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FPMT Puja Fund News
Robes offered to the Buddha statue in Mahabodhi temple, Bodhgaya, India, through the Puja Fund. July, 2015. Photo by Andy Melnic.
Every month on the full moon, the Puja Fund sponsors the offering of robes, made of the most precious material, to the most holy Buddha statue in Mahabodhi temple, Bodhgaya, India.
During the robe offering, students and Sangha from Root Institute offer prayers and practices including verses like this from the Nyung Nä sadhana:
In order to purify my mind, I offer an exquisite precious garment,
Multicolored like Indra’s variegated bow,
That when touched becomes the cause of bliss
May I be adorned with the holy garment of patience.
Please rejoice in this monthly offering that is so precious. You are welcome to contribute to this by offering to the Puja Fund at any time.
You can learn more about the extensive pujas, practices and offerings sponsored by the Puja Fund or about any of the other Charitable Projects of FPMT.
Twenty years ago, Lama Zopa Rinpoche established the Puja Fund as a way to sponsor ongoing prayers and practices dedicated to the success and longevity of the entire FPMT organization. One puja that Rinpoche advised was particularly important for FPMT is the Extensive Most Secret Hayagriva Puja.
Every month, on the Tibetan 29th day, the Puja Fund sponsors about 40 of the most senior monks of Sera Je Monastery, who specialize in the practice of Most Secret Hayagriva, to offer the Extensive Most Secret Hayagriva puja (Hayagriva Tsog Kong). This is an all day puja with an elaborate torma offering and extensive prayers and meditation. Please rejoice that twelve months of sponsorship for this monthly puja was just offered to Sera Je.
The Puja Fund makes a small offering to the 40 monks who perform the puja; offers breakfast, lunch and dinner; and covers the cost of extensive torma offerings (pictured above) for the puja.
Every Tibetan 29th day, you can remember that there are over 40 monks performing the Extensive Most Secret Hayagriva Puja as they have for over twenty years. You are welcome to contribute to this ongoing offering which benefits the entire FPMT mandala of centers, projects, services, students, volunteers, benefactors, and all beings.
You can learn more about the ongoing activities of the Puja Fund, or FPMT’s other extensive charitable activity.
The monks of Sera Je Monastery offering puja.
Each year on Chokhor Duchen (commemorating Lord Buddha’s first teaching) the Puja Fund sponsors pujas and offerings all over the world dedicated to success of the entire FPMT organization. The practices are offered by up to 15,650 monks and nuns. This year Chokhor Duchen falls on Monday, July 20.
The Prajnaparamita (short, medium and long versions) will be recited by the monks of Gyurme Tantric College, the entire Kangyur will be recited by Kopan Nunnery, extensive offerings will be presented to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s gurus and holy objects in India and Tibet, among many other virtuous activities, prayers and pujas which have been advised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Some of the 15,650 Sangha who will be doing prayers on Chokor Duchen.
You are welcome to participate in all of this beneficial activity by mentally offering or rejoicing in these practices on July 20 and rejoicing that 15,650 monks and nuns will be doing these prayers, remembering that they are all “pores of the guru” and thus extensions of our teachers. Lama Zopa Rinpoche has explained:
Making offerings to the Sangha is a way of collecting unbelievable merit because all the sangha are the pores of the Guru. They are all disciples of the same Guru – His Holiness the Dalai Lama. By offering to pores of the Guru one collects more merit than offering to Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, as well as numberless statues, stupas. If you offer with the recognition that they are the Guru’s pores then that is an unbelievable way to collect merit. When you offer to many Sanghas who have the same Guru then you are making offerings to that many pores of the Guru. So this is the easiest way to collect skies of merit by offering. By offering even just one candy, flowers or even one grain of rice to a statue of Buddha or even a visualized Buddha you collect skies of merit but here it is much more powerful than offering to the 3 jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) as well as all the statues, stupas and scriptures existing in all directions, so no question if offering to really the same Guru’s disciple. These benefits should be understood so that when you make offerings to the Guru’s pores you think correctly. This is the best business.
If you would like to make a donation toward the meritorious activities being sponsored by the Puja Fund on Chokor Duchen, you can do so by offering any amount you are able.
