Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund News

Nuns of Machig Labdron Nunnery, a new Australian Buddhist nunnery, and a friend.

The Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund (SOSF) is offering comprehensive support to nunneries, monasteries, and individual monks and nuns across the globe. This essential support includes providing food, accommodation, healthcare, education, and practice resources. This fund is not limited to any specific institution, lineage, or ethnicity and benefits numerous nunneries, monasteries, and Sangha members requesting assistance.

Within the FPMT organization, the support of monks and nuns is of utmost importance as the preservation of the Buddhadharma is linked to the existence and wellbeing of the Sangha.

So far in 2024, the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund contributed a total of US$342,986 toward the needs of our Sangha. We invite you to take a closer look at the various ways we have been able to offer this collective support.

Tashi Chime Gatsal Gumba Nunnery | Thame Dechen Chokhorling Monastery | Shalu Monastery | Idgaa Choinzinling Monastery | Gyudmed Tantric Monastery | Lhungtok Choekhorling Monastery | Nalanda Monastery |
Machig Labdron | Department of Religion and Culture | New Robes

The teachers and nuns of Tashi Chime Gatsal Gumba.

Tashi Chime Gatsal Gumba Nunnery is a small Drikung Kagyu Nunnery in Bigu, Northeastern Nepal. The nunnery has a close connection with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who visited in 2022 and commented that the nunnery feels like it is in the lap of Mother Tara. Rinpoche directly wished for FPMT to support this nunnery and in turn for the nunnery to dedicate the prayers of 100 million mani recitations (once or twice a year) for the benefit of the FPMT organization. Rinpoche personally set up this arrangement 14 years ago and we are honored to continue to fulfill Rinpoche’s wish.

To date an incredible 24 different 100 million mani retreats have been offered by the nunnery, that is 2.4 billion recitations of OM MANI PADME HUM for the benefit of all beings.

In 2024, the SOSF contributed US$20,302 to support this nunnery. This sponsorship encompasses vital necessities such as food, gas, firewood, transportation, medical expenses, and offerings to the Sangha upon completion of the retreat.

In addition, we are supporting the salaries of six teachers who teach at the small school in the nunnery, so that the younger nuns can receive a secular education, in addition to their religious training. This allows the nuns to stay at the nunnery and not have to walk the long distance to the local school and ensures they do not miss out on their education.

Thame Rinpoche and the monks of Thame Dechen Chokhorling Monastery.

Thame Dechen Chokhorling Monastery is located in the region of Solu Khumbu, Nepal. Thame was also the birthplace of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and is situated near Lawudo, where Rinpoche’s previous incarnation, the Lawudo Lama Kunsang Yeshe, practiced in strict retreat for many years.

The Thame Monastery is a small Nyingma Monastery perched upon a rock, nearly four thousand meters above sea level. It is the oldest monastery in Solu Khumbu, more than 350 years old, and is the residence of the Thame Rinpoche.

The monks of Thame Monastery offered special prayers every day during the 49 days after Lama Zopa Rinpoche showed the aspect of passing away, in front of Rinpoche’s kundung (holy body) in Kopan Monastery. They offered special prayers to Chenrezig, that is unique to their monastery. They also attended the consecration of the Victory Stupa built in Lawudo for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Since 2017, the SOSF has been providing support for three meals a day to the 22 monks residing in Thame Monastery and in 2024 we offered US$9524 for this.

His Eminence Jhado Rinpoche and the monks and participants of the Kalachakra Mind Mandala retreat held at Shalu Monastery.

Shalu Monastery in Himachal Pradesh, India, is a Sakya Monastery and is committed to reviving and preserving the Bhulug lineage tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, which was founded by the Sakya master Buton Rinchen Drub in the fourth century. Recognizing the importance of this lineage, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has blessed and supported the establishment of Shalu Monastery. This year His Eminence Jhado Rinpoche led a Kalachakra Mind Mandala approaching retreat at the monastery with over 300 participants, mostly Sangha, and including Ven. Joan from Kopan Monastery and Ven. Tsomo from FPMT International Office. 

Since 2018, the SOSF has been offering all the food for the monks of Shalu Monastery, and this year we have allocated US$15,328 for their food.  

Prayer session for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Bodhgaya, India, December 31, 2023. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Michael.

The monks of Shalu Monastery feel a very close connection to Lama Zopa Rinpoche and FPMT, due to the support we have offered for the last six years. They were experiencing a lot of hardship prior to this, being unable to cover the costs of food for the Sangha. Their daily prayers include the heartfelt request for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

On December 31, 2023 a powerful prayer session was held in Bodhgaya, India, under the Bodhi tree for the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, where 2,500 ordained Sangha participated including Ganden Tri Rinpoche, His Eminence Ling Rinpoche, His Eminence Serkong Tsenshab Rinpoche. Over 2,500 recitations of Chanting the Names of Manjushri and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return prayer was offered.

We were honored, on behalf of the entire FPMT, to make offerings to all the 2,500 Sangha, and this came to US$17,928.

Monks of Idgaa Choinzinling Monastery.

Idgaa Choinzinling Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, shares a longstanding relationship with the FPMT organization and since 2015, the SOSF has been providing funds for all the food for the monks each year.

In 2024, US$10,800 has been allocated so that the 32 Mongolian monks are provided with nourishing meals throughout the year.

Monks at Gyudmed Tantric Monastery.

Gyudmed Tantric Monastery is a distinguished center for the study, practice and preservation of the Guhyasamaja Tantra lineage. The monastery accommodates approximately 600 monks and offers the best education, free food, and accommodation for all the monks. The monastery does not have any stable source of income, particularly for the food expenses for the monks. Realizing the need to set up a long term plan and Food Fund to support the monastery, the monastery requested Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the FPMT organization to help. Lama Zopa Rinpoche immediately accepted their request and the food fund proposal. The Food Fund was then established in 2021 and to date we have raised US$1,418,056. We are committed to continuing Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s sincere wish for the Food Fund and in 2024 SOSF contributed an additional US$100,000 toward it. The overarching goal is to raise US$3 million.

Lhungtok Choekhorling Monastery in Pomaia, Italy, is 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa. The future monastery will be built on the rock just like the monasteries of Tibet and the project envisages an ecological architecture in harmony with the surrounding area, and the use of natural and clean energy resources. The monastery aims to provide hospitality to about one hundred monks and nuns. In 2022 the building permit was signed. After 18 years of waiting and bureaucratic procedures, this was a tremendous accomplishment. Last year His Holiness the Dalai Lama personally offered a donation toward the building of the monastery and gave essential advice.

In 2024 due to the kindness of a benefactor, through the SOSF we offered US$100,000 as a matching grant for the building of the monastery. The monastery building is in a critical stage now and still needs a lot of support to be actualized. This is a precious opportunity to be part of the first Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in Italy.

Participants of the first Gelug Monlam held at Nalanda Monastery, France. Photo by Sonam Sherpa.

Nalanda Monastery held the first historic Geluk Monlam in the France in February 2024. Known as the Great Prayer Festival, Monlam is regarded as one the “four great activities” of Lama Tsongkhapa’s life. Chant leaders from Sera Monastery came from Bylakuppe to Nalanda Monastery and taught the chanting to most of the Sangha and about 15 lay people. Six geshes, the chant master, forty-four sangha and about sixty lay people participated in the Monlam, chanting the profound prayers celebrating Buddha Shakyamuni, Lama Tsongkhapa, and Maitreya and concluding with the traditional procession and offering bath to Maitreya, circumambulating the main temple. 

Ven. Roger Kunsang attended the Monlam and on behalf of the FPMT organization, through the SOSF, offered US$5259 to the Sangha community on this auspicious occasion.

Building underway of two buildings for Machig Labdron, Bendigo.

Machig Labdron is a new Australian Buddhist nunnery located north of the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, in Bendigo. After a lengthy planning stage, the building of the nunnery is now underway. The nunnery location is peaceful with a natural beauty surrounded by bush. Two single story buildings are planned for the site.

In 2024, the SOSF, due to the kindness of a benefactor, was happy to offer US$63,066 toward the nunnery building. The nunnery is in need of more support to be able to complete the building project.

The Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration presented and important project to assess the current challenges and opportunities in strengthening monastic institutions. The aim is to conduct surveys involving 20,000 monks and nuns across 80 larger monasteries and nunneries, comprising 18 from India and 62 from Nepal. From this survey to then categorize and identify the challenges encountered by monastic institutions and propose viable solutions to address them and also to explore opportunities for the development of the monastic education system with the aim to achieve increased enrollment and decrease dropout rates within monastic institutions and to implement improvements to the overall monastic education system and in this way to contribute to the preservation and continuity of monastic institutions.

