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Welcome to this month’s newsletter! In addition to precious advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe, we are happy to share many causes for rejoicing from last month, and we hope you will take time to enjoy news and updates from around the world, including a roundup of the beneficial recent activities supported by FPMT Charitable Projects. On October 14, His Holiness the Dalai Lama welcomed more than 280 devotees to his Dharamshala residence. Among them were about 165 pilgrims from Chenrezig Institute, along with many other students from FPMT centers across Australia! Below is a video of this event. After five extraordinary months, the FPMT Global Mani Retreat ends with one final major teaching. Khandro Tseringma Rinpoche will teach on “How to Generate Chenrezig in Daily Life” on Sunday, October 25, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm UTC. Please check the time in your time zone and join students worldwide for this final teaching. A week later, on November 1, we celebrate Lhabab Duchen, the Buddha’s descent from the god realm of Tushita. It is one of the four great Buddha days, when the effects of positive and negative actions are multiplied ten million times; it is also the day the 2026 Global Mani Retreat concludes, and all mantras will be joyfully collected and counted. Please also see Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice on practices for this special day. Advice from and News Regarding Lama Zopa RinpocheRaising a Child
In 2008, Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave this advice to a student who was about to give birth, outlining the five attitudes and qualities to teach a child. This is timeless advice for all who are in the position of raising children: “Since you have directed your life in this way, to have a child, you have a great responsibility now to bring up your child. Without saying many words, I just want to inform you that you should plan to lead the child’s life in the style of Universal Education (UE). First, if you can study the UE subjects I put together. There are five very basic attitudes and qualities to teach the child, so that your child can bring happiness to this life, from life to life, bring happiness to all sentient beings, cause less harm to others, and eventually bring all sentient beings to full enlightenment. This means knowing Buddhadharma and educating others, and then bringing your child in the path to enlightenment. These five very basic attitudes are very important to keep in one’s mind. This is the cause of inner peace and happiness for your child, also to give peace and happiness in everyday life to others. In this way, wherever your child is, in whatever part of the world, he or she still brings happiness to so many sentient beings, human beings, animals, and all other beings.” Continue to read Rinpoche’s advice on the five attitudes. Motivation for Mantra RecitationTo celebrate the ongoing FPMT Global Mani Retreat, which has brought together students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche from around the world to help fulfill one of Rinpoche’s most cherished wishes, we are sharing this excerpt from the revised second edition of Teaching from the Mani Retreat by Lama Zopa Rinpoche: recently released from the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive. “This is another way to generate a motivation of bodhicitta before reciting the mantra, to make the recitation of mantra and the meditation on Compassion Buddha become not only Dharma but most beneficial not only for you but for every single hell being, hungry ghost, animal, human being, asura, sura and intermediate state being. Each realm has numberless beings. In the human realm there are numberless human beings. We can understand that there are numberless beings in the animal realm. Even regarding one type of insect, ants, there are numberless ants. In the same way, there are many other different types of animals, the number of which is uncountable. This is without mentioning the sentient beings in the other realms. All these beings, who are the source of all your own past, present and future happiness, are continuously suffering; totally overwhelmed by delusions and karma, they do not have any freedom at all. Even though there are numberless buddhas and bodhisattvas working for sentient beings, there are many sentient beings—people, and even animals—who received help only through meeting you. They had some problem they couldn’t resolve until they met you and you were able to help them. Or they didn’t meet Dharma until they met you. You have had many such experiences of sentient beings being dependent upon your help. There are numberless beings with whom you have a karmic connection and who depend upon you. Their being free from suffering, from samsara, and their achieving liberation and enlightenment depend on you, on your help. You can understand from your experiences in this life with the many beings who depend on your help that there are also numberless other beings who depend on your help to free them from samsara. They depend on you to meet, understand and practice Dharma, and to achieve enlightenment.” Continue to read more of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice on motivating for mantra recitation. Making Others Happy Is the Purpose of Our LifeIn this extract, Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains how preparing for death begins with the way we live our lives. By developing a good heart and understanding that the purpose of life is to benefit others, we can meet death with greater peace and less fear: “There are many Buddhist practices, but the very essence is developing a good heart: love and compassion. This means we want to help sentient beings as much as possible and not harm them in any way. This is the basis of morality, of ethics, and within that lies the whole of the Dharma. Within that there are all