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Lama Zopa Rinpoche News and Advice
Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, July 2020. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
In 2020 on Chokhor Duchen (celebrated this year on July 21, 2023), Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered a video teaching from Kopan Monastery as part of his thought transformation series entitled, “Wake Up– Don’t Waste the Four Holy Days of Guru Shakyamuni Buddha.”
Chokhor Duchen commemorates the anniversary of Shakyamuni Buddha’s first teaching after showing the aspect of attaining enlightenment, and is one of the holy days of Guru Shakyamuni Buddha, when the power of any meritorious action is multiplied 100 million times.
Rinpoche begins this teaching discussing the twelve deeds done by Shakyamuni Buddha, which reveal why we need to practice Dharma.
Shakyamuni Buddha gave three turnings of the wheel of Dharma: the four noble truth teachings in Sarnath; the Prajnaparamita teachings in Rajgir; and the Chittamatra view. On wheel-turning days, because merit is multiplied by 100 million, Rinpoche is asking us to “wake up” and not waste the opportunity by being distracted by worldly pleasures and worldly concerns. For example, writing sutras in gold ink is a way to collect skies of merit.
Rinpoche shares more about the benefits of the Sutra of Great Liberation, including that if you read it just before you die you are immediately rescued from the lower realms.
Watch Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching “Wake Up—Don’t Waste the Four Holy Days of Guru Shakyamuni Buddha“:
A full transcript of this teaching is also available.
You can learn more about the “unimaginable benefits of the Sutra of Great Liberation which is now available in English:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/unimaginable-benefits-the-sutra-of-great-liberation-is-now-available-in-english/
You can follow Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice on beneficial practices to do on Chokhor Duchen:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/celebrate-chokhor-duchen-and-international-sangha-day-on-july-21-2023/
Read about the vast array of pujas and practices being offered by over ten thousand ordained sangha on this special day:
https://fpmt.org/charitable-activities/projects/retreats-and-practices/pf-news/offering-to-ten-thousand-sangha-and-pujas-sponsored-on-chokhor-duchen/
Watch more from the video series Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Teachings on Thought Transformation and find links to videos in transcripts, MP3s, additional practice advice, and more:
https://fpmt.org/fpmt/announcements/resources-for-coronavirus-pandemic/advice-from-lama-zopa-rinpoche-for-coronavirus/
Lama Zopa Rinpoche blessing mice, Buddha Amitabha Pure Land, Washington State, USA, November 2016.
Over the years, while traveling continuously with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Ven. Roger Kunsang, CEO of FPMT and Rinpoche’s long-time attendant, would share stories of what it was like to be on the road with Rinpoche, and to witness and participate in Rinpoche’s enlightened activity.
In 2011, Ven. Roger shared this story about a very fortunate snake: It was dark, maybe 9 p.m., and there was something wriggling on the path going around Bouddha Stupa. It was a baby jet black snake! We got it onto an open piece of cardboard with a little difficulty. Rinpoche wanted it to come with us around the stupa. Rinpoche gave it the name, “Thubten Tharpkye.” For the next 10 circumambulations of the stupa the snake got some really good karma. At the end, after dedications (ending around midnight — almost no one is around at that time), we had to say good bye to Thubten Tharpkye. We placed him safely in the drainage system from where he must have come and will spend the rest of his life.
In 2016, a young snake was discovered at Buddha Amitabha Pure Land, Washington State, struggling to escape after getting stuck to some adhesive left on the wall of a retreat cabin. Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Sangha members freed the unhappy sentient being—apparently a harmless gopher snake—with a combination of water and mantras, Rinpoche named him “Jangsem,” Tibetan for “bodhichitta.” Rinpoche also decided to keep Jangsem in his own house for a while in the hope of improving his future rebirths. Thus the small snake entered into retreat, in a large plastic box, comfortably resting on an old towel! You can listen to Rinpoche reciting mantras for Jangsem the snake at this time:
Wish-fulfillment for all Animals
Lama Zopa Rinpoche compiled a list of mantras and buddhas’ names that are powerful for benefiting animals, Wish-fulfillment for all Animals: Their Happiness and
Additional Resources for Benefiting Animals
Liberating Animals from the Danger of Death: This short version of Liberating Animals is a profound method to prolong life and cure sickness. Relying on the truth of cause and effect, practitioners make special effort to give life and benefit to helpless creatures that are on the verge of being killed. By performing this powerful practice, we not only save these beings from immediate suffering, we also create the cause for their attainment of better future lives, from life to life to full enlightenment. The book also contains many practices and mantras that can be done to benefit living and sick animals.
Blessing the Animals in the Ocean: This practice can be done to bless the animals in any body of water, such as oceans, seas, lakes, and ponds. The blessing is done by reciting powerful mantras of Chenrezig and Namgyalma, plus other mantras, then blowing into the clean water before pouring the blessed water into the body of water with animals. Mantra boards such as Namgyalma Mantra board, if available, can be put into the body of water during the practice.
Animal Liberation Tool: This animal liberation tool can be used to catch small insects and remove them compassionately from your house. Designed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche and covered with mantras that benefit bugs, as well as quotes that benefit humans, these bug catchers are not your ordinary bug catching jar!