Understanding the importance of this work, the SOSF offered US$10,215 toward this project and long-term plan to assess the overall needs within the monastic institutions in India and Nepal.

Many robes were offered to the Geshes attending the Geshe Conference at Kopan, January 2024.

One of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s wishes was to offer a set of robes to each of the resident and touring teachers who offer service in FPMT, including all the geshes, as a token of thanks for their kind service within the organization. This year, 30 sets of robes were offered and SOSF offered US$1632 to cover that.

Each of these offerings were made on behalf of the whole FPMT organization to support our precious Sangha. The ability to make these offerings each year is made possible by each and every donor who has contributed to the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund. We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude and hope the transparency in the grants offered in 2024 is a means for rejoicing.

All are welcome to contribute to the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund, to help ensure grants like these continue for the benefit of monks and nuns around the world. 

2023 Winter Debate Participants, Drepung Monastery.

The Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund (LTKTF) is dedicated to upholding the Gelug lineage of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism and has been instrumental since its establishment in 1997 at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Named after the Gelug lineage founder Lama Tsongkhapa (1357-1419).

Below are the activities that the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund supported through a total of US$174,162 in grants in 2023. Please join us in rejoicing!

Supporting Our Lineage Teachers, the Annual Gelug Exam, Winter Debate, & Memorization Exams

One of the significant endeavors the fund supports is the annual Winter Debate, as well as assistance to the monks who successfully passed their examinations. The Winter Debate, a prestigious event that attracts the brightest scholars from the eight major Gelug monasteries, was hosted at Drepung Monastery in 2023 with the fund covering the travel expenses for 600 monks from Sera Je Monastery to attend.

Furthermore, the fund ensured that 134 monks from the eight monasteries who passed the memorization examination of classical texts (that are very long) such as the The Five Treatises of Maitreya, Six Collections of Reasoning by Arya Nagarjuna, General Meaning of the Middle Way by Jetsun Chokyi Gyaltsen, Bodhisattvacaryavatara (Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life) by Shantideva and  texts on Abhidharma, Vinaya, Paramita, Madyamika and Lekshay Nyingpo all received a full sets of monks’ robes.

Another notable initiative supported by the fund is the support to the basic needs of 137 main teachers of the Lama Tsongkhapa tradition by providing small monthly stipends, freeing up their time to focus on their service in teaching students and deepening their own practice. The fund also sponsored the Gelukpa Examinations by covering the food and travel expenses of 540 examinees and 118 staff members, as well as providing cash offerings and meals to all participants.

These efforts, including the support provided to the Winter Debate, the stipends to teachers, and the Gelukpa Examinations, reflect the ongoing commitment of the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund to preserve the Gelug tradition, in line with the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and other senior Gelug masters.

The total amount disbursed for the supported activities in 2023 is US$44,162. This includes the $20,672 for the Winter Debate Program and Monk Support, as well as the US$23,489 for the stipends to teachers and support for Gelukpa Examinations. 

Specialized Studies for Geshes and Geshemas

Each year we are offering support towards the Research and Training of Specialist Geshes and Geshemas, with a grant of US$77,500 being provided for the stipend to candidates, supervisors, and instructors. This initiative supports the specialized studies for 35 geshe lharampas and geshemas in the subjects of Pramana, Prajnaparamita, Madhyamaka, Abhidharma, and Vinaya, allowing them to deeply focus and expand their knowledge on one of the five main monastic treatises. This project, advised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and initiated by the Geluk International Foundation in 2020 with the guidance of the Gaden Phodrang Foundation and Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, aims to provide tools for developing new interpretations or synthesized presentations of ancient Buddhist wisdom, making them practically suitable and theoretically digestible to modern mindsets. 

Participants in the 2023 Winter Debate.

Researchers in each field of Buddhist studies have been engaged in intense individual research activity for a period of three years, culminating in the presentation of a written thesis on their chosen topic. The full funding for this project has been provided through the generous support of the US-based Kaya Mandala Foundation, with the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund agreeing to support the administering of grants until the geshes and geshemas complete their specialized studies. The recipients of the grant funds come from the six major monasteries in India and various nunneries, including Geshema Namdol Phuntsok from Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery (Kopan Nunnery) in Kathmandu, Nepal. This year marks the conclusion of phase one of the project.

The first phase of the Geluk International Foundation’s major research project was the Research and Training of Specialist Geshes and Geshemas. The second phase, launched in June 2023, will focus on the topics of Vinaya, Abhidharma, Madhyamika, Prajnaparamita, and Buddhist Logic. We are pleased to offer the support required for 15 exceptional scholars from three esteemed monasteries: Gyume Lower Tantric Monastery (5 scholars), Gyuto Upper Tantric Monastery (5 scholars), and Tashi Lhunpo Monastery (5 scholars). This second phase will span 8 years, with the fund committed to granting US$37,500 each year. We are eagerly anticipating the upcoming new phase and are hopeful for fruitful results.

Funding Educational Research for Future Tibetan Medical Doctors

Committed to backing educational research and training programs aimed at cultivating the next generation of Tibetan medical practitioners. This support not only benefits Tibetan communities by providing them with qualified doctors but also contributes to the preservation of this invaluable medical science and cultural tradition. Tibetan medicine, an ancient yet relevant discipline, is regarded as the time-honored science and art of healing from Tibet. It promotes the belief that the ultimate purpose of life is happiness and emphasizes that wellbeing is a continuous journey of living in harmony with one’s constitution. For centuries, Tibetan medicine doctors have engaged in research, and now modern Tibetan researchers are carrying on this authentic tradition. 

Doeguling Branch Clinic Participates in World Diabetes Day Awareness Program, November 2023. Photo courtesy of Men-Tsee-Khang’s official website.

A sum of US$15,000 was allocated to the Tibetan Medical & Astro-science Institute in India, Men-Tsee-Khang, along with a branch clinic in Kathmandu, Nepal, to provide stipends for six participants of the Nyepa Sum Project. The Nyepa Sum Project focuses on researching the three principal energies: baekan (water & earth or cold energy), lung (air or movement energy), and tripa (fire or heat energy); and their impact on various health conditions. The dedicated doctors are conducting research on imbalances in lung, tripa, and baekan energies to address conditions such as depression, insomnia, headaches, heart and blood pressure issues, mental health problems, skin rashes, inflammations, indigestion, hormonal issues, respiratory disorders, kidney and bladder dysfunction, obesity, and diabetes.

We express our deep appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to all the kind sponsors of Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund for their generous support towards these projects! Your assistance is invaluable and immensely beneficial to humanity. The total of US$174,162 in grants offered in 2023 has contributed to these impactful initiatives. We invite you to join us in celebrating the positive outcomes of these endeavors!

All are welcome to support the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund, which preserves the unbroken Tsongkhapa lineage, and cultivates the foremost scholars of tomorrow. We also invite you to read about all the other charitable projects of the FPMT organization. 

The monks of Sera Je Monastery offering prayers for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return.

The Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund (SOSF) is offering comprehensive support to nunneries, monasteries, and individual monks and nuns across the globe. With a wide range of charitable activities, including providing food, accommodation, healthcare, education, and practice resources, the SOSF aims to cater to the diverse needs of those in the Sangha community. This fund is not limited to any specific institution, allowing it to extend its benefits to numerous nunneries, monasteries, and Sangha members seeking assistance.

Within the FPMT organization, the support of monks and nuns holds a position of utmost importance. Recognizing that the preservation of the Buddhadharma is linked to the existence and well-being of the Sangha, prioritizing their support becomes essential.

In 2023, the SOSF has contributed a total of US$330,468.02 towards various projects aimed at benefiting and uplifting the Sangha. We invite you to take a closer look at the reports provided below.   

The nuns of Tashi Chime Gattsal Gumba in their new gompa with Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 2022.

In Tashi Chime Gatsal Gumba Nunnery, located in the heart of Bigu, a rural municipality in Northeastern Nepal, a truly inspiring story of courage and perseverance took shape. The small village of Bigu, which bore witness to the aftershocks of the devastating earthquake that shook Nepal in May 2015, suffered greatly, and the nunnery was not spared from its relentless force. But amidst the ruins, a remarkable story of reconstruction emerged. In the face of adversity, the FPMT extended their hand to alleviate the profound impact of the earthquake. It has played a pivotal role in the gradual rebuilding of the nunnery, ensuring a safe and secure environment for the seventy nuns who call it their home.

