As we were finalizing this update, we heard the heartbreaking news that Nepal and Tibet are facing a disaster after an earthquake near the Tibet border triggered a landslide that dammed a river, sending a massive flash flood down the Bhote Koshi River, destroying villages, roads, and hydropower infrastructure in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, with warnings issued for other communities. We are in touch with Kopan, which is currently safe, and will share information on the situation via our various channels as details become clear.

Dear Friends,

In recent months, all FPMT Inc. Board members were in the Northern Hemisphere, which means that we were enjoying, or suffering through, the extraordinary results of the climate change our planet is undergoing at this time.

Our board meetings are usually held every two weeks on Zoom, and people sign in from all parts of the globe. Those on the West Coast of the US do so at 10 p.m., which is 7 a.m. the next morning for Amsterdam, and those in Kathmandu, Singapore, and Hong Kong sign in around lunchtime. Always a puzzle, but we make it work.

Here are some of the matters we spoke about recently:

The Global Mani Retreat: We rejoice in the huge numbers of OM MANI PADME HUMs being recited for the long and healthy life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by those taking part in the FPMT Global Mani Retreat, which finishes on November 1. The goal was to present His Holiness with 100 million mantras, but it looks as if we could possibly double that amount!

Board member Dale Davis, Retreat Coordinator Selina Foong, and others from the Global Mani Retreat Team will be granted an audience with His Holiness later in the year, to offer 100 Buddha statues for His Holiness’ long life. Everyone still has the opportunity to participate in the Global MANI Retreat and to accumulate as many mantras as possible, which we will offer to His Holiness at the conclusion of the retreat.

We are very grateful to the many important teachers and lineage holders who have participated and led sessions, many of which were accessible online to students everywhere. This has been our first project to bring students from all over the world together to work jointly toward such a virtuous goal, and the results have been incredible!  A special thank you goes to Retreat Coordinator Selina Foong and her team, who are helping to accomplish all this, as it was one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the FPMT organization.

FPMT Inc. Board recruitment:  We are still accepting nominations for new Board members. Since we would like to take on two or three new members this year or soon after, we would like a strong pool of candidates so your suggestions can still be considered. For information or correspondence, please write to us at fpmtboard@fpmt.org.

Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche’s Yangsi: At the beginning of next year, we plan to check with His Holiness about when to begin the search for the reincarnation (Tibetan: yangsi) of our holy guru, Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche. In keeping with His Holiness’ instructions, we are waiting for his guidance on when and where to begin the search. As always, His guidance will lead our actions.

Legal and safeguarding situations:

• As to the legal case in North Carolina that we mentioned in our last Update in June, the matter has been resolved. Please understand that we are not permitted to discuss it further.
• There has been a delay in receiving the draft report from the independent organization that has been commissioned regarding allegations concerning Yangsi Rinpoche. We now expect to receive it within the next few weeks and will provide a further update once the Board has received and considered the report.

New Safeguarding Program builds on Protecting from Abuse Policy: At last year’s CPMT meeting, Peter Stickels, Regional Coordinator for Australia and New Zealand, presented a comprehensive review of the “Protecting from Abuse” (PfA) policy, which has been in operation since 2021. Following this review and consultations with FPMT staff, Peter drafted a new Safeguarding policy, expected to be finalized by the end of 2026.

Building on the policy review, Peter and Stephanie Brennan proposed an ambitious two-year Safeguarding Project designed to strengthen FPMT’s approach through policy updates, detailed process guidelines and a comprehensive suite of resources for training, communication and implementation. This initiative received unanimous approval from the FPMT Board. The project aims to support developing a more extensive approach to safeguarding by developing policy updates, detailed process guidelines and a comprehensive suite of resources for training, communication, and implementation.

The organization has appointed Stephanie Brenan to lead the Project. Her background in safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, mental health, training and organizational change makes her well-suited to lead this work. Peter Stickels will serve as Project Manager, leveraging his extensive experience in complaint handling and strategic planning.

We will keep you updated as the project progresses. Our aim is to ensure that safety, respect and compassion are reflected not only in policy, but in the everyday experience of people across our centers, projects and services.

