International Office News
October 2025

Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching at the Kopan lamrim meditation course, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, December 9, 2022. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Teachings and News Regarding Lama Zopa Rinpoche

How to Live and Die: A New Book from Wisdom Publications

We are so pleased to share Wisdom Publication’s new release, How to Live and Die: The Transformative Power of Meditating on Impermanence by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. In this overview about one of the most important practices in Tibetan Buddhism—meditating on death and impermanence—Rinpoche shows us how this practice can free us from fear, deepen our wisdom, and transform the way we live. Wisdom is very kindly offering a 20% discount to FPMT students through October 31! Please use code fpmt-hld20 at checkout when ordering your copy of Rinpoche’s new book!

Valuable Resources for Students

We would like to draw your attention to some valuable resources for students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Compendium of Precious Instructions: A Catalog of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Works
is a collection of Rinpoche’s literary and graphic works which are available electronically and/or in print, with particular emphasis on key teachings that Rinpoche especially wanted his students to take note of and put into practice, as well as a guide on where to find the audio and video.

Life Practice Advice is a resource based on Rinpoche’s essential daily practice and lifetime practice advice. This is his essential advice and by following this advice, students can feel confident they are following and practicing according to Rinpoche’s heart advice.

FPMT.org offers a collection of practical advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Students can also find Rinpoche’s advice on a wide range of topics in the form of short talks and letters at the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.

Lama Yeshe’s Wisdom

Refuge is a State of Mind

Lama Yeshe teaching at Manjushri Institute, England, 1979. Photo by Brian Beresford, courtesy of the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.

In this excerpt from the teaching, “Refuge is a State of Mind” given at Chenrezig Institute, Eudlo, Australia, on September 12, 1979, Lama Yeshe discusses many aspects of Refuge to consider. This teaching is now published in the LYWA book: Knowledge-Wisdom: The Peaceful Path to Liberation:

The lamrim shows exactly, logically, scientifically that human happiness and joy do not depend on material conditions. You should understand this clean clear and determine that that is reality. Then you will not be upset when you don’t get presents or chocolate or when people don’t pay attention to you. Otherwise, small things always upset you and small things make you dissatisfied. The over-extreme expectation of getting things from the external world makes problems. So, taking refuge in Buddhadharma instead is really worthwhile. Please read the whole teaching.

The Passing of His Eminence the 104th Ganden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin

We recently shared news of a great loss for Tibetan Buddhism and the world. His Eminence the 104th Ganden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin, showed the aspect of passing away on September 26, 2025 at his residence at Sera Je Monastery, Bylakkupe, India. We will be making a Swift Return prayer available in the coming days, so please do pay attention to our Study and Practice blog for the release of this.  

What We’re Rejoicing About

His Holiness Acknowledged as “The Universal Supreme Patriarch of the Buddhist World” in Long Life Celebration

His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the Main Tibetan Temple courtyard during long life prayers and cultural performances in Dharamsala, India on September 20, 2025. Photo by Tenzin Choejor.

On September 20, more than a thousand people from Korea and several South-east Asian countries gathered in the courtyard of the Main Tibetan Temple, Dharamsala, India, to offer praise and cultural performances and make prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s long life, in celebration of His Holiness’s ninetieth birthday which occurred on July 6. During the ceremony, a joint statement was read on behalf of all the participants by Thich Nhat Tu, Vice Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. This joint statement affirmed that His Holiness has devoted his entire life to strengthening Buddhist traditions while at the same time fostering interfaith dialogue. The statement praised his steadfast commitment to nonviolence, environmental stewardship, and the preservation of Tibetan culture which has inspired generations and unanimously declared His Holiness the Dalai Lama to be “The Universal Supreme Patriarch of the Buddhist World.”

Please continue to read a full report on this joyful event and enjoy many photos, and join us in rejoicing in this wonderful declaration from the participants of this celebration.

Wisdom of Happiness – North American Theatrical Launch

After its highly acclaimed run across Europe, Wisdom of Happiness arrives in North America on October 17, 2025.