Twice a year, these dedicated nuns of Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism embark on a spiritual journey known as the 100 Million Mani Retreat. This retreat involves the recitation of the mantra of the Chenrezig, Buddha of Compassion, OM MANI PADME HUM, a staggering 100 million times. This profound practice brings immeasurable benefits, not only for themselves but also for the entire world.

Within the vast visions of Lama Zopa Rinpoche lies the aspiration to sponsor the 100 Million Mani Retreats across the globe. In line with this cause, the SOSF has been extending sponsorship to the nuns of Bigu since 2010. This sponsorship encompasses vital necessities such as food, gas, firewood, transportation, medical expenses, and offerings to the Sangha upon completion of the retreat.

In 2023, the SOSF contributed $18,873.56 to support this auspicious endeavor. Engaging in the practice for approximately six hours each day, nuns dedicate their virtues towards the success of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy wishes and the utmost benefit to all sentient beings.

We rejoice so much in the incredible journey undertaken by these nuns, a testament to their unwavering faith, spirit, and loving kindness. May their virtuous actions inspire us all on our own paths towards compassion and enlightenment. 

The monks of Shalu Monastery.

Located in Himachal Pradesh, India, Shalu Monastery is an embodiment of devotion and dedication. This monastery is committed to reviving and preserving the Bhulug lineage tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, which was founded by the Sakya master Buton Rinchen Drub in the 4th century. Recognizing the importance of this lineage, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has blessed and supported the establishment of Shalu Monastery in 2005 within the Paonta Tibetan settlement.

Since 2018, the SOSF has been offering funds to Shalu Monastery. In a joyous continuation of this support, the SOSF is delighted to contribute $15,417.10 in 2023, catering to the essential food expenses of the 55 monks residing within the monastery. This year, the monastery is also welcoming a new group of young monks from the Himalayan region, bringing the monk community to even greater numbers.

The monks of Shalu Monastery serve as shining examples of true devotion and profound gratitude. They have courageously taken upon themselves the responsibility of preserving their unique tradition while demonstrating deep respect and appreciation for the unwavering support of Lama Zopa Rinpoche throughout the years. Their daily prayers include the heartfelt request for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. May their auspicious prayers be fulfilled!

Abbots of Sera Je and Sera Mey Monasteries attending the Annual Examination
of Gelugpa University 2023 at Sera Lachi.

Sera Thekchenling Lachi Cultural Society, situated in the region of Bylakuppe in South India. In Tibet’s history, Sera Lachi played a crucial role as the administrative and unifying institution for the three esteemed colleges: Sera Je, Sera Mey, and Ngakpa. The term “Lachi” represents its prominence as the main or head monastery.

Presently, two of these colleges, Sera Je and Sera Mey, have been re-established in India. The purpose of Sera Lachi remains to bring together and support both monasteries, hosting grand events such as the Monlam Prayer Festival, annual examinations, and other big events. These occasions attract thousands of monks, fostering a sense of unity and spiritual growth.

Recognizing the importance of these events, Sera Lachi has recently identified the need for renovations in their kitchen and dining hall. These upgrades are vital to ensure that they can continue hosting these significant gatherings. In the past, Sera Lachi Cultural Society has received assistance from the SOSF for various renovation projects. This includes the construction of a new elevator for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the renovation of sewerage facilities, and the procurement of a new power generator.

We are thrilled to announce that this year, the SOSF has provided a donation of US$12,292 for the cause of renovating the kitchen and dining hall. This contribution will undoubtedly aid in creating a better space for preparing and taking meals and enhance the overall experience for all those who attend these vital events at Sera Lachi. 

The resident Sangha at Sera IMI House, October 2023

International Mahayana Institute (IMI) represents a devoted community of Buddhist monks and nuns associated with the FPMT. Within the surroundings of Sera Jey Monastery, the IMI House stands as a resilient and determined minority, striving to make meaningful contributions to the cherished traditions of the one of the Great Gelug Monasteries. This accomplishment is made possible through the whole-hearted and sustained efforts of its eight current resident monks and Sangha in the past.

Established in 2002, the Sera IMI House became a home, providing a supportive environment for Western monastics seeking to engage in the profound program of studying Tibetan Buddhist philosophy according to Lama Tsongkhapa tradition. It serves as a place where these dedicated individuals can come together, offering mutual support, and fostering growth in their spiritual journeys.

At present, the Sera IMI House finds itself in urgent need of renovation to continue its vital work. The priority improvements include the installation of a new tile roof, the acquisition of a water tank and solar water heater, and the necessary plumbing works. Additionally, there is a pressing need to refurbish the bathrooms and renovate the aging kitchen facilities. These improvements are crucial to maintain a conducive environment for the monks and to ensure a comfortable and efficient space for their daily activities.

We are delighted to share that the SOSF has extended their support to this noble cause. Their contribution of US$29,589 will significantly assist in meeting these renovation needs. The donation will go a long way in revitalizing the Sera IMI House and enable its residents to continue their essential studies, preserving and spreading the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

Thame Dechen Chokhorling Monastery monks.

Thame Dechen Chokhorling Monastery holds a special connection with the FPMT organization and is nestled in the breathtaking region of Solu Khumbu, high in the majestic Mount Everest area of Nepal. It carries a special significance as Thame is also the birthplace of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and is situated near Lawudo, which served as the residence of Rinpoche’s previous incarnation. Following the Nyima tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, the monastery is perched upon a rock, nearly four thousand meters above sea level, providing a picturesque panoramic view of the entire valley.

Dating back 350 years, the Thame Monastery holds a cherished place in history. Each year, it organizes the Mani Rimdu festival, a joyous occasion that spans 19 days. Buddhists in the Everest region of Nepal come together to celebrate the founding of Buddhism by Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava during this festival. The festivities are characterized by vibrant masked dances, heartfelt prayers, and delightful feasts, creating an atmosphere of spiritual richness and cultural celebration.

Since 2017, the SOSF has been providing three nourishing meals per day to the 22 devoted monks residing in Thame Monastery. We are pleased to announce that this year, we have offered an annual grant of US$8,950.93 to support their well-being. This grant reflects our continued commitment to ensuring that the monks receive adequate nourishment, allowing them to focus on their spiritual practices and contribute to the growth and harmony of the monastery.

The monks of Sera Je Monastery gathering to offer prayers for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Photo courtesy of Sera Je Monastery.

During the 49-day period following Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing, many heartfelt prayers were made for Rinpoche’s swift return. FPMT International Office offered US$170,551.97 and these funds were dedicated to making offerings to the various monasteries and nunneries in Nepal and India, with the sincere request for them to pray for Rinpoche’s swift return and for the FPMT organization to carry out Rinpoche’s legacy exactly as Rinpoche envisioned.

In support of this endeavor, the SOSF contributed US$74,896.99, forty percent of total amount offered. Geshe Ngawang Sangye personally visited a multitude of monasteries and nunneries on the 49th day, making offerings to the Sangha. Overall, offerings have been made to 15,000 dedicated Sangha members, as well as to the actual monasteries and nunneries, all with the sincerest intention of requesting them to make prayers for Rinpoche’s swift return.

Monks of Zigar Thupten Shedrupling Institute.

Zigar Thupten Shedrupling Institute, located in the serene surroundings of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India, holds a profound significance as it diligently carries on the mission of preserving the lineage of Drukpa Kargyud. It is said that the first Zigar Rinpoche Sonam Gyatsho (1608-1669) was a manifestation of Guru Padmasambhava and that the following Zigar Rinpoches are incarnations of the King Trisong Detsen, that is manifestation of Manjushri, the Wisdom Buddha. In demonstrating a strong commitment to the monastery, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, through the compassionate endeavors of the SOSF, has pledged US$200,000 to assist in fulfilling the needs of this place. The SOSF is deeply honored to provide ongoing support to this exceptional monastery since 2019, specifically covering all necessary food expenses.

This year, the SOSF extends a contribution of US$34,000, enabling a two-year provision of necessary sustenance for the dedicated community of 62 monks who reside in the monastery. At present, a total donation of US$92,562 has been provided to the Zigar Monastery, which amounts to nearly half of the pledged amount by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Monks of Idgaa Choinzinling Monastery.

In Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Idgaa Choinzinling Monastery shares a longstanding relationship with the FPMT organization. Understanding the importance of preserving the Buddhadharma in this region, Lama Zopa Rinpoche has wholeheartedly dedicated Himself to various charitable activities.