If you have any questions or comments concerning the above, or the work of the FPMT Inc. Board in general, please feel free to contact us at fpmtboard@fpmt.org.

In closing, we offer our heartfelt prayers to all who are affected by this latest environmental devastation in Nepal. Please read the collected advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche on practices we can do right now for natural disasters. 

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

Rinpoche in Pokhara, Nepal, 2021.

“My dear loving compassionate readers,

You may wonder what to do, what prayers to make, when there are disasters such as tornados, hurricanes, heavy rain, storms, floods, earthquakes, or fires, as well as disasters that destroy crops; disasters that destroy entire towns and cities within one hour; disasters that cause so many billions of dollars of damage, and so much money is spent to rebuild the towns; disasters where so many hundreds and thousands of people die or become homeless, have no homes, no food or clean water, and so forth.

So here I am offering some suggestions on what to do so that you can help the country and save so many peoples lives; some suggestions to prevent the destruction of houses, villages, and cities that are caused by the elements (fire, water, wind, and earth).

Even though these kinds of problems are so big, even though there are numberless buddhas, yet if someone with a very sincere heart takes refuge one-pointedly, without doubt, in even one buddha such as Chenrezig (Compassionate Eye Looking One), Padmasambhava, or Medicine Buddha, if someone takes strong refuge and prays to even just one buddha and recites the mantras (such as the name mantra), by doing this it can change the situation completely, it can change natural disasters and prevent war. Whatever problems there are can be loosened and even completely stopped.

The weather can change in that very hour or in the next hour by the power of one person making prayers.”  

Read the full version of Letter From Lama Zopa Rinpoche Regarding the Disasters of the Elements 

What you can do right now:

• Medicine Buddha Practices
  • A Brief Meditation-Recitation on Guru Medicine Buddha | PDF | Spanish | Audio
  • A Very Short Medicine Buddha Practice | PDF
  • Medicine Buddha Sadhana | English | Spanish
  • Medicine Buddha Mantras | PDF | Audio
• King of Prayers
• Kshitigarbha Practice to Pacify Earthquakes
• The Practice of Ksitigarbha to Avert Danger and Purify Obstacles

To follow the complete list of prayers and practices suggested by Lama Zopa Rinpoche over the years:

• • Advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche: Practices for Earthquakes and Natural Disasters
  • Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Advice for Severe Weather Conditions
  • Advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche: Earthquakes 
  • Lama Zopa Rinpoche Advises Urgent Practices for Pacifying an Earthquake in California 
  • Tsunami and Earthquakes 
  • Mitigating Severe Conditions of the Elements
  • Preventing Earthquakes
  • Natural Disasters
  • Sutra Golden Light for earthquakes, natural disaster and wars

More advice from Rinpoche on this topic is also available on the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive:
https://lamayeshe.com/advice/natural-disasters

Foundation for the Preservation of the 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.

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Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching at the 100 Million Mani retreat, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, August 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

It is also good to ask yourself, “Why do I have to do this?”

There are two reasons. 

One very important reason is that sentient beings do not want suffering and want happiness. The other reason is that this is the purpose of your life.

It is for this purpose that you put so much effort into surviving in every hour, every minute, of your life. 

The conclusion is that there are two reasons: this is what sentient beings need, so you should help them; and this is the meaning of your life.

Excerpt from Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s book Teachings from the Mani Retreat bestowed at Chenrezig Institute, on December 2000. Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive Publications. You can also read this book online, or listen to an audio recording from the retreat.

Upcoming Major Teaching

Please join us for a teaching by His Eminence Jhado Rinpoche on Monday, September 7.

Foundation for the Preservation of the 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.

Stupa of Complete Victory at Kopan Monastery, May 2026. Photo by Tenzin Tsultrim.

Holy objects have always been at the heart of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vast vision for benefiting sentient beings. Again and again, Rinpoche taught that holy objects are among the most powerful methods for bringing peace, wisdom, compassion, and liberation into the world. Whether people engage with them intentionally or simply see them in passing, holy objects leave positive imprints on the mindstream, creating causes for happiness and enlightenment that can endure for lifetimes.