the beneficial attitudes that we need to cultivate: equanimity, generosity, patience, loving kindness, and especially bodhichitta. Living our life with a good heart is so important for the happiness-temporary happiness and the ultimate happiness of enlightenment-of the six-realm sentient beings: the hell beings, hungry ghosts, animals, human beings, gods and demi-gods, as well as the intermediate-state beings. Your good heart is so important for the happiness and peace of the numberless beings of this world, the people and the animals; for the happiness of your country, your family, your society, your organization. Their happiness depends upon your good heart, comes from your good heart. This is the most important thing in life.” You can read the full excerpt from How to Face Death without Fear: A Handbook by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, available from the FPMT Foundation Store. Valuable Resources for StudentsWe 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 available digitally 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 to 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 WisdomWhen You Decide to Practice Any Religion
This extract comes from one of Lama Yeshe’s teachings during his 1975 visit to Australia, collected in The Peaceful Stillness of the Silent Mind (2004), edited by Nicholas Ribush and published by Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, in Chapter Four: Attitude is More Important than Action. “These days, even though many people realize the limitations of material comfort and are interested in following a spiritual path, few really appreciate the true value of practicing Dharma. For most, the practice of Dharma, religion, meditation, yoga, or whatever they call it, is still superficial: they simply change what they wear, what they eat, the way they walk and so forth. None of this has anything to do with the practice of Dharma. Before you start practicing Dharma, you have to investigate deeply why you are doing it. You have to know exactly what problem you’re trying to solve. Adopting a religion or practicing meditation just because your friend is doing it is not a good enough reason. Changing religions is not like dyeing cloth, like instantly making something white into red. Spiritual life is mental, not physical; it demands a change of mental attitude. If you approach your spiritual practice the way you do material things, you’ll never develop wisdom; it will just be an act. Before setting out on a long journey, you have to plan your course carefully by studying a map; otherwise, you’ll get lost. Similarly, blindly following any religion is also very dangerous. In fact, mistakes on the spiritual path are much worse than those made in the material world.” Continue to read the full excerpt. Highlights from FPMT Charitable Projects
FPMT’s Charitable Projects support the flourishing of the Dharma and the well-being of people and animals, helping to build a more compassionate world. Here are some recent highlights of these activities. Recovery Efforts Continue Following the August Floods in NepalMore than a month after devastating floods struck the Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi area, FPMT Emergency Relief Fund, Kopan Monastery, and Kopan Nunnery continue to support affected communities. More than 840 families have received direct assistance, while efforts are now turning toward longer-term recovery and helping families rebuild their lives and restore stability. Keeping the Conditions for Dharma Practice AliveThe Practice and Retreat Fund offered US$44,138.41 through seven grants supporting retreat centers and practice-related projects across the FPMT mandala. Grants supported the continuation of Nyung Na retreats at Institut Vajra Yogini in France, new retreat huts at Land of Joy in the UK, a retreat cabin nearing completion at Center of White Mahakala, Romania, the fulfillment of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Most Secret Hayagriva commitment at Nalanda Monastery in France, and other projects helping create the conditions for Dharma practice and retreat around the world. Compassion for Animals Across the Globe
The Animal Liberation Fund continues to transform compassion into practical action in communities worldwide. In 2026, US$21,088 in grants supported projects in four countries, including care for more than 1,000 rescued farm animals in France, a new sanctuary home for hundreds of rescued cows, buffaloes, and goats in Nepal, the liberation of approximately 40,000 animals, primarily crickets, in the US, and the vaccination of around 700 dogs in South India. A New Home, A New Chapter for the Animal Liberation Sanctuary in NepalFor nearly fourteen years, the search continued in Nepal for land where hundreds of animals rescued from slaughter and neglect could have more space and better conditions. With support from the Animal Liberation Fund, they have now moved to a twenty-five acre Animal Liberation Sanctuary in Sindhupalchok, Nepal, personally approved by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, where they are protected and have regular exposure to the Dharma. Read the full stories and explore the impact of FPMT Charitable Projects. What We’re Rejoicing AboutHis Holiness Welcomes Representatives from FPMT Australia to His ResidenceOn October 14, 2026, His Holiness the Dalai Lama welcomed more than 280 devotees at his residence in Dharamshala, India, including a pilgrimage group of around 165 organized by Chenrezig Institute in Australia. Many members of FPMT centers in Australia were present, along with Chenrezig Institute’s resident teacher, Geshe Phuntsok Tsultrim; board member, Calvin Yu: and Miffi Maxmillion, SPC of Langri Tangpa Centre. During the audience, Geshe Phuntsok Tsultrim offered His Holiness 135 Long Life Lama Tsongkhapa statues, along with prayers for his long and healthy life. You are welcome to watch the video here. Ven. Roger Kunsang Visits LYWA!
The Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive home office in Lincoln, Massachusetts (USA) had a special visit from Venerable Roger this past Monday. A small group of LYWA employees and board members from the area gathered with Ven. Roger to share updates about LYWA’s work and exchange insights and ideas on how we can share the Dharma in ways that are relevant to our current times. At the beginning of the meeting, Ven. Roger presented a White Tara statue to LYWA Director Dr. Nick Ribush. The statue was from Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s collection. After the lively discussion, the group enjoyed a delicious vegetarian lunch prepared by LYWA board member Wendy Cook. IMI House Celebrates Ven. Tenzin Gache’s Entry into the Lharam ClassHaving passed the first year of the Geluk exams, Ven. Tenzin Gache officially entered the Lharam class, becoming the first Westerner at Sera Jey to do so. He will be part of this class for five years, and if he passes the remaining exams, will become a lharampa geshe! IMI House hosted a traditional Dzego (opening ceremony), during which time about 400-500 monks came to offer a khata and congratulations. Thanks very much to all those who contributed to the event, including the members of the house, other students and friends, and students from CKSL in Bangalore. Guru Bumtsog 2026 – a Weekend of Wonder in AustraliaOn September 5-6, 2026 FPMT Australia and Langri Tangpa Centre organized 110,000 tsog offerings to Guru Rinpoche, also known as Guru Bumtsog practice. This powerful practice, offered every two years, was led by Geshe Rabten from Atisha Centre, Geshe Tsultrim from Chenrezig Institute, Geshe Choden from the Tibetan community and Geshe Tenzin Zopa. Students from all over Australia took part in the powerful and joyous multi-day event. Recently we shared the personal account of Miffi Maxmillion, spiritual program coordinator of Langri Tangpa Centre, of the Guru Bumtsog. Continue to read the story. Rejoicing in Fifteen Consecutive Years of Nyung Na Retreats at Institut Vajra YoginiOne of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) was to sponsor people who make a serious commitment in this life to complete 1,000 Nyung Na retreats. Institut Vajra Yogini (IVY) in France to help fulfill this vision, kindly began to host the retreats every year, and it has offered the 108 Nyung Na retreats each year since 2011. This year IVY has finished the fifteenth series of 108 Nyung Na retreats -from November 2025 to June 2026- led by Ven. Charles, and is already planning the sixteenth series of Nyung Na retreats, for November 16, 2026 – June 20, 2027 led by experienced monastic and lay practitioners, such as Ven. Amy, Ven. Losang, and Brigitte Lucas. Please continue to read the story. His Eminence Jhado Rinpoche in Sri Lanka
From July 18–25, 2026, His Eminence Jhadro Rinpoche led a group of students from Mongolia, Singapore, Australia, and beyond on a pilgrimage to Sri Lanka — a country not usually associated with Mahayana Buddhist activity, but one whose place in the history of the Dharma runs far deeper than most of us realize. Over nine days, the pilgrimage brought Theravada and Mahayana practitioners together in ways not seen on the island for centuries. We recently shared an account of that journey, told partly in the words of Venerable Tenzin Lekdron and partly in the words of fellow pilgrims and the Sri Lankan people who welcomed them. Serkong Rinpoche’s European Teaching TourHis Eminence Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche embarked on a three-month European tour beginning in May 2026, we recently shared an overview of his visits to FPMT centers compiled by Rommy Johnson. Please check out Rinpoche’s ongoing teaching schedule. Jamyang London Is Building Community BelongingLast summer, Jamyang Buddhist Centre London (JBC) announced the creation of a new role dedicated to the center’s volunteers and community life. A year on, Jasmine Mohtashami, the center’s first People & Community Manager, shares what she has learned in the role so far—and what it might offer centers across the FPMT mandala. Your News and Stories
This month, we published a digest of short community highlights from FPMT centers and individuals worldwide. This list of stories is not exhaustive, just a sample of all the great activities happening in the FPMT family worldwide. Please read the September Roundup! The FPMT family is full of inspiring activities at centers, projects, services, and study groups, as well as among registered teachers and individuals who bring our communities to life. We would love to hear about it. Whether it’s a recent accomplishment or an activity that gives your community reason to rejoice, your story can spark ideas and create connections across the FPMT family. We hope these highlights inspire you to rejoice in the family feeling and good work happening in our global FPMT community! Please review our submission guidelines and reach out if you have something to share—we’d love to hear from you. Science and BuddhismInspired by the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the University of Pisa has developed a long-term