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Lama Zopa Rinpoche News and Advice
Lama Zopa Rinpoche wrote a thank-you letter to the volunteers who had made the recent Light of the Path retreat go so well. Rinpoche’s focus is on how meaningful it is to serve sentient beings:
“My very dear, very precious, very kind wish-fulfilling ones,
Thank you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much for your really beautiful, amazing, joyful dedication; really beautifully done, all your service, well done!
Taking care of sentient beings from the heart: so this is the really most meaningful life. Cherishing sentient beings and serving them as well as serving the teachings of Buddha to educate sentient beings to practice and actualize the path, in order to free them from the oceans of samsaric sufferings, not only that, but to achieve the peerless happiness, the state of omniscient mind. … Therefore, what you are doing is most pleasing to all the buddhas and bodhisattvas, by cherishing sentient beings and taking care of them and serving them … wow … wow … wow.”
Read the full letter
Lama Zopa Rinpoche speaking to the FPMT European Regional Meeting participants, Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Pomaia, Italy, June 17, 2014. Photo by Sirianni.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave advice on working for centers in May 2012 at Tushita Meditation Centre:
“Sometimes people who are working at centers only think of the problems – problems, problems, problems. Maybe it makes them feel sick. Their heart becomes very dry, very uninterested. [However,] if you know how to think, it’s really unbelievable. The highest merit is collected and there is the greatest purification by working for the center. Otherwise, you might think, ‘Oh, maybe I’ll go and work in the hospital, there’s much more merit from doing that.’ You see, when you don’t think of Dharma, when you completely forget that the Dharma is the only way to really benefit sentient beings, to liberate them from suffering, then you start thinking things like, ‘Oh, maybe I’ll go and help in a children’s camp, that’s more beneficial.’ People think like that.
“This is a recent letter that I wrote that I thought would be helpful for others:
“Thank you very, very much for working for the center, arranging facilities and so forth. The Dharma center is to benefit sentient beings, to free them from the oceans of samsaric suffering, all the sufferings, and bring them to enlightenment. So you working for the center means that. …”
Read the complete advice and find other advice from Rinpoche on fpmt.org.
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s homepage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Pomaia, Italy, June 13, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
Lhungtok Choekhorling Monastic Project, which was named by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is an FPMT project to create an ideal environment conducive to study, meditation and a lifestyle based on the vinaya. The meaning of the name is “place where the Dharma is transmitted and realized.”
On Friday, June 13, His Holiness visited the project site in Pomaia, not far from Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, to bless the grounds. During the program, His Holiness “expressed his appreciation to the people of Italy for their warm welcome. He praised the efforts of Zopa Rinpoche, for his foresightedness in keeping the Nalanda tradition alive in his institutes,” DalaiLama.com reported.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the future site of Lhungtok Choekorling Monastery where he blessed the grounds and took part in a formal program, Pomaia, Italy, June 13. Photo by Olivier Adam.
The idea for the monastery began in Nepal in 1980 with Lama Yeshe and Geshe Jampa Gyatso envisioning the construction of a monastery in the West for both monks and nuns. The project has been able to acquire 30 hectares (74 acres) of land to build upon that was a former quarry. Currently the project is working with local government for approval of its building plans.
You can learn more about Lhungtok Choerkorling on their website and also see more photos from His Holiness’ visit to the project site.
For more detailed news on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s activities, visit His Holiness’ website at DalaiLama.com. You can also read Mandala’s coverage of His Holiness.
Learn more about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche and his beneficial activities by visiting Rinpoche’s homepage, where you will find links to Rinpoche’s schedule, new advice, recent video, photos and more.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche offering thanks to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Livorno, Italy, June 15, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
On the last day of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to Italy, Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered His Holiness thanks during the final public event. DalaiLama.com reported, “Lama Zopa Rinpoche concluded the program with thanks to His Holiness for blessing Lama Tzong Khapa Institute with his presence and he also thanked all concerned for making His Holiness’s visit a success.”