For this reason, Rinpoche dedicated immense energy throughout his life to establishing holy objects around the world. From statues and stupas to prayer wheels and sacred scriptures, these projects were never seen as mere monuments or works of art. Rather, they are living expressions of compassion and skillful means to guide beings toward awakening and supports for the flourishing of the Dharma for generations to come.

In 2026, the Holy Objects Fund and other FPMT funds dedicated to creating holy objects granted US$312,594 toward the creation and restoration of holy objects. Please continue reading to learn how these grants have been utilized. 

Stupa at Kopan Monastery | Zangdog Palri at Lawudo | Prayer Wheels at Centro Nagarjuna Valencia | Stupa at Monastère Dorjé Pamo | Stupa at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa | Stupa at Kopan Nunnery | Buddha Statues for His Holiness  | Offerings to Stupas in Nepal | Thank you! 

Through the kindness of benefactors, US$121,894 was recently offered toward the completion of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Stupa of Complete Victory at Kopan Monastery in Nepal. This extraordinary stupa is being built for the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the fulfillment of all his vast wishes for sentient beings. We are especially pleased that, due to the generosity of our kind donors, additional funds have also been secured to support the creation and offering of statues that will be placed within the Mahabodhi Memorial Stupa being built at Kopan Nunnery for Khensur Lama Lhundrup and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. 

We are delighted to announce the upcoming inauguration ceremonies for these remarkable memorial holy objects. Please save these dates and reserve time in your calendar – we would be overjoyed to celebrate these auspicious occasions with you:

• December 11, 2026: The Stupa of Complete Victory at Kopan Monastery, enshrining the sacred relics of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, will be consecrated.
• December 14, 2026: The Mahabodhi Memorial Stupa at Kopan Nunnery will be consecrated in honor of both Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khensur Lama Lhundrup Rigsel.

Stupa of Complete Victory at Kopan Monastery, August 2026.

We rejoice deeply in the creation of these extraordinary memorial stupas and in the kindness of all those helping bring them to completion. May these holy objects become inexhaustible sources of peace, inspiration, and spiritual awakening for countless beings, and may they contribute to the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the fulfillment of all his vast and compassionate wishes. 

Another project deeply connected to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vision has reached a truly historic milestone. Through the generosity of benefactors, US$150,000 was offered toward the creation of the Zangdog Palri at Lawudo Retreat Centre in Nepal, and after many years of planning and preparation, construction has finally begun. The project commenced on April 13, 2026, the third anniversary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s passing. 

For those familiar with Rinpoche’s life story, Lawudo is a very special place. Nestled high in the Himalayas in the Solo Khumbu region of Nepal, at an altitude of approximately 14,000 feet (4,300 meters), the retreat center surrounds the meditation cave of Rinpoche’s previous incarnation, the first Lawudo Lama, Kunsang Yeshe. 

Among all the projects Rinpoche envisioned for Lawudo, the creation of a Zangdog Palri, or Glorious Copper-Colored Mountain, held particular significance. Zangdog Palri is the pure land of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), the great tantric master whose enlightened activity established Buddhism in Tibet and laid the foundation for a lineage that continues to benefit countless beings to this day. 

The beginning of the building of the Zangdog Palri in Lawudo, August 2026.

As Lama Zopa Rinpoche explained:

“Due to Guru Rinpoche’s great compassion, Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism flourished in Tibet and now has spread throughout the entire world. Because of that, so many people have experienced the path to enlightenment and achieved enlightenment. Due to his great compassion, the lives of an infinite number of sentient beings have become meaningful.”

The project itself has evolved over time, and the location has now been adjusted so that the structure will be built adjacent to the Lawudo library, creating a more suitable and sustainable site for this significant sacred structure. While current photographs show the early stages of construction rather than the magnificent Guru Rinpoche’s mandala that will eventually emerge, the beginning itself is cause for great rejoicing. After years of aspiration and preparation, the vision is now taking physical form.