Among the initiatives undertaken, one significant contribution involves providing essential food support to the monks of Mongolia. Since 2015, the SOSF has been providing funds for sustaining the dietary needs of the monks, in addition to supporting the renovation and expansion of the monastery grounds.

In 2023 we are delighted to extend an offering of US$10,800 specifically allocated for lunch and dinner expenses. This contribution will ensure that the 32 Mongolian monks are provided with nourishing meals throughout the entire year, fostering their spiritual practice and well-being.

Lunch offering at Gyudmed Tantric Monastery.

Established in 1433, Gyudmed Tantric Monastery has served as a distinguished center for the study, practice, and preservation of the Guhyasamaja Tantra lineage in Tibet. Following the exile of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the monastery was resettled in Hunsur, Karnataka, where it accommodates approximately 575 monks. In an effort to support the demanding study schedule of the monks, Lama Zopa Rinpoche wished to create a Food Fund project to ensure a stable source of funds for providing nourishing meals. This endeavor seeks to establish an endowment fund to cover the annual costs of daily meals for all monks, shielding them from food price fluctuations and inflation.

In 2022, the SOSF contributed US$500,000 to this vital initiative, with the aim of sustaining the monks’ education, allowing them to devote their full attention to their studies and continue enriching society through their teachings and spiritual practice. In 2023, according to the personal request of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the SOSF allocated an additional US$100,000 to support the new Food Fund, a cause deeply cherished by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Rinpoche’s extraordinary commitment is evident in the US$1,318,056 already raised or personally contributed. The overarching goal is to raise a total of US$3 million, with US$1,681,944.00 remaining to be raised. 

Detong Ling nuns visiting Monastère Dorje Pamo in France to meet the new Abbot of both the nunneries.

Situated in the Sierra Nevada, a mountain range around forty kilometers from the Mediterranean coast and within easy reach of Granada, Detong Ling Nunnery serves as a project of O.Sel Ling Centro de Retiros, an FPMT retreat center in Andalusia, Spain. The idyllic location offers a panoramic view over the vast valley and distant sea, nestled within a national park.

The nunnery structure includes a gompa, eleven single rooms for the nuns, a combined library and teaching room, a shared kitchen and dining area, and a spacious open terrace. During his visit to O.Sel Ling in May 2019, Lama Zopa Rinpoche blessed the nunnery, expressing his vision for it to serve as a place for older nuns to meditate and practice, and for newer nuns to engage in studying the Dharma. Rinpoche emphasized the importance, particularly for the Western Sangha, to have conducive living spaces where they can uphold their vows and dedicate themselves to study, contemplation, and meditation. The SOSF is delighted to dedicate a sum of US$10,648.44 toward constructing a separate cabin to house their new heating system.

The International Sangha Forum (ISF) in Bodhgaya, scheduled for December 20-23, 2023, aligns with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s vision and falls under the World Buddhist International Programs series developed by the Southeast Asia Coordinator Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama since 2018. This upcoming four-day program aims to gather over 2,000 monastics from different Buddhist traditions to initiate discussions on the three Higher Trainings and the role of Buddhism in the 21st century. Its ultimate goal is to foster continual dialogue and collaboration between practitioners of the Pali and Sanskrit traditions, recognizing commonalities, appreciating differences, and ensuring the adaptability of Buddhist teachings to contemporary challenges while safeguarding their timeless wisdom and relevance. The event will also feature a prayer session at the Mahabodhi Temple, attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other distinguished Buddhist leaders, emphasizing the significance of this collaborative effort in promoting the accessibility and preservation of the Buddhadharma with a compassionate and inclusive spirit.

The SOSF is delighted to sponsor this event by donating US$15,000. This donation will be used to support travel, food, and accommodation for monastics attending the conference in Bodhgaya, reflecting our commitment to enabling the participation of a diverse and inclusive gathering of monastics from around the world. 

We rejoice in the opportunity to support the Sangha in India, Nepal, and Mongolia, as we jointly work toward the preservation of the Buddhadharma in the world.

We also extend a heartfelt invitation for you to join us in celebrating these meaningful activities. We express deep gratitude to each and every donor who has generously contributed towards this noble cause, making these endeavors possible. Your support is truly valued and appreciated!

All are welcome to contribute to the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund, to help ensure grants like these continue for the benefit of monks and nuns around the world. 

Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama meeting Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Dharamsala, India. November 2, 2022. Photo courtesy of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund was established by FPMT in 1997, at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Named after the great 14th-century founder of the Gelug tradition, the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund’s purpose is to invest in the preservation of the Gelugpa School of Tibetan Buddhism by supporting the teachers of tomorrow. Preserving the Mahayana tradition is the primary objective of the entire FPMT organization and the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund is one substantial way to help continue this work.

Below are the activities supported through a total of US$153,291 in grants offered in 2022. Please join us in rejoicing!

Gelug Exam participants.

Supporting Our Lineage Teachers & the Annual Gelug Exam

The Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund has been covering the food and travel expenses of sangha participating in the annual Gelug Exam held at Sera Je Monastery, India. This great event draws the brightest scholars from the eight major Gelug monasteries each year, many of whom are already teaching or will go on to serve as teachers in the future. In 2022, 192 monks from eight monasteries participated in the Gelug Exam.

The Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund also helps cover the basic needs of 137 main teachers of the tradition by providing small monthly stipends, freeing up their time to focus on their service in teaching students and deepening their own practice.

A total of US$22,891 was offered this year to sponsor the Annual Gelug Exam and provide monthly stipends to teachers. 

Monks during the Winter Debate at Sera Je Monastery.

Grants for Winter Debate & Memorization Exams

The Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund also covered the travel expenses of sangha from Sera Je Monastery to attend the annual Winter Debate program at Gaden Monastery in Mundgod, India. Funds from a grant covered the travel costs of over 700 monks who attended, along with a few administrators and teachers who accompanied them from Sera Je. 

A Special Memorization Exam is held at Sera Je Monastery each year, and the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund offered new robes and a cash offering to the monks who accomplished memorizing the following classic texts:

• 62 monks memorized Commentary of Clear Meaning by Haribhadra
• 49 monks memorized Essence of Eloquence by Lama Tsongkhapa
• 33 monks memorized Bodhisattvacaryavatara (Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life) by Shantideva
• 7 monks memorized the first chapter of General Meaning of Abhisamayalamkara Chapter One by Jetsun Chokyi Gyaltsen
• 3 monks memorized Six Collections of Reasoning by Arya Nagarjuna
• 2 monks memorized General Meaning of the Middle Way by Jetsun Chokyi Gyaltsen
• 2 monks memorized Five Treatises of Maitreya

US$27,900 was awarded in 2022 to Sera Je Monastery to support these beneficial activities.

New geshema ceremony at Khachoe Ghakyil Nunnery Nepal, December 15, 2022. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Specialized Studies for Geshes and Geshemas

Each year a grant of US$87,500 is also provided to support specialized studies for 35 geshe lharampas and geshemas, allowing them to focus deeply on one of the five main monastic treatises in the subjects of Pramana, Prajnaparamita, Madhyamaka, Abhidharma, and Vinaya. This project is based on the advice by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and was initiated by the Geluk International Foundation in 2020. Full funding has been received through the kind support of the U.S.-based Kaya Mandala Foundation, and the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund agreed to support the administering of grants until the geshes and geshemas complete their specialized studies. The recipients of the grant funds come from the six major monasteries in India and various nunneries.

“Taking responsibility for supporting these practitioners is extremely worthwhile because they are preserving and spreading the entire teaching of the Buddha.”  – Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Funding Educational Research for Future Tibetan Medical Doctors

For the third consecutive year, the fund provided grants to Men-Tsee-Khang, the Tibetan Medical & Astro-science Institute in India, for the educational research of six doctors training in the traditional Tibetan medical tantras. Each doctor engaged in research to deepen their knowledge on specific topics, while they treated patients. Topics of research were centered in the three primary constitutional energies of loong, tripa, and baeken, and some focused on corresponding ailments related to imbalances of these constitutions in the body, such as asthma and hypothyroidism. In 2022, US$15,000 in grant funds were awarded through the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund.

Supporting this educational research and training for future doctors of Tibetan medicine serves to benefit Tibetan communities with new qualified doctors and preserves this precious medical science and cultural tradition.

Lama Tsongkhapa with his two main disciples.

