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International Office News
December 2015
Warm season’s greetings to you – with our best wishes for peace, happiness and joyous compassion
through 2016 and beyond.
May all the holy wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche
be fulfilled perfectly without delay.
We send our heartfelt thanks to everyone who is serving
and who has served the FPMT in the past year
– you make a difference!
“With the motivation ‘I am here to serve others’ – the loving kindness, compassion, universal responsibility attitude – then there’s so much joy, so much to rejoice in.”
– Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Rejoicing in 25 Years of Offering Food
Mandala Releases January-June 2016 Issue
Merit Box Offerings and Free Practice Kits
Advice from Rinpoche: ‘We Can’t Think Like a Normal Organization’
Basic and Masters Program News
Would You Help Us to Pacify Earthquakes?
Long Life Puja to Be Offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama
New Book from Rinpoche: How to Enjoy Death
Have this translated into your native language by using our convenient translation facility located on the right-hand side of the page. French and Spanish speakers will find the FPMT International Office News translated each month in the “Bienvenue” and “Bienvenidos” tabs on the FPMT homepage!
Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s News:
News, Activities and Advice
Highlights from our blogs on FPMT.org:
‘There Is So Much in Which to Rejoice’
“[T]he whole thing about whether (service to others) becomes a burden or whether it becomes a pleasure for you, it depends on your attitude.” Read more …
“Whether you have time for practice or meditation or not, or to do prayers, mainly depends on your interest,” Lama Zopa Rinpoche says. Read more …
Keep up to date with Lama Zopa Rinpoche News. Find a wide range of advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche on Rinpoche’s Advice page.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche making airline travel meaningful, November 2015.
Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
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Rinpoche’s Schedule
Rinpoche’s full schedule
February 27 – May 2: Teachings, initiations and retreat in South East Asia
August 13: Teaching on the Seven Point Mind Training, Kadampa Center, USA
August 14 – 28: Light of the Path Retreat, Kadampa Center, USA
Subscribe to our FPMT news blog to get updates as soon as they are announced.
Rinpoche Available Now – Enjoy livestreams of many of the teachings above and recordings of Rinpoche’s most recent teachings!
International Office News:
Rejoicing in 25 Years of Offering Food
A new short film on the Sera Je Food Fund featuring Lama Zopa Rinpoche was recently released. In this video, Rinpoche speaks candidly on the importance of supporting the fund and the role it plays in spreading the Dharma in our world. Shots illustrating the logistics of preparing meals for all 2,500 resident monks appear throughout the interview.
As the Sera Je Food Fund approaches its 25th year, we invite you to rejoice in the support it’s received and the impact the fund has had on the quality of life at Sera Je Monastery – all involved deserve tremendous thanks!
News from Education Services
In response to the advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche that urgent practices need to be completed to help mitigate potential earthquakes in California, USA; Nepal; and around the world, we’ve made the recommended Kshitigarbha Practice available in a variety of formats.
Mandala Releases January-June 2016 Issue
Mandala January-June 2016 is in the mail! This edition includes a new teaching from Lama Zopa Rinpoche; interviews with high lamas on the future of Gelug tradition; exciting updates on the Geshema degree and opportunities for Gelug nuns; an excerpt from FPMT-registered teacher Ven. René Feusi’s newest book; and more.
We also invite you to peruse this issue’s online edition, featuring Piero Sirianni’s photos of Kopan’s nuns in action, an update from Kopan Monastery’s Helping Hands and other inspirational stories. A Mandala subscription is a benefit of the Friends of FPMT program.
Give Where Most Needed
International Office’s annual Give Where Most Needed campaign began on Lama Tsongkhapa Day (December 5) and extends through the New Year. Support is being sought for the fund, which provides for any FPMT Dharma activity or project that may need immediate funding. Join the campaign …
Merit Box Offerings and Free Practice Kits
The collection season for Merit Box has begun, and practitioners can turn in their accumulated offerings now until March 31, 2016. These offerings will fund the next batch of Merit Box grants, which will support of a variety of Dharma activities in 2016. Submit your offering today!