The Puja Fund was established by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to provide resources for continuous pujas dedicated to the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to the success of all the FPMT centers, projects, services, students, benefactors and those serving the organization in any way. You can learn more about the Puja Fund, or FPMT’s other extensive charitable activity.
Kopan Sangha performing the pujas recommended for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s long life. Photo courtesy of Kopan Monastery.
Every year, Ven. Roger Kunsang, Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s faithful assistant for 29 years and CEO of FPMT Inc. checks with high lamas about any pujas that are needed to be done for the health and long life of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
In March Ven. Roger Kunsang checked for 2015 and based on the advice received a number of pujas were arranged such as:
- Sixteen Arhats Long Life Puja
- Namgyäl Tong Chö (One thousand sets of offerings to Buddha Namgyälma)
- Dartok Sersum
- Tse Drub
Extensive offerings carefully arranged for the pujas offered for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s long life.
These pujas were sponsored by the Puja Fund and the Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Long Life Puja Fund and offered on behalf of the entire FPMT organization.
Thanks to the Kopan Sangha for offering these pujas.
May these pujas create the cause for Lama Zopa Rinpoche to have perfect health and a very long life.
All are welcome to participate in the offering of these pujas by donating any amount to the Puja Fund or the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Long Life Puja Fund.
You can learn more about the Puja Fund the activities of the Long Life Puja Fund or any FPMT’s Charitable Projects.
Shakyamuni Buddha with offerings, Kachoe Dechen Ling, California, USA. Photo by Chris Majors.
Each year on Saka Dawa (Day 15 of Month 4: Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and parinirvana), the Puja Fund sponsors an extensive array of offerings and pujas.
Please rejoice that today, on Saka Dawa, 15,650 ordained Sangha members are offering prayers for the entire FPMT organization. The Prajnaparamita and 100,000 Praises to Tara are both being recited, pujas are being offered, extensive offerings are presented to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s gurus and holy objects in India and Tibet, among many other virtuous activities which have been advised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
You are welcome to participate in all of this beneficial activity (which is multiplied in virtue by one hundred million during Saka Dawa month, according to the Vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic) by mentally offering or rejoicing in these practices.
You can also think of all the offerings (water, lights, fruit) that are being made in all the FPMT centers around the world, as well as all the practices that are happening over Saka Dawa. For example, the Kopan nuns are currently doing four nyung näs, outside, due to the aftershocks that are still happening in Nepal. There is so much to rejoice in today. Happy Saka Dawa!
The Puja Fund was established by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to provide resources for continuous pujas dedicated to the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to the success of all the FPMT centers, projects, services, students, benefactors and those serving the organization in any way. You can learn more about the Puja Fund, or FPMT’s other extensive charitable activity.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche doing puja at Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Singapore.
Each year on Saka Dawa (Day 15 of Month 4: Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and parinirvana), the Puja Fund sponsors an extensive array of offerings and pujas. The practices are done by up to 15,650 ordained Sangha and offerings are made to all of them. This year, Saka Dawa will take place on June 2.
Over Saka Dawa, the Prajnaparamita will be recited along with 100,000 Praises to Tara among many other practices. Even after the devastation experienced in Nepal from the recent earthquake, Kopan Monastery and Nunnery are still doing all the practices on Saka Dawa and offerings will also be made to all the Sangha.
