are now no longer in danger of being eaten. Center director Ianzhina Bartanova shares the story.
Clearly, the tradition to liberate animals from life-threatening conditions was well-known and practiced in Mongolia in the past. However, nowadays it is so rare, and many people do not have an awareness of this. But Ven. Thubten Gyalmo, the FPMT resident teacher at Ganden Do Ngag Shedrup Ling, is sharing information about animal liberation via radio in Mongolia and during her weekly classes at the center in Ulaanbaatar.
The reality in Mongolia is that there is a high consumption of meat. It is one of the main reasons that seven years ago Lama Zopa Rinpoche recommended that the Mongolian center host a 100 million mani retreat on an annual basis. (A 100 million mani retreat is where retreatants recite the Chenrezig mantra OM MANI PADME HUM a 100 million times.) In addition to the mani retreats, Ganden Do Ngag Shedrup Ling has initiated an animal liberation, the very first one for the past twenty years. The animals were rescued from the butcher market during Mongolia’s national festival of Naadam, a time of great celebration when mutton dishes are widely served.
The liberation combined two traditions: the Mongolian one and lineage of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. According to Mongolian tradition, only male sheep and goats should be liberated, and a special animal liberation sutra must be recited for removing obstacles, obtaining longevity, and attainment of nirvana. Also this tradition requires one to sprinkle blessed water over the animals, to put mani pills inside their mouths, anoint their heads and hooves with some oil, and shower flower petals over them while reciting auspicious mantras. Moreover, our liberated animals have their own ID cards and names. Male sheep are called Yamuchil One, Yamuchil Two, etc., up to number ten, and male goats are called Tsevel One, Two, Three, and Four respectively. These names are mentioned in the sutra.
Liberated animals ID cards, Mongolia, August 2019. Photo by Ianzhina Bartanova.
Traditionally, liberated Mongolian sheep were not shorn so people could easily recognize them from their long fleece. Upon the advice of the local herder and drawing from today’s practice of animal husbandry, the health of the sheep will be compromised if not shorn, especially during the summer heat. Therefore, we will shear them at a suitable time. We had quite a chuckle imagining sheep with very long “wool,” their limbs and horns “massaged” with oil, and having passed through some detox diet of mani pills, and emerging from a flower-spa procedure. So we called them “hippie animals,” our Mongolian flower children.
Following Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice, various preliminary prayers, mantra recitations, and other practices were done and concluded with special FPMT dedication prayers. We had a beautiful altar with a Buddha statue, sutras, stupas, and tsa-tsas arranged in the middle of their new home so animals could do korwa around the altar. It was challenging—however quite fun—to lead them in their first circumambulation.
First korwa with the liberated animals, Bulgan province, Northern Mongolia, August 2019. Photo by Ianzhina Bartanova.
Third korwa with the liberated animals, Bulgan province, Northern Mongolia, August 2019. Photo by Ianzhina Bartanova.
During the auspicious 25th lunar day, Idgaa Choinzinling monks and Dolma Ling nuns led a naga puja near the local water source and a Lama Chopa puja in the local herder Jigmed’s ger. Early in the morning while doing the naga puja, we were blessed with a clear blue sky and the appearance of the sun and moon at the same time; a thangka painting became a reality.
Monks and nuns leading a Naga puja, Bulgan province, Northern Mongolia, August 2019. Photo by Ianzhina Bartanova.
The Lama Chopa puja was done in a traditional tent (ger or yurt) with around twenty participants. It was amazing how such a small ger could fit so many people.
Herder Jigmed offering tsog, Bulgan province, Northern Mongolia, August 2019. Photo by Ianzhina Bartanova.
Animal liberation team with some local residents: Ani Choinzom, Ani Cunchen, local student, Ani Gyalmo, local driver, animal liberation coordinator Munkhtuvshin, spiritual program coordinator Khulan, local driver, center director Ianzhina, monk Zoksonbaatar, herder Jigmed and his friend posing on top of an extinct volcano’s crater, Bulgan province, Northern Mongolia, August 2019. Photo courtesy of Ianzhina Bartanova.
