An update from the FPMT Inc. Board of Directors:

Thank you to those who responded to our previous update. It’s always helpful for us to receive feedback from you – positive or negative. It’s our aim to be more transparent with Board activities and thinking and we hope we’re on the right track. We express our sincere thanks for keeping us connected to you and your thoughts and feelings during this transition period.

We are very pleased with the dialogues that we recently engaged in with the North American and Latin American Regions. The meeting was held at Land of Medicine Buddha in the redwoods of Soquel, California and was organized by the new North American Regional Coordinator, Melissa Kaye. Almost all North American and Latin American centers, projects, services and study groups participated, most in person, with approximately 33 in-person attendees and 25 more participants attending at least some sessions online, including 4 staff members of the International Office. At the meeting, International Office’s Center and Teacher Services Director, François Lecointre, and three Board members – Karuna Cayton, Dale Davis and Paula de Wys – facilitated the four groups. The outcomes were consistently encouraging and informative.

As in the first two regional consultations, Asia and Europe, the first evening and the next day were devoted to working on the following topics:

• Enhancing education and practice and fostering Universal Education 
• Community Services, Social Engagement and Interfaith Dialogue 
• Support for Individuals and Centers Embracing Modern Approaches, Technologies and Communications 
• Building leadership throughout the organization.

 These four topics were distilled from responses to the online survey that was sent out last year to prepare for the CPMT meeting in April 2025. Now that they have been worked on with the Asian, European and American regions, next month the final consultation with New Zealand and Australia will be held in Melbourne. The learning from these meetings will inform the agenda of the CPMT next year and will form the basis of FPMT’s strategic plan to be formed after the CPMT. 

All the discussions at the gathering at LMB were lively and engaged and, once again, it was amazing to see and hear how much experience and wisdom are present in our organization.

Immediately following the meeting, the Board began its first face-to-face meeting of the year.  Although we meet quite frequently via Zoom, being together over several days gave us time to discuss matters more thoroughly. Because Board members are located all over the globe, for one person a Zoom meeting can be at 7:00 a.m. which could be 10:00 p.m. for another, with everyone else at different times in between.  So, we had been looking forward to using the week to work on several issues such as Board and Office roles, responsibilities, and communication with the organization. Additionally, we were very grateful for the participation and assistance of our advisor to the board Robyn Brentano. The Executive Committee of the International Office – Directors of Center and Teacher Services, Education Services, Charitable Projects and Finances – all gave excellent and detailed reports on their progress and plans. So, it was a very busy and productive week. And of course, we’ll keep you up to date on important decisions and developments as they unfold in the coming months. 

As we have said before, these first years after the passing of our Spiritual Director Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche are a time of transition for us all.  We are already seeing how thinking and sharing together toward realizing the vision of our Lamas is making a difference. This is clear not just in the Board or the International Office, but throughout the organization. The Regional Meetings already held in various places are showing that this is not just possible – it is happening!

It is as Lama Zopa Rinpoche said: “The most important thing for success is devotion and compassion – this is the cause for harmony. That’s the best puja. Compassion for others cuts down on problems and people will help you”.

With prayers for the health and long lives of our teachers and the fulfillment of their virtuous wishes, as well as yours.

Sincerely yours,

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.