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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 May 15, 2020, there have been US$1,144,123 in Merit Box offerings awarded through 301 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.
2020 Funds Have Been Awarded
Below is the list of the 14 Dharma projects and activities awarded funds from Merit Box offerings for 2020 (amounts are in US Dollars). Thank you to all who made Merit Box offerings!
Organization | Project | Awarded |
| Chenrezig Institute, Australia | COVID-19 Financial Hardship Relief | $3,000 |
| FPMT North America Regional Office | COVID-19 Financial Hardship Relief | $2,000 |
| Gendun Drupa Center, Switzerland | COVID-19 Financial Hardship Relief | $1,500 |
| Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds, UK | COVID-19 Financial Hardship Relief | $2,000 |
| Kunsang Yeshe Retreat Centre, Australia | COVID-19 Financial Hardship Relief | $2,500 |
| Mahamudra Centre | COVID-19 Financial Hardship Relief | $2,536 |
| Maitripa College, USA | COVID-19 Financial Hardship Relief | $3,000 |
| Milarepa Center, USA | COVID-19 Financial Hardship Relief | $1,500 |
| Nagarjuna Center Granada, Spain | COVID-19 Financial Hardship Relief | $932 |
| Shantideva Center, USA | COVID-19 Financial Hardship Relief | $3,000 |
| Tara Mandala, Australia | COVID-19 Financial Hardship Relief | $2,500 |
| Tara Meditation Centre, Australia | COVID-19 Financial Hardship Relief | $1,500 |
| Tse Chen Ling, USA | COVID-19 Financial Hardship Relief | $2,900 |
| Tushita Meditation Center, Spain | COVID-19 Financial Hardship Relief | $2,500 |
Total Awarded in 2020 | $31,368 |
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
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 2021 grants, are collected now and continuously until March 31, 2021. 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 2020 grant cycle was completed in May. Applications for 2021 can be submitted starting November 1st, 2020 through March 31, 2021. Please contact meritbox@fpmt.org to request an application. Applications for the 2020 funding cycle will be due March 31, 2021. 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
