International Office News
June 2024

Ven. Roger Kunsang meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, May 17, 2024. Photo courtesy of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Teachings and News About Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Continuous Recitation of Chanting the Names of Manjushri

We are inviting all students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche to participate in a worldwide, 24/7 prayer circle to amplify the causes for Rinpoche’s quick return! Find a convenient time slot that works for your schedule and other commitments to recite the prayers recommended for this purpose. You can sign up on the IMI website.

This initiative was launched by The International Mahayana Institute (IMI) on Lhabab Duchen in 2023, for the global FPMT family to come together to generate a continuous wave of merit needed for Rinpoche to swiftly return.

Joining your effort today would help fulfil His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s most recent advice, which is to continue to recite “Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri” as much as possible. In the same May 2024 advice, His Holiness also recommended Rinpoche’s students to invoke the support of the Dharma protectors Six-Armed Mahakala, Kalarupa and Palden Lhamo.

Accordingly, the relevant practices have been collated in this convenient booklet A Collection of Prayers for the Swift Return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche with advice from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Just download it to take part in this mass collective effort happening around the world.

What to do:

• Simply sign up for a time slot you find convenient and start your recitation at that time.
• On Saturdays, there is opportunity to power up the practice by doing your recitation on Zoom where others can join. (The Zoom login information is on the sign-up sheet). If you prefer to do your recitations in solitude, you can still pick a Saturday slot—just type “offline” next to your name.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche often advised about the power of prayer, particularly when done collectively with devotion to the same guru. We can take this advice to heart and sincerely and collectively fulfill His Holiness’s recent requests so that we can find Rinpoche’s unmistaken reincarnation very soon. 

Mahamudra Retreat, Australia 2004

From April 10 to May 10 2004 Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave extensive teachings during the Mahamudra Retreat in Buddha House, Australia. The retreat was on Mahamudra, however, Rinpoche teaches on a broad range of lamrim topics. We are pleased to share that all 51 videos from this retreat are now available on our RAN page.

How to Think When Death Comes

Lama Zopa Rinpoche received thousands of requests every year from people seeking guidance on a variety of issues familiar to us all. Rinpoche offered poignant advice to a student requesting pujas in support of taking treatment for fourth stage cancer and finding suitable care. You are welcome to download a formatted PDF of this advice or read it online.

Teachings Shared during the 2024 Heart Sutra Retreat

Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching during Light of the Path retreat, hosted by Kadampa Center, Raleigh, North Carolina on 22th August 2017.

Following the commemoration activities at Kopan Monastery honoring the one-year anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing away, a Heart Sutra Retreat was held from April 15-20, 2024 with commentary by His Eminence the 104th Ganden Tripa, meditations led by Ven. Steve Carlier, and evening sessions with short extracted videos of Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching topics related to emptiness.

We are so pleased to share the ten videos of Rinpoche’s teachings on emptiness which were shown during the 2024 Heart Sutra Retreat. These videos, from 2017 and 2019, all contain subtitles, to make it easier to follow along while watching.

Advice from and News about His Holiness the Dalai Lama

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, January, 2017. Photo by Neal Patrick.

New Advice Concerning Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Swift Return

We are happy to announce that we have received new precious advice from His Holiness the Dalai Lama regarding practices for creating the causes for the Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return. Ven. Roger Kunsang met with His Holiness during his recent visit to Dharamsala, India. His Holiness explained that it is important to continue with practices as previously advised as well as protector prayers. Please read this new advice and find the recommended practices available as one-click downloads.

Recite Medicine Buddha Mantra for His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama recently released a statement concerning His Holiness’s schedule and health:

This is to inform all concerned that no engagements, including public audiences will be scheduled from June 20 onwards until further notice. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is scheduled to travel to the United States for medical treatment on his knees. Upon his return to Dharamsala, regular engagements will resume.

We are inviting students of His Holiness to recite, individually or as part of group practice, the Medicine Buddha mantra for the successful treatment of His Holiness’s upcoming procedure.

You can download three versions of the Medicine Buddha mantras in one practice booklet using one-click download: The Precious Long Dharani of Medicine Buddha, the long mantra, and the short mantra.

Lama Yeshe’s Wisdom

Giving and Taking on the Breath

Lama Yeshe teaching at Royal Holloway College, 1975, London, England. Photo by Dennis Heslop, courtesy of the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.

