For some people the time of wishing one another a happy new year might have passed weeks ago. For others, however, it was more appropriate about six weeks later when February 10, 2024 marked the beginning of both the Tibetan and Chinese Wood Dragon year. The first day of the Tibetan New Year, Losar, was also the 40^th commemoration of Lama Thubten Yeshe’s passing, which was honored in many FPMT centers across the world. Losar prayers and festivities were in full swing in many places, including Kopan Monastery. These prayers at Kopan culminated in the Monlam (Great Prayer Festival) from February 21-25, which was presided over by His Eminence Kyabje Ling Rinpoche.

In this update we would like to highlight two activities that reflect our ideals of preserving our lamas’ legacy and at the same time looking toward the future. To create the most beneficial future for our organization, we find it essential to include and involve all the stakeholders of the FPMT and sincerely hope that you will help us by contributing to this process.

FPMT Geshe Conference

Participants in the 2023 FPMT Geshe Conference at Kopan Monastery.

The year started with the FPMT Geshe Conference at Kopan from January 9-14, 2024. The aim of the conference was: “To hold a forum of open discussion in a spirit of mutual support, to engage in a meaningful dialog, address concerns, hear suggestions of constructive ways to perform our roles more and more effectively which later will also serve as a template for the benefit of future geshes to come.”    

With thirty-three geshes, two geshemas and five board members present,  participants came from fourteen countries. Unfortunately, thirteen geshes from eight countries could not attend due to age, teaching or retreat commitments and travel document issues. There were three days of meetings with plenary sessions, talks, discussion groups and, of course, prayers and pujas.

After an introduction by the abbot of Kopan, board member Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi, Ganden Tri Rinpoche gave advice to the group via Zoom on the importance of teaching lamrim, lojong, and the classical treatises and suggested that centers with more than four or five fully ordained sangha gather for the three fundamental rituals (sojong, summer retreat, and “lifting of restrictions”). Link to a full transcript of Ganden Tri Rinpoche’s talk.

Later, on the second day, H.E. Ling Rinpoche also spoke via Zoom to the assembled geshe-las. He praised Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche very highly and said: “They didn’t have the eight worldly concerns, or intentions mixed with a desire for wealth and fame. Foremost was simply the wish to benefit sentient beings and spread the teachings.” He also spoke of teaching the Dharma according to the times using as a basis the ways of explanation and practice that have been passed down by so many holy beings of the past but with room for making the teachings easier to understand. Link to a full transcript of H.E. Ling Rinpoche’s talk.

There were several issues presented and discussed during the three days of meetings as well as by members of the FPMT Inc. Board. Ven. Roger Kunsang gave an introduction of the FPMT, its activities and purposes, and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy wishes for the organization. You can read Ven. Roger’s full talk.

Dale Davis gave a talk on the main areas that the FPMT Inc. Board worked on between March 2021 and March 2023. She spoke of Rinpoche’s advice to the Board and the latest updates on the Board’s work.

Board member Karuna Cayton presented the FPMT’s Protecting from Abuse policy and gave an explanation of what it is and why it is so important. He also gave a talk on the future of the FPMT organization, mentioning H.H. Dalai Lama’s precious assurance of support and advice on what leadership means.

 François Lecointre, COO of FPMT International Office and the new Center Services Director, talked about the Dharma Education Programs and there was a discussion of what programs are most popular and what programs, if any, need help in developing and promoting. Francois also spoke about FDCW and other Universal Education programs.

The group spent time looking at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that they had perceived and experienced in their years at the monasteries and centers around the world. This exercise led to spirited discussions that were both conducted in small groups and with the full group gathered together.

After three intensive days of meetings and discussions it was time for the venerable geshe-las to visit some of the very ancient and holy pilgrimage sites in and around the Kathmandu Valley and these days, too, were much appreciated and enjoyed. All those attending expressed departing with the feeling that the meeting had achieved its aims, brought them all closer together and they were very pleased that they had been part of the conference. Many expressed an increased understanding of what this unique organization, under the guidance of its holy founders, has achieved until now and the potential it contains. This is especially significant given the important role that they have in preserving and passing on our lineage. The general consensus was that such a conference was so beneficial (and enjoyable) that it should definitely be held more often.

We all look forward to reading the minutes and summaries that are being prepared and will shortly be available, and you can read the recent blog update now. 

Preparation for the CPMT Meeting

We began 2024 with the completion of the online survey, where many of you – regional and national coordinators, affiliates’ board members, center and project directors, spiritual program coordinators, registered teachers, staff, volunteers, and students and sangha – had an opportunity to share your thoughts, experiences and ideas for FPMT as we move into the future together with renewed commitment to fulfilling our gurus’ wishes, and as we plan for the upcoming CPMT meeting in 2025.. We received 196 responses from the CPMT list serve and also many from the FPMT blog users. These responses, provided a wealth of information for formulating a strategic framework based on the priorities expressed by those who participated in the survey.

The first phase of the analysis collectively highlighted a focus on education, various types of support, sustainability, and modernization to meet the evolving needs of the FPMT community and the wider world. We are now preparing to further deepen the analyses and formulate the thematic areas for the regional consultations to be held during this year. Francois has also been in touch with the national and regional coordinators to gauge suitable timing and locations for consultations with the centers, projects and services in each region and we expect to have these details available to share with you soon.

In conclusion, the Board of FPMT Inc. would like to express its best wishes to you for this new year. May it bring you every success in your practice of a good heart, much prosperity and good health! May our prayers for peace in the world and the end of suffering of all sentient beings be fulfilled.

The FPMT Inc. Board of Directors:
Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi
Ven. Pemba Sherpa
Ven. Roger Kunsang
Dale Davis
Karuna Cayton
Paula de Wijs-Koolkin

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.