In our last update, we discussed the upcoming CPMT Summit, held from April 6 – 11 at Kopan Monastery. We mentioned our hope that it would bring our far-flung FPMT community closer together and promote inclusivity while also providing essential inspiration and ideas for the future. This meeting did all those things and more – it exceeded our expectations on every front!

The CPMT Summit: Advancing Our Gurus’ Vision of a World Guided by Compassion and Wisdom

At this moment, the data gathered during all the discussions over the five days of the meeting are being compiled. Suffice it to say here that this gathering of 195 participants from 70 FPMT centers, projects, and services, representing 25 different countries was not only a joyful event, but one that provided the necessary input for strategic planning as the basis for the coming years. The co-creation of this basis was an amazing event that truly showed how the students of our founders, Lama Thubten Yeshe and Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche, working together with resilience, creativity, practicality and devotion, can make the Lamas’ vision for the FPMT organization a reality. There was a tangible constructive energy during the meeting that has surely sown positive seeds for future development.

The meeting was held at Kopan Monastery, which is where the FPMT organization began, and which has changed incredibly since the early days remembered by many participants. Kopan remains a very special place, with beautiful architecture and stupas, gardens and flowers, and, of course, more than 450 monks. The nunnery below also houses more than 370 nuns and is equally beautiful! The education at both monasteries is excellent and is a credit to the organization.

The CPMT meeting began with a special greeting and message to the gathering from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The next day we were fortunate to “meet” with H.E. Ling Rinpoche through Zoom. Although H.E. was addressing us remotely it felt as if he was in the room with all the participants!  And then another message from His Holiness was read to the audience, one that gladdened our hearts! His Holiness informed us that the reincarnation (Tib.: yangsi) of Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche has been born in Nepal. Although we do not know where and to whom the child has taken rebirth, and it is still too early to start looking for him/her, we have trust and confidence in His Holiness’ expression of support in finding the correct incarnation and in guiding the yangsi’s upbringing and education. There is a committee in place to work on taking further steps when His Holiness advises that the time is right to do so.

Please read the in-depth overview of the meeting if you would like more details on the daily experience of the event

Continuing Swift Return Prayers

The question arose whether it is still appropriate to continue to offer the swift return prayers for Rinpoche, and the answer has come back from various sources that yes, it is indeed good to continue these prayers. His Holiness has advised us to carry on reciting Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri as well as Migtsema practice.  H.E Gaden Trisur Rinpoche, the former Gaden Tri Rinpoche, said that it is also advisable to continue His Holiness’ Swift Return prayer for Lama Zopa Rinpoche as it could have an effect on the brightness and clarity of the yangsi’s mind. So, we would like to encourage all to continue reciting these prayers!

Changes in Senior Management

At the Summit, we mentioned that more changes in the organization can be expected, including seeking additional members for the FPMT Inc. Board. One important shift will be the role of Ven. Roger Kunsang. As most people will know, he has spent the last 38 years serving Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche, always at Rinpoche’s side, working as his attendant and secretary, and for the last 22 years he has, as CEO, been in charge of the FPMT International Office (IOF).

Ven. Roger has continued carrying out Rinpoche’s wishes and taking care of the numerous charitable projects with Ven. Holly, as well as helping with all aspects of Rinpoche’s legacy. Our intention is to free him from his administrative duties so he can focus more on these responsibilities.

This means we will be creating the position of Executive Director for the IOF. This individual will oversee the managing of the office and serve as the liaison between the Board and the office. The details of the recruitment process for an Executive Director will be announced shortly. Ven. Roger will remain a member of the FPMT Inc. Board of Directors, with special responsibilities involving Rinpoche’s legacy. His unique history with Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche certainly warrants such a position.

Looking to the Future

What the CPMT Summit made clear was that commitment and dedication remain strong among us – center staff, volunteers, teachers, translators, project managers etc. New programs are being developed, and we are adapting and moving forward in anticipation of future situations and possibilities.

We have been privileged to receive the profound Mahayana teachings and will work to keep these traditions strong. The teachings will always be rooted in the Nalanda tradition, passed on by our founders, Lama Thubten Yeshe, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, H.H. Dalai Lama, and through them, the wisdom of the great masters of the lineage, going back to Je Tsongkhapa and Shakyamuni Buddha. We are profoundly grateful to all of them for their unending inspiration and example.

The CPMT Summit ended with inspiring words from H.E. Gaden Trisur Rinpoche, who advised us to continue to put these teachings into practice, and we will certainly do our best to do so.

Step by step, we hope, with your help, to be able to fulfil our teachers’ wishes until all sentient beings are completely liberated. Thank you!

Sincerely,
The FPMT Inc. Board of Directors:
Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi
Ven. Pemba Sherpa
Ven. Roger Kunsang
Karuna Cayton
Dale Davis
Paula de Wys