Please also visit our webpage, Benefiting Animals: Practices and Advice, which contains many resources for those wishing to benefit animals in the most extensive ways possible: https://fpmt.org/education/prayers-and-practice-materials/benefiting-animals-practices-and-advice
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche in the stupa garden at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, October 2020. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered a teaching on October 30, 2020 from Kopan Monastery as the eightieth teaching from his Thought Transformation teaching series entitled, “Whatever You Are Doing, It Should Become Meditation on Emptiness.”
The “I” exists, but only in mere name, Rinpoche explained in this teaching. How the “I” exists is extremely subtle; so subtle it is as if it doesn’t exist at all. Whatever is happening, it is not true. As His Holiness has said, “What exists is something else” from what ordinary people believe.
Our mind has been habituated—like a waterfall, so heavily since beginningless rebirths—with ignorance. Everything that has appeared to us has appeared as truly existent—and you 100% believed it! From that, all the delusions, karma, and the oceans of suffering of hell beings, hungry ghosts, and animals arise. Everything appears real, but what is there is only existing in mere name. This is unbelievably subtle.
To counter this wrong habituation, we need to train in meditating on emptiness. Whatever you are doing, it should become a meditation on emptiness. Rinpoche emphasizes that it is not that you can only meditate on emptiness while you are sitting on a cushion! There are three ways that you can meditate on emptiness while going about your daily activities.
1. Meditate on everything as a hallucination: In every activity you do, look at the “I,” action, and object as a total hallucination, as they are a total hallucination. Whatever you do—such as shopping, using the toilet, eating food, or going to work—transform it into a meditation on emptiness by looking at it as a hallucination or as like a dream.
2. Meditate on everything as merely labeled: Another method to meditate on emptiness in daily life is to think that the merely labeled “I” is doing the actions of your day. For example, when you are eating, think that the merely labeled “I” is doing the merely labeled action of eating merely labeled food.
3. Meditate on everything as empty of true existence: Whatever you are doing, meditate that the real “I” that is doing the activity is not there, the real action you are doing is not there, and the real object of your action is not there. They are all empty of true existence; they are not there at all.
Of these three meditations, do a different one each day, or each week, or each month, Rinpoche recommended. This is the way to develop a positive habituation with emptiness and counter the wrong habituation with holding everything as real. Whether you know a lot about emptiness or just a little, this daily meditation on emptiness is the most important thing to do.
Rinpoche concluded the teaching by citing two verses from Aryadeva’s Four Hundred Stanzas on the Middle Way. If you destroy ignorance, you destroy the delusions. When you see dependent arising, ignorance doesn’t arise. Therefore, Rinpoche said we should try to realize the meaning of dependent arising.
- Read the full transcript of Rinpoche’s teaching
- For more from Rinpoche on the object to be refuted, please see Recognizing the False I
- Find Rinpoche’s Teachings on Thought Transformation translated into Spanish, Italian, French, Chinese, and Russian
Please enjoy this video of Rinpoche’s full teaching recorded on October 30, 2020:
Watch more from the video series Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Teachings on Thought Transformation and find links to videos in transcripts, MP3s, additional practice advice, and more:
https://fpmt.org/fpmt/announcements/resources-for-coronavirus-pandemic/advice-from-lama-zopa-rinpoche-for-coronavirus/
Lama Zopa Rinpoche leading a Guru Puja in celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday, July 6, 2022, in Singapore. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Today, July 6, the world celebrates His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 88th birthday. You can watch the message His Holiness shared earlier today, on the occasion of his birthday.
A few hours after his discharge from a hospital in Singapore last year for a medical procedure, Lama Zopa Rinpoche joined the Amitabha Buddhist Centre (ABC) community in Singapore for their special celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 87th birthday on July 6, 2022. Rinpoche offered incredibly powerful and precious words about His Holiness’s qualities, guru devotion, and impermanence.
We invite you to watch and hear the full message Rinpoche offered on His Holiness’s birthday last year. You may also read a full transcript of Rinpoche’s words.
“Definitely in your heart, rely on His Holiness and often do requests,” Rinpoche advised us. “Request the success of realizations and to grant blessings in your heart and to bless your heart to transform it into the path to enlightenment. As His Holiness often emphasizes, bodhicitta and emptiness. Often when he talks, every time, that is kind of the basis, the foundation. So you practice like that from your heart. From your side, you rely on him, you request and rely on His Holiness, then definitely from His Holiness’s side, definitely he will all the time guide you from life to life, up to enlightenment.”
“You might think His Holiness is not there,” Rinpoche explained, “But in reality, His Holiness is there. You have to know that. His Holiness sees you all the time. His Holiness sees you day and night. Whatever you are doing, His Holiness sees you all the time. Because the past numberless buddhas, present numberless buddhas, and future numberless buddhas see you all the time, without break even for a second, never distracted away from that, even for a second.”
We have many practices related to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for students to use on this special day: fpmt.org/charitable-activities/projects/supporting-our-lamas/celebrating-his-holiness-the-dalai-lamas-88th-birthday-on-july-6/
Through comprehensive study programs and practice materials, FPMT Education Services nourishes the development of compassion, wisdom, kindness, and true happiness in individuals of all ages.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Australia, June 2006. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
FPMT International Office has begun to process archived teachings of Lama Zopa Rinpoche that were not previously available on our Rinpoche Available Now page or on our YouTube channel.
We started this project with teachings from June 2—3, 2006 at Tara Institute, Australia. Those teachings, previously available on DVD only, were entitled, “The Need For Wisdom And Compassion” and “Why We Need a Spiritual Path.” These teachings were part of a longer tour through Australia including a month long retreat in Adelaide.
