FPMT News Around the World

An image of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on a bus advertisement in Taiwan, May 2012

The smiling face of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is traveling around Taiwan on the sides of 30 buses. Seeking to raise the profile of Tibetan Buddhism and His Holiness in Taiwan, advertisements have been placed on buses wishing His Holiness a happy 77th birthday and requesting he remain in the world. The bus ads also invite people to a series of events celebrating His Holiness’ birthday throughout the country. 

The ads and events are being organized by an association of Tibetan Buddhist groups in Taiwan. FPMT Taiwan is part of this group and sponsored five of the buses and will have volunteers at the birthday events. 

The face of His Holiness the Dalia Lama on a bus in Taiwan, May 2012

Ven. Thubten Osel, director of Jinsiu Farlin, writes, “I think this is such a good idea to have His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s photos going around the entire country and letting whoever lays eyes on the buses plant some good imprints for their future lives.”

There are three FPMT centers in Taiwan, a country of 23 million people. The centers have active and well attended programs, each led by their own resident teacher. Jinsiu Farlin is located in Taipei on the north end of the island. Shakyanuni Center is in Taichung City, in central Taiwan. Heruka Center is in Kaoshiung in southern Taiwan. 

His Holiness’ birthday is celebrated on July 6.The advertisements are running from May 10-July 10.

With 159 centers, projects and services around the globe, there is always news on FPMT activities, teachers and events. Mandala hopes to share as many of these timely stories as possible. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.