The project is being managed by Frances Howland, working closely with Ven.Nima Tashi, who oversees construction on the ground at Lawudo. A team of artists, carpenters, builders, and support staff are bringing the project to life, including master artist Gen Ngawang Thokme of Thubten Choeling Monastery, who established the measurements and artistic designs and continues to guide the work. 

Constructing such a holy object in this remote Himalayan location requires extraordinary dedication. Hundreds of tons of materials have already been transported to the site, much of it by donkey and human effort along mountain trails. Construction is progressing according to strict engineering standards, including earthquake-resistant requirements established by local authorities. Materials acquired to date are sufficient to complete approximately 60 percent of the project.

A special three-day puja was held before starting construction of Zangdog Palri.

As foundations are laid and walls begin to rise, we rejoice not only in a construction project underway, but in the manifestation of another aspect of Rinpoche’s compassionate vision. May the Zangdog Palri quickly and successfully come to completion, and may it become an enduring source of benefit for all who encounter it.

Not all holy objects are monumental structures rising above mountain ridges or overlooking monastery courtyards. Some are much smaller in scale, yet equally vast in their purpose and benefit. This year, US$3,000 was offered to support an inspiring initiative led by Centro Nagarjuna Valencia in Spain: the creation and offering of prayer wheels to FPMT centers throughout the country.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche had a special affection for prayer wheels, often describing them as an extraordinarily powerful method for benefiting sentient beings. As Rinpoche famously said, “Prayer wheels are my hobby!”

Prayer wheels at Centro Nagarjuna in Valencia, Spain that contain 1.5 billion Om Mani Padme Hum mantras, along with the Four Dharmakaya Relic Mantras and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy name mantra.

Rinpoche also taught that “A prayer wheel makes the place very holy and precious, like a pure land.”

Inspired by this, Centro Nagarjuna Valencia has been creating prayer wheels according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s detailed instructions and offering them as gifts to other FPMT centers throughout Spain. With a total of twelve centers, including a nunnery and an elderly care home, the aspiration is that every FPMT center in Spain will eventually receive one of these precious holy objects.

The prayer wheels are crafted with great care and attention to tradition. Copper panels embossed with the compassion mantra are produced by skilled artisans in Nepal, while the wheels themselves are assembled in Spain. Hidden within each wheel are more than 1.5 billion Om Mani Padme Hum mantras, along with the Four Dharmakaya Relic Mantras and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s holy name mantra.

What makes this project especially joyful is its spirit of offering. Each prayer wheel is created not for one center alone, but to be shared. As Steve Milton, director of Centro Nagarjuna Valencia, beautifully expressed, continuing to make and offer prayer wheels is a way of continuing both the hobby and the vision of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

In support of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s aspiration to fill the world with holy objects and as a tribute to our precious teacher, Monastère Dorjé Pamo in southern France has begun construction of a magnificent Enlightenment Stupa dedicated to Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Supported by an offering of US$7,500, this stupa is being built for Rinpoche’s swift return, the fulfilment of his vast wishes, and the benefit of all sentient beings.

A drawing of the future Enlightenment Stupa at Dorjé Pamo Monastery.

The Enlightenment Stupa commemorates the moment Buddha Shakyamuni attained complete awakening beneath the bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, India. As a representation of the Buddha’s enlightened mind, it serves as a powerful source of blessing, merit, and inspiration for all who encounter it. According to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, holy objects make it easy for beings to purify negative karma, accumulate merit, and create the causes for enlightenment.

Standing more than four meters high and built according to traditional specifications, the stupa will contain sacred texts, mantras, tsa-tsas, incense, and other holy materials prepared according to authentic Buddhist traditions. Situated on the grounds of Dorjé Pamo Monastery it will offer practitioners, visitors, and local residents a precious opportunity to circumambulate, make prayers, accumulate virtue, and connect with the path to awakening. We rejoice in the creation of this beautiful Enlightenment Stupa at Dorjé Pamo Monastery, dedicated to Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s swift return and the fulfilment of his vast wishes.

Work in progress on the Stupa of Enlightenment at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, under the supervision of Geshe Tenzin Thenpel. July 2026. Photo by Stupa Onlus.

