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Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s News: Rinpoche’s Schedule New Advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche Don’t Waste Your Perfect Human Rebirth! Life on the Road with Lama Zopa Rinpoche: His Holiness Praises Rinpoche International Office News: Rejoice with Us – Key Achievements from 2010 Latest News from the Sera Je Food Fund Education Services		His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche at a public talk in Bangalore, India, January 2011. Photo by Tara Melwani.
Programs Materials The Foundation Store International Merit Box Project Friends of FPMT For Center, Project and Service Directors, SPCs, Teachers and Board Members Rinpoche Gives New Advice for FPMT Center, Project and Service Logos Updates to FPMT Teacher Policy and Process Touring Lamas Quotes from Lama Zopa Rinpoche for Display Apply for Funding from the International Merit Box Fund Opportunities for Teachers FPMT World: Rejoice! We Welcome Three New Study Groups! FPMT Hosted His Holiness the Dalai Lama in India Kopan Monks and Nuns Offered A Long Life Puja to Rinpoche Opportunities to Offer Service in FPMT Impermanence at Work

For more information as it becomes available please go to Rinpoche’s Schedule. For details of how to register for these events please contact the relevant center directly.

2011

February 5 – 14 at Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore
5 – 6 Medicine Buddha initiation
8 – 10, 12 Teaching on Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga (continuation from last year)
14 Namgyälma initiation

February 26 Teaching on the Three Principles of the Path at Tse Chen Ling, California, USA
27 Medicine Buddha initiation

March 12 – 13 and 19 Transmission of the long version of the Sutra of Golden Light (this is the first time Rinpoche has given this lung!) at Gyalwa Gyatso Buddhist Center, California, USA
20 White Tara long life initiation

April 2 – 30 Teaching on Bodhicaryavatara and Heruka, Yamantaka, Guhyasamaja and Rinjung Gyatsa initiations in retreat hosted by Atisha Centre, The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion and Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery, Bendigo, Australia

May 3 – 4 Teaching and initiation at Buddha House, Australia

May 15 Stupa consecration at De-Tong Ling, Australia

May 20 – 24 at Vajrayana Institute, Australia
20 Public teaching: Wholesome Fear: Transforming Anxiety about Impermanence and Death
21 Vajrasattva initiation
22 – 23 Teaching on the Benefits and Practice of Purification
24 White Mahakala initiation

May 27 – June 6 at Potowa Center, Indonesia
May 27 – 29 and June 3 – 5 Commentary on Lama Chöpa (continuation from last year)
June 1 Public teaching: Cultivating Happiness: Big Heart, Peaceful Mind

June 17 – 26 Teaching, long life initiation and trek hosted by Lawudo Retreat Centre, Nepal

July 17 Teaching on Kalachakra Six Session Guru Yoga organized by Guhyasamaja Center, Washington, D.C., USA

September 1 – 5 Joy of Compassion retreat at Tubten Kunga Center, Florida, USA
4 Chenrezig jenang

September 8 Teaching at Kadampa Center, North Carolina, USA

September 10 – 25 Light of the Path retreat, including a long life initiation, North Carolina, USA

November Teaching for part of the one-month course at Kopan Monastery, Nepal

Rinpoche sent this message together with a 3-D image of a turtle to a monastery: “I am the famous blind turtle. I have been trying to get the opportunity for my neck to go inside the famous golden ring for numberless eons, [and] still it has not happened, [not] even one time. But you have received this

perfect human body, have met the Buddhadharma – it’s really like a dream, very hard to believe, don’t waste it even for one second, please work for enlightenment, practice bodhichitta.

The turtle is saying, ‘I don’t know where the golden ring is? I can’t see, but what I have heard is that the essence of the whole entire Buddhism is to develop compassion, to bring all sentient beings to full enlightenment.

This mantra on my shell, just by seeing [it] you can achieve full enlightenment. I carry this on my back all over the ocean, enlightening others, at least the other turtles, as well as all sentient beings including my enemies, who eat me, who harm me.

Good bye, see you soon in the human realm!’

With much love and prayers,
Lama Zopa Rinpoche

PS: The mantra beside the turtle – each time by seeing this mantra purifies 100 million eons of negative karma.

The mantra on the turtle shell – seeing this mantra causes you to achieve enlightenment.”

Go to Rinpoche’s Advice page for lots more advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Excerpted from Ven. Roger Kunsang’s blog Life on the Road with Lama Zopa Rinpoche (posted on January 9, 2011). Ven. Roger’s very entertaining blog enables us all to keep up with Rinpoche’s activities: During the recent Delhi Dharma Celebration (see FPMT Hosted His Holiness the Dalai Lama in India below), Rinpoche had a small group appointment with His

His Holiness with Rinpoche and members of Tushita Mahayana Meditation Centre, January 2011.

