International Office News
June 2016

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Paro, Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

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 News:

Activities and Advice

Lama Zopa Rinpoche visiting Thaksang Monastery, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Highlights from our blogs:

Happiness Follows a Good Heart

Lama Zopa Rinpoche departing from Maratika Caves, Nepal, February 2016. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, quoting His Holiness the Dalai Lama, gave this brief teaching:

“If you follow delusion, only suffering follows; if you follow the good heart, only happiness follows.”

Shared by Ven. Roger Kunsang on his Twitter page.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche on Making Offerings

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with attendant Ven. Sangpo Sherpa at Maitreya Instituut Loenen, July 2015. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

While Lama Zopa Rinpoche was at Maitreya Instituut Loenen in July 2015, Rinpoche gave a short impromptu talk on offerings. Rinpoche talked about the incredible merit that one can collect making offerings to different beings from parents up to numberless buddhas and gurus. Watch the video of Lama Zopa Rinpoche talking about making offerings on YouTube.

Find a wide range of advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche on Rinpoche’s Advice page.

Schedule

See the 2016 schedule in full.

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. Enjoy livestreams of many of the teachings above and recordings of Rinpoche’s most recent teachings on Rinpoche Available Now!

International Office News:

Grants Awarded from the Merit Box

Lama Zopa Rinpoche offering tsog with Khadro-la (Rangjung Neljorma Khandro Namsel Drönme) at Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the holiest temples in Bhutan, May 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Through the generosity of International Merit Box practitioners and communities worldwide, 21 new grants have been given in 2016 to help a wide range of Dharma activity – the publishing of new books in two languages, the construction of five new holy objects, service projects for care providers, and more. See the full list here!

Supporting Elderly Tibetan Refugees

A Tibetan resident at one of the homes in India supported by FPMT Charitable Projects, South India, December 2015. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Due to the kindness of a generous benefactor, FPMT has been able to invest more resources into taking care of the elderly Tibetans living in India, many of whom fled Tibet starting in 1959. Many elderly first-wave Tibetan refugees have very little prospect of accommodation or support as many are without families of their own. Offering support is one way that FPMT can help repay the kindness and bravery of the Tibetan people.

Over the last six months FPMT Charitable Projects has assessed the needs of older Tibetan refugees and found four residential facilities in need of assistance. To date, a total of US$135,996 has been offered in grants to help these homes carry out their work. Please read more about these grants and the homes supported.

New and Updated Materials from Education Services

• New translation of Ngulchu Dharmabhadra’s A Thorough Praise to the Thirty-five Sugatas called “The Flowing Water of the Ganga” expanded by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
• Heart Advice for Death and Dying eBook – now available on the Amazon Kindle Store
• Garsha Drink Offering PDF – updated version
• Verses for the Eight Noble Auspicious Ones by Mipham Rinpoche
• Thang Thong Gyalpo Earthquake Protection – now for download

Welcome to Our New Assistant Content Editor

Ven. Tenzin Tsomo has joined International Office as the Assistant Content editor for Education Services. Venerable Tsomo is working part time in this role while also continuing to serve as the Spiritual Program Coordinator at Land of Medicine Buddha.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Thank You from
Work a Day for Rinpoche

Many, many thanks to all supporters of the Work a Day for Rinpoche campaign – all the donors, Golden Light Sutra reciters, and others! Over 580 students from 53 different countries donated to the campaign this year during the month of Saka Dawa in order to help us take more steps toward actualizing Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s compassionate vision for the world and FPMT. We rejoice!

Get Ready for the
New Issue of Mandala!

On July 6, the newest print issue of Mandala begins making its way around the world. In this issue, we explore secular, Buddhist-inspired education (what Lama Yeshe called “Universal Education”) with teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Plus, we talk with Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW) about the popular 16 Guidelines for a Happy Life program and their new program the Art of Fulfillment, and we hear from Maitripa College about its new Mindfulness and Compassion Initiative and from Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa about its plans for an Academy of Mind Science and Valid Cognition – all examples of the principles of Universal Education in action.

Also, enjoy a passionate interview with Prof. Robert Thurman about the importance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the scientific world and the relevance of Buddhist science; and reminisce with long-time student Jon Landaw about Lama Yeshe’s extraordinary ability to communicate.

Sign up as a Friend of FPMT before July 1 to get your copy delivered your way. (We have digital and print options!)

Find Retreats Scheduled at Centers around the World

To help support your practice, our listing of retreats is available online and is regularly updated!

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.

New Pilot FPMT Teacher Development Service Seminar

This newly designed weekend seminar for existing and potential FPMT registered teachers, course facilitators and meditation leaders is being piloted in four FPMT centers this year (note, Mahamudra Centre has changed its date). The seminar will introduce principles of contemporary Dharma pedagogy (method and practice of teaching). The workshop is experiential and participatory, and is suitable for experienced Dharma teachers and complete beginners alike, as it stimulates reflective practice and a sense of professional development, which are essential processes for everyone helping others learn Dharma in FPMT education programs.

New Incense from Khachoe Ghakyil Nunnery

Lama Zopa Rinpoche outside the tiny gompa housing the holy site of Guru Rinpoche’s body, Drakarpo, Paro, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche recommended this Guru Rinpoche incense recipe and Khachoe Ghakyil Ling, the FPMT nunnery near Kopan Monastery, is making it available to students everywhere. All FPMT centers, projects and services get a special discount. Find more information and ways to order.

FPMT World:

Rejoice! New FPMT Study Group

We welcome Gonpo Ludup Study Group (probationary center) in California, USA!

Short Intensive Course for Dharma Tibetan

Offered by the Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Program, this six-week course of intensive study in McLeod Ganj, India, starts September 5. In this course you will learn how to read Tibetan, speak basic conversational Tibetan, understand basic literary grammar and learn common Dharma terms that are in used in texts and teachings. If are you looking for systematic and graduated explanations on Tibetan grammar and Dharma words, this is the place for you!

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.

FPMT International Office, USA needs French and Spanish translators; Tara Redwood School, USA is looking for elementary and assistant teachers.

Impermanence at Work

Atisha Centre, Australia
We welcome new spiritual program coordinator (SPC) – Andy Melnic
With grateful thanks to outgoing SPC – Jen Kyne

Tubten Kunga Center, USA
We welcome new resident teacher – Ven. Tendron
With grateful thanks to previous resident geshe – Geshe Konchog Kyab

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