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Lama Zopa Rinpoche News and Advice
Rinpoche meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama in December 2011
Lama Zopa Rinpoche during long life puja held at Tushita
Lama Zopa Rinpoche using right hand to write the long Amitayus mantra, for exercise
Lama Zopa Rinpoche walking without assistance, very carefully around Lama Yeshe stupa at
Tushita
Please enjoy this recent video of a teaching from Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Nalanda Monastery, 26 Oct 2011
December 13th 2011
Dear Friends,
Rinpoche is in retreat for a short time before the Kalachakra initiation. I just mentioned to Rinpoche that some students have between them recited the Golden Light Sutra more than 100 times. Rinpoche was very pleased.
As he sat down to start a session, Rinpoche said “so beneficial for those who recited … amazing amazing benefits, can’t imagine! … from my heart THANK YOU TO EVERYONE”.
On Dec 16th there is a special long life puja being offered to Rinpoche by some of the high lamas here in Dharamsala, this is done over 3 days.
Love roger
PS from Claire: thanks again to all who recited the Golden Light Sutra as requested on Dec 7th. As we have accumulated more than 88 recitations between us, no need to let me know any further recitations. Thank you and big rejoicing!
Dear Friends,
For Rinpoche’s health and long life, we have been advised it is very important for students to accumulate 88 recitations of the Golden Light Sutra.
There is no deadline but it would be helpful and very good to get these recitations completed soon.
We have made the Sutra of Golden Light available in various languages to read/download.
Please would centers, projects, services and individual students email me when you have completed any recitations, and I will keep a tally.
MANY thanks, and all good wishes,
Claire
Claire Isitt
Center Services Director
FPMT International Office (1632 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97214, USA)
fpmt.org
McLeod Ganj, India — December 1, 2011
From Ven. Roger:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama walked through the door. Rinpoche went forward to greet him (not being able to prostrate) and they embraced (this was the first time Rinpoche had met His Holiness since his stroke earlier in the year). The room was very silent and still. They remained embracing each other for what seemed like a long time. His Holiness then sat down and asked Rinpoche to sit close. His Holiness then held Rinpoche’s right hand and kept massaging and stroking it throughout their meeting and asking about how the stroke had started and all that had happened. During the meeting, for some who were in the small group with Rinpoche, it was hard to hold back the tears. Some were not holding them back at all. (more…)
Dear Friends,
Rinpoche has been in France and now India focusing on his health. With the help of Khandro la Rinpoche continues to improve. Everyone has been very understanding in giving Rinpoche the space for the necessary therapy.
Rinpoche is being careful to follow a good diet and doing regular exercise (with some prompting).
Rinpoche is continuing with his western medication, in addition he is seeing a Tibetan doctor who is giving Tibetan medicine for paralysis. Rinpoche is also regularly going to a hot spring and having Tibetan treatment called “LUM” … simply speaking is a special mixture of herbs in a hot bath.
One exercise that Rinpoche enjoys …which surprised us all is … soccer!
Kicking around a little ball … it is good exercise and helps with balance and coordination … Rinpoche gets a real kick out of this!
All the treatment outside of the western medical is guided by Khandro la. And Khandro la fully supports the western medical approach.
Thank you to everyone for all your support in so many ways, very much appreciated!
roger
Dear Friends,
Rinpoche’s treatment continues here in France. The flight from Nepal was smooth, it took some days of rest after the flight to recover. The treatment is going well, especially with Khandro la’s assistance. We are hoping with 4 weeks of concentrated therapy Rinpoche will make some good improvement. The main focus is on the right arm and right leg.
While in Kopan Rinpoche did give some teachings to the monks and nuns. Rinpoche kept the teachings brief (for Rinpoche) … about 2 hours and this worked well, if it was longer Rinpoche’s speech started to get tired.
Thank you to everyone for all your support in many different ways, greatly appreciated.
roger
September 22 2011
Rejoice! From his own side, Yang Teng Tulku has composed a prayer – Panacea of Pure Nectar – to offer to Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Yang Teng Tulku is a very knowledgeable young lama working in His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Private Office assisting with Dharma texts and so on.
