by Laura Miller

How a Guru Becomes a Powerful Object of Merit

Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khadro-la, International Office, Portland, Oregon, USA, June 2012. Photo by Marc Sakamoto.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khadro-la, FPMT International Office, Portland, Oregon, USA, June 2012. Photo by Marc Sakamoto.

At the end of April, Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drolma (Khadro-la) advised FPMT centers, projects, services and students to engage in specific practices and activities “as much as possible” to support Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s health, including offering Long Life Pujas with the Five Dakinis.

At a 2006 long life puja at Chenrezig Institute, Rinpoche reiterated how a guru becomes a powerful object of merit (or as Rinpoche says, a “powerful one”):

… That means there’s no question any time that by offering to the guru then you collect more merit than having made offerings to numberless Buddha, Dharma, Sangha; numberless statues, stupas, scriptures. [It’s the same] even making offering to the “pores” of the guru. Why? Because the object is more powerful than numberless buddhas.

The power is a dependent-arising. Why the guru is more powerful, most powerful, is a dependent-arising; it’s not independent, that power’s not independent, not truly existent. The minute when you have taken a Dharma connection, even a few syllables of mantra, oral transmission or received two or three verses of teaching with the recognition that oneself is a disciple and that [person] is the guru, then the other person, due to this, becomes the most powerful one in one’s own life, [even] more than any of all those other powerful ones, starting from the parents of this life.

In addition to the long life pujas organized by FPMT centers around the world, students can support the FPMT Long Life Puja Fund which arranges long life pujas for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Rinpoche annually.

If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work. Friends of FPMT at the Basic level and higher receive the print magazine Mandala, delivered quarterly to their homes.

by Michael Jolliffe

Over $60,000 Donated by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to FPMT Puja Fund

Long life puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Losang Dragpa Centre, Malaysia, March 17, 2013. Photo by Bill Kane.

Long life puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Losang Dragpa Centre, Malaysia, March 17, 2013. Photo by Bill Kane.

In April 2013, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund offered US$65,187 to the FPMT Puja Fund, which sponsors ongoing pujas at the great monasteries in India and Nepal, with over 9,000 Sangha participating. All the pujas are dedicated for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and to the success of all FPMT centers, projects, students, benefactors and those serving the organization in any way. 

For Saka Dawa (this year, May 25), the Puja Fund offers the following:

  • Tukchuma Puja, 64 Offerings to Kalarupa, Medicine Buddha Puja at Kopan Monastery, Nepal
  • 100,000 recitations of the Praises to the 21 Taras and offerings to Sangha at Kopan Monastery and Khachoe Ghakyil Nunnery, Nepal
  • Offerings to all of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s gurus 
  • Offerings are made to all the Sangha at international Sangha communities
  • 16 Nyung Nä cycles and offering to the nuns at Potawa Nunnery, Tibet
  • Making and filling of stupas and lunch offering to participants at Chenrezig Institute, Australia
  • White wash and four giant saffron flower petals are offered to Bouddhanath and Swayambunath stupas in Nepal, as well as offering new umbrellas to the stupas’ pinnacles
  • A new set of robes of the most precious material is offered to the Buddha inside the Bodhgaya Mahabodhi temple as well as the Jowo Buddha in Lhasa’s Jokang and also gold is offered to the holy face of the Jowo Buddha

Some of the offerings to the Puja Fund were accumulated from what was offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the recent long life pujas in Singapore and Taiwan while on tour in Southeast Asia February through March. A long life puja was also offered to Rinpoche by more than 500 students in Malaysia.

You can read more about the FPMT Puja Fund online and in a recent article in Mandala April-June 2013. 

If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work. Friends of FPMT at the Basic level and higher receive the print magazine Mandala, delivered quarterly to their homes.

by Michael Jolliffe

What Will You Do on Saka Dawa, May 25?

Lama Zopa Rinpoche reading texts while on his exercise bike, US.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche reading texts while on his exercise bike in Washington State, USA.