In 1975 during their first trip to Europe, Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave a weekend seminar in England, once again demonstrating their charisma and knowledge, and the profound effect of Buddha’s wisdom on Western people. This seminar was published in the book Freedom Through Understanding and covers the purpose of meditation, bodhicitta, the importance of motivation, tonglen and the shortcomings of attachment, among other topics. Produced by the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, this is one of the few works that feature both Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. This short course was also videotaped and is available on the LYWA YouTube channel.

Today we share an excerpt from Chapter 9 from Freedom Through Understanding: “Giving and Taking on the Breath” by Lama Yeshe. Please read the excerpt.

What We’re Rejoicing About

His Eminence the 104th Ganden Tripa’s Visit to Amitabha Buddhist Centre

Amitabha Buddhis Centre (ABC) welcomed His Eminence the 104th Ganden Tripa to Singapore from June 2-9, 2024. Here ABC shares a brief report:

Over the course of a week, H.E. 104th Ganden Tripa Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoche touched multitudes of participants with his profound teachings, precious conferment of initiations, and radiant loving-kindness and compassion.

Chenrezig and Amitabha Initiations were bestowed to a packed hall at a venue outside ABC, attracting many new faces from the public. At ABC, His Eminence taught A Song Possessing the Four Mindfulnesses, and conferred the Heruka Five Deities initiation and Vajrayogini initiation. He also gave out certificates to graduating students of ABC’s second run of the FPMT Basic Program at a most special and joyous ceremony.

We are immensely grateful to His Eminence for blessing us with his visit, and sincerely request him to please return to turn the wheel of dharma in Singapore again soon!

His Eminence Ling Rinpoche’s 2024 US Tour

His Eminence Ling Rinpoche teaching at Kadampa Center, North Carolina, US, May 8, 2024. Photo courtesy of Kadampa Center.

His Eminence Ling Rinpoche concluded a nine week teaching tour during April-June in the United States, visiting at least 28 different venues in a dozen states.  Among the various organizers are nine FPMT centers: Shantideva Center, Kurukulla Center, Guhyasamaja Center, Kadampa Center, Land of Medicine Buddha, Ocean of Compassion Buddhist Center, Tse Chen Ling, Vajrapani Institute, and Maitripa College.

His Eminence made the following remarks about Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Shantideva Center, NYC, on April 12:

“It was very painful to lose Rinpoche. … It really shocked me, really hurt, very difficult to accept. … Rinpoche was much needed in this world.
“Losing him was a big loss for every one of us. Although Rinpoche’s not with us physically, his legacy remains. It is very important that the followers should fulfill all his wishes, most importantly to follow his instructions, all the instructions that he has given throughout his life.

“More than, I would say, 50, 60 years, he’s been teaching all over the world, and Rinpoche was there for others all the time 24/7. He did not do anything, almost nothing, for himself, but always there for others. His love, his compassion, his teachings and his instructions have benefited countless beings.

We invite you to read more highlights and causes for rejoicing from this teaching tour.

Ongoing Support to Elderly Tibetans

Residents of Jampaling Elders Home, one of the seven elderly homes supported by the FPMT Social Services Fund.

Since 2016, FPMT’s Social Services Fund has been offering essential support to Tibetan refugees living in elderly homes in India and Nepal. This support includes food, medical care, and upgrades to the elderly homes.

In 2024, we granted US$141,834 to seven different elderly homes in India. This support has benefited over 280 Tibetan senior citizens and includes a contribution for the renovation of a family’s house in Tibetan settlement of Puruwala in Himachal Pradesh.

Please read a recent complete overview on these accomplishments Some highlights include a grant given to Jampaling Elders Home is in Dharamsala, Northern India, to drill a new well. Recently there has been significant water scarcity and the home only had water available for two hours each day, which is insufficient for the 73 elders, 13 staff members, and for cleaning, washing, and kitchen use. This new well will provide a more permanent solution. In addition, Ven. Roger Kunsang recently visited Jampaling Elders Home, spending time with all the residents and observing how well the home is run. There is a moving video of Ven. Roger’s visit, including meeting the eldest resident, who is 99 years old.

Lawudo Anniversary Pilgrimage

Following the Heart Sutra Retreat at Kopan this year to mark the first anniversary of the passing of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, a group of 38 students from around the world participated in a special pilgrimage to visit and make heartfelt prayers at the holy places of the Lawudo Lamas—Rinpoche and his previous life as Lawudo Lama Kunsang Yeshe. Please read this beautiful account of the pilgrimage by Amitabha Buddhist Centre’s Ven. Gyalten Rabten.

Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Program Students Complete Their First Year

Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Program (LRZTP) is an FPMT project in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India. LRZTP has produced many gifted Dharma interpreters-translators for FPMT Dharma centers since its conception over twenty-three years ago. In addition to the two-year intensive training program, LRZTP also runs short Tibetan language courses and offers private online Tibetan language lessons.

The latest interpreters training course, LRZTP9, successfully began in April 2023, with twelve new students. At the completion of their first year of the two-year program, we are happy to share a report from LRZTP on the progress of the students.

Medicine Buddha Statue to Bring Healing and Harmony to Sri Lanka

Wax Medicine Buddha prototype being built according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s instructions in Sri Lanka. Photo by Frank Brock

In September 2024, Sri Lankan-born, Australian-based nun Ven. Tenzin Lekdron will lead a pilgrimage tour in Sri Lanka to raise funds for the 5MB Project, a mission to build a five-story high Medicine Buddha statue in Sri Lanka, according to the instructions of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. In 2021, Rinpoche determined the need for a large statue of Medicine Buddha to bring healing and harmony to Sri Lanka and its people, and gave Ven. Lekdron the task to accomplish it. Rinpoche specified that the statue should be five stories (16.5 meters) high, with, “proper proportions and excellent art for the face.” The statue will be filled, according to the Tibetan tradition, with rolls of mantras, sacred texts, and relics from high lamas. Please read about this inspiring project.

Resources for Study and Practice

Newly Available and Revised Materials

Please enjoy the audio recording of the heartrending chant by Rangjung Neljorma Khandro Tseringma, Khandrola, of the prayer A Lamenting Wail: A Supplication for the Swift Return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche that she had composed last year. It came about at the request of Venerable Robina Courtin, while Khandro-la was teaching at the FPMT’s Shantideva Centre in New York on Saka Dawa, June 4, 2023.

We are pleased to share the translation of the The Meditation-Recitation of White Manjushri. It is believed that the buddha of wisdom in the aspect of White Manjushri is especially powerful at helping us develop and strengthen our intelligence, knowledge, wisdom, and insight. The English translation by Ven. Tenzin Namjong was undertaken at the request of Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 2020.

The following texts have recently been updated: Sixteen Arhats Puja and Kshitigarbha Ten Wheels Mahayana Sutra from the Great Collection.

Opportunities and Changes within the Organization

Foundation Service Seminar in the Netherlands, California, and Australia

The Foundation Service Seminar (FSS) is the “FPMT immersion retreat,” providing essential information and nourishment for all serving, or wishing to serve, in the FPMT organization. This is a wonderful opportunity for centers, projects, and services to invest in the future by training the next generation of directors, SPCs, volunteers, board members, etc. 

Maitreya Institute, Holland, is hosting an FSS, on August 16-21, 2024. Please read more information and reserve your place.

Vajrapani Institute, California, is also organizing an FSS on September 9-14, 2024. Read more information and reserve your place.

Tara Institute, Australia, is hosting an FSS from October 28 to November 2. Reservations are not open yet but do save the date already!

Changes in the FPMT Organization

Lawudo Retreat Centre, Nepal
We welcome Ani Ngawang Samten and Frances Howland as new co-directors

Chenrezig Institute, Australia
We welcome new director Cheng Hong Quek
Grateful thanks to outgoing SPC Matt Emerson

Centro Muni Gyana, Italy
Grateful thanks to outgoing director Marco Farina

Kopan Monastery, Nepal
We welcome Maria-Francisca Riaño, as new SPC
With grateful thanks to outgoing SPC Ven. Khadro

Istituto Lama Tsong Khapa, Italy
Grateful thanks to outgoing SPC Heather Fox

Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery, Australia
We welcome Ven. Lhundrup as new director

Vajrapani Institute, USA
We welcome Suzy Waters as new SPC

Centro Rinchen Zangpo, Mexico
We welcome Jampa Shaneman as new SPC
With grateful thanks to outgoing SPC Gilberto Alva Campos

Opportunities to Offer Service

Read about the amazing benefits and importance of offering service in the FPMT organization, and have a look at these meritorious opportunities to offer service as paid staff or as a volunteer in FPMT centers, projects, and services around the world, including opportunities in Australia, France, India, Nepal, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, UK, and USA.

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.