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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, 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 the list goes on…
As of July 15, 2021, there have been US$1,154,905 in Merit Box offerings awarded through 314 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.
2021 Funds Have Been Awarded
Below is the list of the 15 Dharma projects and activities awarded funds from Merit Box offerings for 2021 (amounts are in US Dollars). Thank you to all who made Merit Box offerings!
Organization |
Project |
Awarded |
| Aryadeva Study Group, Austria | Bathhouse for Yogin | $1,500 |
| Center of White Mahakala, Romania | Building the Main Retreat Cabin | $2,000 |
| Chenrezig Nuns Community, AUS | Online Gompa Manual of Puja & Practices | $3,000 |
| Editions Mahayana, France | Becoming Your Own Therapist in French | $1,300 |
| Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Italy | Green Transition | $5,000 |
| Lama Yeshe Ling, Canada | A/V Equipment for Podcasts & Video Blogs | $750 |
| Land of Medicine Buddha, USA | Emergency Infrastructure Repairs | $10,000 |
| Langri Tangpa Center, AUS | Gilding of Lama Yeshe Statue | $1,000 |
| Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, USA | Image Archive Catalog & Publication | $1,500 |
| Milarepa Center, USA | Base & Shrine for Kshitigarbha Statue | $3,000 |
| Nalanda Monastery, France | Padmasambhava Statue Project | $2,500 |
| Oahn Vovan, Nepal | Feeding Dogs & Monkeys in Kathmandu | $500 |
| Pamtingpa Center, USA | Center Dining Room/Library/Bathroom | $1,500 |
| Tse Chen Ling, USA | Painting Entryway of Center | $700 |
| Tse Chen Ling, USA | Ceiling Fans for Gompa | $700 |
Total Awarded in 2021 |
$34,950 |
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
A simple practice at home, can benefit Dharma communities worldwide!
Become a Merit Box Practitioner
Merit Box practitioners keep a Merit Box handy so they can place offerings in it throughout the year. Just think, one’s spare change can help build a new stupa, retreat cabin or translate a Dharma text!
By growing the number of Merit Box practitioners, we hope to also widen the number of projects benefiting from these kind donations. We invite you to consider starting this simple merit practice yourself! Merit Boxes are offered freely through the Foundation Store.
Click here to order a free Merit Box Practice Kit
How to Practice with Your Merit Box (instructions)
Submitting Your Merit Box Offerings
International Merit Box Project donations, which will next be used to create the 2022 grants, are collected now and continuously until March 31, 2022. 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 donations@fpmt.org 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 2021 grant cycle was completed in May. Applications for 2022 can be submitted starting November 1st, 2021 through March 31, 2021. Please contact meritbox@fpmt.org to request an application. Applications for the 2022 funding cycle will be due March 31, 2022. Lama Zopa Rinpoche is involved in the application review and approval process, which takes place in April/May each year. Disbursements are made generally in May/June of each year.
Other Ways to Support
Become a Friend of FPMT | Work a Day for Rinpoche | Planned Giving
Endowment Fund | Give a Gift that Helps Others