Special thanks to our local herder Jigmed, who has kindly offered to take care of the animals. Jigmed has been participating in 100 million mani retreats in Ulaanbaatar since 2013, and he was very inspired by Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings on kindness to animals. Jigmed specially built the fence around his ger and will provide all necessary supplies and care to several Tsevels and Yamuchils. We are also very grateful to local and foreign sponsors, and we encourage everyone to participate in our virtuous activities of saving animals’ lives next year. Let’s make a Dharma herd!
Animal liberation practice, Bulgan province, Northern Mongolia, August 2019. Photo by Ianzhina Bartanova.
Monks reciting prayers through a loud speaker, Bulgan province, Northern Mongolia, August 2019. Photo by Ianzhina Bartanova.
Jigmed and our dear animals, Bulgan province, Northern Mongolia, August 2019. Photo by Ianzhina Bartanova.
Animal blessing practice can be done by students on their own, in other words, a teacher or ordained Sangha member is not needed to lead the practice. For more on practices to benefit animals, see:
https://fpmt.org/education/benefiting-animals-practices-and-advice/
For more information about Ganden Do Ngag Shedrup Ling, visit their website:
http://www.fpmtmongolia.org/shedrub-ling-center
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore, September 2019. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
New photographs of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s worldwide travel are shared in photo albums on FPMT.org. You can see where Rinpoche has been and many of his beneficial activities.
Albums from Rinpoche’s visits to France, Latvia, the United States, and Singapore have been posted over the past few months. New albums of Rinpoche’s travels and teaching events are regularly added.
See more photos of Lama Zopa Rinpoche:
https://fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/gallery/
Find links to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s recent teachings from Russia:
https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/russia-2019/
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching in Moscow, Russia, May 2017. Photo by Renat Alyaudinov.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaches on “How to Develop Bodhicitta in the Modern World (a commentary on Khunu Lama Rinpoche’s The Jewel Lamp: A Praise of Bodhichitta)” this weekend. Rinpoche’s teachings in Moscow, Russia, begin on Friday, October 25, and continue through Sunday, October 27.
The planned schedule of teachings, which can be watched live, is as follows in local time (GMT+3):
- Friday , October 25 teachings with Lama Zopa Rinpoche begin at 19:30
- Saturday, October 26–Sunday, October 27:
11:00 – 12:30 – practice session with Geshe Tenzin Zopa
12:30 – 14:00 – lunch time
14:00 – 15:30 – review and Q&A with Geshe Tenzin Zopa
15:30 – 16:00 – tea break
16:00 – 17:30 – Lama Zopa Rinpoche teachings
17:30 – 18:30 – tea break
18:30 – 20:00 – Lama Zopa Rinpoche teachings
The FPMT center in Moscow, Ganden Tendar Ling, organized these teachings. Rinpoche just concluded teaching in Elista, Kalmykia, Russia, where he led a 100 million mani retreat.
Watch Lama Zopa Rinpoche teach LIVE:
https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/lama-zopa-rinpoche-live/
More information on the teaching events in Moscow, Russia:
http://lamazoparussia.tilda.ws/#rec102195553
Find video of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s recent teachings in Elista, Russia, and Singapore:
https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/
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.
H.E. Ling Rinpoche with Geshe Lobsang Jamphel, Geshe Jamphel Gyaltsen, Geshe Lobsang Yonten, Geshe Tenzin Loden, and Ven. Tenzin Khentse at Nalanda Monastery, Labastide-Saint-Georges, France, May 2019. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunkhen (Nico Balthazar).
