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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 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 |
| Liberation Prison Project, USA | Liberation Calendar 2023 | $2,000 |
| Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, USA | The Enlightened Experience: Collected Teachings by Lama Yeshe | $2,500 |
| 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!
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 FPMT | Work a Day for Rinpoche | Planned Giving
Endowment Fund | Give a Gift that Helps Others