This powerful film offers an intimate journey with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, tracing the path to the true essence of happiness. With unprecedented access, never-before-seen archival footage, and breathtaking cinematography, it creates a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with His Holiness.

The Enthronement of the Reincarnation of Geshe Lhundup Sopa

In late September 2025, a historic event took place at Deer Park Buddhist Center in Oregon, Wisconsin: the enthronement of Tenzin Nawang Rinpoche, a seven-year-old boy recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of Geshe Lhundub Sopa. The occasion drew hundreds of attendees—monks, lay students, and members of the Tibetan and Western Buddhist communities—who gathered to honor the return of one of the most influential figures in the spread of Tibetan Buddhism to the United States. Please continue to read the story from Namdrol Miranda Adams. 

Holy Object Grants Offered in 2025

Shakyamuni Buddha statues offered to  His Holiness the Dalai Lama on behalf of the entire FPMT family.

The Holy Objects Fund continues to fulfil Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s wish by supporting the creation of holy objects worldwide – for the success of the FPMT organization and for the benefit of all beings. In 2025, the Holy Objects Fund and other funds within FPMT that are dedicated to creating holy objects, granted US$70,677 toward the creation and restoration of holy objects.

We hope you will be inspired to learn more about the grants offered in 2025, toward a small gompa in Nepal, a twenty one Tara altar in Spain, the making of tsa tsas for those who are sick or have passed away in France, two stupas in USA, 100 Shakyamuni Buddha statues offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a prayer wheel in Tahiti, the stupa of Complete victory in Nepal and updates on the Guru Rinpoche statue in Pokhara, Nepal, the prayer wheel being built in South India and the Guru Rinpoche Pure Land – Zangdog Palri in Nepal. The grants given are made on behalf of our entire international FPMT community and reflects our ongoing commitment to Rinpoche’s Vast Visions.

Family Feeling at the North American Regional Meeting

On October 4, forty participants joined the North American Regional Meeting via Zoom. Regional Coordinator Melissa Kaye shared, “It was a truly inspiring day of community, collaboration and connection. Our active participation confirmed that we share a common commitment to strengthen the North American region so that all 27 of our centers, projects, services and study groups can flourish together.” Additionally, the group held a very successful Merit-Making Friday with five 40-minute sessions of varying practices led by Ven. Angie Muir, Ven. Amy Miller and Don Handrick. Each session drew 25–35 participants, with at least 50 people participating at some point during the day.

Please rejoice in the powerful connections and inspiration generated at this recent regional meeting!

Kalachakra at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion

Kalachakra ceiling mandala at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion. Photo courtesy of the Great Stupa.

On September 14–15, 550 people received the Kalachakra initiation from His Eminence Jhado Rinpoche at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo, Australia. Lama Zopa Rinpoche advised Ian Green, Director of the Great Stupa, that this initiation should occur once a giant Kalachakra mandala was completed on the ceiling of the Great Stupa. Following the initiation, a Kalachakra Mind Mandala retreat began with 50 participants on September 16 with Jhado Rinpoche conducting the preliminary rites and leading the first three days of the retreat. This retreat continued through October 19 with a public talk and consecration of the Kalachakra Mandala ceiling on October 17, followed by a concluding fire puja for the retreat and long life puja for Jhado Rinpoche on October 18.

Please read more on the history of Kalachakra at the Great Stupa along with details on the impressive mandala on the 65.5 ft x 65.5 ft (20 meters x 20 meters) ceiling of the Great Stupa.

Meaningful Connections: Foundation Service Seminar in France

Foundation Service Seminar participants at IVY, France, September. Photo by Capucine Redon.

September 24-28, 2025 around 40 participants from different European FPMT affiliates participated in a Foundation Service Seminar (FSS) at Institut Vajra Yogini, France. The FSS is an “FPMT immersion retreat” offering essential information and inspiration for those currently serving, or aspiring to serve, within the FPMT organization. It provides a deep understanding of the organization, and the attitudes we strive to cultivate when offering service. Please read about this recent FSS from an account shared by FPMT International Office staff member, Zarina Osmonalieva.