His Eminence the 7th Kyabje Ling Rinpoche arrived at the Toulouse airport in France on April 30, 2019. Rinpoche was welcomed by representatives from Nalanda Monastery and Institut Vajra Yogini, FPMT centers near Toulouse. Rinpoche remained in France through the end of May 2019, teaching at several Dharma centers including Nalanda Monastery, Monastère Dorjé Pamo, an FPMT nunnery near Toulouse, Institut Vajra Yogini, and Kalachakra Centre, an FPMT center in Paris. From May 3-5, 2019, Rinpoche gave three days of teachings on “Mind Training Like the Rays of the Sun,” and bestowed the White Tara Long Life initiation at Institut Vajra Yogini. Ven. Losang Gyaltsen, Nalanda Monastery director, Ven. Chantal Tenzin Dekyi (Chantal Carrerot), Monastère Dorjé Pamo coordinator, and Laura Haughey, a Kalachakra Centre student share the story about Rinpoche’s visit to France.
On May 2, 2019, Nalanda Monastery had the great privilege to receive His Eminence Ling Rinpoche. Rinpoche kindly gave advice to the community on the importance of study and also taming one’s mind. Rinpoche’s great humor and kindness were very much appreciated by the community. We hope that H.E. Ling Rinpoche will come again next year as we are hoping to develop this connection.
Geshe Lobsang Jamphel, the present abbot of the Monastery praised H.E. Ling Rinpoche, saying Rinpoche is a great hope for the Tibetans. We also feel H.E Ling Rinpoche will be a great hope for the Dharma in the West. Deep gratitude to His Eminence for sharing with us Rinpoche’s precious time, wisdom, and compassion.
H.E. Ling Rinpoche with Geshe Lobsang Jamphel and Geshe Tenzin Loden at Nalanda Monastery, Rouzegas, Labastide-Saint-Georges, France, May 2019. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunkhen (Nico Balthazar).
On the occasion of H.E. Ling Rinpoche’s visit to Institut Vajra Yogini in early May, Rinpoche honored us with a visit to Monastère Dorjé Pamo. Rinpoche was accompanied by Geshe Tenzin Loden, FPMT resident geshe at Institut Vajra Yogini, and Geshe Lobsang Jamphel, abbot of Nalanda Monastery, as well as Rinpoche’s attendants Geshe Lobsang Yonten and Ven. Tenzin Khentse.
A few nuns and volunteers had gathered, and we all had tea and refreshments on the terrace in a very relaxed atmosphere. Rinpoche blessed our gompa as well as a Tara thangka just offered to us by one of our benefactors. Rinpoche also provided advice and encouragement, highlighting the importance of harmony in developing our new community.
H.E. Ling Rinpoche with Ven. Tendreun, Marie Vaysse, Annick Lainé, Ven Chantal Tenzin Dekyi, Geshe Tenzin Loden, Geshe Losang Jamphel, Cristiana Cervantes, Ven. Irene, Ven. Michèle Paldreun, Ven. Tenzin Péma, Yves Alirol, and Annick Leclerc du Sablon at Monastère Dorje Pamo, En Baut, Fiac, France, May 2019. Photo courtesy of Monastère Dorje Pamo.
On May 25, 2019, a warm, sunny morning, Kalachakra Centre in Paris was very fortunate and greatly honored to host a visit and teaching with H.E. Ling Rinpoche. It was a short but wonderful visit. This is the third time Rinpoche has visited Kalachakra Centre, the first being in 2005 and the second in 2014. Last year, Rinpoche’s visit to Paris was a very large gathering, with over 700 people in attendance, including many displaced Tibetans now living in France.
Rinpoche prefaced the teaching on the three poisonous minds of anger, attachment, and ignorance by mentioning how truly happy Rinpoche was to again be visiting the center, whose official name is the Wheel of Life Kalachakra Cultural Association, and that it was with the idea of seeing old friends in the Dharma, including those who had met Rinpoche’s previous incarnation, that Rinpoche was making this visit.
Kalachakra Centre’s director, Ven. Elisabeth Drukier, recalls that when she first met the Buddhadharma and was visiting Bodhgaya, she befriended Yvonne Laurence, a French nun and fellow Parisian. Yvonne had been a nurse when the 6th Kyabje Yongdzin Ling Rinpoche came to France for medical treatment and had ended up following Rinpoche to India and becoming ordained. Ven. Elisabeth and Yvonne’s shared love of Camembert cheese and Paris bonded them in India, and Ven. Elisabeth spent time with her friend at Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala, often seeing the 6th Kyabje Ling Rinpoche there at Rinpoche’s house. In 1978, Ven. Elisabeth saw the 6th Kyabje Ling Rinpoche for the last time in France.
