International Office News
June 2020

Lama Zopa Rinpoche recording one of his recent video teachings from his room at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 2020. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Tsomo.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche News:

Lama Zopa Rinpoche watching the live webcast of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Avolokiteshvara empowerment, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, May 2020.

Now is the Time to Practice Dharma: Ongoing Video Teachings

Lama Zopa Rinpoche continues his video teachings from Kopan Monastery. Rinpoche started this series of teachings due to having to stay in one place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than traveling the world to give teachings. In the June 4 video teaching titled How to Avoid Wasting Your Life, Rinpoche thanked everyone who has been listening to the teachings, and reminded us that the general idea of these teachings is lojong (thought transformation). Due to old habits, we can spend our whole life distracted by attachment, anger, ignorance, pride, jealousy, and all the delusions, thus wasting our precious and perfect human life (see the Inner Job Description, below). Rinpoche explained that now we have the opportunity to learn Dharma through the internet, without needing to travel. Also, in time for Saka Dawa, Rinpoche kindly offered the Eight Mahayana Precepts.

Find all the advice and video teachings by Lama Zopa Rinpoche from Kopan Monastery during the coronavirus pandemic, with links to videos in translation, transcripts, MP3s, and more, on the page Advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche for the Coronavirus.

How the FPMT Organization Began

The video of Rinpoche’s teaching about Always Remember the Benefits of Correctly Following the Virtuous Friend begins with LYWA director, Dr. Nick Ribush, explaining some of the key landmarks in the beginning of the FPMT organization.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche taking bodhisattva vows from His Holiness the Dalai Lama online on Saka Dawa, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, June 2020. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

International Office News

Staff Changes

Eamon Walsh has resigned from the COO role, which he has held in conjunction with his CFO role for the last few years. Eamon will continue as our CFO—one job being enough!

We are delighted to welcome François Lecointre to the International Office team, looking after communications, and teacher services. Many of you will know and treasure François, for his long service as director (and more recently, co-director), of Institut Vajra Yogini, France; and as a senior Foundation Service Seminar registered facilitator.

Helping You Become an Inner Professional

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Ven. Roger Kunsang and FSS registered facilitator Wendy Ridley looking at the IJD app, Italy, October 2017. Photo by Violette Pliot.

We created the Inner Job Description (IJD) as a practical aid for developing mindfulness about our thoughts, speech, and actions, so that increased awareness of our mental habits would enable users to make real, positive change, by becoming an “inner professional,” as advised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Now you can use our new video to help understand and use the IJD! The 45-minute IJD Training video explains how to use the IJD tool in your daily life, including how to personalize it to work best for you. It includes meditation, and an introduction to FPMT Wisdom Culture. You’ll explore how useful the IJD can be, whether you are serving in an FPMT center, project, or service, or are unconnected with the FPMT organization. The Inner Job Description Mindfulness Practice Tool (IJD) is freely available as an app, or as a card to print. The app is available in English, Chinese, French, Italian, Russian, and Spanish.

News from FPMT Charitable Projects

A resident of Jampaling Elder’s Home, Dharamsala, India, getting their temperature checked by a nurse.

We have been checking in with the projects we support in India and Nepal to see how they are managing during the pandemic, and if extra support is needed. We are also continuing to arrange pujas and prayers, as advised by Lama Rinpoche – especially during Saka Dawa, and ongoing, to generate prayers, healing, and peace for the organization and entire world.

The elderly homes and schools we support are all adhering to best practice to protect the elders and students. Most of the schools are closed, but some also serve as hostels and so young people are still living there. We are very happy to report that all are safe and well and managing to the best of their ability during this difficult time.

There is a lot of inspiring work happening in projects we support around the world: Lamp of the Path’s soup kitchen in Mongolia is providing immediate support to the homeless in the area; Kopan Monastery’s Kopan Helping Hands is offering food to the poor in Nepal and India; Root Institute, India, is offering food to locals most in need; MAITRI Charitable Trust, India, is continuing its support for leprosy and tuberculosis patients, as well as support to animals; and Losang Dragpa Center is distributing direct aid in Malaysia.

For Center, Project and Service Directors, SPCs, Board Members, Registered Teachers and Coordinators:

IMI Shares Their Financial Report

Nalanda monks during their visit to Swayambhunath, Nepal, March 2020. Photo by Nalanda Monastery monks.

The International Mahayana Institute (IMI), the organization for FPMT Sangha, sent their annual financial report out to us all recently, via the CPMT e-group. IMI uses this report to demonstrate how IMI values, and uses, your annual donation to the Lama Yeshe Sangha Fund, which is one of the required annual donations of FPMT affiliates.

FPMT World:

Opportunities to Offer Service in the FPMT Organization

Even though movement is still restricted for many of us, now may be a good time to have a look at the various meritorious opportunities to offer service providing the opportunity to spend your days in a meaningful way as a volunteer or as paid staff in FPMT centers, projects, and services around the world. Newly added: Choe Khor Sum Ling, India, is looking for a new director and SPC; Land of Medicine Buddha, USA, is looking for a new director.

Impermanence at Work

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

Gyalwa Gyatso Buddhist Center (Ocean of Compassion), USA
We welcome new co-directors – Kim Nguyen and Nadezhda Wein-Duffy

Institut Vajra Yogini, France
We welcome Nicolas Brun as director: Nicolas was previously co-director

Jamyang Buddhist Centre, London, UK
We welcome new spiritual program coordinator (SPC) – Kamlo Chen-Duffy
With grateful thanks to retired SPC – Moya Mendez

Nagarjuna Centre, Madrid, Spain
We welcome new spiritual program coordinator (SPC) – Conchi Fernandez
With grateful thanks to retired SPC – Pablo Ayuso

Tara Institute, Australia
We welcome Damien Busby as director: Damien was previously acting director

Tushita Centro de Meditación, Spain
We welcome new spiritual program coordinator (SPC) – Esther Martinez Valencia
With grateful thanks to retired SPC – Marina Brucet

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