On May 25, FPMT celebrates Saka Dawa, one of the four great holy days of the Tibetan calendar, which commemorates the Buddha’s birth, death, and parinirvana. FPMT centers, projects, services and students around the world will engage in virtuous activities – such as taking the Eight Mahayana Precepts, completing nyung näs, and performing Guru Shakyamuni Buddha puja – recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Rinpoche frequently mentions that on great holy days such as Saka Dawa, the merit generated by any wholesome activity is multiplied 100 million times.

FPMT International Office participates in the global Saka Dawa activities by honoring and supporting Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s tireless work for others through the annual Work a Day for Rinpoche campaign. Students and supporters of Rinpoche are encouraged to donate part of their salary earned on Saka Dawa (or visualize making an extensive offering) and recite the Sutra of Golden Light for Rinpoche’s health and long life.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche making offerings to a street person in Hong Kong, 2010.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche making offerings to a person in the streets of Hong Kong, 2010.

“When you’re with Rinpoche, the word ‘work’ takes on a whole new meaning,” shares Work a Day for Rinpoche coordinator Justin Jenkins. “I once saw Rinpoche teach for 14 hours straight and immediately after travel to the mountains to do hours of prayers by a lake. I’m happy to coordinate Work a Day for Rinpoche, which is part of my own way of working for Rinpoche and celebrating Saka Dawa.”

Funds from the Work a Day for Rinpoche campaign go to FPMT International Office, which works to support Rinpoche’s vast vision. Your offering benefits the creation of education programs and practice materials; aids all of FPMT’s charitable projects; supports Dharma centers, projects and services; sustains the vast resources on the FPMT website; and more.

by Michael Jolliffe

Longku Center Offers Special Practices for Lama Zopa Rinpoche

FPMT News Around the World

Pots filled with soil and worms were circumambulated around a table of holy objects at Longku Center, Bern, Switzerland, April 2013. Photo courtesy of Longku Center.

Pots filled with soil and worms were circumambulated around a table of holy objects at Longku Center, Bern, Switzerland, 2013. Photo courtesy of Longku Center.

On April 30 and May 1, Longku Center in Bern, Switzerland, performed some of the special practices recommended by Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drolma (Khadro-la) and other high lamas to support Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s health and long life. The center arranged the practices in accordance with FPMT CEO Ven. Roger’s April 24 request.

Spiritual program coordinator Regula Burri shared that students at the center “liberated 350 worms, recited the Golden Light Sutra nine times and recited the prayer of the Twenty-One Taras 108 times.”

For the animal liberation, students filled up pots with soil to make a comfy home for hundreds of worms. In the center’s gompa, trays were circumambulated around a table heaped with holy objects, mantras and texts collected by center members while students did practices for the worms.

Students and supporters of Rinpoche are encouraged to complete as many of the recommended practices as possible and report at the end of each month what has been done to director of Center Services Claire Isitt at International Office. These combined efforts will be offered to Rinpoche directly.

If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work. Friends of FPMT at the Basic level and higher receive the print magazine Mandala, delivered quarterly to their homes.

by Laura Miller

His Holiness the Sakya Trizin Visits FPMT International Office and Maitripa College

FPMT News Around the World

His Holiness the Sakya Trizin, head of the Sakya lineage, visited FPMT International Office and Maitripa College on Sunday, May 12. His Holiness toured International Office, blessing holy objects, including a Red Tara statue in the office reception area. His Holiness was offered a body, speech, mind mandala by FPMT and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s greetings were conveyed. 

His Holiness the Sakya Trizin then went to Maitripa College where he offered a teaching on “Parting from the Four Attachments,” four lines spoken by Manjushri to the Sakya patriarch Sachen Kunga Nyingpo. Maitripa College president Yangsi Rinpoche offered a body, speech, mind mandala to His Holiness as well. His Holiness taught to a full house. Even after three days of teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, audience members were enthusiastic and most grateful for the visit by His Holiness the Sakya Trizin.

Video of Red Tara blessing by His Holiness the Sakya Trizin

Maitripa College is affiliated with FPMT. Sunday’s events followed Maitripa College’s His Holiness the Dalai Lama Environmental Summit. You can find all the news and coverage of the Environmental Summit online. Visit His Holiness’ website for news on all of His Holiness’ events and travels. Mandala also offers coverage of the events of the summit on our blog, on Twitter and in the next print issue.  