Holiness the Dalai Lama. Ven. Roger Kunsang reported:

“His Holiness mentioned how much he appreciated Lama Yeshe and Rinpoche and how much benefit the FPMT had been in offering the Dharma. His Holiness said, ‘I really appreciate … I think it is something marvelous!’ and also mentioned how Rinpoche, although he had done so much to benefit others and had many centers, remained a very simple, humble monk! How he was a very good example!”

Ven. Holly Ansett reports: Please rejoice as this is the 20th year that FPMT has been offering food to the monks at Sera Je Monastery. To date, the Sera Je Food Fund has provided over 15,000,000 meals. That’s 2,500,000 meals per year; 7,800 meals every day. In January 2011, FPMT was able to send US$129,997.94 to Sera Je Monastery. This contribution covers the next six months’ worth of meals (we are now offering three meals per day) for all 2,600 monks currently studying at Sera Je. Thank you to all the kind benefactors who support this amazing project and please rejoice in this incredible offering that we are able to make to the Sangha, our future FPMT center geshes and to “the pores of the guru,” other disciples of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

FPMT has provided over 15,000,000 meals to Sera Je monks since 1997. The 2,600 monks from Sera Je receive three nutritious meals everday because of the generosity of hundreds of people.

Regarding one’s guru’s disciples, Rinpoche recently said: “If you offer with the recognition that they are the guru’s pores, then that is an unbelievable way to collect merit. When you offer to many Sangha who have the same guru, then you are making offerings to that many pores of the guru. This is the easiest way to collect skies of merit by offering. By offering even just one candy, flowers or even one grain of rice to a statue of Buddha or even a visualized Buddha, you collect skies of merit. But here, it is much more powerful than offering to the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) as well as all the statues, stupas and scriptures existing in all directions. So there is no question if one makes an offering to a real disciple of the guru. These benefits should be understood so that when you make offerings to the guru’s pores you think correctly. This is the best business.”

I would like to thank some of the centers who are creatively supporting FPMT charitable projects: Land of Medicine Buddha is offering 10% of their Dharma income to Amdo Eye Center; Institut Vajra Yogini offered 10% of their membership income to the Sera Je Food Fund and Kopan Monastery; Yeshe Norbu Appello per il Tibet has for many years raised funds for Sera Je Food Fund; and thanks also to Cham Tse Ling, Amitabha Buddha Centre and Losang Dragpa Centre for their kind support of the Sera Je Food Fund. Without all of you, this incredible offering would not be possible. Thank you so much!

NEW Online!
Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s 2010 teachings from Singapore are now on the Online Learning Center. These teachings were the start of the ongoing Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga commentary. Some restrictions to the teachings apply as outlined on the OLC. The upcoming 2011 teachings that will begin in February will also be made available on the Online Learning Center soon after the teachings have concluded. Watch this space!

Living in the Path, module seven, “Bringing Emptiness to Life.”

Living in the Path Instruction, module one, “Diamond Cutter Meditation.” This is the first of many instruction modules that will deliver practice specific commentary from Rinpoche. Other instruction modules upcoming are: “Refuge and Bodhichitta,” “Seven Limbs,” and “Lama Chöpa.”

En français ! 
Le Module 14 de Découverte du bouddhisme, Expériences spécifiques d’intégration, est librement accessible en ligne en français.

Les centres sont invités à envoyer à Merry les dates de leurs prochaines retraites de DB (dont les nyoung-nès) afin de les ajouter à la page emploi du temps : nos étudiants en ligne cherchent des groupes pour leurs retraites du Module 14. Merci !

Lama Tsongkhapa Prayer Flag: This beautiful prayer flag was designed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche and took three years to complete. In 2007, Lama Zopa Rinpoche recommended all FPMT centers, projects and services to fly this (and the Gyaltsen Tsemoi Phugen prayer flag) for auspiciousness and protection. The prayers on the flag include the Refuge Prayer, the Prayer for the Flourishing of Lama Tsongkhapa‘s Teachings, the prayer Accomplishing the Auspiciousness which includes prayers to the Five Dhyani Buddhas, Lama Tsongkhapa‘s Prayer, dedication prayers, and prayers to avert war, earthquakes, and natural disasters in this universe and especially in the places that the flag is flown. The flag measures 56″ (1.42 meters) by 60″ (1.52 meters) and is now on sale! Check out the Lama Tsongkhapa prayer flag and the Gyaltsen Tsemoi Phugen prayer flag. The prayer flag of Gyaltsen Tsemoi Phugen removes obstacles and promotes harmony.

Read the latest Foundation Store newsletter for other new product arrivals and monthly specials.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has submitted their International Merit Box Project donation for 2010. There is still time to send in your donation before collection ends on March 31. You may make a credit card donation though the Virtual Merit Box or see our collection information page for more options. By becoming a Friend of FPMT you can stay connected to all that FPMT has to offer including Mandala Publications, the FPMT Online Learning Center and various complimentary resources offered at the free FPMT Membership level. We’re confident we’ve designed a level that is perfect for your budget, studies and practice. (This advice is specifically for those offering service in the roles listed above.) Essential reading – updated advice from Rinpoche on the importance of getting your logo right.

