International Office News
August 2023

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Maratika, Nepal, 2021. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Recently Shared Teachings by Lama Zopa Rinpoche:

On the Topic of Reincarnation

Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo, Australia, April 2011. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

During a quiet moment at the April 2011 retreat at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion near Bendigo, Australia, Rinpoche gave an informal talk on reincarnation. The video of this teaching was recorded before Rinpoche manifested a stroke at the retreat. You can read a summary and watch the video of this teaching.

Mitigating Severe Conditions of the Elements

No matter where we live in the world, facing severe conditions resulting from the weather or natural disaster effects us all. Every year, hundreds of disasters of the elements occur around the world due to drought, floods, extreme weather, extreme temperature, landslides, dry mass movements, wildfires, volcanic activity, and earthquakes. Lama Zopa Rinpoche has offered extensive advice on mitigating severe conditions of the elements. We recently shared some of this essential advice.

The Whole World Exists in Nothing More Than Mere Name

Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered a thought transformation teaching on November 6, 2020, reminding us that the I does not exist from its own side, because it is a dependent arising. The I has been appearing to our minds as if it exists from its own side since beginningless rebirths, and we have held on to that mistaken view. But it does not exist at all like this, it’s a total hallucination. In fact, all phenomena of samsara and nirvana do not exist from their own side because they are dependent arisings. You can read a summary and watch a video of this teaching. 

Importance of Studying and Applying Lamrim in Daily Life

During the 2018 November Course at Kopan Monastery, Rinpoche outlined how to reach enlightenment based on the lamrim and the importance of studying it. Rinpoche emphasized that merely knowing the lamrim is not enough; it needs to be applied in daily life. You can read a summary and watch a video of this teaching.

Lama Yeshe’s Wisdom

Karma, Reality, and Belief

Lama Yeshe doing Fire Puja with Jhampa Zangpo (Mark Shaneman) holding umbrella at Chenrezig Institute, Australia, 1976. Photo courtesy of Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.

This timeless advice from Lama Yeshe is excerpted from a teaching on karma given by Lama Yeshe at Chenrezig Institute, Queensland, Australia, on 28 June 1976:

We often talk about how we waste our lives following the eight worldly dharmas – attachment to temporal happiness, receiving material things, being praised, and having a good reputation – and aversion to their opposites – discomfort, not getting things, being criticized, and notoriety. Each time we get involved with those, we create negative karma.

For example, when somebody praises you, you feel happy and puff up with pride, and when somebody criticizes you, you feel unhappy and depressed. Each time you go up and down like this, you create karma.

Why do you feel elated when praised and dejected when criticized? It’s because you don’t accept the way things truly are. You’re controlled by your hallucinating mind, which is totally divorced from reality. Whether you’re good or bad isn’t determined by what other people think but by your own actions. These are your own responsibility. If all your actions are positive, even if I say “You’re bad, you’re bad, you’re bad …” all day, it won’t affect your qualities. Therefore, you should understand what really makes an action positive or negative. It’s not defined by what other people think. Read more of this teaching.

Life on the Road with Lama Zopa Rinpoche:

No Rules Makes it Possible

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Dharamsala, 2012. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Over the years, while traveling continuously with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Ven. Roger Kunsang, CEO of FPMT and Rinpoche’s long-time attendant, would share stories of what it was like to be on the road with Rinpoche, and to witness and participate in Rinpoche’s enlightened activity. These stories offer a glimpse into how Rinpoche used all of the circumstances in daily life, including the time traveling, to practice Dharma and serve others. In 2012, Ven. Roger shared this story from the road in Dharamsala, India we are happy to share eleven years later.

From the FPMT Inc. Board of Directors

An Update from the FPMT Inc. Board

The FPMT Inc. Board of Directors recently shared an important update. Please read their full message.

What We’re Rejoicing About:

Institut Vajra Yogini Has Completed 108 Nyung Na Retreats for the 12th Year!