If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work. Friends of FPMT at the Basic level and higher receive the print magazine Mandala, delivered quarterly to their homes.

 

 

by Laura Miller

10,000 Khatas for His Holiness the Dalai Lama

His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke for a third day in Portland, Oregon, as part of Maitripa College’s Environmental Summit. During the Saturday morning panel discussion, His Holiness shared the stage with Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, scientists and environmental activist David Suzuki, and Andrea Durbin of the Oregon Environmental Council. During the afternoon, His Holiness spoke on compassion. He closed his talk saying, “Warmheartedness is the key to a happy life.”

The event with His Holiness concluded with the 10,000 audience members offering khatas to His Holiness. Then His Holiness commented on the significance of the offering scarves and praised Maitripa College President Yangsi Rinpoche, who was responsible for inviting His Holiness to Portland and hosting the summit.

VIDEO OF KHATA OFFERING

Maitripa College is affiliated with FPMT. Saturday’s events follow His Holiness’ visit to Maitripa College and FPMT International Office on Friday. On Sunday, May 12, Maitripa College has organized a Green Action Day at Portland’s Pioneer Square, featuring national environmental leaders, local bands and a Tibetan prayer flag hanging ceremony.

You can find all the news and coverage of the Environmental Summit online. Visit His Holiness’ website for news on all of His Holiness’ events and travels. Mandala will continue to cover the events of the summit on our blog, Twitter and in the next issue of Mandala.  

If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work. Friends of FPMT at the Basic level and higher receive the print magazine Mandala, delivered quarterly to their homes.

by Laura Miller

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Visits FPMT International Office

His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited FPMT International Office on Friday, May 10, prior to speaking at Maitripa College’s graduation ceremony. During the visit to International Office, His Holiness had a tour of the offices and was offered a body, speech, mind mandala by Tenzin Osel Hita. Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who was unable to be in Portland, sent His Holiness a letter and a video offering. 

Video of offering

International Office shares a building with Maitripa College in Portland, Oregon. His Holiness is in Portland for three days as part of Maitripa College’s His Holiness the Dalai Lama Environmental Summit. 

You can find all the news and coverage of the 3-day event online, including links to live webcasts. Visit His Holiness’ website for news on all of His Holiness’ events and travels.

Mandala will continue to cover the events of the summit on our blog, Twitter and in the next issue of Mandala.  

If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work. Friends of FPMT at the Basic level and higher receive the print magazine Mandala, delivered quarterly to their homes.

by Laura Miller

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Promotes Religious Harmony

HHDL Chiles Center Univ of Portland Portland May 9 2013

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, University of Portland, May 9, 2013

His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke to a sold-out crowd at the University of Portland on the first of his 3-day visit to the state of Oregon on the U.S. West Coast. As part of Maitripa College’s His Holiness the Dalai Lama Environmental Summit, His Holiness took part in a morning interfaith panel discussion on Thursday, May 9, about the environment. In the afternoon, His Holiness spoke on the importance of having a healthy mind as both a way of having a healthier body and also a way of creating a healthy environment.

Maitripa College is the first Buddhist college in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and is affiliated with FPMT. At the end of the day, Maitripa president Yangsi Rinpoche thanked His Holiness for returning for his second visit to Portland, Oregon, and requested His Holiness have a long life.

His Holiness visits Maitripa College and FPMT International Office on Friday, May 10, as the Environmental Summit continues. His Holiness takes part in Maitripa’s graduation program “Life after Life.” 

The Oregonian had extensive coverage of Maitripa College prior to the event. You can find all the news and coverage of the 3-day event online, including links to live webcasts. Visit His Holiness’ website for news on all of His Holiness’ events and travels.

Mandala will continue to cover the events of the summit on our blog, Twitter and in the next issue of Mandala.  