“The logo is not just a design of your company, or something to identify with – thinking in this way has no meaning, and it is very uninteresting, boring.

I want everyone to understand the meaning and significance of logos now because I am now seeing some centers, services and projects are creating funny logos. It seems they have no real idea of the meaning and significance of the logos.”

NB: If your center, project or service has a logo designed by Rinpoche, please send a good-quality JPEG copy to Claire for reference and for our archive.

I hope everyone already received our overview of these updates and has read all the information posted in the FPMT Affiliates Area. If you didn’t receive this information or have any questions, please let Claire know. We have recently updated this webpage to highlight the lamas who have kindly accepted Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s request to support his Dharma work by being available to travel to teach at FPMT centers, projects and services.

Directors and spiritual program coordinators who would like to invite these lamas can find contact information in the FPMT Affiliates Area.

At International Office we selected some classic quotes of Rinpoche and made them into beautiful posters which we hung around the office. At the last FPMT, Inc. board meeting Rinpoche commented that he liked them, and advised that we make them available for centers, projects and services. You can download them from the FPMT Affiliates Area, or soon from the Foundation Store as free downloads on the FPMT Centers Only page. We are accepting applications for International Merit Box Projects grants until February 28, 2011. Any center, project, service or study group that has an eligible project may e-mail meritbox@fpmt.org to request an application form.  If you are a Foundational or In-Depth FPMT-registered teacher, you may be interested in these two opportunities: Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala, India needs a resident teacher (for more information go to Volunteer and Job Opportunities) and Root Institute in Bodhgaya, India is looking for teachers to be part of the teacher team for a new 10-day residential course, “Experience Buddhism at the Root,” a unique offering from Root Institute in conjunction with FPMT Education Services. For more information, contact Ven. Thubten Labdron by February 28, 2011. Chenrezig Study Group
7180 Olive Street
Evansville, Indiana 47715
USA
Tel: +1 (812) 602-3369
info@chenrezig.org
www.chenrezig.org
Coordinator – Holly Ziemer

Thubten Kunkyab Study Group
Manuel Pagola 3029 apto. 201
CP 11.300 Montevideo
Uruguay
Tel: +598 2708 3501
thubtenkunkyabsg@yahoo.com.ar
Coordinator – Marilena Molinaro

Vajrapani Tibetan Buddhist Study Group
Boulevard Monte Alban #- L. 5 M. 8 “K” Sector
Bahías de Huatulco (Sta. Ma. Huatulco), Oaxaca
CP. 70989
Mexico          
Tel: +52 958 587 09 02
blanca_eb@hotmail.com
Coordinator – Blanca Bolanos

Tushita Mahayana Meditation Centre hosted the 30th Delhi Dharma Celebration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama – there were 3,000 people in attendance! The event went very well and His Holiness seemed very relaxed. His Holiness talked on the different levels of happiness.

And Choe Khor Sum Ling in Bangalore hosted a public talk with His Holiness, which was live-streamed on the Online Learning Center.

Please check out these and other exciting opportunities to offer service in FPMT centers, projects and services around the world!

Thubten Norbu Ling in New Mexico, USA is looking for a new director; Root Institute’s project, the Shakyamuni Buddha Community Health Care Centre is looking for a nurse; and the Land of Joy, a new project starting in the UK, is looking for a PR Coordinator.

Buddha House, Australia
With grateful thanks to now retired resident geshe – Geshe Pema Tsering

Centro Yamantaka, Colombia
Tel: +57 311 251 0993

European Regional Office
fpmtcoor.europe@gmail.com

Land of Calm Abiding, USA
We welcome new director – Chuck Walbridge
With grateful thanks to outgoing director – Brian Halterman

Mu Gompa and Rachen Nunnery, Nepal
We welcome new resident geshe – Geshe Jampa Tsundu
With thanks to outgoing geshe – Geshe Chokley

Nagarjuna C.E.T. Barcelona, Spain
We welcome new SPC – Dolores Banti
With grateful thanks to outgoing SPC – Kiko Segura

North American Regional Coordinator
1840 41st Ave #102-217
Capitola, CA 95010, USA
Tel: +1 831 334 2777
fpmtnorthamerica@gmail.com
We welcome new coordinator – Amy Cayton
With grateful thanks to outgoing coordinator (and current IMI director) – Ven. Carol Corradi

Rinchen Zangpo Center, Mexico
We welcome new (and first) SPC – Gilda Urbina

Shakyamuni Center, Taiwan
We welcome new resident geshe – Geshe Ngawang Gyatso

Shedrup Ling, Mongolia
We welcome new director – Ven. Gyalmo (Glenda Lee)

Tse Chen Ling, USA
We welcome new director – Teresa Navarro
With grateful thanks to outgoing director – Michelle Stewart

With love,
FPMT International Office