In September we shared four of the seven videos from this teaching, and today we are pleased to share the remaining three.
We will continue to publish these legacy teachings and will share information as new teachings from the archive become available.
As a reminder, the Rinpoche Available Now page contains video teachings from over sixty teaching events with Lama Zopa Rinpoche going back to 2009, including the most recent teachings given at the fifty-third November Course at Kopan Monastery (26 November 26—December 26, 2022); and the Thought Transformation Teachings Rinpoche gave at Kopan Monastery, Nepal and Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, between 2020-2022. Also, please visit the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive for many more videos of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche dating back to the 1970s!
Please enjoy the fourth video in this teaching series, from June 3, 2006:
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche leaving Khachoe Ghakyil Nunnery, March 2023. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
We are very pleased to share two compositions by Lama Zopa Rinpoche that have been recently made available.
Extensively referencing the words of the past masters to illustrate his point, Lama Zopa Rinpoche stresses in How This Human Life Becomes the Method for Achieving Complete Buddhahood through Buddhist Study and Service that “the fastest way of achieving the state of buddhahood” is by offering your gurus service and practice with the faith that every single one of your gurus is the Buddha. Rinpoche adds that, by the wish to benefit others and serving the guru, one’s actions “become the holy Dharma.” And from that comes the joyful thought, “In this entire world there is no one who has greater fortune or merit than me.”
Heruka Lama Chopa puja seven days after Lama Zopa Rinpoche showed aspect passing at Kopan Monastery, April 20, 2023. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
An Abbreviated Chakrasamvara Tsog is a beautiful condensed tsog practice composed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, with offerings and request made to all the deities of the Heruka Chakrasamvara mandala. Extensive tsog offering was made during the Heruka Lama Chopa at the seventh day pujas for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return. This prayer, An Abbreviated Chakrasamvara Tsog, was recited many times to offer the tsog to the deities of the mandala, along with other tsog offering prayers. This practice is suitable for those who have received the Heruka initiation.
Through comprehensive study programs and practice materials, FPMT Education Services nourishes the development of compassion, wisdom, kindness, and true happiness in individuals of all ages.
An outdoor puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’ swift return in front of Lawudo Gompa. Photo by Alison Murdoch.
Two weeks after Lama Zopa Rinpoche entered his final meditation, FPMT students Paula Chichester and Alison Murdoch took the opportunity to return to Lawudo and join with Rinpoche’s family in some of the ceremonies taking place there. A week later Ven. Amy Miller arrived with a pilgrimage group, and subsequently returned alone for a period of practice and retreat. Here is a brief overview of what took place during this unique and profound time, from Alison Murdoch:
As soon as the sad news reached Lawudo, Ani Ngawang Samten, Rinpoche’s sister, started making plans to go down to the Kathmandu valley. Her grief at suddenly losing her guru and brother in this way has to be unimaginable, especially as it is eight years since Rinpoche was last able to visit in person. She left the next day by helicopter and reached Kopan about an hour before Rinpoche finished his meditation. “It felt as if he would open his eyes and speak to me at any moment,” she said later. Ven. Tsultrim, a Swiss nun who has been at Lawudo since Spring 2022, generously agreed to stay behind to look after Ashan (Rinpoche’s uncle, aged 98) and Tsultrim Norbu, who is now in his 70s. Without this kind offer, it would probably have been impossible for Ani Ngawang Samten to leave at such short notice. At Kopan she was joined by her brother Sangay and his wife, by Geshema Thubten Zangmo, and by other members of the family who had immediately flown over from the USA.
Ani Samten at Heruka Lama Chopa, Kopan, Nepal, April 19 2023. Photo by Capucine Redon.
The first week at Lawudo after Rinpoche showed the aspect of leaving his body was relatively quiet. Ven. Tsultrim welcomed the arrival of Ven Trinley from Tenboche Monastery, who joined her in carrying out daily Cittamani Tara pujas. On the fourteenth day after Rinpoche’s passing Ven. Ngawang Nyendak came to lead a Chenrezig puja. Ven. Nyendak is a highly accomplished tantric practitioner who at Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s request carries out regular practices at Lawudo dedicated to the flourishing of the FPMT. By this time Rinpoche’s cousin Nyima Tashi had arrived and started making preparations for more extensive prayers and practices. The weather turned unseasonably cold, with a light snow falling all day like a blessing.
Light offerings in Lawudo Gompa. Photo by Alison Murdoch.
On the twenty-first day, the monks from Thame Monastery came to lead an extensive all-day Chenrezig puja in the gompa, joined by Tenzin Trinley the resident lama at nearby Charok Hermitage. The weather suddenly cleared, and day after day there were radiant blue skies. The monks returned again on the 28th day for a two-day puja, presided over by the young Thame Rinpoche. Ashan offered the mandala on the first day, and Anila Ngawang Samten on the second day. It was an unforgettable sight to see the gompa packed with sangha, lights and offerings, and an even more extraordinary sound when all its drums, cymbals, horns, oboes, conch shells and thigh bone trumpets echoed out over the valley. On the 35th day, the nuns from Thamo carried out a Vajrayogini self-initiation, and on the forty-second and forty-ninth days there were extensive pujas dedicated to Rinpoche in the gompas at Thame and Tenboche. (The Thame monks weren’t permitted to return to Lawudo for these final pujas due to the imminent Mani Rimdu celebrations). On each of the other six days of the week, Ven Tsultrim led a Cittamani Tara puja in either the gompa or the cave.