Pujas and Practices During Saka Dawa
By 650 monks of Gyurme Tantric College
- Recitation of the Prajnaparamita (three versions)
By the 400 nuns of Kopan Nunnery
- 100,000 recitations of Praises to 21 Taras
By 6,000 monks of Sera Je and Sera Mey Monasteries
- Druk Chu Ma (64 offerings to Kalarupa to eliminate obstacles)
- Namgyäl Tong Chö (One thousand sets of offerings to Buddha Namgyälma)
- Zangcho (King of Prayers)
By 3,400 monks of Gaden Jangtse and Shartse Monastery
- Medicine Buddha Puja
- Druk Chu Ma (64 offerings to Kalarupa to eliminate obstacles)
- Zangcho (King of Prayers)
By 4,200 monks of Drepung Gomang, Loseling and Deyang Monastery
- Druk Chu Ma (64 offerings to Kalarupa to eliminate obstacles)
- Namgyäl Tsechog (puja offered to Buddha Namgyälma)
- Zangcho
By 600 monks of Gyuto Tantric College
- Namgyäl Tong Chö (One thousand sets of offerings to Buddha Namgyälma)
- Zangcho (King of Prayers)
By 370 monks of Kopan Monastery
- Medicine Buddha Puja
- Druk Chu Ma Puja (64 offerings to Kalarupa to eliminate obstacles)
Offerings to Gurus and Sangha
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama
- His Holiness the Sakya Trizin
- Kyabje Choden Rinpoche
- Dhakpa Rinpoche
- Jhado Rinpoche
- Khongla Rato Rinpoche
Small money offering to 15,650 Sangha of:
- Sera Je, Sera Mey
- Gaden Jangtse and Shartse
- Drepung Gomang, Loseling and Deyang
- Gyuto and Gyurme Tantric Colleges
- Kopan Monastery and Nunnery
Small money offerings are made to the Sangha at IMI international Sangha communities:
- Nalanda Monastery, France
- Thubten Shedrup Ling, Australia
- Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Italy
- Chenrezig Institute, Australia
Offerings Made to Holy Objects in India and Tibet
Gold is offered on Sakadawa to the precious Jowa Buddha statue in Lhasa, Tibet.
- Buddha inside the Bodhgaya Mahabodhi temple: Offering a new set of robes of the most precious material
- Jowo Buddha in Lhasa’s Jokang: Offering gold to the holy face of the Jowo Buddha
- Making and filling of stupas and lunch offering to participants at Chenrezig Institute, Australia
You are welcome to contribute toward these incredibly beneficial activities which are multiplied in virtue by one hundred million during Saka Dawa month, according to the Vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic.
The precious Jowo Buddha statue is offered gold every month on the full moon.
Every month, the Puja Fund offers gold to the most precious Jowo Buddha statue in Lhasa, Tibet. US$3,000 was just sent to cover this offering for the next year. The gold is offered on the full moon and all are welcome to join in by mentally offering or rejoicing in this incredible commitment that Lama Zopa Rinpoche started a number of years ago.
The Jowo Buddha statue is one of the most sacred statues in all of Tibet.
Said to have been blessed by Shakyamuni Buddha himself, the Jowo Buddha statue is one of the most sacred statues in all of Tibet. The Jowo Buddha statue resides in the central chapel of the Jokhang, among the most holy temples in Lhasa.
Every time we see holy objects it purifies so much negative karma, so many defilements. This is because of the power of the holy object. Holy objects have so much power. It’s like an atomic bomb—even though it is small it can bring so much harm and cause so much destruction. That example is negative but what I am saying is that the material has power, like electricity. The material of an atomic bomb has the power to harm and destroy the world. The material of holy objects—statues, scriptures and stupas—has the power to affect our mind, to leave a positive imprint.
—Lama Zopa Rinpoche, “Why Holy Objects Are Precious and Wish-Fulfilling
You can learn more about the Puja Fund, learn more about FPMT Charitable Projects, or get involved in this monthly offering of gold to the Jowo Buddha statue by mentally participating, rejoicing, or contributing any amount to the Puja Fund.
Beautiful Buddha in Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya. The Puja Fund offers best quality robes to this statue every month. Photo by Thubten Kunsang.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche blessing robes before they are offered to Buddha statue in Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya.
Every month the Puja Fund sponsors a new set of robes to be offered to the precious Buddha statue inside the Mahabodhi Stupa in Bodhgaya, India.
In 2014 Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited the market in Bodhgaya and personally chose the best quality cloth for the robes.
The offering is kindly done by Root Institute with prayers including:
In order to purify my mind,
I offer an exquisite precious garment,
Multicolored like Indra’s variegated bow,
That when touched becomes the cause of bliss
May I be adorned with the holy garment of patience.