H.E. Ling Rinpoche at Kalachakra Centre, Paris, France, May 2019. Photo by Olivier Adam.
Rinpoche very clearly elucidated the nature of the three poisons of attachment, anger, and ignorance, and the detrimental influence they have on our well-being and happiness. Rinpoche began by summarizing the essence of the teachings of the Buddha as being the act of disciplining, transforming, and most importantly acquiring mastery, or pacification, of our minds.
Rinpoche concluded by encouraging us to think positively, saying that we all have the possibility to become Buddhas. The Buddha Shakyamuni started out just like us, completely under the influence of mental afflictions and the three poisonous attitudes of attachment, anger, and ignorance. Through training his mind, he achieved the ultimate transformation and developed all virtuous qualities, eliminated all faults, and realized the state of a Buddha, perfectly awakened. Rinpoche said that we also have the potential and possibility to follow exactly the same path.
Ven. Tenzin Khentse, H.E. Ling Rinpoche, Ven. Tenzin Pemba, Ven. Jampa president of the Tibetan community in Paris, and Kalachakra Centre director Ven. Elisabeth Drukier outside of Kalachakra Centre, Paris, France, May 2019. Photo by Olivier Adam.
Rinpoche also said that we have the benefit of all the necessary, good conditions in being human beings: we have met with the teachings of the Buddha, we can meet with authentic spiritual guides, and we have not been born in a country where we suffer from hunger, thirst, or homelessness. We also don’t have any physical handicaps which would prevent us from practicing. Rinpoche continued by saying that apart from the fact that we are not applying ourselves, we enjoy a situation that is extremely favorable. There is much to rejoice about. Rinpoche added that we need to tell ourselves that certainly the influence of the three poisons exist in our mind, but instead of reacting to this negatively, we should say to ourselves, “These mental afflictions are my enemies, my true enemies, and from now on, I will fight against them.”
Kalachakra Centre hopes to have the great fortune of hosting visits by H.E. Ling Rinpoche every year, for many years to come!
For more information about H.E. Ling Rinpoche’s schedule visit Rinpoche’s website:
http://lingrinpoche.info/
Learn more about FPMT’s activities in France:
https://fpmt.org/centers/france/
Watch Rinpoche’s teaching at Kalachakra Centre, given in Tibetan with French translation:
https://youtu.be/CH4M9WkHZOU
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche arriving in Elista and being greeted by the abbot of the local monastery and the news media, Kalmykia, Russia, September 2019. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
On September 30, Lama Zopa Rinpoche arrived in Elista, the capital city of the Russian Republic of Kalmykia. Rinpoche was enthusiastically greeted as soon as he stepped out of the airplane. Rinpoche was welcomed by the abbot of the monastery in Elista. Rinpoche was offered traditional khaptse and tea on the tarmac, where reporters and TV cameras were also waiting for him.
Inside the airport, Rinpoche answered questions in a press conference, discussing the significance of doing a 100 million mani retreat. Rinpoche told reporters that doing the retreat cleanses your mind of the attachment that is responsible for all the problems of this life and future lives. He said that the retreat brings “unbelievable benefits.”
Kalmykia is located in southern Russia and is bordered on one side by the Caspian Sea. It is the only Buddhist country in Europe, which allowed Rinpoche many opportunities to speak to news media about the importance of Buddhist practice.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche received a warm welcome as he arrived at the house where he stayed in Elista, Kalmykia, Russia, September 2019. Photo by Ven. Losang Sherab.
A line of students offered khatas and recited Migtsema as Rinpoche arrived at the house where he was staying during his visit to Elista.