Anila Ngawang Samten joins the puja with the Thame monks. Photo by Alison Murdoch.
Despite the challenges of Lawudo Gompa being so remote, over two hours’ walk from the nearest shop, in true Sherpa style these pujas involved extensive tsog offerings. For the main puja on the twenty-eighth day, huge bags of tsog were distributed not only to everyone who attended but also hand-delivered to every family in the valley. In addition to bottles of fizzy drinks, packets of crisps and biscuits and fresh fruit (all rare delicacies at an elevation of 14,000 feet) the bags of tsog included the traditional deep-fried khapse and individual tormas made of tsampa, butter and sugar. Nyima Tashi’s numerous shopping trips to Namche Bazaar would be followed the next day by a train of animals and porters carrying heavy sacks of offerings up the mountainside, and he organized five teams of Sherpa volunteers to make the khapse and tormas and to fill and distribute the mountain of tsog. Other volunteers made extensive water bowl offerings or rolled cotton wool into wicks for the hundreds of silver and copper butter lamps, while a team of smiling nuns kept everyone supplied with butter and sweet tea. The space under the library was rapidly converted into an additional kitchen and a chef was hired to cook copious meals for all the volunteers and visitors. Ven. Nyendak also led extra practices in the courtyard for all the Sherpas who couldn’t fit into the gompa.
Teams of local Sherpas assemble the bags of tsog. Photo by Ven. Alison Murdoch.
This was a historic occasion, never to be repeated. One of the most moving moments was when Anila Ngawang Samten and her brother Sangay returned by helicopter with a set of Rinpoche’s robes, which were carried ceremoniously up the juniper-lined path from Mende and installed with prayers and offerings on His throne in the gompa. Now that the crowds of mourners have departed, please keep the family in your prayers as they begin to come to terms with their immense personal loss.
Please read previously published articles about Lawudo Gompa and Retreat Center.
Please consider subscribing to the Lawudo newsletter which is published four times each year on the major holy days. For more information about Lawudo Gompa and Retreat Center, please visit the Lawudo Gompa website. You can also follow Lawudo on Facebook.
Image of Lama Zopa Rinpoche on the altar in Kopan Monastery Gompa during the 49 Day Heruka Lama Chopa Puja. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Tsomo.
We are pleased to share this moving account from Kopan about the Heruka Lama Chopa puja offered at Kopan Monastery on May 31 during the 49th day of Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing away.
Round-the-clock practices and prayers in the presence of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s kudung (holy body relic) and a weekly offered puja culminated on May 31 with an extensive Heruka Lama Chopa puja. The day began with the usual 5:00 a.m. purification puja offered to Rinpoche’s holy body. It was followed by a morning visit from H.E. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche who joined the prayers in Rinpoche’s room. Lamas, geshes, monks, nuns, and hundreds of lay students from around the world began to gather in the main gompa of Kopan Monastery at 8 a.m.
Huge and beautifully decorated tormas, butter lamps and LED lights, bowls of colorful and exotic fruit, vases and garlands of fresh and artificial flowers, bowls of saffron water, and rows of incense were set out on tables across the width of the gompa. A huge photo of Lama Zopa Rinpoche (with an impish grin as if he had just played a huge joke on all of us!) beamed down upon us, as it had for most of the 49 days.
The puja was presided over by Khenrinpoche Thubten Chonyi, the abbot of Kopan, and graced by the presence of Rangjung Neljorma Khandro Tseringma (Khadro-la); FPMT resident geshes and teachers; FPMT board members Ven. Roger Kunsang, Dale Davis, Paula de Wys, and Karuna Cayton; and various FPMT center directors and SPCs. As the puja progressed, lay students from many FPMT centers, Sherpas and Nepalis dressed in traditional clothing, and a long line of children from Dicky Tsering Children’s Home filed into the gompa to pay their respects and offer katas on the central throne bearing Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s photo.
Heruka Lama Chopa Puja on the 49th day of Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing away, Kopan Monasatery, May 31, 2023. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Led by Umdze-la, Geshe Losang Sherab, the puja began with a heartrending chant of Calling the Guru from Afar. This was followed by Heruka Lama Chopa, a puja characterized by verse after verse of offerings chanted with intricate tunes. Copious amounts of tea and other drinks were served to keep everyone hydrated in the hot weather. A delicious catered lunch served in shiny copper pots was offered to everyone present. Generous money offerings were made again and again to the many sangha present by the Hong Kong center, the IMI Sangha, and many other groups and individuals. After the lunch break, the puja resumed at 2:00 p.m. and concluded at 5:00 p.m. with one more recitation of the swift return prayers followed by Lama Atisha’s light offering prayer.
In the meantime, outside in the debate courtyard various groups of Nepali lay practitioners and the children of Dicky Tsering Children’s Home took turns reciting prayers. Upstairs in the presence of Rinpoche’s holy body, the daily round of practices continued until late at night, including the self-initiations of Yamantaka and Vajrayogini and many other prayers. After dinner, the Kopan monks gathered in the debate courtyard to recite the root texts of Ornament of Clear Realization and Entering the Middle Way.