Institut Vajra Yogini (IVY) in France has hosted its twelfth series of 108 Nyung Na retreats from November 2022 to June 2023. One of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the FPMT organization was to sponsor people who make a serious commitment in this life to complete 1,000 Nyung Na retreats, and IVY kindly began to host the retreats every year to help fulfill this vision. For the last ten years, Lama Zopa Rinpoche has been sponsoring the food and accommodation for a number of people, each year, who undertake the 108 Nyung Na retreats, and in 2023, US$11,522 was offered toward the retreat. We are very happy to continue to offer support each year toward the retreats, in alignment with Rinpoche’s wishes. Please read more about this year’s Nyung Na retreat at IVY.

H.H. the Forty-Second Sakya Trizin Rinpoche Offers Prayers for Lama Zopa Rinpoche

H.H the 42nd Sakya Trizin Rinpoche offering prayers in front of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy body, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, August 4, 2023. Photo courtesy of Kopan Monastery.

On August 4, 2023, H.H the 42nd Sakya Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, eldest son of His Holiness Kyabgon Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, visited Kopan Monastery to offer prayers for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return in front of Rinpoche’s holy body, including the eight volumes version of the Prajnaparamita, along with other texts recited by heart. A great number of high lamas have offered their respects, condolences, tributes, and prayers after Rinpoche’s passing including some of the highest lamas of all four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, and various other traditions and lineages.

Great Stupa Named Top Tourist Attraction in the World!

Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award 2023 recognized the Great Stupa in Bendigo as making the list of the top 10% of attractions around the globe, and one of the “must-do experiences” in Australia. The Great Stupa is the largest stupa in the Western world. 

FPMT East & Southeast Asia Host Virtual Mani Retreat

A successful Virtual Mani Retreat was offered by FPMT East & Southeast Asia with nearly 15 million recitations accumulated! Please read more about this auspicious retreat.

Opportunities and Resources for Your Study and Practice:

Downloadable Portrait of Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 2018. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

We have received many requests for this particular image of Lama Zopa Rinpoche which students are using for their altar and personal use. All are welcome to freely download this image.

For FPMT affiliates only: This photo joins the other wonderful photos available for you to download and use in the High Resolution Photos of our Lamas section of the Affiliates Area.

Quotes for Life from Lama Zopa Rinpoche

We are so happy to make available two sets of inspirational quotations from Lama Zopa Rinpoche available as beautifully designed downloadable images.

• Words to Live by: Quotes from Lama Zopa Rinpoche contains 7 postcards with Rinpoche’s quotes and images designed by Venerable Lobsang Sherab. 

• Quotes for Life from Lama Zopa Rinpoche contains 16 postcards with Rinpoche’s quotes and images created by Christine Schnoell, SPC of Panchen Losang Chogyen center in Vienna, Austria with support from Ven. Tenzin Namdrol of Kopan Monastery.

FDCW Helping Grow Compassion and Wisdom

The FPMT affiliate FDCW (Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom) brings us some wonderful initiatives, available to those interested in understanding their own mind and emotions and bringing compassion into daily life. Please read more about these upcoming opportunities available.

New Materials from FPMT Education Services

An Abbreviated Meditation-Recitation of the Goddess Kurukulla is a short self-generation sadhana of Kurukulla by Lozang Thrinle. This is the recommended practice text to use in order to fulfil the Kurukulla initiation commitment given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Kopan, December 2022.

Why the Guru Shows the Aspect of Making Mistakes by Lama Zopa Rinpoche is a short yet powerful advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche discussing some of the key points of the practice of guru devotion. Rinpoche focuses on the concept of tshul, “showing the aspect”: because buddhas need to manifest in ordinary forms to teach us, human beings, their behavior can appear unenlightened or mistaken. In other words, they “show the aspect” of making mistakes only for our sake.

Opportunities and Changes within the Organization:

Opportunities to Offer Service

Read about the amazing benefits and importance of offering service in the FPMT organization, and have a look below at these meritorious opportunities to offer service as paid staff or as a volunteer in FPMT centers, projects, and services around the world. Newly added: Istituto Lama Tsong Khapa, Italy, is recruiting a spiritual program coordinator.

Those Newly Offering Service in the FPMT Organization

Thubten Kunga Ling, USA
We welcome new director – Rebecca Smith
With grateful thanks to retired director – Nicole Zito

Become a Friend of FPMT

Contact information for the centers mentioned, and all FPMT centers, projects, and services can be found in the FPMT Directory.

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FPMT International Office is Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s office.