Rinpoche went to Elista to offer a Great Chenrezig initiation and lead a 100 million mani retreat. During a 100 million mani retreat, participants accumulate 100 million recitations of the Chenrezig mantra, also known as mani mantra, OM MANI PADME HUM.
Lodoi Rinpoche, Telo Rinpoche, and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Elista, Kalmykia, Russia, October 2019. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Telo Rinpoche is the spiritual leader of the Kalmyk people and helped organized Rinpoche’s visit and teachings in Elista. An American-born tulku, Telo Rinpoche has been active in the reestablishment of Buddhism in Kalmykia since being chosen as its head lama in 1992. He also serves as the honorary representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Russia.
The night of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s arrival, Telo Rinpoche offered a special dinner for Lama Zopa Rinpoche and for Lodoi Rinpoche, a high lama from the Russian Republic of Buryatia, another Buddhist area, located in Siberia. Lodoi Rinpoche had just concluded a series of practices and initiations in Elista. The elaborate dinner featured cultural singing and dancing.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lodoi Rinpoche at a special dinner honoring them, organized Telo Rinpoche, Elista, Kalmykia, Russia, October 2019. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
The following day Rinpoche did prayers with Telo Rinpoche, Lodoi Rinpoche, and the monastery monks at the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni or the Golden Temple. Built in 2005, it is the largest Buddhist temple in Europe. After lunch, the three rinpoches took part in another press conference, where Rinpoche spoke again on the importance of doing the 100 million mani retreat.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered the 1000-Armed Chenrezig initiation over three days, beginning on Friday, October 4, at the Golden Temple. A thousand people attended, packing the temple. In addition to local people, many students traveled from Moscow and Saint Petersburg to attend the events with Rinpoche. There were also a handful of students from France, Spain, and Malaysia attending.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche during 1000-Armed Chenrezig initiation, Elista, Kalmykia, Russia, October 2019. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
On the following Monday, between 200 to 300 students began doing the 100 million mani retreat. In addition, students from all over the world followed the retreat online.
The 100 million mani retreat is not a common practice in Kalmykia. It comes from the nyung në lineage. Rinpoche acknowledged that because the retreat is only two weeks long, ending on Friday, October 18, participants would probably not accumulate the full 100 million mani recitations. Rinpoche, however, said it was very good for students to learn how to do the practice for future retreats.
The retreat began every morning with a session blessing the speech and doing Lama Chopa. During the day there were sadhana recitation sessions. Geshe Tenzin Zopa led sessions and gave explanations on the practice to students. Lama Zopa Rinpoche taught during the final session of the day, covering topics such as guru devotion, bodhichitta and emptiness. Students attending the retreat appear very devoted and respectful, taking notes and carefully doing the practices.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche during 1000-Armed Chenrezig initiation, Elista, Kalmykia, Russia, October 2019. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Rinpoche did an animal blessing on Saturday, October 19, in Elista and on Sunday visited a very large Maitreya statue located in the area. He then returns to Moscow to give teachings October 25-27 on “How to Develop Bodhicitta in the Modern World (a commentary on Khunu Lama Rinpoche’s The Jewel Lamp: A Praise of Bodhichitta).”
FPMT is grateful for the work of the retreat organizers, which include Telo Rinpoche and the monks from the Golden Temple. Students from Ganden Tendar Ling, the FPMT center in Moscow, also helped with arrangements.
In October, watch Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings streamed live from Russia:
https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/lama-zopa-rinpoche-live/
Find video and audio recordings and transcripts of all of Rinpoche’s recent teachings:
https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/
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.
David Machles. Photo courtesy of Dimensions-OHC Inc.
In 2008, David Machles completed the 16 Guidelines for Life Level 1 course, an initiative of the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW), and later completed Levels 2 and 3. David is part of FDCW’s Universal Education community. Universal Education for Compassion and Wisdom is one of FPMT’s five pillars of service. David’s exploration of the 16 Guidelines for Life methods and tools inspired him to develop a program based on the 16 Guidelines for Life for prisons in 2010. David worked with adult and juvenile prisoners as well as staff and volunteers. Victoria Coleman, FDCW executive director, asked David about about his experience with Universal Education in prisons over the past nine years. Victoria shares David’s story.