May the Lama Tsongkhapa Tradition Flourish

We invite a moment of rejoicing in all these inspiring activities that preserve the living lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa and the Buddha’s teachings, and serve to develop our current and next generations of Dharma teachers, practitioners, and scholars.

For the Dharma king Tsongkhapa’s
Way of Dharma to flourish,
May all signs of obstacles be pacified
And all conducive conditions be complete.

Due to the two types of merits
Of the three times of myself and others,
May the teachings of the victorious one, Lozang Dragpa,
Shine resplendent forever.

If you would like to support the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund, which preserves the unbroken Tsongkhapa lineage, and cultivates the foremost scholars of tomorrow. The fund provides support to the abbots and senior teachers of the Lama Tsongkhapa tradition, supports the annual Gelugpa exam and monks and nuns to attend the annual winter debate among many other activities.

Monks of Zigar Monastery, Darjeeling, India.

Providing support to sangha living in vows is one of the highest priorities for the FPMT organization and the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund offers food, accommodation, health care and education to sangha living in nunneries and monasteries around the world. “Taking responsibility for supporting these practitioners is extremely worthwhile,” Lama Zopa Rinpoche has explained,  “because they are preserving and spreading the entire teaching of the Buddha.”

An amazing US$673,471 was offered for the support of sangha in 2022 and a further US$27,000 has been pledged and will be offered soon. We invite you to rejoice in these grants that FPMT has been able to make this year.

Young nuns of Tashi Chime Gatsal Nunnery, Nepal.

Since 2009 we have been sponsoring the nuns of Tashi Chime Gatsal Nunnery, a Kagyu nunnery in Nepal, to complete 100 million mani retreats (100 million recitations of the mantra OM MANI PADME HUM) each year. In addition to sponsoring the 100 million mani retreats, offerings are made to cover the cost of food for all during this period as well. Medical expenses were also offered for the nuns this year. US$19,269 was offered for these costs. 

Over Lhabab Duchen (November 14-20) Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited the nunnery, joining Drukpa Rinpoche in blessing the newly opened gompa. Rinpoche also bestowed a two-day ordination to forty-five new nuns and offered Vajrayogini and Amitayus long life initiations. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche offering ordination to forty-five new nuns at Tashi Chime Gatsal Nunnery in Bigu, Nepal. November 18, 2022.

Monks of Shalu Monastery enjoying an offered meal.

For the last five years we have offered annual grants to Shalu Monastery, Himachal Pradesh, India, to cover the costs of food for the 50+ monks who study there. This year, US$16,930 was offered. In a letter of thanks and request for help, the monastery president, Ven. Tenpal, expressed, “How helpful this support has been in meeting the monastery’s daily necessities and solving our essential problem, especially during the past two years during the pandemic crisis which hampered global economics. Due to this, local visits to the temple have dropped significantly and the little bit of income we received was hampered.” We are extremely happy to be able to offer this essential support for the monastery. Offering support in this way is one of the core aims of the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund.

The monks of Gyudmed Monastery enjoying an offered lunch.

Earlier this year we announced that we had started offering sponsorship for a new food fund at Gyudmed Monastery which will provide support for quality meals to 575 monks studying at this extremely important monastery. The monastery has also created an endowment fund to cover annual costs from the interest of this fund. We are so pleased to have granted US$618,173 this year to the fund bringing the total offered to date to US$1,118,172. Rinpoche has been personally offering much of this money, as well as working hard to raise the rest. Rinpoche feels strongly that there is incredible benefit to establishing this food fund and long-term endowment that will support the monastery long in to the future.

Since 2019 we have been offering support to the sixty-two monks of Zigar Thupten Shedrupling Institute, a Kagyu monastery located in Darjeeling, India. This year, we have pledged and hope to be able to send the US$27,000 the costs of the monks’ food for two years.

Monks of Thame Dechen Chokhorling Monastery, Thame, Nepal.

Since 2018 we have been offering three meals per day to the twenty-two monks of Thame Dechen Chokhorling Monastery. Thame is in Solu Khumbu, high in the Mount Everest region of Nepal which is a special place for FPMT as Lama Zopa Rinpoche was born there and it is located near Lawudo which was the home of Rinpoche’s previous incarnation. This year the cost of the food for the monks was US$9,660.

Some of the young monks of Idgaa Choizinling Monastery, Mongolia.

We have been offering food to the sixty monks of Idgaa Choizinling Monastery, Mongolia, since its inception in 2003. Idgaa Choizinling also has a branch in Sera Je Monastery, India, and serves as a focal point of Buddhist learning in Mongolia. This year we offered US$9,840 for lunch and dinner for the monks.

In addition to these grants, FPMT offers support to sangha through the International Mahayana Institute, which supports the non-Himalayan sangha of FPMT through the Lama Yeshe Sangha Fund; the Practice and Retreat Fund, which provides grants and sponsorships to individuals engaged in retreats such as 108 nyung ne retreats and 100 million mani retreats; the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund, which helps to preserve the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism by offering monthly stipends and annual offerings to all the main teachers of the main Gelugpa monasteries, the past and current abbotts, and also the top scholars.

Thank you to all the donors of this fund, who make these offerings possible. If you would also like to contribute to supporting sangha in meaningful and essential ways please consider donating here: https://fpmt.org/support/supporting-ordained-sangha

If you would like to support monastics, please learn more about the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund and the ways it supports monasteries and nunneries around the world.  

Jangtse Choje Rinpoche presiding over the Monlam prayer festival at Kopan Monastery, 2017. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Since 1998, the Gelug Monlam—known as the Great Prayer Festival—has been held at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, in the tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa, who founded the festival in 1409. The Monlam is regarded as one the “four great activities” of Lama Tsongkhapa’s life. It is held on the first Tibetan month of the year, during Chotrul Duchen, or the “Fifteen Days of Miracles.”

We reached out to Geshe Losang Sherab, who has served as the umze, or chant leader, for the Gelug Monlam at Kopan since 2001, to help share how this tradition, now over six centuries old, is preserved and carried on at Kopan today.

From Lhasa to Kopan – A Brief History of the Great Prayer Festival

Chotrul Duchen is one of the four major anniversaries celebrating the extraordinary deeds of Shakyamuni Buddha. According to the vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic, karmic potential on these special Buddha Days are increased by a 100 million. Chotrul Duchen marks the time when Shakyamuni Buddha, while in Sravasti, India, displayed a series of miraculous acts in response to a public challenge by six ascetics, as a means to instill faith and inspiration.

The first Great Prayer Festival to celebrate Chotrul Duchen was led by Lama Tsongkhapa at the Jokhang temple in Lhasa, Tibet, during the Tibetan New Year of 1409. The Monlam tradition would become very popular and eventually adopted by all the major schools of Tibet.

Geshe Losang Sherab explains, “Lama Tsongkhapa started the festival to remember the kindness of the Buddha and also to create an environment for the people, both lay and Sangha, to create merit. Thousands of monks from all major monasteries around Lhasa such as Sera, Ganden, and Drepung took part every year. So many sponsors would come from all parts of Tibet to make offerings to the Sangha. It was a great opportunity for the both the Sangha, the sponsors, and all who took part in it to accumulate a great number of merits.”

The Gelug Monlam would continue to be held at the Jokhang in Lhasa until 1498, when it was stopped due to political strife at the time. The second Dalai Lama, Gendun Gyatso, revived the Monlam in 1517 while serving as abbot of Drepung Monastery. It was celebrated at the Jokhang Temple continuously until the invasion of Tibet by the Chinese army in 1959.

Geshe Losang Sherab continues, “After 1959, the three great monasteries held Monlam in Buxa, and after the three great monasteries were re-established in south India, they celebrated it in their own monasteries. I think the reason was the distance between the monasteries, which made it difficult, costly, and time consuming to assemble together as in Tibet”

The Gelug Monlam began to be held in Nepal in 1992. Kopan Monastery’s location, up in the hills outside of Kathmandu, was seen to be less ideal than other monasteries at the time, so Kopan never hosted the festival during its first years in Nepal.

According to Geshe Losang Sherab, it was around 1998 that new challenges arose for preserving the continuity of the Gelug Monlam. After His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s request for the discontinuation of the practice of Shugden, some monasteries were still continuing to do the practice. Under the circumstances, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup offered to hold the Monlam at Kopan. A few other monasteries joined, and a new Gelug Monlam committee also formed around this time. The committee requested Lama Zopa Rinpoche to lead the Gelug Monlam that year.