His Holiness at the conclusion of teaching in Livorno, Italy, June 15, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
His Holiness spent a week in Italy, participating in events organized by Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK), the FPMT center located in Tuscany. Lama Zopa Rinpoche also was present for the events and will remain in Italy through the end of the month. Rinpoche will offer teachings at ILTK on June 28-29 and also attend the FPMT European Regional Meeting, which is taking place at ILTK on June 17-18.
For more detailed news on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s activities, visit His Holiness’ website at DalaiLama.com. You can also read Mandala’s coverage of His Holiness.
Learn more about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche and his beneficial activities by visiting Rinpoche’s homepage, where you will find links to Rinpoche’s schedule, new advice, recent video, photos and more.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche receiving a khata from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Livorno, Italy, June 15, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
“I thought that it would be important especially for Western people who had become Buddhist to remember the great kindness they had received from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Padmasambhava, the Dharma Kings, Shantarakshita and the Tibetan people as a whole,” Lama Zopa Rinpoche said, explaining his motivation for composing the prayer “Remembering the Kindness of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan People.” Rinpoche wrote the short prayer in Australia in June 2011, while recovering from manifesting a stroke. Rinpoche has advised that the prayer be recited following the “Prayer that Spontaneously Fulfills All Wishes” (Tong nyi nying je …) at the end of dedication prayers.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the conclusion of teachings organized by Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Livorno, Italy, June 15, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
“While thinking how important it is, in addition to providing whatever help to Tibet that they can give, for these Westerners to at least direct their thoughts and wishes to the welfare of the Tibetan people, this prayer came to my mind,” Rinpoche said. “I composed it especially for the success of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s wishes, and in particular for the Tibetan people, and for there to be perfect peace and happiness in the world and for all sentient beings to achieve enlightenment.”
The prayer concludes:
“Our Refuge and Savior, the Supreme One: His Holiness the Dalai Lama
And the Tibetan people have been so kind to us!
Remembering this we make the following dedicating prayers:
May all His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s wishes be successful immediately;
May the Snow Land of Tibet achieve pure freedom
And develop the Buddha Dharma even more than before in Tibet;
And may all mother transmigratory beings achieve enlightenment quickly!”
You can find this prayer and others in the booklet “Prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibet.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama teaching in Livorno, Italy, June 14, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
For more detailed news on His Holiness’ activities, visit His Holiness’ website at DalaiLama.com. You can also read Mandala’s coverage of His Holiness.
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s homepage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with (from left) Ven. Roger Kunsang,assistant to Rinpoche and CEO of FPMT; Geshe Jampa Gelek, resident geshe at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK); and Ven. Sangpo, Rinpoche’s attendant, going to hear His Holiness the Dalai Lama at ILTK, Italy, June 13, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
On Friday, June 13, FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche attended His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s talk at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK), the FPMT center in Pomaia, Italy. Rinpoche was surrounded by the familiar faces of many FPMT geshes, Sangha, teachers and students.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama teaching at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa with Geshe Tashi Tsering, resident geshe at Jamyang Buddhist Centre, and Fabrizio Palliotti, providing interpretation, Pomaia, Italy, June 13, 2014. Photo by Olivier Adam.
You can watch video of the events with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa on Dalai Lama Italy’s YouTube channel. His Holiness next teaches in Livorno, Italy, June 14-15.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche after His Holiness’ talk at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Pomaia, Italy, June 13. Photo by Olivier Adam.
For more detailed news on His Holiness’ activities, visit His Holiness’ website at DalaiLama.com.
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s homepage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, June 10, 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
During His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK), he had an audience with Lama Zopa Rinpoche and others. You can watch their touching and affectionate interaction in this short video produced by Dalai Lama Italia and shared on their YouTube channel.
Video: His Holiness the Dalai Lama at ILTK–day 2
You can see photos from His Holiness’ visit to ILTK on Flickr.