David Machles, from North Carolina, US, began his journey into the 16 Guidelines for Life in 2008. He felt inspired to offer the 16 Guidelines for Life program in prisons working with adult and juvenile prisoners as well as staff and volunteers. He developed a 16 Guidelines for Life for prisoners curriculum called “Building Inner Strength.”
David explained, “We chose the course title ‘Building Inner Strength’ with the help of the chaplain at the youth prison center. We felt that this was more of a macho name, yet still reflects the spirit of the 16 Guidelines for Life. Sometimes the class is referred to as ‘Meditation Class.’ Other names may be appropriate in different settings, including ‘Anger Management,’ ‘Guide to Happiness,’ ‘Well-Being,’ etc.”
One of the teenage participants of David’s program had a very difficult relationship with a prison guard. David suggested using the 16 Guidelines for Life pre-framing tool to see how it could influence the next encounter with the guard. David kept it light: “Just try this to see if it makes a difference; it can’t make it any worse.” The teenager was surprised at how his relationship with the guard gradually changed. He saw that the 16 Guidelines for Life actually worked.
David said, “We have taken a very secular approach to using the 16 Guidelines for Life. We have been accepted by the managers, administrative staff, and parents because we take this secular approach. Throughout the program we keep this neutrality and encourage the students to find examples of the 16 Guidelines for Life within their own spiritual upbringing. Certainly the role models used in the 16 Guidelines for Life book represent a variety of spiritual backgrounds.”
To learn more about the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom and the 16 Guidelines for Life visit the FDCW website:
https://www.compassionandwisdom.org
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.
A display created by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Buddha Amitabha Pure Land, Washington, US, August 2019. Photo by Ven. Holly Ansett.
FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche has done much to care for the animals at Buddha Amitabha Pure Land (BAPL), located in a remote area of Washington State, in the northwestern United States. One examples is creating a bird feeder where birds and other animals are blessed by mantras as they feed.
A chipmunk at Buddha Amitabha Pure Land, Washington, US, July 2019. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Rinpoche has had many displays of animals statues with signs created on the retreat land, offering visitors short Dharma teachings. He also has had made many signs with mantras and images of deities that purify just by seeing.
In addition, BAPL has a 13-foot (4-meter) tall statue of Amitabha Buddha, which was created in Vietnam of white marble, as well as a smaller statue of Medicine Buddha. The statues are surrounded by beautiful gardens and flower offerings. Rinpoche has organized a yearly festival to honor the Amitabha statue and the retreat land.
A new video shows many of these statues, signs, and activities on the retreat land and features Rinpoche’s chanting.
Watch a video of tour of Buddha Amitabha Pure Land:
https://youtu.be/n6f2vNdL5PA
See photos from Rinpoche’s visit to Buddha Amitabha Pure Land and Pamtingpa Center in Washington State, US:
https://fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/gallery/washington-us-july-august-2019/
In October, watch Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings streamed live from Russia:
https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/lama-zopa-rinpoche-live/
Find video and audio recordings and transcripts of Rinpoche’s recent teachings at Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Singapore:
https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/amitabha-buddhist-center-singapore-2019/
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Tara Liberation Study Group members Matt Linden, Kari Suomalainen, Hanne Iyars, Maria Suominen, and Joona Repo at VEF Kvartāla Kamerzāle, Riga, Latvia, June 2019. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Tara Liberation Study Group, the FPMT study group in Helsinki, Finland, benefits the community by offering Dharma teachings in the country’s most widely-spoken language, taught by native Finnish speaker and FPMT registered teacher Joona Repo. Matt Linden and Maria Suominen from Tara Liberation Study Group share the story.