If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work. Friends of FPMT at the Basic level and higher receive the print magazine Mandala, delivered quarterly to their homes.

by Michael Jolliffe

Ven. Freeman Trebilcock on Harmony in Diversity

FPMT News Around the World

Ven. Freeman Trebilcock on “Harmony in Diversity,” December 2012

Ven. Freeman Trebilcock on “Harmony in Diversity,” December 2012

In early December 2012, Ven. Freeman Trebilcock, a 25-year-old Australian FPMT monk and director of Loving Kindness Peaceful Youth, was interviewed on “Harmony in Diversity,” a community television program focused on the issues and activities of Melbourne’s faith communities.

In this two-part interview, Ven. Freeman speaks candidly on being young and Buddhist in Australia:

It can be quite challenging in our society to be someone from a faith such as Buddhism. I think Buddhism has a pretty good brand, generally speaking. I didn’t cop a lot of flak directly for being a Buddhist. I think for most people my age, faith doesn’t really play a big part of their life. To have someone who’s really trying to embody their spirituality as the central focus of their life is quite strange for a lot of people of my generation. For a lot of my friends, I guess I was a bit different than others.

For me, my Buddhist practice and understanding was kind of like a grounding; it really kept me on track. I think, more than anything else, I leaned on my Buddhist-ness in times of crisis, when I was struggling. All teenagers go through a lot of difficulties; it’s just a part of growing up. At those times, I was really, really glad to have this frame of reference, this amazing storehouse of Buddhist wisdom to go to, to find some useful tools to deal with things.

Holy SwitchVen. Freeman also spoke about Buddhist ideas on vegetarianism; the practices and texts with which he engages; Loving Kindness Peaceful Youth, the FPMT international peace organization for young people; Buddhism’s compatibility with secular society; and monasticism, among other topics.

As part of his interfaith work, Ven. Freeman participated in ABC1’s Holy Switch, a three-part television series in which six young people take up the challenge to swap religions and “live a totally different life for two weeks and in the process discover who [they] are.” The series premiers May 12.

If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work. Friends of FPMT at the Basic level and higher receive the print magazine Mandala, delivered quarterly to their homes.

by Laura Miller

Kalachakra Initiation, Bodhgaya 1974

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Bodhgaya, 1974. Image courtesy of Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.

“In January 1974 His Holiness the Dalai Lama bestowed the Kalachakra (Wheel of Time) initiation for the fifth time in his life, and the third since leaving Tibet,” writes Adele Hulse, author of Big Love, the forthcoming biography of FPMT founder Lama Thubten Yeshe. Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive will publish Big Love later this year and has been sharing excerpts from the book on their Big Love blog. The following is from a recent post:

The profound Kalachakra Tantra, a pathway to full enlightenment, contains elements of astrology, medicine, and mathematics. Over 100,000 Tibetans descended on Bodhgaya. They came by train, bus, rickshaw, and on foot from many places inside and outside India: Dharamsala, Darjeeling, Dalhousie, Mysore, and Bangalore; from Ladakh, Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal, and Tibet, many of them wearing local costumes and jewelry. Tent cities sprang up with bustling restaurants serving all types of Tibetan and Indian food — momos (Tibetan meat dumplings), thukpa (Tibetan meat stew), samosas, chai, and the like — alongside market stalls selling clothes, religious objects, and antiques. It was a scene out of National Geographic magazine.

Several hundred Westerners also poured into Bodhgaya for the initiation. Many of them stayed in the Tibetan tent-restaurants, which allowed people to sleep on the wide benches at night. The hippies in their motley garb mixed easily with the wild folk from the mountains, the men in sheepskin trousers, their long plaits woven with red ribbon. For many Tibetans it was their first sight of the Dalai Lama. They prostrated and cried loudly. All day and all night pilgrims circumambulated the Mahabodhi stupa on its three different walkways, many prostrating all the way around.

Everybody at Kopan who could get to Bodhgaya went there. When asked to explain the Kalachakra initiation, Lama Yeshe became very serious, telling the students this was not something they should take lightly. …

Read the entire post by Adele Hulse — which includes Lama Yeshe’s teaching to Westerners in preparation for the initiation — on the Big Love blog.