receive our newsletters
join Friends of FPMT
Welcome to Our New Education Services Director!
We are happy to announce that Ven. Lobsang Gyaltsen is joining our team at the FPMT International Office in the key role of FPMT Education Services Director.
Ven. Gyaltsen has been a devoted student of Lama Zopa Rinpoche since 2003. He is the former director of Nalanda Monastery and a graduate of both the FPMT Basic and Masters Programs. Since 2021, he has been based near Kalachakra Retreat Centre in France, where he is teaching and leading retreats.
With all this experience, he has extensive knowledge of many aspects of FPMT’s educational programs and materials, which will greatly help him in his new position.
We are extremely encouraged by Ven. Gyaltsen’s extensive Dharma background, his harmonious nature, and his willingness to offer service to the organization in this important role that is so central to FPMT’s mission to preserve and spread the Dharma worldwide. You can write to Ven. Gyaltsen is starting today, May 27, at this email.
Executive Director Update
Another change concerns the resignation of Peeyush Agarwal, who joined the team at the FPMT International Office in February as Executive Director (ED). Peeyush has recently decided to resign from his position as Executive Director of the FPMT. This role was previously titled “CEO” and held by Venerable Roger Kunsang.
After thoughtful consideration and three months of becoming familiar with the job, Peeyush developed a strong sense that he would be less effective in his new position than he and we had hoped. He also felt it was unlikely that this perspective would change in the near future. Therefore, he has decided not to continue on the path that would lead to a permanent position with the office and made the difficult decision to step down from this role. His resignation is effective at the end of May.
We are grateful to Peeyush for many things. His insights and ideas help bring greater clarity to us as a Board, to the Executive Committee of the International Office, and to our work on the Strategic Plan for the FPMT.
We know that Peeyush has a strong commitment to the Dharma, the FPMT, and its teachers. These last few months have been a testament to his dedication. And we are pleased that he has indicated that, when needed in the future, he will be available to share his extensive experience with the organization. We sincerely hope that his next steps will bring him the fulfillment he deserves.
We will keep you updated on our plans to recruit a new Executive Director once we have finalized our approach.
Thank You for Your Support!
As we keep reminding ourselves, change can come with unexpected challenges. The FPMT organization is still in a transition period, and there are bound to be growing pains as we evolve and mature.
We truly rejoice in the talent, commitment, and kindness of the entire FPMT family and in our collective beneficial impact on our communities and the world. This is what our Lamas strove for, and we aim to do our very best to fulfill their wishes.
We hope you will join us in welcoming Ven. Gyaltsen to his new role as Education Director, and if you have any questions regarding the above, please reach out directly, and we will do our best to clarify any questions or concerns.
All best wishes,
The FPMT Inc. Board of Directors:
Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi
Ven. Pemba Sherpa
Ven. Roger Kunsang
Karuna Cayton
Dale Davis
Paula de Wys