Geshe Losang Sherab remarks about the 1998 prayer festival:

“With blessings of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the Monlam that year at Kopan went very well, with many locals attending despite the distance they had to travel, and with donations from locals, generous benefactors from other countries, FPMT’s Lama Tsong Khapa Teachers Fund, and some FPMT centers. From that year, almost every year the Monlams were held at Kopan. Some of the other monasteries that didn’t give up the worship of Shugden at first gave it up and joined Monlam at Kopan. After that, many great lamas such as the 100th Ganden Tripa Geshe Lobsang Nyima Rinpoche, (then Jangtse Choje Rijong Rinpoche), Denma Locho Rinpoche, the present Ganden Tri Rinpoche and presently Jangtse Choje Gosok Rinpoche presides over the Monlam.”

How the Gelug Monlam Tradition is Carried Forward Today

Chant Master of Gelug Monlam at Kopan Monastery, Geshe Losang Sherab.

Geshe Losang Sherab has been the head chant master for the Gelug Monlam for twenty-one years. He describes the position:

“Being the umze of the Monlam I have the responsibility of the leading the chanting and to make sure that it’s done in as authentic a way as possible. I prepare a group of monks who are called Kesang (“good voice”) and Donsang (“having memorized many texts”) and teach them the tunes, and also make them memorize the texts they haven’t memorized. I also do at least six to seven days of training with all Kopan monks and a full rehearsal before the actual Monlam.”

The progression and practice of the Monlam is very elaborate and specifically organized. We asked Geshe Losang Sherab to help describe a picture of the tradition. He kindly offered a detailed account below:

“The prayers that are recited during Monlam are common in all Gelug monasteries, but the tune that is used during the actual Monlam is always from Drepung Monastery, as it was done since the time of the second Dalai Lama.”

Geshe Losang Sherab explained that it was the second Dalai Lama who “restored the great Monlam in Lhasa and established rules and regulations, including the set of prayers that are recited during the Monlam.”

The rest of the prayers, apart from the main Monlam activities, are chanted in the Sera Je Monastery tradition – the monastery that Kopan is most closely connected with.

“During the first session in the morning, many prayers are recited, mainly the homage to Buddha, confession to Thirty-five Buddhas, Ornament for Clear Realization (Abisamayalankara ) by Venerable Maitreya, Introduction to the Middle Path (Madhyamakavatara) by Chandrakirti and Manjushri Nama Samgiti, etc. Tea and bread is served during this session.

“During the second session, monks and nuns from all the monasteries and nunneries would debate on logic to the geshes from Kopan who are appointed to answer the debate.

“During the third session, the head lama of Monlam is invited with procession of gyaling [horns], victory banners and yellow parasol.  The chant master chants Migtsema prayers until the lama sits on the throne. Then all Sangha sit on the floor offering three prostrations to the lama. The lama would lead the Heart Sutra followed by the prayers to lineage lamas. After that, the chant master makes three prostrations and chants the mandala offering, after which the lama would teach on the Jakata Tales. After it’s completed, the lama would do dedications, and then he’s invited to his quarters in the same way he was invited to the teaching venue.

“After that, there’s a session during which tea and lunch is served. During this session, Lama Tsongkhapa guru yoga, lamrim Lines of Experience, Triple Ground of Glory, prayers to sixteen Arhats, eight powerful prayers, mantras such as the Namgyalma long mantra, and Medicine Buddha mantras are recited.

“Then after half an hour break, the fourth session begins. During this the monks and nuns from all the monasteries and nunneries debate on the paramitas and on view of the Middle Way to the appointed answers from Kopan.

“Then the actual Monlam begins after the Head Lama is invited with a procession of gyaling [horns], victory banners, and parasol. The lama makes three prostrations to the altar and then sits on the throne. After this all the Sangha sit down. The chant master leads prayers standing on his seat, beginning with the Likdrima (praise to Tara), Kapsumpa (praise to the Buddha by Lama Tsongkhapa), Losang Gyalkunma (supplication to the lineage gurus), prayers of Maitreya, and the Prayers at the Beginning, Middle and End by Lama Tsongkhapa. During the last two prayers, the chant master would walk with huge steps during each verse which is called Cham (“dance”), and offer a khata [scarf] to the lama. The chant master then walks backwards and sits on the seat.

“After that, the assistant chant master and his three companions stand up and start the bath offering prayers and offering the five objects of desire, the seven royal possessions, etc., then an extensive mandala offering followed by prostrations, reciting the confession to Thirty-five Buddhas, and sits down. Then the head lama starts the torma offering to the landlord, after which the chant master stands up and leads the prayer of secret biography of Lama Tsongkhapa. During this, the chant master performs the Cham dance with huge steps at the end of every verse. Then the Foundation of All Good Qualities is chanted. While chanting, the chant master goes back to his seat, walking backwards with huge steps and sits down on his seat. After this, the head lama recites the dedication prayers.

“At the end of the session, the chant master, the assistant chant master and his three companions stand up, wearing the yellow hat and recite the auspicious prayers. Then the lama is invited to his quarters. During the fifth session, extensive White Umbrella prayers and prayers to Lion-face Dakini, and Twenty-one Tara praises are recited. Dinner is served during this session.

“During every prayer session, the Gegu (“master of discipline”) reads the dedication forms with the names of sponsors. During every prayer session, the Heart Sutra and the Hundred-syllable mantra are recited, and at the end of every prayer session, the torma offering to Palden Lhamo and other protectors are recited. The program ends with debate on Vinaya and Abhidharma in the evening.

“On the fourth day of Monlam, which falls on the full moon day, the beautiful butter sculpture made by Kopan monks is displayed outside for the people to get blessed. On the last day of Monlam, Maitreya Buddha statue is invited with a huge procession. And in the afternoon [of the last day], Kopan Lama Gyupas offer the Torgyak which they have prepared and consecrated for three days. Then a dinner session is held and during which the secretary of the Monlam reads out the account of income and expenses of Monlam, and then the Monlam of that year concludes auspiciously.”

Please join us in rejoicing in the preservation of this incredible tradition at Kopan Monastery! The Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund is a sponsor of the Gelug Monlam which is essential for preserving the Lama Tsongkhapa tradition. 

Since its inception, the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund, an extension of the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund, has supported the preservation of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism. 

With tremendous thanks to Geshe Losang Sherab for his time and information about this rich tradition. 

Some monks of Gyudmed Tantric Monastery, Hunsur, India, enjoying a meal offered through the new Food Fund.

Since 1433, Gyudmed Monastery has been providing the highest education to many of the top Buddhist scholars and teachers. Through the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund, and the kindness of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, we are pleased to now be supporting this monastery’s new Food Fund which will provide support for quality meals to 575 monks studying at this extremely important monastery. The Food Fund has also created an endowment fund to cover annual costs from the interest of this fund.

History of Gyudmed Tantric Monastery
Gyudmed Tantric Monastery was founded by Jetsun Sherab Sengye, one of the four supreme disciples of Lama Tsongkhapa who was entrusted with the responsibility of the preservation and the promotion of the most sacred lineage of Guhyasamaja Tantra. Based on the personal instructions received from Lama Tsongkhapa, he established Segyud Monastery in upper Tibet and Gyudmed Monastery in Central Tibet in 1433. Of the two, Gyudmed Monastery flourished and became the most important seat for the study and practice of Guhyasamaja Tantra in Tibet over many centuries.

When His Holiness the Dalai Lama came into exile, around 180 monks from the Gyudmed Monastery followed him to India. They initially established the monastery in a transit camp at Dalhousie in northern India, which was then re-established in Hunsur in Karnataka state in 1972. The unique traditions, such as the sacred chanting, rituals, and other practices, have been continually maintained consistently through the years. 

Gyudmed now has around 575 monks and is one of the only two established Gelug lineage centers for studies of Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet. Apart from the studies of the great Guhyasamaja Tantra and its commentaries, this monastery also contains the sacred lineages of chanting rituals, the art of making sand mandalas, butter sculptures, and so on—lineages which have survived intact from Lama Tsongkhapa. Geshes, who have more than twenty years of sutra studies, come to this monastery to do further studies on tantra. Additionally, whomever holds the seat of the great Ganden Tripa or the Throne Holder of Ganden, the figurehead of the Gelug lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, has to come through this Gyudmed Monastery.