OM VAJRA VASTRAYE AH HUM SVAHA
Lama Zopa Rinpoche has taught extensively on the benefits of offering to statues of Buddha. “If someone offers a small flower or rice to a Buddha statue, a stupa, or scripture then the benefit extends from then up to enlightenment. Amazing, amazing,” Rinpoche has said. “It is said in the sutra Piled Flowers, on top of that benefit, you achieve ultimate happiness, liberation from the causes of delusion and karma, and on top of that full enlightenment, all the realizations and omniscient mind. After this, then you liberate numberless hell beings, pretas, animals, humans, suras and asuras from the ocean of samsaric sufferings and bring them to full enlightenment. When all beings are brought to enlightenment, only then are all the results of offering achieved.”
Please enjoy this video that was filmed by Bill Kane during the robes offering in March 2015. In this video the robes that are sponsored are being respectfully offered to this precious statue while Sangha and students from Root Institute are offering the appropriate prayers.
You are welcome to offer any amount, at any time, to this precious offering of robes occurring every month.
In addition to offering robes every month to the Buddha statue in Bodhgaya, The Puja Fund also offers gold to the Jowo Buddha in Tibet and offer saffron flower petals, white wash, and material for umbrellas to Bouddhanath and Swayambunath stupas in Nepal.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing respect to a Hayagriva statue on the altar at Idgaa Choizinling College in Mongolia.
The Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund sponsors the electricity for lotus light offerings to all the holy objects on the altar at Idgaa Choizinling College in Mongolia. The lights are offered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Among the holy objects on this altar is an incredible Hayagriva statue (pictured on the right).
The annual 100 Million Mani Retreat, which is one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions, is also held in the Idgaa Choizinling gompa.
Please rejoice in this daily offering of light to these incredible holy objects in Mongolia. Anyone is welcome to think of this continuous light offering and offer it in their daily practice. You are also welcome to offer any amount to the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund to contribute to the costs of this daily offering.
Light Offering Prayer
The Idgaa Choizinling gompa, which houses the 100 Million Mani Retreats sponsored by the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund.
Composed by Lama Atisha
May the light of the lamp be equal to the great three thousand worlds and their environments,
May the wick of the lamp be equal to the king of mountains – Mount Meru.
May the butter be equal to the infinite ocean.
May there be billions of trillions of lamps in the presence of each and every buddha.
May the light illuminate the darkness of ignorance of all sentient beings
From the peak of samsara down to the most torturous hell,
Whereby they can see directly and clearly all the ten directions’
Buddhas and bodhisattvas and their pure lands.
OM VAJRA ALOKE AH HUM E MA HO
I offer these beautifully exalted clear and luminous lights
To the thousand buddhas of the fortunate eon,
To all the buddhas and bodhisattvas of the infinite pure lands and of the ten directions,
To all the gurus, meditation deities, dakas, dakinis, dharma protectors,
and the assembly of deities of all mandalas.
From “Extensive Offering Practice,” by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Available through the FPMT Foundation Store
You can learn more about the many beneficial activities of the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund or other Charitable Projects of FPMT.
Every year during Losar (Tibetan New Year and the 15 days of miracles) the Puja Fund sponsors these pujas and offerings all over the world, dedicated to the success of the entire FPMT organization. This is something amazing to rejoice in.
Sera Je Monastery monks performing pujas sponsored by the Puja Fund.
