International Office News
March 2022

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Pokhara, Nepal, December 2021

Lama Zopa Rinpoche:

Long Life Puja Offered

Offerings to Lama Zopa Rinpoche during the long life puja offered to Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, March 11, 2022.

We rejoice that the official long life puja on behalf of the entire FPMT organization was offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, on March 11. The puja was a joyful success complete with lama and sherpa dances, and a picnic was offered in the stupa garden. Thanks to all who contributed in all variety of ways to this important event!

Mantra Recitations Requested—Totals Needed by Tomorrow Please!

At the beginning of each Tibetan year, Ven. Roger Kunsang, FPMT Inc. CEO and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s assistant, requests advice for Rinpoche’s health and the success of the FPMT organization. This year Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme (Khadro-la), has advised that it would be extremely beneficial if FPMT students can recite Chenrezig and White Tara mantras for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s health, for the fulfilment of all their wishes, and for the benefit of all in the FPMT organization. We shared details of the advice to be completed during the Fifteen Days of Miracles (March 3-18) at the beginning of the month.

Tomorrow, March 19, is the day to offer your recitations, whether you are doing them individually or as part of a group at a center, project, or service. If you are reciting individually, please let Claire know your final recitation. Ven. Roger will then offer that accumulation of meritorious activity to Lama Zopa Rinpoche on behalf of us all.

• Chenrezig mantra:

OM MANI PADME HŪM (link to a short practice from Education Services)

• White Tara mantra:

OM TĀRE TUTTĀRE TURE MAMA ĀYUR PUṆYE JÑĀNA PUSHTIM KURUYE SVĀHĀ (link to a short meditation from Education Services)

Teachings and Advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khadro-la during the consecration of the large appliqué Twenty-one Taras thangkas and the Eight Taras That Save From Fear thangkas outside Kopan Gompa, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, January 2021. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

We have been sharing topical advice from Rinpoche and excerpting from “The Time to Practice is Now,” a detailed summary of the 2020 Thought Transformation Teachings offered by Rinpoche from Kopan Monastery in Nepal. Recent blogs include:

• “Practices for Ukraine,” Rinpoche’s advice regarding practices to do in response to the current situation in Ukraine to reduce the war and to help stop the violence and suffering.
• “How to Help Sentient Beings Say Goodbye to the Suffering of Samsara,” an excerpt from “The Time to Practice is Now,” where Rinpoche reminds us to not waste this human rebirth but use it to develop compassion and help others.
• “The Uncountable Benefits of Tara Practice,” an excerpt from the Tara chapter of Rinpoche’s new book, The Power of Mantra: Vital Practices for Transformation.

Find advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche 24/7 on Rinpoche’s Advice page.
Subscribe to our FPMT news blog to get news updates and new advice.

We’re Rejoicing About:

New Holy Objects Created for the Success of FPMT and All Beings

Lama Zopa Rinpoche greeting the new Dzambala statue on arrival to Kopan Monastery

We are so happy to announce the creation of some recent holy objects that Lama Zopa Rinpoche has advised to be made for the benefit of the entire FPMT organization and all beings.

We recently shared details of a 3.5-foot (1-meter) tall Dzambala statue; a 7-foot (2-meter) tall Ganapati statue at Kopan Monastery; a 9-foot by 6-foot (2.7-meter by 1.8-meter) prayer wheel being built outside of the house where Rinpoche was born in Thame, Nepal; eight new stupas being added to the 1,000 Buddha altar outside of Rinpoche’s room at Kopan Monastery; and a large Green Tara statue, which has been offered to Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme (Khadro-la) for her retreat place. Please read more and see a precious video of the Dzambala statue arriving at Kopan Monastery.

Last Day for the Friends of FPMT Campaign

Today marks the final day of our annual campaign to invite at least 108 new Friends of FPMT supporters during the auspicious Days of Miracles. Learn how you can support and receive complimentary access to online studies and many digital FPMT resources.

Become a Friend of FPMT

Merit Box Grant Applications and Donations Due This Month

One final reminder that the time for submitting Merit Box donations or applications for grants is March 31! Later this year, Merit Box grants will be awarded to projects and initiatives that are working to fulfill the FPMT mission in local communities around the world! Offer your support or learn how to submit an application.

Resources for Your Practice:

Newly Available in the Foundation Store

Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching on make offerings on the anniversary of the guru’s passing away, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, March 2021. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

• Advice for the Anniversary of the Guru’s Passing Away—Lama Zopa Rinpoche translated and commented on a short Tibetan text that explains the importance of making offerings on the anniversary of the passing away of one’s guru. Rinpoche’s translation and commentary is now available as a PDF booklet.
• The Power of Mantra: Vital Practices for Transformation—In this new book, Lama Zopa Rinpoche guides us through understanding the power and benefit of many popular mantras, including Shakyamuni Buddha, Chenrezig, Manjushri, Tara, Medicine Buddha, Vajrasattva, and more. Published by Wisdom Publications, The Power of Mantra is available in ebook and PDF formats.
• King of Prayers, the extraordinary aspiration of the practice of Samantabhadra, is a prayer frequently recited to bring benefit to those who are sick or have just passed away. It may also be recited for the success of a virtuous project. You can listen to and download the MP3 of Lama Zopa Rinpoche reciting King of Prayers.
• Amitabha Pure Land Prayers contains two short prayers to be reborn in Amitabha pure land, Blissful Realm. You can listen to and download the MP3 of Lama Zopa Rinpoche reciting Amitabha Pure Land Prayers.
• The Kunrig mantra is one of the mantras commonly recited at the time of death. You can now download the Kunrig mantra as a PDF. You can also listen to and download the MP3 of Lama Zopa Rinpoche reciting the Kunrig mantra.
• The Norbu Zangpo Zung mantra offers a method to relieve the poverty of sentient beings. You can listen to and download the MP3 of Geshe Ngawang Dakpa reciting Norbu Zangpo Zung mantra.
• The Method to Transform a Suffering Life into Happiness with Additional Practices—the daily morning practice Rinpoche recommends to all of his students is now available as a PDF booklet in Chinese.

For a complete list of FPMT Education Services prayers and practices, please visit our catalogue page. You can also find all new arrivals, updated materials, and materials in translation in our Foundation Store (shop.fpmt.org).

Opportunities and Changes within the Organization:

Opportunities to Offer Service in the FPMT Organization

Newly added: Land of Medicine Buddha, USA, is looking for a director and a center manager.

Impermanence at Work

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

Ganden Center, Latvia
We welcome new director – Anete Krastina
With grateful thanks to outgoing director – Inese Zelmane

Kurukulla Center, USA
We welcome new director – Sean Gonzalez
With grateful thanks to outgoing director – Bryce Schintzius

Panchen Losang Chogyen, Austria
We welcome new spiritual program coordinator – Christine Schnoell
With grateful thanks to outgoing SPC – Margarete Sinabell

Naropa Center, Tahiti, has a new email address:
centremeditationnaropa@gmail.com

Thakpa Kachoe Retreat Centre, France, has a new email address:
info@thakpakachoe.org

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FPMT International Office is Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s office.