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s homepage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Vens. Tsering and Sangpo blessing all the beings in the ocean, California, US, May 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.
While staying in California, Lama Zopa Rinpoche likes to go to the nearby Pacific Ocean and bless all the sentient beings in the ocean. For the blessing, Rinpoche has had special boards made with the Namgyälma mantra on them. When the boards are placed in the ocean, the blessings of the mantra are carried throughout the water.
Namgyälma mantra boards for ocean blessings, California, US, 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s homepage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche offering His Holiness the Dalai Lama a khata, Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Pomaia, Italy, June 10, 2014. Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK) on Tuesday, June 10. During his six-day visit, His Holiness will teach on compassion at ILTK on Saka Dawa, June 13. His Holiness will also be consecrating a restored Chenrezig statue. Lama Zopa Rinpoche arrived at ILTK the day before His Holiness and welcomed His Holiness when he arrived at the FPMT center in Pomaia, Italy.
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s homepage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, has a beautiful 50 feet high thangka that they unfurl for celebrations.
Amitabha Buddha Centre (ABC), Singapore, has undertaken several projects which are in alignment with Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vast visions for the FPMT organization.
Recently, they commissioned a 50 feet high x 30 feet wide large thangka depicting Amitabha Buddha in Sukavati pure land accompanied by the eight great bodhisattvas. Sewn entirely by hand by Tibetan artists in south India, it took over one year to complete the detailed applique work. Rinpoche requested ABC to arrange this thangka so the center could hold regular festival days where many offerings and practices could be done in front of the thangka as an incredible way to create merit and for people to connect with Amitabha Buddha.
Other centers are also contributing to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vast vision for FPMT centers to display large thangkas and host festival days where these thangkas can be enjoyed. Please rejoice in the incredible large thangkas currently being utilized in FPMT centers around the world!
Please enjoy this video of ABC hoisting up their large thankga for the 2014 Vesak Celebration.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche reading Mandala, Kachoe Dechen Ling, California, US, June 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche received Mandala July-September 2014 in California last Friday and lost no time looking through the new issue. In addition to featuring Rinpoche’s many virtuous activities during the Days of Miracles, Mandala highlighted some of the work FPMT centers, projects and services are doing to help children and cultivate the seeds of compassion in the minds of the young.
Mandala magazine is offered as a benefit of the Friends of FPMT program. If you’d like to receive the quarterly publication, please consider joining our Friends program, which supports the education, web streaming and communications work of FPMT International Office.
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Even Rinpoche’s dog Uma enjoys checking out the new issue of Mandala, Kachoe Dechen Ling, California, US, June 2014. Photo by Ven. Holly Ansett.
In addition to the print magazine, Mandala published a dozen new stories online and continues to add new stories daily to the blogs ”Lama Zopa Rinpoche News” and “FPMT News around the World.”
Learn more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), and Rinpoche’s vision for a better world. Sign up to receive news and updates.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche on Vulture’s Peak, Rajgir, India, March 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
While in India during the Days of Miracles, Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave an oral transmission of the Vajra Cutter Sutra on Vulture’s Peak. After the transmission, he led the group of students who had come with him to Vulture’s Peak from Root Institute in a meditation on emptiness.
The Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive has posted an audio recording and transcription of the meditation led by Rinpoche. At the beginning of the meditation Rinpoche shared a quotation from the Seventh Dalai Lama:
Every single base of samsara and nirvana,
Although illusion made by one’s own conception,
Is held as ultimate so therefore deceives,
Do not fixate as ultimate, see as empty.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche walking up to Vulture’s Peak, India, March 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Ven. Sarah Thresher tells the story of the transmission and meditation in “Picnic at Vulture’s Peak” in the new print edition of Mandala.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche is the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), an organization dedicated to preserving Mahayana Buddhism through offering the Buddha’s authentic teachings and to facilitating reflection, meditation, practice and the opportunity to actualize and directly experience the Buddha’s teachings. Sign up to receive news and updates.