Food Fund Project
At the time of its re-establishment in South India, there were 370 monks at the monastery. In the early years they had to do farming, construction, carpet making, and other jobs in addition to their academic responsibilities. The situation improved after 1989, when the monks were able to devote more of their time to their study and practice. The tough schedule of the monastery requires very strenuous long hours of study from early morning to late night. The health of the monks was affected in early years due to lack of nutritious meals. Individual monks had to find their own meals and teachers who had many students had to work hard to feed their students.

Monks of Gyudmed Monastery receiving a meal offered through the new Food Fund.

This led to the creation of a meal program for the saṅgha, so the food and nutritional needs of all the monks would be taken care of by the monastic administration. For many years the monastery has worked hard to provide three nutritious meals a day to the monks but has recently faced many challenges due to inflation, lack of gas, and a concrete source of funds for the meal program. 

The administration came up with a concrete plan to address this challenge by setting up a Food Fund project. This project will help protect the monastery against the seasonal variations of food prices and the overall general inflation in prices seen in India. Moreover, the administration can have a stable source of funds for the monks’ meals. Like the highly successful Sera Je Food Fund, the concept would be to build up an endowment fund large enough to support the long-term health of their own food fund, whereby the interest from the endowment would cover the annual costs associated with offering meals daily for all the monks of Gyudmed Tantric Monastery, for as long as the endowment remains.

The Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund is delighted to have already offered US$500,000 toward the creation of this new Food Fund. This great monastery has an excellent reputation and has produced so many educated and highly realized practitioners which benefit the world in incalculable ways. To sustain this high level of achievement it is essential that the monks can dedicate themselves completely to the extensive studies at the monastery. 

Please join us in rejoicing in this wonderful opportunity for the monks of Gyudmed Tantric College to be able to devote their precious time to their studies, without the strenuous burden of providing for their food, and please consider also contributing to the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund, so that we can continue to help sangha with essential needs such as food and education.

To learn how the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund is directly benefiting monasteries and nunneries around the world, you can read all the latest news of this project: fpmt.org/projects/fpmt/supporting-ordained-sangha-fund/supporting-ordained-sangha-fund-news/

Monks of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery engaged in debate.

Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, located in Bylakuppe, Southern India, and seat to the Panchen Lama, has grown significantly over the last few decades and is now home to 415 monks and one of the major centers of Tibetan Buddhist study and practice in exile in India.

Tashi Lhunpo Monastery was founded by His Holiness the 1^st Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Gedun Drupa in 1447, and became the most vibrant monastery in U-Tsang province of Tibet. Over the years, the monastery flourished as a center of learning, and played a vital role in the preservation of Mahayana Buddhist Philosophy and practice. By 1959, this monastery was responsible for the education of 7,000 monks from within and outside of Tibet. Following the Chinese invasion of Tibet, the monastery was not able to continue in its previous form. In 1972, under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and with determination of the senior monks, the monastery was re-established in Bylakuppe, Karnataka State.

The monastery is comprised of Tashi Lhunpo Monastic School for young monks, Higher Buddhist Studies which takes twenty-four years to complete, and Tashi Lhunpo Tantric College to complete the lifetime study curriculum and program. 

As the monastery continues to grow, additions are needed to support the conditions needed to ensure quality education. A courtyard was added in 2012, a new prayer hall was completed in 2015, an expansive library was added in 2016, and now we are so happy to offer a grant for a new 27,000 square foot debate courtyard being built with permanent canopies over it. This courtyard was needed for several reasons. Primarily, during monsoon season the monks have limited space to debate due to the months of heavy rain. Additionally, the heat can become intolerable without shade and when the monks are cramped into limited indoor space, the echo of their voices disturbs the quality of sound and understanding each other properly during debate becomes difficult.  An additional benefit of this extension will be that the monastery can utilize this space for ceremonies, functions, and for grand debate sessions with additional monasteries (Upper Chotok Chemo). In short, this new courtyard will enable the monks to debate uninterrupted through the year without any external hindrances and space limitations.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche wanted very much to support the monastery with this project and through the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund, US$430,575 was granted for this debate courtyard which will benefit the monks studying there for generations to come. 

Site of the new debate courtyard being built at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.

Debate is a very special way to develop wisdom and explore different subjects and helps the monks understand the teachings in a deep and clear way. This way, Dharma education becomes very real and sharp, not shallow or just words. As Lama Zopa Rinpoche has explained, “It is like an inner science of the two truths: absolute truth and conventional truth.”

Please join us in rejoicing in the offering of this grant which will benefit this monastery and help spread and preserve Mahayana Buddhism far into the future. 

Monks of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery on the site of the new debate courtyard.

To support Sangha and learn how the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund is directly benefiting monasteries and nunneries around the world, you can read all the latest news of this project: fpmt.org/projects/fpmt/supporting-ordained-sangha-fund/supporting-ordained-sangha-fund-news/

Lama Tsongkhapa (1357-1419).

Lama Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) was a Tibetan Buddhist master whose studies and meditations in all the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism resulted in the founding of the Gelugpa lineage. The Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund was established by FPMT in 1997 at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The purpose of the fund is to invest in the preservation of the Gelugpa School of Tibetan Buddhism by supporting the teachers of tomorrow. Preserving the Mahayana tradition is the primary objective of the entire FPMT organization and the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund is one substantial way to help continue this work.

Exams

Every year this fund offers a grant for for daily food and travel expenses of the annual Gelug Exam. This year 1157 monks from eight monasteries are participating. The geshes and monks taking these exams are some of the top scholars coming from the main monasteries and will become future teachers, benefiting so many. This year, due to pandemic restrictions, the monks from Sera and Tashi Lhunpo monasteries participated at Sera Monastery in Bylakuppe, and the monasteries from the settlement in Mundgod participated at their respective monasteries. The cost of supporting the exams in 2021 was US$7,200.

Also a grant for US$4,945 was offered to Sera Je Monastery for 260 monks who passed an annual Special Memorization Exam. Each of these monks received a new set of robes and a cash offering for memorizing as follows:

• 78 monks memorized Commentary of Clear Meaning
• 113 monks memorized Explanation of the Provisional and True Meaning
• 50 monks memorized Bodhisattvacaryavatara (Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life)
• 13 monks memorized the first chapter of General Meaning of Paramita
• 2 monks memorized General Meaning (of the) Middle Way
• 1 monks memorized Six Logical Scriptures of the Madyamika
• 2 monk memorized Five Treatises of Maitreya
• 1 monk memorized the Root Text of Pramanavartika

Monks studying for exam.

Investing in Teachers

 A monthly offering from this fund is to provide stipends for 139 of the main teachers of the Lama Tsongkhapa tradition, including current and past abbots. This small offering of money supports these teachers’ basic needs and allows them to focus more of their time on transmitting Dharma to their students at the monasteries and strengthening their own practices. In 2021, US$11,900 was offered for this.

On advice from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Geluk International Foundation established a program for thirty geshe lharampas from six major monasteries and five geshemas from various nunneries to specialize in one of the five major texts. A yearly grant was previously offered from another organization within the US to help pay for these individuals to complete this extensive study for ten years. The Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund agreed to take over this fund to distribute a yearly grant of US$87,500 until their studies are complete.

Investing in Buddhist Communities

The Nepal Buddhist Gelug Association was established ten years ago by the monasteries and nunneries of Nepal to preserve and develop the Tibetan Buddhist tradition in general, and the Lama Tsongkhapa lineage in particular, by elevating the standard of Buddhist studies within the monastic institutions of Nepal and the local communities. Recently a grant for US$150,000 was offered so that the following objectives could be accomplished:

1. Continuation of the annual Jang Guncho Winter Debate Session
2. Continuation of the Great Gelug Annual Examinations
3. Conducting programs to educate local people in the Himalayan regions of Nepal on Buddhism
4. Building a library to boost Buddhist education
5. Supporting the construction of stupas and prayer wheels in remote villages
6. Organizing offerings during the Gaden Ngacho Chenmo celebration of Tsongkhapa’s life and seminars on the Prajnaparamita Sutra
7. Organizing workshops and projects to encourage dialogue between Buddhism and science

Debate in the courtyard at Sera Je Monastic University, 2009, India. Photo courtesy of Ryan Matsumoto.

An Unbroken Lineage

Please join us in rejoicing in the recent grants offered to these various activities, which help sustain Lama Tsongkhapa’s unbroken lineage in the Gelug monastic institutions, and thus, around the world as these scholars become teachers and spread the precious teachings. 

“Taking responsibility for supporting these practitioners is extremely worthwhile because they are preserving and spreading the entire teaching of the Buddha.”  – Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Since its inception, the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund, an extension of the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund, has supported the preservation of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism. 