Pujas Offered by Over 15,650 Sangha
- Recitation of the Prajnaparamita (three versions) offered by the 650 monks of Gyurme Tantric College
- Druk Chu Ma (64 offerings to Kalarupa to eliminate obstacles), Namgyäl Tong Chö (One thousand sets of offerings to Buddha Namgyälma) and Zangcho (King of Prayers) offered by the 6,000 monks of Sera Je and Sera Mey Monastery
- Druk Chu Ma, Medicine Buddha Puja and Zangcho offered by the 3,400 monks of Gaden Jangtse and Shartse Monastery
- Druk Chu Ma, Namgyäl Tsechog (puja offered to Buddha Namgyälma) and Zangcho offered by the 4,200 monks of Drepung Gomang, Loseling and Deyang Monastery
- Namgyäl Tong Chö and Zangcho offered by the 600 monks of Gyuto Tantric College
Offerings Made to Holy Objects in Nepal, India and Tibet
- Bouddhanath and Swayambunath stupas: Offering white wash and four giant saffron flower petals and new umbrellas to the stupas’ pinnacles
- Buddha inside the Bodhgaya Mahabodhi temple: Offering a new set of robes of the most precious material
- Jowo Buddha in Lhasa’s Jokang: Offering gold to the holy face of the Jowo Buddha
Offerings to Gurus and Sangha
- Offerings are made to all of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s gurus including His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
- Small money offering to 15,650 Sangha of Sera Je, Sera Mey, Gaden Jangtse, Gaden Shartse, Drepung Gomang, Loseling, Deyang, Gyuto Tantric College, Gyurme Tantric College and Kopan Monastery and Nunnery
- Small money offerings are made to all the Sangha at IMI international Sangha communities (Nalanda Monastery, France; Thubten Shedrup Ling, Australia; Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Italy; and Chenrezig Institute, Australia)
- A full set of robes is offered to all FPMT geshes and resident teachers
Descriptions of Pujas Offered
- Druk Chu Ma: 64 offerings to Kalarupa to eliminate obstacles to one’s activities or projects that are bringing benefit to others
- Namgyäl Tong Chö: One thousand sets of offerings to Buddha Namgyälma
- Namgyäl Tsechog: Is performed to Buddha Namgyälma is performed to remove all obstacles to one’s life and to have a long life. This puja is specifically dedicated to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to all beings who are benefiting others and practicing virtue
- Medicine Buddha Puja: To bring success to all one’s activities, for long life, and for when someone has passed away
Please rejoice in all of this virtuous activity. You are welcome to participate by mentally offering and dedicating all of these activities, or by donating any amount toward their completion.
You can learn more about the ongoing activities of the Puja Fund or about the other Charitable Projects of FPMT.
Every month, the Puja Fund offers gold to the most precious Jowo Buddha statue in Lhasa, Tibet. Said to have been blessed by Shakyamuni Buddha himself, the Jowo Buddha statue is one of the most sacred statues in all of Tibet. Originally crafted in India, the Jowo was brought to China, and then brought to Tibet by the daughter of the Chinese emperor, Princess Wenchen Kongjo, upon her marriage to Songsten Gampo. The Jowo Buddha statue resides in the central chapel of the Jokhang, among the most holy temples in Lhasa.
Gold is offered every month to the precious Jowo Buddha statue in Lhasa, Tibet.
If someone offers a small flower or rice to a Buddha statue, a stupa or scripture, then the benefit extends from then up to enlightenment. Amazing, amazing. It is said in the sutra Piled Flowers, on top of that benefit, you achieve ultimate happiness – liberation from the causes of delusion and karma – and on top of that, full enlightenment – all the realizations and omniscient mind. After this, then you liberate numberless hell beings, pretas, animals, humans, suras and asuras from the ocean of samsaric sufferings and bring them to full enlightenment. When all beings are brought to enlightenment, only then are all the results of offering achieved. So by offering gold, then wow, wow, wow. Can you imagine the result! From only a tiny offering (of a flower or rice) so much benefit is received due to that statue, etc. So really, holy objects are wish-fulfilling gems – so unbelievably precious.
—Lama Zopa Rinpoche, in a letter to a student who offered gold to 1,000 buddha statues at Kopan Monastery in Nepal
Please rejoice in this monthly offering that is so precious. You are welcome to contribute to this by contributing to the Puja Fund at any time.
You can learn more about the extensive pujas, practices and offerings sponsored by the Puja Fund or about any of the other Charitable Projects of FPMT.
Bouddhanath Stupa, Nepal.
Swayambunath Stupa, Nepal.
Every month, on the full moon, the Puja Fund sponsors offerings of white wash, four giant saffron flower petals and the best quality cloth to the umbrellas at the pinnacles of Bouddhanath and Swayambunath Stupas in Nepal. Please rejoice in this incredible ongoing offering.
“All those who offer whitewash, saffron, and offering cloth will achieve perfect brightness and glory, overpowering all devas, spirits, and human beings with magnificence.”
—Padmasambhava’s Instruction on Offerings to Stupas
Lama Zopa Rinpoche translated Padmasambhava’s Instruction on Offerings to Stupas and the complete text is available as a PDF download.
You are welcome to contribute to this monthly offering or learn more about the monthly activities of the Puja Fund.