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In-depth Stories
Please enjoy this collection of longer stories that cover a wide range of topics—from pilgrimage to student milestones, from interviews with teachers to explanations of aspects of Buddhist practice. For our most recent published content, including video, audio, blog posts, and more, see What’s New!
A Deep Interest in Study: Khen Rinpoche Geshe Thubten Chonyi’s Story and the History of Kopan
Khen Rinpoche Geshe Thubten Chonyi is abbot of Kopan Monastery and Kopan Nunnery, the FPMT monastic institutions in Kathmandu, Nepal, and resident geshe at Amitabha Buddhist Centre (ABC), the FPMT center in Singapore. This story is based on the July ... Read more »
His Eminence Ling Rinpoche Welcomed to New Zealand for the First Time
His Eminence the 7th Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche visited New Zealand during the Fifteen Days of Miracles from February 26 to March 21, 2020. Rinpoche visited FPMT centers Dorje Chang Institute for Wisdom Culture on February 29–March 2, Amitabha Hospice ... Read more »
Geshe Tenzin Zopa Welcomed to Broome, Western Australia
Geshe Tenzin Zopa, an FPMT touring teacher, visited the Gyalwa Ensapa Broome Buddhist Study Group, an FPMT study group located in a coastal town in northern Western Australia. The week spent together left lasting impressions on everyone involved. Sandy Faber, ... Read more »
Tushita Meditation Centre Staff Went on a Pilgrimage to the Land of Dakinis
The FPMT resident teacher, staff members, and volunteers from Tushita Meditation Centre, the FPMT center in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India, went on pilgrimage to Lahaul (Garsha) in August 2019. The group traveled together in the Tushita bus and two additional ... Read more »
Prostrating Up a Hill at Rinchen Jangsem Ling Retreat Centre in Malaysia
On August 25, 2019, a large prostration event took place at Rinchen Jangsem Ling Retreat Centre, the FPMT center in Triang, Malaysia. FPMT Southeast Asia regional coordinator, Selina Foong, shares the story. I’ve made countless trips to beautiful Rinchen Jangsem ... Read more »
Nalanda Monastery’s New Project: Maitreya Pure Land
Nalanda Monastery is a community for Western Gelug monks located in a peaceful rural setting in the South of France about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Toulouse. The monastery, which is affiliated with FPMT, offers monastic students, as well as ... Read more »
Training the Mind in Generosity
It is always a challenge for a Dharma center to balance the wish to benefit all sentient beings with the practical day-to-day needs associated with running a nonprofit organization. Funds are needed not only for the expenses of rent or ... Read more »
FPMT Students Experienced that FPMT Family Feeling in Nepal
In February 2018 a group of FPMT students traveled together from Australia to Kathmandu, Nepal, for a pilgrimage led by Gen Thubten Dondrub*, FPMT resident teacher at Buddha House, an FPMT center in Australia. In addition to encountering Lama Zopa ... Read more »
Maitreya Instituut’s Interfaith Retreat Creates a Community Experience Focused on Compassion
Maitreya Instituut in the Netherlands hosted an interfaith dialogue that transcended the usual exchange of words. Buddhist and Sufi students came together to learn about each other’s traditions and to practice during a four-day retreat focused on compassion. Interfaith activities ... Read more »
An Adventurous Trip to Lawudo in Nepal
Ven. Amy Miller, an FPMT registered teacher, has been informally leading people to Lawudo in Nepal’s Solu Khumbu District since 1990. She shares about the October 5-22, 2018, trip she led for twenty-three people from around the world. It was ... Read more »
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Teaches in Bodhgaya
Few things are more precious than being able to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama teach in Bodhgaya, India, the location of the Buddha’s enlightenment. Australian student Cynthia Karena, a regular contributor to Mandala, traveled to India in December 2018 ... Read more »