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The Merit Box Project
The International Merit Box Project was created in order to cultivate generosity as part of a daily practice. The project began in 2001 with students keeping a Merit Box on their altars or elsewhere in their homes, and centers encouraging the practice. Although new physical Merit Boxes are no longer made or distributed, offerings are still being collected every year from FPMT students, centers, projects and services worldwide.
The collected offerings have been disbursed annually as grants supporting a wide range of Dharma activity. Holy objects, book publishing, helping ordained Sangha attend retreats, social service projects, translation work, Dharma libraries, education initiatives and trainings, and many others!
As of August 2024, there have been US$1,258,580 in Merit Box offerings awarded through 370 grants to Dharma projects and initiatives working to fulfill the FPMT mission.
The project is a great example of generosity and community in action: FPMT students all over the globe practicing together in order to benefit beings and support the Dharma.
2024 Funds Have Been Awarded
Below is the list of the 16 Dharma projects and activities awarded funds from Merit Box offerings for 2024 (amounts are in US dollars). A Big thank you to all who made Merit Box offerings!
Organization |
Project |
Awarded |
| Atisha Centre, AUS | Refurbish Golden Buddha Statue | $1,000 |
| Atisha Centre, AUS | Kadampa Stupa Completion | $1,000 |
| Center of White Mahakala Study Group, Romania | Building the Stupa & the Main Retreat Cabin | $1,000 |
| Chenrezig Institute, AUS | Purchase Thangkas of Three Main Highest Yoga Tantra Deities | $1,000 |
| FPMT Italy | Translating Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s The Power of Meditation into Italian | $2,000 |
| FPMT Mongolia | Mahayana Children’s Program | $2,000 |
| Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Italy | Great Gurus House | $1,000 |
| Jamyang Leeds, UK | Building Repair | $450 |
| Jamyang Buddhist Centre London, UK | Planetary Crisis Summit | $1,000 |
| Kalachakra Centre, France | Prayer Wheels Frame | $750 |
| Land of Joy, UK | Renovation and Upgrade of Volunteer Accommodation | $1,500 |
| Maitripa Rabjungma Community, USA | Start Up Renovation, Furnishing and Supplies | $800 |
| Pamtingpa Center, USA | Septic System | $1,000 |
| Tekchen Choling, Spain | Renovation Projects for New Center | $1,500 |
| Thakpa Kachoe Retreat Center, France | Prayer Wheels Wall / 8 Prayer Wheels | $1,000 |
| Tse Chen Ling, USA | Modifications to Building for Disabled Access | $2,000 |
Total Awarded in 2024 |
$19,000 |
Past Grants
View reports of past giving cycles through the Merit Box Project. As you read over the Dharma projects that have been supported by the generosity of thousands of students, please take a moment to rejoice!
2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023
Submitting Your Merit Box Offerings
International Merit Box Project donations, which will next be used to create the 2025 grants, are collected now and continuously until then. You can also support the International Merit Box Project now by making a one-time or monthly recurring donation!
NOTE: If you are planning to submit more than US$500, please contact FPMT Donor Services for direct bank transfer information. Direct transfers for large donations save a lot on fees!
How to Apply for Merit Box Funds
Funds collected through the International Merit Box Project are annually disbursed as grants awarded for centers, projects, services, and study groups; for initiatives managed by FPMT International Office or initiatives elsewhere that further the Mission of FPMT.
The 2024 grant cycle was completed in May. The application season for 2025 will be announced in late 2024 or early 2025.
Other Ways to Support
Become a Friend of FPMT | Work a Day for Rinpoche | Planned Giving
Endowment Fund | Give a Gift that Helps Others