Australia CPMT 2014 and Retreat Bendigo September-October 2014

Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Andy Melnic.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche turning the prayer wheels outside the Great Stupa at dusk, Australia, September 12, 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Offering khatas to Lama Zopa Rinpoche the day before the start of CPMT 2014, Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 12, 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Students greeting Lama Zopa Rinpoche as he arrives at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 12, 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Paula de Wijs-Koolkin, FPMT Inc. board member, before the beginning of CPMT 2014, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche circumambulating the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 12, 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Tents at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 14, 2014. Photo by Laura Miller.

Representatives of the Jaara people, the native Aboriginal tribe of the Bendigo area, performed a smoke ceremony before the CPMT 2014 meeting begins, Australia, September 13, 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Rinpoche prostrating before offering the body, speech and mind mandala to a photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the throne, Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 13, 2014. Photo by Laura Miller.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the CPMT 2014 meeting, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Andy Melnic.

Reporting back after small group discussion on FPMT education programs, CPMT 2014, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Laura Miller.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche listening to Andy Wistreich's question during CPMT 2014, Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Laura Miller.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Phillipa Rutherford, Ven. Kaye Miner and Drolkar McCallum reporting back from group discussion, CPMT 2014, Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Laura Miller.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche after leading the morning motivation at CPMT, Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Laura Miller.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi with Vens. Roger Kunsang and Sangpo Sherpa in front of the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche following the path from the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion to Thubten Shedrup Ling, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Laura Miller.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching during the Amitayus long life initiation at CPMT 2014, Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 17, 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

The morning sun at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Laura Miller.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche being led to the long life puja in the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion by (from right) Khen Rinpche Geshe Chonyi, FPMT CEO Ven. Roger Kunsang, Thubten Shedrup Ling director Gyatso, FPMT Board of Directors secretary Paula de Wys-Koolkin, FPMT Australia coordinator Helen Patrin and FPMT Center Services director Claire Isitt, Australia, September 19, 2014. Photo by Laura Miller.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche arriving at long life puja at Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 19, 2014. Photo by Laura Miller.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche entering the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion for the long life puja, Australia, September 19, 2014. Photo by Laura Miller.

The five dakinis arriving for the long life puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Cynthia Karena.

The offering dance of the five dakinis during the long life puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Laura Miller.

Lama Zopa Rinopche and the five dakinis during the long life puja offered during CPMT 2014, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Kunchok Gyaltsen.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche during long life puja, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Kunchok Gyaltsen.

Helen Patrin with Drolkar McCallum and Tara Melwani reads the praises for Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered during the CPMT 2014 long life puja, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Kunchok Gyaltsen.

Sangha and lay students listen intently as the praises for Lama Zopa Rinpoche are read during the long life puja, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Kunchok Gyaltsen.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche during the CPMT long life puja, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Kunchok Gyaltsen.

Dakini receiving offerings from the long life puja's sponsors, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Kunchok Gyaltsen.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche leaving long life puja, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche being offered khatas by children outside of Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Geshe Doga and Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi returning to Thubten Shedrup Ling from the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion while being mindful of the ants on the path, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche with CPMT 2014 meeting participants in the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Steve Alberts.

FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche with IMI Sangha members, CPMT 2014 meeting, Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Steve Alberts.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche during public teaching at Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 20, 2014. Photo by Kunchok Gyaltsen.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche during public teaching at Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 20, 2014. Photo by Kunchok Gyaltsen.

Ian Green, director of Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, offering Rinpoche a tour of the Great Stupa whose structure is nearing completion, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche touring the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

The top level of the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche looking towards Atisha Centre from the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche walking through the bush to Thubten Shedrup Ling, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Bendigo, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with members of FPMT International Office staff, regional and national coordinators, and other friends, Bendigo, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Atisha Centre, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Atisha Centre, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

About 40 directors and SPCs from FPMT centers, projects and services lined up to lead Rinpoche from Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery to the Great Stupa to continue the oral transmission of the Golden Light Sutra, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching during retreat at Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Procession of Sangha leading Lama Zopa Rinpoche to Great Stupa of Unviersal Compassion for oral transmission of Golden Light Sutra, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Ven. Gyatso (left) arriving at Great Stupa of Universal Compassion during retreat, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Cynthia Karena.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche entering the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion during the retreat in Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching during retreat at Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Yeshe on the throne next to Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the retreat in Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche blessing the dogs Nyingdu and Chonyi outside of the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Drolkar McCallum.

Geshe Doga and Geshe Wangchen leading Lama Zopa Rinpoche to the long life puja at the end of the retreat, Australia, October 23, 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Ian Green, director of Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, offering Lama Zopa Rinpoche an iconic Akubra hat during the long life puja, Australia, October 23, 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Ian Green discussing the decorations for the interior of the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Light offering projected on to the exterior of the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche visiting the relics in the exhibition center of the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche visiting the relics in the exhibition center of the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in the park, Bendigo, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Picnic in the park with Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Sangha, Bendigo, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in the park, Bendigo, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Losang Sherab.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with his animal art, Thubten Shedrup Ling, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche practicing calligraphy in his room at Thubten Shedrup Ling, Bendigo, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche painting a mantra on a kangaroo statue to be placed outside, Thubten Shedrup Ling, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Oz, Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery, Bendigo, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche created various inspirational signs on the path which connects Thubten Shedrup Ling, Atisha Centre and the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, September 2014. Photo by Laura Miller.

Elephant making offerings to Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang. While staying at Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery, Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave instructions for the large elephant statues in the bush near the monastery and Great Stupa to have offerings.

Elephant with friends and offerings near the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

In the bush near Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery, Bendigo, Australia, November 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Animal art by Lama Zopa Rinpoche on the land around Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery, Bendigo, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in the new gompa at Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery, Bendigo, Australia, November 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.