If you would like to have a Merit Box for your home, you can order a free one here. We have plenty to share!
Foundation Store Specials
This holiday season, check out FPMT Foundation Store’s end-of-year specials and give the gift of Dharma!
For Center, Project and Service Directors, SPCs, Board Members, Registered Teachers and Coordinators:
This advice is specifically for those offering service in the roles listed above.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche, South India, December 2015.
Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
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Advice from Rinpoche:
‘We Can’t Think Like a Normal Organization’
“What we have to always consider is that our organization has grown from hard work and sacrifice, and we have always had the burden of financial difficulties. Also, we all make mistakes. So often directors, having the burden and great responsibility of the center and its finances, sometimes have much worry and fear, and then they forget their practice. Then, the negative aspects come out and are stronger.
What helps the most here is lam-rim and lojong – it’s the best. All of us sometimes make mistakes, or due to karma, negative issues arise and we forget our Dharma practice and we relate in an ordinary way. But we can’t think like a normal organization – we have to think differently and act according to Dharma.”
Technology Guide
We bring you a guide to some of the best technological aids for a variety of purposes, from accounting to volunteer management. We hope this guide can be of benefit for all FPMT center, projects, services and study groups and serve as a useful reference for you to improve efficiency and to lower costs.
Basic and Masters Program News
The Spanish translation of Chapter 4 of Gyaltsab Je’s Ornament Commentary is now available for both the Basic Program and Masters Program. This is a major achievement of Ven. Nerea and the Spanish Translation Office!
The Basic Program final exam is available online in French. Thanks to Ven. Ngeunga of the French Translation Office!
A new and revised edition of the “Masters Program Guidelines” and an extensive “Masters Program Materials Update” are available for those interested.
FPMT World:
Would You Help Us to Pacify Earthquakes?
Lama Zopa Rinpoche recently advised students to urgently do certain practices to help mitigate potential earthquakes in California, USA; Nepal; and around the world. According to Rinpoche’s observations, these practices should be completed by February 1, 2016. Accomplishing the advised numbers will take the quick mobilization of students internationally, especially to complete the recitations of the long Kshitigarbha mantra. Please join in as we come together to pray, recite, and practice for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Rejoice:
Long Life Puja to Be Offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama
On January 1, 2016, following the Jangchup Lamrim teachings in South India, a long life puja will be offered to His Holiness. FPMT is delighted to be offering a range of ritual objects, including a silver Dharmachakra. You are very welcome to make a donation.
New Book from Rinpoche: How to Enjoy Death
Wisdom Publications is celebrating the imminent release of Rinpoche’s long-awaited book, How to Enjoy Death: Preparing to Meet Life’s Final Challenge without Fear. Pre-order now to help Wisdom keep the price of this beautiful special edition affordable, so that all can benefit from Rinpoche’s teachings.
Opportunities to Offer Service in FPMT
Please check out the regularly updated meritorious opportunities to offer service as a volunteer or as paid staff in FPMT centers, projects and services around the world.
Chenrezig Institute, Australia is looking for an FPMT registered teacher to serve as their resident teacher; Chandrakirti Centre, New Zealand needs a new spiritual program coordinator; Tushita Meditation Centre, India needs an SPC/office assistant.
Impermanence at Work
Centro Tara Cittamani, Italy
We welcome new spiritual program coordinator (SPC) – Teresa Fabbris
With grateful thanks to outgoing SPC – Alberto Voci
Ganden Do Ngag Shedrup Ling, Mongolia
We welcome new spiritual program coordinator (SPC) – Khulan Dembereldorj
With grateful thanks to outgoing SPC – Daria Davaa
Rinchen Zangpo Center, Mexico
We welcome new spiritual program coordinator (SPC) – Gilberto Alva
With grateful thanks to outgoing SPC – Gilda Urbina
Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery, Australia
monks@tslmonastery.org
Vajrapani Institute, USA
We welcome new resident teacher – Ven. Tenzin Chogkyi
Vajrayana Institute, Australia
Grateful thanks to retiring resident teacher – Wai Cheong Kok
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