An update from the FPMT Inc. Board of Directors:

Months have gone by since the last update from the Board, but we have not been sitting still, we can assure you!  There are the rather day-to-day responsibilities such as approving minutes of meetings and reviewing the financial situation of the organization. Then there are the more specific things that now fall under our responsibility since the passing of Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche and transitioning into the leadership role that he assigned to this Board. 

For instance, we are examining our structure and functioning in this new situation and feel that we are developing in a positive way—slowly but surely. Our board members have a variety of backgrounds and experience as do our advisors. So, frequently we have quite robust discussions. While this may not be the fastest process, it does give everyone an opportunity to consider different aspects of a situation so that when a decision is made it is with a full consensus of all members of the board. All points of views and reasonings lead to the board’s decisions. 

One important aspect of our work since the passing of Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche is looking at and commenting on affiliate board’s decisions on appointing new directors. Without Rinpoche’s special methods for checking the karma for new directors, we have to rely on our conventional wisdom and experience to give our feedback to the local board on their proposed candidate before they take their final decision on the appointment.

Also, in the past few months, Board members have participated in Regional Meetings in Asia and the European Region, together with François Lecointre, Center Services Director, and COO of FPMT International Office. 

During the Asian Regional meeting, thirty onsite and a dozen online participants joined, representing almost all the centers, projects, and services from two FPMT regions, South-Asia (India and Nepal) and East and South-East Asia (other Asian countries), and including eight monks and nuns from Kopan. 

The European Regional meeting took place at Jamyang Buddhist Centre in London and forty onsite participants joined, representing centers, projects, and services from a dozen European countries. It was an excellent weekend on many levels – meeting old friends again and making new ones, experiencing the hospitality and vibrancy of Jamyang London, and feeling again how each center is different but still very much part of the same family. As board members we were especially happy to see how our idea of coming together to listen to people’s views and suggestions resonated with the participants, bringing forth an amazing amount of (practical) ideas for how we can work together in better ways. 

As many will know, at the end of 2023, a survey was sent out to hundreds of people with many questions to gather information on what people who work in the centers and projects and those closely involved in them, feel needs to be preserved or improved. Almost 200 people replied, and their answers were analyzed to extract the most pressing questions and needs and which aspects of our work need to be kept intact and cherished. There were four areas under discussion: 

1) enhancing education and practice and fostering Universal Education, 

2) community services / social engagement / interfaith dialogue, 

3) support for individual and centers and embracing modern approaches, technologies and communications 

4) enhancing leadership throughout FPMT. 

Great discussions and ideas emerged from these consultations, and we look forward to the next Regional Consultations in Australia and the US, both coming up in a few months. The Spanish National Meeting at the end of June also promises to be stimulating, with representatives of the many and varied Spanish centers participating. We are so fortunate to be able to tap into the rich experience and talent that is present in our centers worldwide!

One change that has taken place in the last few weeks is that Paula de Wys, who has been Chairperson of the FPMT Inc. Board for the last three years, has stepped down as Chair. The reason for this is purely personal due to health issues in the family, and she remains an active member of the Board.  With the unanimous approval of the rest of the Board, Karuna Cayton has accepted to take over the position of Chairperson. We are fortunate to have a capable and experienced replacement in Karuna—here are a few words from him: 

The passing away of our beloved Guru over one year ago is still an event we are all coming to terms with. Rinpoche made it clear that having no successor meant that the Board should step into a leadership role. We were extremely fortunate, beyond words, to have an enlightened being as our leader. I must admit, from my side Rinpoche’s leadership and presence was so pervasive it imbued every aspect of my life as well as the FPMT and its centers projects and students. How can anyone ‘take’ Rinpoche’s place?

 Recently, His Eminence Ling Rinpoche expressed how he was sad and numb for 3 or 4 days after Rinpoche passed away.  He just could not understand why he left early. Then, Ling Rinpoche related, he appreciated that Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche realized that his students had matured enough to be able to handle the organization, their centers and the projects (it was unclear if Ling Rinpoche also meant students’ practice, but this is a more personal question). HE Ling Rinpoche then commented that he could see that, as such an enlightened being who is only pervaded with bodhicitta, that Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche passed away at exactly the right time.

 The challenge for all of us is that now the paradigm has shifted or is shifting. And this is the big challenge for the Board. Under Lama Zopa Rinpoche we were more of a hierarchal organization with an enlightened leader at the top guiding us, to one where we will need to be more democratic and inclusive.  We all together have to now create the model for the organization that can evolve naturally, peacefully, harmoniously from the past to present to the future.  When the Board met with His Holiness shortly after Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche’s passing he looked at us board members and then drew a circle in the air around us and said, “‘I’m fond of democracy.”

 We need your help. We all need to do this together. Then I’m sure we will create the right conditions for Rinpoche’s incarnation to appear unmistaken. As H.E. Ling Rinpoche said, “We need not only the unmistaken incarnation, but he needs to be sharp as well. There are no guarantees.” If there is one thing I have learned in my decades of service to the FPMT it is that harmony creates the perfect Guru.

 As your new Board Chair I am looking forward to helping guide the organization to the best of my ability, along with my other very capable and kind-hearted Board members.

The FPMT Inc. Board of Directors:

Khenrinpoche Geshe Chonyi
Ven. Thubten Pemba Sherpa
Ven. Roger Kunsang
Dale Davis
Karuna Cayton
Paula de Wys

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.