Nowadays Dharma teachings are widely available across the globe in a variety of major languages. Smaller countries like Finland, however, often have to make do with teachings in English. But learning the Dharma is a matter of the heart, not only the mind, and we all know the power of hearing and studying the Dharma in one’s own mother tongue. Since 2017, the precious possibility of receiving teachings in Finnish has been available thanks to the hard work of Tara Liberation Study Group staff and FPMT registered teacher Joona Repo.
Some of you might have heard of Joona from his role as translation coordinator for FPMT Education Services. Joona encountered the Dharma during his mid-teens and since then has accumulated an enormous amount of wisdom, which he doesn’t hesitate to share with anyone who wishes to learn the precious Dharma.
Joona Repo standing on the frozen sea in Helsinki, Finland, February 2018. Photo by Matt Linden.
A native speaker of both Finnish and English, and with a strong grasp of classical and colloquial Tibetan, Joona relays the Buddhist teachings in a detailed and inspiring way. Holding a PhD in Buddhist art history and with several years’ experience of living in Tibet and Nepal, Joona possesses extensive knowledge of Tibetan customs, culture, and history. This helps to bring the teachings alive and opens up the sometimes cryptic Tibetan Buddhist rituals to a wider contextual understanding, bringing meaning and depth to practice.
During the regular Monday sessions at the Tara Liberation Study Group, Joona has been focusing on the lamrim teachings, which he says are the backbone of all Tibetan Buddhist practices. He has thus far taught up to the great scope and the methods to generate bodhichitta. From this autumn, Joona will continue teaching on the lamrim and will be giving an explanation of the six perfections, mainly focusing on the development of the fifth perfection, concentration. Many students have been attending Joona’s teachings for a long time, and the increasing numbers of students shows the benefits of providing the Dharma teachings in the Finnish language.
Other topics that Joona has covered include an inspiring introduction to the “Praises to the Twenty-one Taras,” as well as in-depth instructions on the Thirty-five Buddhas purification practice. Tara Liberation Study Group has also benefited from Joona’s ability to lead a wide range of pujas and practices in the traditional Gelug fashion.
The group feels incredibly privileged to have a regular teacher with such a vast capacity, and we were very touched when Lama Zopa Rinpoche publicly thanked Joona for his contribution to spreading the Dharma in Finland, during the teachings in Riga, Latvia, in June 2019.
We are enthusiastic about the current semester and eagerly look forward to Monday evenings when we get our Dharma dose in the Finnish language. May this be of benefit to all beings.
For more information about Tara Liberation Study Group, visit their website:
https://taraliberation.fi
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching inside the temple called the Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha, Elista, Kalmykia, Russia, May 2017. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
On September 30, Lama Zopa Rinpoche arrived in Elista, the capital city of the Russian Republic of Kalmykia, which is the only region in Europe where Buddhism is the primary religion. Rinpoche traveled to Elista to offer a Great Chenrezig initiation and lead a 100 million mani retreat.
The events with Rinpoche begin on Friday, October 4, and run through October 20. Between 250-450 students are expected to attend, including many students from Ganden Tendar Ling, the FPMT center in Moscow.
Rinpoche then travels to Moscow to teach on “How to Develop Bodhicitta in the Modern World (a commentary on Khunu Lama Rinpoche’s The Jewel Lamp: A Praise of Bodhichitta),” October 25-27. Students from Ganden Tendar Ling are organizing the teachings in Moscow and also helping with the 100 million mani retreat in Elista.
Rinpoche’s teachings will be streamed live from Russia. For links to streaming video:
https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/lama-zopa-rinpoche-live/
The Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha, Elista, Kalmykia, Russia, May 2019. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Learn More about Ganden Tendar Ling Center:
https://fpmt.ru/
Find video and audio recordings and transcripts of Rinpoche’s recent teachings at Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Singapore:
https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/amitabha-buddhist-center-singapore-2019/
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.
Geshe Tenzin Namdak with Chrissy, Ven. Barbara, Catia, Radek, Sue, Rhona, and Alison at Jamyang Buddhist Centre, London, UK, May 2019. Photo by Robin Bath.