In the colophon Yang Teng Tulku explains why he composed the prayer:
“I wrote it with heartfelt sincerity reflecting on how just wonderful it would be if the illness of the incomparable Lama Zopa Rinpoche—who, having extensively preserved and continuing to sustain, serves to bring to fruit on the contemporary, non-sectarian teachings of the Buddha in general and in particular those of our spiritual father, Tsongkhapa—were quickly cleared away.”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche said that this prayer can be made available for students if they would like to read and recite it.
Panacea of Pure Nectar – a prayer for Lama Zopa Rinpoche composed by Yang Teng Tulku, 2011
English
French
Spanish
NB: this should not be confused with the long life prayer for Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Photos of Rinpoche in Kopan Monastery, Nepal
(click on the photos to enlarge them)
Photographs by Piero Siriani
Rinpoche using his right arm to hold the conch during the puja during Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup’s cremation
Rinpoche teaching – Rinpoche has given a few short teachings to the Kopan Sangha
Kopan Monastery, Nepal — September 12, 2011
From Ven. Roger:
Photo courtesy of Ven. Roger Kunsang.
On September 5, Rinpoche leaned very close to Lama Lhundrup to better hear his voice, it was very soft, a very soft whisper. “Even the very smallest pleasure is in the nature of suffering,” said Lama Lhundrup. “If I have to go to the hell realms may I be able to take on all their suffering, may it ripen on me.” The atmosphere was very, very still and calm. The conversation felt so intimate between too old close friends. There was no emotion, it was just a close and intimate exchange. (more…)
Kopan Monastery, Nepal — September 6, 2011
From Ven. Roger:
Lama Zopa Rinpoche (third from right), blesses the rescued goat. Photo courtesy of Ven. Holly Ansett.
A goat is standing by a shop, tied on a very short leash. It is waiting to be killed by the butcher. I am not sure if it is aware it will be killed very soon. Rinpoche asks the jeep to stop as soon as he sees the goat. It is a nice looking, strong and young goat, brown colored with spots all over it. The negotiations start immediately with the shopkeeper. How much does he want for the goat? He discusses it with his friend in the shop and we settle on 8,500 rupees (about US$ 119), the cost of a cheap cell phone. The man explains that now they will get another goat because they have a commitment to get meat for the weekend. Rinpoche immediately starts negotiating for the second goat. I wonder to myself how long is this going to go on! We settle on the price for the second goat. Then we drive off to Kopan Nunnery and the two goats are brought there soon after. Rinpoche blesses both the goats. They look happy! (more…)
Dear Friends,
Rinpoche continues to progress steadily here in Nepal. Rinpoche’s doctors have advised to now increase the medication for blood pressure which was started today. The blood pressure has been much better than prior to the stoke but now the doctors aim to bring it 130/80 range.
Rinpoche’s sugar levels have also been much better and we will continue with Rinpoche taking insulin but the type of insulin is changing in order to have better control.
Movement of the right leg and right arm is a little better. The speech also is getting a little better.
Rinpoche is continuing the chanting of Chod in particular (also other prayers out loud) for exercising the speech. Depending on the weather … we get a lot of rain , Rinpoche does kora 3 or 4 times a week around Bouddhanath and Swayambunath stupa (alternating). Sometimes it’s in the rain. Swayambunath kora at the base is 3 kms. Rinpoche walks the whole way. At Bouddhanath Rinpoche does 4 circumambulations walking and then another 6 in the wheel chair. This is one exercise Rinpoche really enjoys. We usually do it late at night, no one else is around so it is really a nice and peaceful time. If we get to the stupa early enough we go to “Flavors” for tea , great “little” place where some of the waiters and waitresses are small people … not more than 3 feet high.
Sincere thanks to everyone for all your support in so many ways.
roger
Some recent short video clips showing Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s progress 4 months since the stroke. The videos show Rinpoche walking and using his right hand to eat and write.
Video Links: