International Office News
September 2023

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in the Kurukulla Center gompa, Boston, US, August 2018. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Recently Shared Teachings by Lama Zopa Rinpoche:

Teachings from the 2023 Vajrasattva Retreat at Kopan Monastery

Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching at Kopan, April 8, 2023.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered teachings and advice to a group of Vajrasattva retreaters at Kopan Monastery on April 7, 8, and 9, 2023. In these three teachings, Rinpoche overviewed some of the many benefits of purification practice, the necessity of pleasing and receiving the blessings of the guru, the importance of meditating on death and impermanence, how to develop one’s mind in Dharma, the necessity of practicing the lamrim, and offered the oral transmission of The Essential Nectar over three teachings. This was one of the last teaching events Rinpoche offered before showing the aspect of passing away on April 13, 2023. We invite you to explore these three very precious teachings by watching the videos and reading the transcripts.

• Purification Is the Most Important Thing
• Imprints Are Very, Very, Very Important
• The One Answer Is to Practice Lamrim

Blessing Animals in 2006

Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s care for animals is legendary, and he used every opportunity to bless and benefit sentient beings of all shapes and sizes, wherever he traveled. In this 9-minute video of Rinpoche offering an animal blessing in Australia in 2006, we can enjoy a short teaching from Rinpoche about the benefits of offering Dharma imprints to animals, with so many fortunate (and adorable!) furry and feathered creatures present. We can also take comfort in Rinpoche’s infectious laughter and the joy of such a gathering, made even more so by the uplifting song, “How Great it Would Be” by George Galt playing in the background. Watch the video and find more resources for blessing and liberating animals.

Short Meditation on Emptiness

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with mantra cowboy hat blessing the sentient beings in a lake in Washington, USA with mantras, blessed food, sutra recitation, visualization, and prayers, August 2019. Photo by Ven. Holly Ansett.

We are so fortunate that Lama Zopa Rinpoche left us with many opportunities to benefit from his teachings and advice. In this short impromptu video clip from 2009, Rinpoche shares a meditation on emptiness on top of a rock in Washington state, USA. The day before, a student had offered Rinpoche a cowboy hat, which Rinpoche wore as the sun set and moon rose. Watch the video clip of Rinpoche’s meditation on emptiness.

Lama Yeshe’s Wisdom

Universal Love: What is Buddhism

Universal Love is a collection of Lama Yeshe’s teachings on the yoga method of Maitreya, which he taught at Maitreya Institute, Holland, in 1981. Also included are some introductory lectures on Buddhism from Lama’s 1975 teachings in the USA. Chapter 1 of this collection, “What is Buddhism?” includes an illuminating Q & A session with Lama on a variety of topics including reincarnation, interpersonal relationships in the modern world, the Buddhist approach to mental negativity, and many others. Read Chapter 1 of Universal Love.

From the FPMT Inc. Board of Directors

An Update from the Board

The FPMT Inc. Board met in Kopan Monastery from Sept 9 -14 and we will share an update from these meetings as soon as they become available. 

Affiliate Director Appointment Policy Updated

The FPMT Inc. Board have updated policy for the appointment process for new directors of FPMT affiliates. The updated policy and process, together with other relevant policy and guidelines, is in the Affiliates Area in Organization of an FPMT Center, Project or Service.

What We’re Rejoicing About:

2023 Light of the Path Retreat Completed at Kopan Monastery!

We are delighted to share that the 2023 Light of the Path Retreat was successfully offered to 160 participants from September 3-17 at Kopan Monastery. The retreat was followed by the FPMT Foundation Service Seminar, which finishes on September 26. We will bring you news about these auspicious events soon.  

Essential Support Offered to 1,500 Students in India and Nepal in 2023

Rinpoche with the students of Shree Sangka Decholing, March 2023.

Since 2012, FPMT’s Social Services Fund has been providing vital support to schools in India and Nepal that serve students from Tibetan, Nepali, Sherpa, and Indian backgrounds. This support encompasses essentials such as food, uniforms, school supplies, and teacher salaries, effectively enabling these schools to offer quality education free of charge. In 2023, through the Social Services Fund we granted US$260,808 to eight different schools. This support has benefited over 1,500 school aged children in India and Nepal. Read more to rejoice in this amazing accomplishment.

His Eminence Jhado Rinpoche Tours Europe

His Eminence Jhado Rinpoche at Nalanda Monastery with Sangha. Photo by C. Redon.

FPMT centers in Europe were very honored to welcome His Eminence Jhado Rinpoche to Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria, and Sweden from March-June 2023. Please read a full report of this auspicious European teaching tour.

Pilgrimage Book by Geshe Thubten Sherab

Kopan Monastery’s Geshe Thubten Sherab with the new book he wrote, inspired by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

A pilgrimage book by Geshe Thubten Sherab, Headmaster of Kopan School, has been published by Lumbini Buddhist University and Kopan Monastery, and sponsored by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. This book was inspired by Rinpoche and crafted with his guidance. This recently published edition was volume one of two and covers the sacred sites of the Kathmandu Valley and Lumbini. Please read all about this inspiring project. 

Opportunities and Resources for Your Study and Practice:

FDCW Invites You to the Growing Compassionate Hearts Conference

The FPMT project, FDCW, warmly invites all members of our FPMT family to join us for a special two day Growing Compassionate Hearts Conference. Many, many people throughout our international community have been working to support and guide children in developing their compassion and inner wisdom – some for several decades. During this 2-day Conference we will tap into this rich range of skills and knowledge to inform, support and inspire each other. Please explore details of the speakers, the program and registration.

New Advice Booklet: Circumambulating Holy Objects at Home

During the past five decades that Lama Zopa Rinpoche taught, he offered his students extensive advice on the benefits of holy objects, such as statues and stupas: making them, using them as objects of devotion, and circumambulating them. The teachings here about how to circumambulate holy objects at home are mainly taken from advice Rinpoche gave in 2021 and 2022 to a group of Russian students who make tsatsas.

Opportunities and Changes within the Organization:

Opportunities to Offer Service

Read about the amazing benefits and importance of offering service in the FPMT organization, and have a look below at these meritorious opportunities to offer service as paid staff or as a volunteer in FPMT centers, projects, and services around the world: Newly added: Jamyang Buddhist Centre, UK, is looking for a development officer.

Changes in the FPMT Organization

Maitreya Instituut Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Grateful thanks to Ven. Losang Gendun, who has retired as resident teacher.

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.