After Forty Years, Tekchen Choeling Makes a Big Move!

How do you move a Buddhist Center? That is the question that the team at Tekchen Choeling Buddhist Center in Spain had to ask themselves last month, when they had to relocate the center’s holy objects to a new location. Assistant director, Kelsang Bas, recently told the story, please continue to read it. 

Fourteen Years of Nyungnes at IVY!

Institut Vajra Yogini (IVY) in France will soon start a new series of Nyungne retreats (November 11, 2025 – June 15, 2026). It hosted its fourteenth series of 108 Nyungne retreats from November 2024 to June 2025!

One of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the FPMT organization was to sponsor people who make a serious commitment in this life to complete 1,000 Nyungne retreats, and IVY kindly began to host the retreats every year to help fulfil this vision. We will share a story about IVY’s 2025 retreat soon through our FPMT Community Stories news blog. 

Resources and Opportunities for Study and Practice

Lhabab Duchen is Approaching on November 11

Lhabab Duchen, one of the four great holy days of the Buddhist calendar, takes place this year on November 11, 2025. Specific practices recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche for merit-multiplying days can be found on our “Practice on the Four Great Holy Days” page.

Newly Available and Updated Materials

We are happy to share beautiful Inner Job Description cards designed by Roxi Giuliano, a tool for developing mindfulness about our thoughts, speech, and actions. By using the Inner Job Description Mindfulness Practice Tool daily, our increased awareness of self-defeating mental habits can allow us to transform them into virtuous attitudes and actions. This tool was developed following Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching about the “inner professional”, to help us follow Rinpoche’s advice to integrate the Dharma into our daily lives. Read more about Inner Job Description. 

We are happy to share a precious text on Kalachakra Mind Mandala, The Excellent Vase of All Siddhis: A Mind Mandala Sadhana of Glorious Kalachakra composed by the Seventh Dalai Lama, Lozang Kalzang Gyatso. This sadhana of the Kalachakra Mind Mandala is complete with the very extensive protection circle and complemented with the ritual texts and prayers that are useful for engaging in the mind mandala retreat. 

We have updated Six-Session Guru Yoga and The Kalachakra Six-Session Guru Yoga together with An Extensive Review of the Three Vows and An Extensive Aspirational Prayer.

Retreat Opportunities

Please check our retreat schedule page for group retreat opportunities upcoming in your area.

Call for Interviews and Submissions!

Early Students: Your Stories Are Needed!

This year in December, the FPMT organization celebrates fifty years since its formation in 1975. We are working on putting together some of the rich history of this time, as a way to rejoice in how far we have come! Were you an early student of the FPMT organization, particularly, were you part of the activities and developments in 1975? We’d love to hear your story and ask you a few questions, please be in touch!

FPMT Community News Stories

We welcome the submission of news stories from those within the FPMT community. This can be a story about something you have personally completed or accomplished, about someone else who has done so, or about the FPMT center, project, or service of which you are a part. Ideal submissions will give readers reasons to rejoice, share ideas, and create connections between those in the international community. Have something to share? We would love to hear from you!

Retreat Stories Needed

Are you a senior student who has engaged in long retreat, or know of someone who has engaged in long retreat that you think others in the FPMT community would be inspired to hear? Please reach out!

Opportunities and Changes within the Organization

Changes in the FPMT Organization

Vajrapani Institute, California, USA
We welcome Cristian Cowan as new spiritual program coordinator
With grateful thanks to outgoing spiritual program coordinator Suzy Waters

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 the International Office, Australia, France, India, Italy, Mongolia, North American Region, Nepal, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, UK and the USA.

Foundation Service Seminar in Italy, June 2026

The Foundation Service Seminar 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. Please watch this short video we recently published on the FSS. 

Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Italy, is organizing a Foundation Service Seminar on June 24-28, 2026. Reservations are not open yet, but please save the dates. Please read more above about the recent FSS that took place at Institut Vajra Yogini, France.

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.