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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 2023, there have been US$1,239,580 in Merit Box offerings awarded through 354 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.
2022 Funds Have Been Awarded
Below is the list of the 12 Dharma projects and activities awarded funds from Merit Box offerings for 2023 (amounts are in US dollars). Thank you to all who made Merit Box offerings!
Organization |
Project |
Awarded |
| Chenrezig Institute, AUS | Seated Ksitigarbha Statue | $2,500 |
| FPMT Italia | Becoming Vajrasattva by Lama Yeshe in Italian | $2,500 |
| FPMT Mongolia | Support for Level 2 Training for FDCW’s 16 Guidelines Course | $2,000 |
| FPMT United Kingdom | Modernization of the FPMT UK Website | $300 |
| Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Italy | Building Renovation to Better Accommodate Persons with Disabilities | $2,500 |
| Land of Medicine Buddha, USA | Accommodation, A/V, Infrastructure and Dining Hall Upgrades | $2,000 |
| Liberation Prison Project, USA | Online Migration of Dharma Materials | $3,000 |
| Milarepa Center, USA | Stupa Relocation Project | $3,000 |
| Pamtingpa Center, USA | Library/Dining Hall/Bathroom Project | $2,000 |
| Shantideva Center, USA | Community Outreach Assistant | $500 |
| Tse Chen Ling, USA | Center Back Wall Refurbishment | $1,000 |
| Yeshin Norbu, Sweden | Support to Keep Our Resident Teacher | $1,500 |
Total Awarded in 2023 |
$22,800 |
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
Submitting Your Merit Box Offerings
International Merit Box Project donations, which will next be used to create the 2023 grants, are collected now and continuously until March 31, 2023. 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 2022 grant cycle was completed in May. Applications for 2023 can be submitted starting November 1st, 2022 through April 15, 2023. Please contact us to request an application. Applications for the 2023 funding cycle were due April 15, 2023. Grant awards are disbursed typically in May/June after the application deadline.
Other Ways to Support
Become a Friend of FPMT | Work a Day for Rinpoche | Planned Giving
Endowment Fund | Give a Gift that Helps Others