collaboration with Tibetan Buddhist institutions to investigate consciousness through a neurophenomenological approach. Since 2018, research campaigns at Sera Jey Monastic University in South India have brought portable neuroscience laboratories into the natural environment of highly trained meditators, some with tens of thousands of hours of contemplative practice. Beyond showing how different types of meditation affect the brain, this work proved something deeper—Tibetan monasteries aren’t just subjects to be studied but can be real scientific partners. Please read a recent article from Istituto Lama Tsongkha (ILTK) board member Prof. Bruno Neri who highlights the bridge being built between Western technologies and the ancient contemplative technologies of training and exploring the mind. Celebrating 50 Years of FPMT!Your memories and experiences are part of this living history. We have already begun gathering some of these precious stories, but there are so many more voices we would love to hear. We would love to collect as much of this history as possible: short videos, presentations, written stories, and group shots from your center, projects, and services. We warmly invite you to please be in touch! We recently shared the inspiring story of FPMT pioneer, Ian Green. We are also happy to share an interview with Ani Karin Valham who goes through her road to Kopan that lead her to the Dharma and to 51 years of ordination! Resources and Opportunities for Study and PracticeHigh Lamas Tour FPMT Centers in Europe This AutumnWe are delighted that His Eminence Jhado Rinpoche and His Eminence Serkong Rinpoche are both currently offering teaching tours in Europe, including many FPMT centers. Please take a look at the full schedules and save the dates to take advantage of any remaining opportunities. Newly Available from the FPMT Foundation StoreThis month we are happy to share the new edition of The Intermediate Practices of Vajrayogini. This edition includes several updates and improvements, including transliterations of all Sanskrit terms and mantras, further copyediting, and, for greater accuracy, a review of the translation against the Tibetan source text. A new edition of A Compilation of Tsog Offerings to Vajrayogini is also available, which includes the Vajrayogini tsog song, The Melody of the Wings of Dancing Bees, composed by Trijang Rinpoche. We have also updated the following Vajrayogini sadhanas:
Foundation Store ResourcesYou can order printed copies of a selection of Foundation Store titles through Amazon’s print-on-demand service in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the USA. In the item description, click on the Amazon market that is closest to you. Foundation Store also offers a selection of prayers and practices available for 1-click download. Introducing A Mindful Heart – A New Universal Education CourseFDCW has launched A Mindful Heart, a new 12-week Universal Education course that FPMT centers can start offering now. FDCW’s Executive Director, Victoria Coleman, shares the vision and heart of the course in this short video. A Mindful Heart was inspired by Pam Cayton’s Creating Compassionate Cultures (CCC), a training program for living happy, purposeful lives and contributing meaningfully to others. Centers are welcome to offer this new UE course at your center! Please learn more and see if this might be a good fit with your program. Retreat OpportunitiesPlease check our retreat schedule page for group retreat opportunities upcoming in your area. Announcements, Opportunities, and ChangesChanges in the FPMT OrganizationThubten Norbu Ling (New Mexico, US) Hayagriva Buddhist Centre (Perth, Australia) The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion (Bendigo, Australia) Foundation Service Seminar in Spain (July 2027) and France (September 2027)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. O Sel Ling, Spain, will be organizing an FSS on July 15-19, 2027. Please watch an inspiring video about the FSS. Opportunities to Offer ServiceRead 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, Italy, North American Region, Nepal, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the USA. Recently added: Chenrezig Institute (Australia), Buddha House (Australia), Land of Medicine Buddha (California) and Ocean of Compassion (California) are looking for a new director; Chandrakirti Centre (New Zealand), Ocean of Compassion (California) and Atisha Centre (Australia) are looking for an SPC; Root Institute (India) is looking for a receptionist/house manager; Land of Medicine Buddha (California) is looking for an executive chef; the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion (Australia) is looking for a general manager; FPMT Mexico is looking for a national coordinator.
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Contact information for the centers mentioned, and all FPMT centers, projects, and services can be found in the FPMT Directory. If you received this from someone else, or unformatted, visit our subscribe page to receive this newsletter directly. FPMT International Office is Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s office. |