Altogether these 49 days were a huge Dharma celebration of continuous prayers and practices day and night, pilgrimages to some of the most holy places in Nepal, and extensive offerings set up in Rinpoche’s rooms, the monastery and nunnery gompas, and the debate courtyard. It was a time of great sadness and shared grief but also a celebration of Rinpoche’s life and legacy as we rejoiced in the “unbelievable, unbelievable, unbelievable good fortune” we had to not only receive a perfect human rebirth but to meet with such a perfectly qualified Mahayana guru who taught the unmistaken path to enlightenment for more than fifty years!
Khatas on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s throne at the end of the 49th Day puja, Kopan Monastery, Nepal. Photo by Ven. Tenzin Tsomo.
Due to all the past, present, and future merits collected by each one of us and all the three-time merits collected by numberless sentient beings and numberless buddhas, may Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s unmistaken, perfect incarnation quickly return to this world and be recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at a young age. May there be no obstacles to the incarnation’s long life and holy activities for the benefit of the Buddhadharma and sentient beings. May all of Rinpoche’s past and present disciples once again meet their holy guru, hear the nectar of his holy speech, and never be separated from him in this and all their future lives. May all the sentient beings who did not have the fortune to meet with Lama Zopa Rinpoche in this life be able to encounter his new incarnation and be guided by him (or perhaps her!) in all their future lives.
With love, prayers, and a billion, zillion, trillion thanks for all you are doing to fulfill Rinpoche’s holy wishes,
The monks and nuns of Ogmin Jangchub Choling and Kachoe Ghakyil Ling—Kopan Monastery and Nunnery
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Washington D.C., USA, August 2014. Photo by Merry Colony.
Today we are sharing this heartfelt message of gratitude to Kopan Monastery and the entire FPMT organization and students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche from the FPMT Board of Directors.
The FPMT Board of Directors would hereby like to express its profound gratitude to all at Kopan as well as the International Office, centers, projects, services, and students throughout the world for the extraordinary efforts that were made from the moment that Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche manifested the appearance of passing away until the present day, and which are continuing even now.
The tireless efforts and devotion shown by all have been truly astonishing. There are no words to express how people all over the world took comfort and found strength in the prayers and practices that were done continually in Rinpoche’s room and in the gompas
of the monastery and nunnery of Kopan. At a time when all of Rinpoche’s disciples were grieving and in pain, and many were unable to come to Nepal to pay their respects and be together, all the tireless efforts that were made benefitted them enormously. Thousands of people, both in Nepal and all over the world, have been inspired by the prayers, practices, and all that was done. For this, we would like to express our sincere and deep gratitude.
Also, in Dharamsala, at the Long Life Puja for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the excellent training and skill of the Kopan sangha was obvious to all and recognized at the highest levels. The puja pleased His Holiness and for this, too, we would like to express our deepest gratitude.
One week ago today, the day long Heruka Lama Chopa puja marking the 49th day of the passing away of our holy guru was held. It was an extraordinary puja led by Kopan’s outstanding umze and chanted by hundreds of geshes, lama gyupas, monks, geshemas, nuns both Himalayan and non-Himalayan, and attended by even more hundreds of those who came to pay their respects to Rinpoche.
That day was the culmination of your efforts, boundless devotion, dedication, and the respect that has been evident since the moment of Rinpoche’s passing. It was a unique event, fitting the occasion perfectly. We believe that this puja would have pleased the mind of our holy guru and so for this, too, we express our profound gratitude.
There are also others in the world who deserve great thanks for all they have done in the past two months. When Rinpoche first passed away, all those at the International Office worked day and night to gather information and share it with the rest of us so that we could be kept up to date about what was happening as quickly and thoroughly as possible. With the time differences always a challenge, they managed to inform us and share advice, prayers, and images so that no one needed to feel left out or left behind. It was a truly admirable and remarkable feat, and our gratitude is great here, too.
The number of centers and students worldwide who dropped everything to come together to pray and practice for Rinpoche is beyond measure. So many people reported feeling the presence of Rinpoche, feeling the strong connection with him, which made the deep feeling of loss transform into an even stronger commitment to work to fulfil Rinpoche’s wishes.
As people supported each other there was a sense of how fortunate we have been to be Rinpoche’s disciples, and how important it was and is to retain this sense of community and commitment. To all the offices, centers, projects, and students in the world who did practices for Rinpoche and continue to recite the Swift Return Prayers we extend our deepest gratitude.
So, from the bottom of our hearts, we sincerely thank you. We are grateful to every one of you.
The FPMT Board of Directors
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Geshe Thubten Rinchen, Boudhanath, Nepal, April 13, 2022. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
May 31 marked the forty-ninth day since Lama Zopa Rinpoche showed the aspect of passing away. A very moving and powerful puja occurred at Kopan Monastery with all the Kopan monks and nuns, hundreds of non-Tibetan students, and many Sherpa and Nepalese individuals.
Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog offered on the 49th day of Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing away, May 31, 2023, Kopan Monastery, Nepal. Photo courtesy of Kopan Monastery
During these 49 days following Lama Zopa Rinpoche showing the aspect of passing away, an extraordinary amount of prayers, condolences, and support as well as visits to Kopan, have come from all the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism and from monasteries, organizations, high lamas, Nepalese government officials, and individuals offering prayers for Rinpoche’s swift return and sharing many moving tributes to Rinpoche’s extraordinary qualities and many beneficial activities. All the great monasteries in India offered prayers, especially at Sera Je Monastery. All the monks of Sera Je gathered every day during the first week and then every seven days following; and the abbot of Sere Je, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsethar, also flew up to Kopan to offer prayers directly on the occasion of the thirty-five days since Rinpoche showed the aspect of passing away. Students from around the world came to Kopan to join in many auspicious activities at this time including the prayers for Rinpoche’s swift return occurring 24 hours a day in front of Rinpoche’s holy body, the long life puja for His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala and subsequent audience with His Holiness, and the special Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog puja occurring every 7 days up to the 49th day of Rinpoche’s passing.
