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, and every year offerings are collected 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 3, 2022, there have been US$1,216,780 in Merit Box offerings awarded through 342 grants to Dharma projects and initiatives working to fulfill the FPMT mission.

The project is a tangible 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 28 Dharma projects and activities awarded funds from Merit Box offerings for 2022 (amounts are in US dollars). Thank you to all who made Merit Box offerings!

Organization

Project

Awarded

Atisha Centre, AUS Lama Yeshe Statue Project $3,000
Chandrakirti Meditation Centre, New Zealand Large Prayer Wheel $2,500
Chenrezig Institute, AUS Nalanda Masters Garden $3,000
Courthouse Community Centre/Jamyang, UK Repaying the Kindness $1,020
Editions Mahayana, France Publication of Insight Into Emptiness in French $1,000
Kalachakra Centre, France Village of Liberty $2,500
Lawudo Gompa, Nepal Renovation Work of Monastery and Retreat Rooms $4,000
Land of Calm Abiding, USA Road maintenance $2,000
Land of Calm Abiding, USA Propane for Retreatants $2,000
Land of Medicine Buddha, USA Infrastructure Overhaul $4,000
Land of Medicine Buddha, USA Financial Hardship – Covid-19 Support $3,000
Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, USA The Enlightened Experience: Collected Teachings by Lama Yeshe $2,500
Liberation Prison Project, USA Liberation Calendar 2023 $2,000
Mahamudra Centre, AUS Prayer Wheel House $3,000
Milarepa Center, USA Retreat Scholarship Fund $1,000
Milarepa Center, USA West Meadow Stupa Shrine $1,500
Milarepa Center, USA Main Building Roof/Foundation Project $2,000
Nagarjuna Alicante, Spain Refurbishment of New Headquarters $2,000
Nagarjuna Madrid, Spain Padmasambhava Statue $2,000
Nalanda Monastery, France Sixteen Arhants Statues Altar $3,000
Shiwa Lha Center, Brazil Publication of Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand, Portugese $2,500
Tara Lanka Study Group, Sri Lanka Publication of Pearl Garland Anthology of Lam Rim, Sinhalese $1,500
Thubten Norbu Ling, USA Courtyard Stupa Project $2,000
Thubten Norbu Ling, USA Geshe House $1,500
Tse Chen Ling, USA Floor Replacement $1,000
Tushita Meditation Center, Spain New Home for Center $2,000
Vajrapani Institute, USA Chenrezig Gompa Improvements $2,355
Yeshin Norbu Center, Sweden Support to Keep Our Resident Teacher $2,000

Total Awarded in 2022

$61,875

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

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!

DONATE

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 March 31, 2023. Please contact us to request an application. Applications for the 2023 funding cycle will be due March 31, 2023. Lama Zopa Rinpoche is involved in the application review and approval process, which takes place in April/May each year. Disbursements are made shortly after grants have been awarded and confirmed.

Other Ways to Support

Become a Friend of FPMTWork a Day for Rinpoche | Planned Giving
Endowment Fund | Give a Gift that Helps Others