Young monks of Idgaa Choizinling Monastery, Mongolia, during long life puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 2017. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

In Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s May 10, 2021 thought transformation teaching, he explained that the Sangha are the “real heroes” among us because they are working to defeat the delusions and thus living the best lives as human beings. Supporting monks and nuns is one of the highest priorities for the FPMT organization and the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund offers support to nunneries and monasteries around the world for food, accommodation, health care, education, and practice.

We would like to invite you to rejoice in some of the ways we have been able to offer support to Sangha this year.

Some of the monks of Shalu Monastery.

For the last four years we have offered a grant to Shalu Monastery, Himachal Pradesh, India, to cover the costs of food for the 50+ monks who study there. This year, US$16,779 was offered. 

Since 2009 we have been sponsoring the nuns of Tashi Chime Gatsal Nunnery, a Kagyu nunnery in Nepal, to complete two 100 million mani retreats (100 million recitations of the mantra OM MANI PADME HUM) each year. In addition to sponsoring the 100 million mani retreats, offerings are made to cover the cost of food for all during this period as well as an offering for a qualified geshe to stay during the retreat in order to give lamrim teachings. In addition, three teachers’ salaries were sponsored for 2021. US$17,181.57 was offered to cover these costs. 

Some of the nuns of Tashi Chime Nunnery.

We offer three meals per day to the monks of Thame Monastery. There are currently 22 monks in this monastery. Thame is in Solu Khumbu, high in the Mount Everest region of Nepal. It is a special place for FPMT as Lama Zopa Rinpoche was born there and it is located near Lawudo which was the home of Rinpoche’s previous incarnation. The annual cost for offering food to the monks of Thame Monastery is US$9,263.

We offer daily lunches to the monks of Idgaa Choizinling Monastery, Mongolia. Idgaa Choizinling has a branch also in Sera Je Monastery, India, and serves as a focal point of Buddhist learning in Mongolia. Since the monastery’s inception we have been offering food every day to the 60 monks studying there. This year we were happy to offer US$10,800 for this. 

Some of the young monks of Idgaa Choizinling Monastery, Mongolia.

Current regulations prohibiting religious gatherings have negatively impacted monasteries and nunneries all over India and Nepal who rely on income from offering the service of pujas and other prayers or practices for individuals who request this from around the world. Many of the monasteries have had to close the communal kitchens and are delivering dry food supplies to the monks individually to cook themselves. This ends up costing substantially more for the monasteries. Gaden Jangtse Monastery, located in Mundgod, India, home to 1,530 monks, requested help for food for the monks during this time and we were so happy to be to offer US$39,882 to cover the costs of their food fund for three months. 

Gyudme Monastery. Photo courtesy of Gyudme Monastery Facebook page.

We were delighted this year to offer US$400,000 toward the creation of a food fund for the 575 monks  of Gyudmed Tantric University, Mysore, India. This great monastery has an excellent reputation and has produced many educated and highly realized practitioners. To sustain this high level of achievement it is essential that the monks can dedicate themselves completely to the extensive studies at the monastery. The intense study necessitates that the monks stay healthy and fit and do not become preoccupied with having to provide for their own basic food needs. This offering toward a food fund will allow the monks to concentrate on their studies without the stress of uncertainty regarding nutrition. 

The Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund also offered a grant toward  completion of Losang Namgyal Rinpoche’s gompa in Bouddhanath. This gompa is specifically a place for the Tamang people to practice. Offerings were made toward repairs of Serkong Dorje Chang’s Monastery in Swayambunath, Nepal, and also to Tashi Lhunpo Monastery toward the costs associated with the Winter debate (Jamyang Gunchoe), Geluk Exams, and Shungchen Debates.

Please join us in rejoicing that we have been able to offer this essential support to the Sangha. Incredibly, US$476,725.50 has been granted this year so far.

All of these offerings are made possible due to the kindness of so many who donate to the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund. This is something incredible to rejoice in. As Lama Zopa Rinpoche has explained, “taking responsibility for supporting these practitioners is extremely worthwhile because they are preserving and spreading the entire teaching of the Buddha.”

If you want to support Sangha, please learn more about the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund and the ways it supports monasteries and nunneries around the world.  

2020 participants in the Gelug Examination.

Every year the best scholars from the main Gelug monasteries come together for the annual Gelug Examination. Since 1997 the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund has offered annual grants for daily food, travel expenses, and teacher stipends for all the main teachers of the Lama Tsongkhapa tradition.

This year was unlike others due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was held under the guidelines of both medical experts and regional government. This year 517 monks participated and the actual examinations were scattered in three different locations. The monthly stipends were offered to the 141 current abbots, past abbots, and main teachers of the Lama Tsongkhapa tradition. This small offering of money supports these teachers’ basic needs and allows them to be able to focus more of their time on transmitting Dharma to their students at the monasteries and strengthening their own practices.

In 2020 we were very happy to offer US$19,766 toward the teachers’ monthly offerings and costs toward the Gelug examination expenses.

“Taking responsibility for supporting these practitioners is extremely worthwhile because they are preserving and spreading the entire teaching of the Buddha.” –Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Monks during the 2020 Gelug Examination.

Rinpoche recently commented about the benefits of debate (which is one of the main components of the Gekug examination): “Debate is a very special way to develop wisdom and explore different subjects. It is like an inner science of the two truths: absolute truth and conventional truth.”

The geshes and monks participating in these exams are some of the top scholars coming from the monasteries at this time and will become many of the future teachers, benefiting so many. We are honored to be a part of this process and make these offerings. Thank you to all who make it possible.

Since its inception, the Lama Tsongkhapa Teachers Fund, an extension of the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund, has supported senior teachers each year of the main Gelug monasteries, plus hundreds of monks attending the traditional winter debate and annual Gelug exam. 

Some of the monks in front of Maratika Monastery.

Maratika Monastery, Eastern Nepal, is located above Maratika Cave which is the sacred cave associated with Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) and longevity. This holy site is where Guru Rinpoche, with the wisdom-mother Mandarava, achieved immortal life through the practice of Amitayus. Lama Zopa Rinpoche has a close connection with the Maratika Lama, Khenpo Karma Wangchuk, who takes care of the area. The Maratika Lama is the son of Lama Ngawang Chophel, who was a close disciple of the Lawudo Lama Kunsang Yeshe, Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s previous incarnation, and the child of the Maratika Lama is the recognized tulku of Trulshik Rinpoche. The previous Trulshik Rinpoche passed away in 2011, and was revered as one of the most learned and respected living masters of the Nyingma tradition and is one of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachers and one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s gurus. 

The Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund was very happy to offer US$166,394.66 thanks to a kind grant from Unione Buddhista Italiana, towards the expansion of the monks’ accommodation including three additional floors and a roof, which will not only allow adequate housing for the fifty-four current monks of the monastery, but also will enable fifty-four new monks to join the monastery as well.

“Offering to Sangha is the most powerful purification. It purifies defilements and negative karma collected from beginningless rebirths. It is the most powerful purification. This is the quickest way to achieve realizations, the quickest way to be free from the oceans of samsaric sufferings, and the quickest way to achieve buddhahood, the total cessation of all the obscurations and completion of all the realizations.” — Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Monks of Maratika Monastery studying.

The current main building, which houses accommodation and classrooms for the monks, was less than half completed when the funds ran out four years ago, and now, since the COVID-19 lockdown, the financial situation has become worse.

The monks are living in very basic conditions, packed into small dorm rooms and even sleeping on the floor. Around the premises, one can observe evidence of unfinished electrical and construction work. Food is very simple too, the monks mainly eat rice and dhal for lunch and plain noodles for dinner. The young monks happily volunteer to cook for themselves.

Young monks studying at Maratika Monastery.

Despite the hardships, the monks are joyful, harmonious, and content. From a young age, in addition to learning Tibetan, Nepali, and the monastic rituals, the monks study Buddhist  philosophy and memorize texts.

“Offering even one cent to the Sangha community brings uncountable benefit and merit. As long as the Sangha community exists your merit exist. It will not be exhausted.” — Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Please rejoice in the construction of this new addition which will benefit the current monks of Maratika Monastery, new monks that will now be able to join the monastery due to increased accommodation, and everyone in the area who will benefit from the presence of sincere Sangha studying and practicing Buddha’s teachings. 

Please learn more about the Supporting Ordained Sangha Fund and the ways it supports monasteries and nunneries around the world.