Just hours after Lama Zopa Rinpoche entered his final meditation on April 13, 2023, Sera Mey Geshe Thubten Rinchen Rinpoche spoke to the Kopan sangha and students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, offering heartfelt words of sadness, praise, and encouragement for the future.
Geshe Thubten Rinchen Rinpoche was a close friend of Lama Zopa Rinpoche from an early age, and mentioned this to some of the Kopan sangha that same day, “From 1961, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and I stayed together in this place called Buxa for about seven years. There were many monks there, but among them Rinpoche and I lived together very intimately as part of a small group of monks. We stayed there close together, so I really know him and understand him.”
Below is the advice offered by Geshe Thubten Rinchen Rinpoche, to the monks and nuns of Kopan and to students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, on April 13, 2023 at Kopan Monastery:
Hello, I thought to send one or two words to you all. This is the one called Thupten Rinchen of Sera Mey Monastery, Tsangpa Khangtsen. You are all probably familiar with me. The thing I want to speak about is the very sad and tragic news that I heard today at about one o’clock in the afternoon, that the one with a great altruistic mind, Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche, has passed into parinirvana. I heard this very sad, disheartening news today.
At that time, in my mind I became like a person who’s gone blank. Then, as I gradually reflected on his enlightened deeds and activities over all these years, my grief became greater and greater. There’s nothing to be done, really. But thinking foremost of Rinpoche’s main secretary, Venerable Roger, and all the other staff and monks and nuns at Kopan Monastery, I thought to offer a few words of condolence. I’m nobody to say anything, but, from this afternoon when I first heard until now tonight, about 10:00 pm, I’ve been reflecting on what’s happened. Finally, an intention to say something came. Uncontrollably, my mind has been as if going in circles. I can’t help but say something. Please don’t be upset with me.
There is the future in general, but then too I wouldn’t really know what to say. In any case, thinking of the enlightened deeds and activities of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy body, speech, and mind, just the deeds and activities of this holy life are truly something beyond comprehension. In general, the way he has benefited the Buddha’s teachings by spreading them to many foreign countries where they did not exist before, and continues to do so, and especially with regard to the teachings of the Riwo Ganden lineage, is truly something amazing. Rinpoche has spread these teachings widely to many places where they had not spread before. We all know about this.
In my observation, although there are many veritable holy lamas, among them the activities to serve and spread the Buddha’s teachings that are the most extensive and most widespread are just those of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche himself. This is what I think. Therefore, he has been inconceivably kind to us. In addition, as we can directly see, Rinpoche has been incredibly kind in supporting the Great Seats and countless particular groups within those. You may not believe it, but when I heard the news this afternoon, thinking of what an inconceivably kind and great holy being has passed away, I became immeasurably sad and inexpressibly grief-stricken. I thought to send a message then, but have been thinking about it until now. Now I can’t help but say a few words. Apart from offering this message, I have no other aims.
Venerable Roger and all of you have, from a very young age, lived at Kopan, Jangchub Choling Monastery, following the discipline and serving the monastery until becoming advanced in age. There are many senior monastics in your community. In any case, to all of you, headed by these elders, I have a few words of hope and thoughts to share. There’s no need for me to say that for a long time all of you have sincerely served Rinpoche. But at this time, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s unfinished deeds need to be continued. Some of the projects I know about are construction of a Guru Rinpoche statue and the project in Kushinagar, and there are other similar projects yet to be completed, right? Although Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche is no longer with us now, still, I request you to please bring these types of projects, these unfinished holy deeds of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, to completion. An incarnation will definitely come.
It’s certain that you all are very downhearted at this time, however, there’s no benefit in just remaining downhearted. Whatever the case may be, what I want to say is that it is extremely important to make every effort to continue with the unfinished works of Lama Zopa. So, I request and pray that you will do this. Certainly, you are sad at heart, and I’m together with you in feeling great sorrow. I want to let you know this. This is primarily to all the staff.
Regarding Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, there are the deeds of his holy body, speech and mind. As for the holy deeds of his body, from this morning they have become like a dream. We will not have the fortune to meet him in person again. Similarly, as to the holy deeds of his speech, we can no longer hear his speech. However, in regard to the deeds of his holy mind, the deeds of his holy mind are the most important. With regard to the geshes and students at Dharma centers in many different countries, remembering the kindness of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, they will surely consider what to do. From my side, I sincerely request that, remembering Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s kindness, they should, if possible, increase the Dharma, social service, and other works of Rinpoche more than before; but if they cannot manage this, at least continue to sustain the various works Rinpoche has initiated as they exist now without letting them decline. It is very presumptuous of me to say this, but please don’t feel irritated.