Geshe Tenzin Namdak, the new FPMT resident geshe at Jamyang Buddhist Centre, the FPMT center in London, UK, led the center’s annual summer retreat from July 7-14, 2019, on “The Buddhist Path to Happiness.” In August Jamyang London welcomed new center director Ven. Fabienne Pradelle. Rhonwen Sayer, a member of the center’s spiritual program sub-committee, shares the story.
In March 2018, His Holiness the Dalai Lama appointed Geshe Tashi Tsering, Jamyang Buddhist Centre’s former resident geshe, abbot of Sera Mey Monastery in South India. Everyone was delighted for Geshe-la but also concerned for the future. We were very fortunate that in September 2018 Lama Zopa Rinpoche asked Geshe Tenzin Namdak to take up the role of resident geshe at Jamyang Buddhist Centre and give teachings here for six months each year.
Geshe Namdak completed the entire twenty-year geshe program at Sera Jey Monastic University in 2017, and the traditional one-year vajrayana study program at Gyudmed Tantric Monastic University in January 2019, the first Westerner to do so. Geshe Namdak accepted Rinpoche’s request and arrived in May, starting teachings on meditation, Buddhist philosophy and psychology, and the art of emotional intelligence. These teachings ran until July.
Watch Ven. Fabienne Pradelle and Geshe Tenzin Namdak introduce themselves to the community in this video:
https://youtu.be/cQRgI798Ovk
Geshe Tenzin Namdak with Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Sera Je Monastic University, Bylakuppe, India, November 2017. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Geshe Namdak rounded off his teaching program by leading an eight-day retreat on “The Buddhist Path to Happiness.” Each day consisted of teachings on the lamrim based on Je Tsongkhapa’s “A Hymn of Experience” followed by question and answer session, group discussion, and meditation.
“A Hymn of Experience” is a wonderful overview of the whole lamrim. Geshe-la expanded and explained each verse, providing his deep insight to Je Tsongkhapa’s experience of the path to enlightenment.
The entire retreat had a great atmosphere generated by Geshe-la’s enthusiasm and the interactions among the students.
Everyone at Jamyang is delighted that our center has a resident teacher again, and we are looking forward to Geshe Namdak’s autumn teachings. Geshe-la’s enthusiasm and engagement are especially appreciated by our community.
For more information about Jamyang Buddhist Centre London, visit their website:
https://www.jamyang.co.uk/
To read His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s commentary on “A Hymn of Experience” (also known as “Lines of Experience”) visit the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive:
https://www.lamayeshe.com/article/chapter/illuminating-path-enlightenment
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche being offered a khata by Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi, Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, September 2019. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche concluded a busy visit to Singapore last week. Three weeks earlier, Rinpoche landed in Singapore, where he was enthusiastically greeted by students at the airport, despite the late time of his arrival.
During his visit at Amitabha Buddhist Centre (ABC), the FPMT center in Singapore, Rinpoche gave general teachings as well as commentary on Lama Chopa.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, September 2019. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Students at ABC offered a long life puja to Rinpoche with Lama Chopa and the Sixteen Arhat Long Life Prayers on Sunday, September 22.
Many students around the world watched the live webstreaming of Rinpoche’s teachings from ABC, especially in Taiwan, due to Ven. Thubten Dechen’s simultaneous translation of the teachings into Chinese.
Rinpoche’s teachings from ABC are available as video and audio recordings, including Italian translations of the teachings and a Spanish translation of one day of teachings. A written English transcript is also being made available.
ABC is a vibrant and active center. According to Ven. Holly Ansett, it’s a very inspiring center for its high level of student involvement and the scale of offerings and holy objects there. While staying at ABC, Rinpoche also attended the center’s 30th anniversary celebration.
Watch the Long Life Puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Lama Chopa and Sixteen Arhat Prayers from ABC:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn3tyEXX43I
Learn more about Amitabha Buddhist Centre:
http://www.fpmtabc.org/
Find video and audio recordings and transcripts of Rinpoche’s recent teachings at Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Singapore:
https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/amitabha-buddhist-center-singapore-2019/
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.