Then, at this time, in my opinion, in Nepal, Ogmin Jangchub Choling and also the nunnery, Kachoe Ghakyil Ling, these two monasteries are not insignificant. Rather, they currently engage in studies of both sūtra and tantra. Therefore, you need to remember again and again what are the deeds of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy mind and his heart’s intentions. In general, this is an extremely sad and unfortunate situation such as I have probably never experienced. Definitely, intense grief will arise. But when it arises, some may think, “Now there’s nothing to be done. Our refuge is gone, he has passed away. [Geshe Thubten Rinchen Rinpoche is overcome and cries briefly] There’s no point in anything now.” On one hand, it’s not sure that this is entirely untrue, right? However, if one just thinks in this way, it is fundamentally not all right. If you ask why, it’s because the heart intention of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche is what?
During our very own lifetimes, on this land where these monasteries now stand, there was nothing before, barely even a house. Now, a great monastic community with a union of study and practice of both sūtra and tantra has been well established. Compared to this great deed and enlightened activity, there’s none higher. Recognizing this, you need to continue this great deed and intention of Rinpoche’s holy mind to the best of your ability. I have no more significant request than this.
You need to generate enthusiasm and make effort even more than before to not let the unified study and practice of sūtra and tantra decline, but rather increase it more and more. To sustain this work is extremely important. As I’ve already said, of course one will be downhearted, but there’s no sense in remaining like this. If one just thinks, “Now there’s nothing to be done,” then there is no offering of practice and no offering of pleasing the guru. Rather, recognizing that there’s no higher offering to Lama Zopa Rinpoche than fulfilling his sacred intentions, all the monks now in the monastery need to pull together and consider what is the best way forward to sustain this work. This is one thing I humbly request of you.
Just as I’ve requested the monks, I request the same of all the nuns of Kachoe Ghakyil Ling. All of you will surely be sad and feel as if stricken by an inconsolable grief. However, there’s no point in just dwelling in this. Rather, just as I’ve said to the monks, some may say that now there’s nothing to do and no point to stay in the monastery and then think to leave. This may occur, but this is a totally mistaken path. Not only that, instead of accomplishing Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s intentions, it becomes not following his wishes.
Therefore, although the deeds of Rinpoche’s holy body and speech have come to an end, it is extremely important to know the wishes of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy mind and strive to accomplish them. His intention is as I said before. From nothing to just a small nunnery, to now a great community of nuns has been established, and not only that, engaged in the unified study and practice of both sūtra and tantra. Not only has this been established, but as a fruit of these efforts it is the first monastery to produce geshemas, something that didn’t even exist in name in Tibetan not long ago. You all know this. For this to happen Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche worked incredibly hard with great determination. Seeing this and taking it to mind then, although at this time you may be disheartened in some moments, you should not give up, thinking “Now I’ll leave the community and just go off some place to live alone.” It’s possible you may be small minded like that. If you do that, then, as I said to the monks, it is not fulfilling Rinpoche’s holy wishes and is not an offering of practice. Therefore, I request you to think well what it is to accomplish Rinpoche’s heart intentions, choose the right path, and not follow a mistaken path. It’s up to each individual person to consider this well. There’s nothing better to do than this. Consider what is the intention of Rinpoche’s enlightened mind, understand and strive to accomplish that. If you do this then it is an offering of pleasing and bringing joy to the lama. There’s no better offering. So I earnestly request you to make such offerings of pleasing the guru and fulfilling his instructions. My speaking in this way is very presumptuous, but please don’t be irritated. It is my sincere opinion. The main thing is to serve.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche has passed away now—you know that. But although he has passed away, he was an inconceivably great spiritual teacher, as you all know well. He was a great practitioner of the altruistic wish to accomplish the welfare of others and took great interest in studies as well. We have directly seen this. At this time, in order to fulfill his wishes and also to benefit ourselves, whether as an organization or in our own room, we should recite the Guru Puja, placing Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the very center of the merit field in clear light, make offerings, and from among the offerings focus on the offering of practice. There’s no need for me to tell you, actually. Until now all of you have taken Rinpoche’s advice to heart, engaged in studies and practice and made offerings of pleasing the guru very well. Nonetheless, we are all afflicted sometimes by faults of body, speech and mind, and sometimes see faults in the lama. At such times we should accumulate recitations of the Confession of Moral Downfalls in order to purify negativities and obscurations arising from the body, speech and mind being afflicted by negative karmas. I have personally seen how beneficial it is to confess and practice restraint in this way.
Rinpoche’s enlightened deeds and activities of this life have finished, but we can hang our hopes on praying that an unmistaken reincarnation of the lama swiftly appears who is able to continue the work of his previous life in just the same way, and we can request to once again enjoy the nectar of his holy speech turning the wheel of Dharma as before. In addition, we can request that in that life he remain long to benefit transmigratory beings. Remembering how kind Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche has been to us, we can make such requests while recalling all of Rinpoche’s kind deeds. Please consider these suggestions.
We can clearly visualize the sacred venerable guru, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, then think, “Just as he engaged in enlightened deeds, so too may I personally continue to sustain those deeds.” We should meditate like that. I think this is the best way to pray and the best way to serve now that Rinpoche has passed into parinirvana. I think this is the best thing to do. With the idea that this might be helpful to you all, I’ve offered these words. If you agree, then please act accordingly.
Finally, to summarize, this great monastery of Kopan monks and nuns has been established; to put it concisely, at this time of sorrow, there’s a real danger that you think, “How unfortunate! There’s nothing to be done now. It’d be better to go off to some other place.” If you follow such thoughts, it is not making an offering of fulfilling Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice, it is not remembering his kindness, and it will lead to the destruction of his kind enlightened activities. Therefore, when such thoughts arise, recognize them as just the result of grief and don’t follow them. Rather, strive to accomplish Rinpoche’s intentions even more than before. Please continue to study and practice at least as well as now, and if possible improve upon the present. Not only that, but do not leave study at the mere level of listening and contemplation, but take all the meanings gleaned through these into meditative practice and generate realizations. Offer this as a personal commitment and actually practice accordingly. I implore you to do this. This is the best offering of practice, the best offering of pleasing the lama, and the best way to commemorate the life of the lama. Don’t take my word for it. All of you should reflect yourselves on what are the holy wishes of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and there is nothing for you not to understand. I pray that you will do this. I urgently request you to consider things in this way.
Likewise, at your monastery there is Khen Rinpoche and the scriptural teachers. I implore them to take care to give pertinent advice and that it not become just idle talk but is put into practice. My final request is this. Please don’t feel irritated that these words are too many or are inappropriate. Thank you.
Translated by Ven. Tenzin Legtsok with assistance from Sera Je Geshe Ngawang Sangye at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, on April 22, 2023. Edited by Ven. Ailsa Cameron.
Heruka Lama Chopa puja seven days after Lama Zopa Rinpoche showed aspect passing at Kopan Monastery with H.E. Gaden Tri Rinpoche, Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoche, and all Kopan monks and nuns, April 20, 2023. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
On May 31, Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog Offering will be performed at Kopan Monastery on the occasion of the 49th day since Lama Zopa Rinpoche showed the aspect of passing away.
During these 49 days, an extraordinary amount of prayers, condolences, and support as well as visits to Kopan, have come from all the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism and from monasteries, organizations, high lamas, Nepalese government officials, and individuals offering prayers for Rinpoche’s swift return and sharing many moving tributes to Rinpoche’s extraordinary qualities and many beneficial activities. All the great monasteries in India offered prayers, especially at Sera Je Monastery. All the monks of Sera Je gathered every day during the first week and then every seven days following. FPMT students from all over the world have come to Dharamsala last week for the long life puja for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and many of them have now made their way to Kopan.
These last few days prayers are continuing very intensely at Kopan Monastery with nonstop prayers in Rinpoche’s room plus many other pujas and prayers in the various gompas by Kopan monks, non-Tibetan students, and visiting groups of local lay people. This evening, May 29, students are offering an all night Tara Purification ritual from sunset to dawn.
Everywhere around the world, FPMT centers are organizing pujas for the 49th day on May 31 and students are encouraged to check with their local center for information. Students are also welcome to participate and follow along with everything occurring at Kopan Monastery by utilizing the information and links below. All are welcome to join the livestream of this special puja.
Prayers and pujas have been offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return in front of Rinpoche’s holy body, Kopan Monastery, Nepal. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Materials for the Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog Puja
Starting at 8:30 a.m – 5:30 p.m. (Nepal time), Calling the Guru from Afar will be recited and then Heruka Lama Chopa with addition of the prayers to the mahamudra lineage gurus. In the evening, the monks at Kopan Monastery will recite the root texts Ornament of Clear Realization and Entering the Middle Way. The texts needed for the Heruka Lama Chopa are:
Additional information about the booklet of supplementary prayers:
- Praises to the Twenty-One Taras is often recited before the start of the puja.
- Heart Sutra and the prayer for dispelling hindrances is recited right after the first tea break. The Heart Sutra is recited extremely quickly.
- Song of Immortality, a long life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is recited at the beginning of the second session and later on in the puja. (The monks and nuns recite this from memory)
- Atisha’s Prayer: A Light Offering is recited at the end of Heruka Lama Chopa. (The monks and nuns read this from a pecha-format print out)
- If there is time, the light offering may be followed by Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri. (The monks and nuns recite this from memory.)
The Swift Return Prayers are recited before the lunch break and again near the end of the puja. The prayer by His Holiness is usually recited three times followed by the prayers composed by Jhado Rinpoche and Rangjung Neljorma Khandro Tseringma.
We have created photo galleries of inspiring images of some of the group prayers, pujas, and practices done in Kopan Monastery; as well as monastic institutions and communities, FPMT centers, and at the sites of holy objects and gompas: fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/gallery-prayers-for-swift-return/
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 Eminence the 12th Jamgon Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche offering prayers and a heartfelt conversation with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, in front of Rinpoche’s holy body.
On May 14, 2023, His Eminence the 12th Jamgon Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche, visited Kopan Monastery to pay his respects to Lama Zopa Rinpoche and offer prayers in front of Rinpoche’s holy body. The Tai Situ lineage is one of the oldest reincarnation lineages in the Kagyu school and H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche is also considered to be an emanation of the bodhisattva Maitreya.
H. E. Tai Situ hadn’t been in Nepal for over thirty years, but came for one day to visit one of his gurus who is very sick in the hospital. Thousands of people were waiting for him at the airport when he landed in Nepal. When he arrived at Kopan Monastery to pay respects, there was a huge storm, including hail and lightning, and some felt this was a very auspicious sign, as if the elements were acknowledging the pure samaya between the two lamas.
H. E. Tai Situ took his time in the gompa, telling stories for those in attendance in a very warm way. When he entered Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s room, he stayed standing in front of Rinpoche’s holy body for a long time, having what seemed to be a direct conversation with Rinpoche, as though he was right there.
We now have an edited video to share with you, complete with English subtitles, of this heartfelt talk with Lama Zopa Rinpoche: https://youtu.be/aI9T9sHtcxA