At the same time, we rejoice in the many other stupas now taking shape as manifestations of Rinpoche’s vision, including the Stupa of Enlightenment at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa in Italy, being built in honor of Rinpoche and blessed with relics offered by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, being built in honor of Rinpoche and blessed with relics offered by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the magnificent Mahabodhi Memorial Stupa at Kopan Nunnery, which will honor both Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khensur Lama Lhundrup and serve as an object of devotion for generations to come. Together, these sacred projects reflect Rinpoche’s heartfelt wish to fill the world with holy objects, making it ever easier for beings to purify obscurations, accumulate merit, encounter the Dharma, and create the causes for enlightenment. 

Mahabodhi Memorial Stupa at Kopan Nunnery, 2026.

Among the many holy object projects inspired by Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vision, one particularly meaningful project is the ongoing offering of Shakyamuni Buddha statues to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Statues of Shakyamuni Buddha to be offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Since 2019, Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s wish has been to offer statues of Shakyamuni Buddha to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on behalf of the entire FPMT organization. A total of 2,100 statues have already been offered, and FPMT remains committed to offering 100 statues annually to His Holiness. Each offering is made with prayers for His Holiness’s long life and the continued flourishing of his enlightened activities for the benefit of all sentient beings. 

As Lama Zopa Rinpoche explained:

“It is so important to have His Holiness in this world today. No president or leader of a country, or Buddhist leader, in the world today can compare with His Holiness’s incomparable wisdom, compassion, and special effect on the world.”

Supporting the long life and activities of His Holiness is one of FPMT’s highest priorities. His compassion, wisdom, and leadership have a profound benefit for people around the world, reaching far beyond any one Buddhist tradition, country, or generation.

We are delighted to share that the next set of 100 Shakyamuni Buddha statues has now been completed. The statues have been carefully produced, their faces painted, gold gilded, filled with sacred contents, and consecrated. They are already at Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala awaiting their formal offering. 

FPMT Global Mani Retreat 2026. Please join the Global MANI Retreat Facebook group for all the latest and timely information about this retreat and upcoming opportunities.

There is currently a plan for these 100 statues to be offered in conjunction with the completion of the FPMT Global Mani Retreat on November 1, 2026. At the conclusion of the retreat, practitioners around the world will offer the total number of Om Mani Padme Hum mantras they have accumulated, together with prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s long life and the continued flourishing of his enlightened activities.

While some holy object projects involve creating entirely new sacred monuments, others focus on caring for and preserving holy objects that have benefited the world “from beginningless time”.

Each year, through Kopan Monastery, support is offered for the maintenance of Nepal’s two most sacred stupas, Boudhanath Stupa (Jarung Kashor) and Swayambhunath Stupa. This includes sponsoring new umbrellas and pinnacles for the stupas on Buddha holy days and providing fresh paint offerings throughout the year, amounting to approximately US$5,200 annually.

The story of Boudhanath Stupa reveals why it is regarded as one of the most extraordinary holy objects in the Buddhist world. According to tradition, the stupa was originally built by a poor woman whose determination to create a holy object was so sincere and unwavering that she obtained permission from the king to undertake what seemed an impossible task. After her passing, her four sons completed the stupa and dedicated the merit with vast prayers for the flourishing of the Dharma and the welfare of all beings.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in front of Boudhanath Stupa, Nepal, June 2021. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

It is said that these four sons later manifested as some of the most influential figures in Tibetan Buddhist history: King Songtsen Gampo, the minister Padma Gungtsen, the great abbot Shantarakshita, and Guru Padmasambhava. Through their enlightened activities, Buddhism became firmly established in Tibet and eventually spread throughout the world.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche often pointed out that our present opportunity to encounter, study, practice, and realize the Dharma is closely connected with the immeasurable merit and blessings associated with Boudhanath Stupa. 

Swayambhunath Stupa is equally extraordinary. According to the traditional accounts, the Kathmandu Valley was once a great lake. From its waters arose a crystal stupa, the embodiment of the Buddha’s holy mind, the dharmakaya itself. This sacred crystal remains enshrined within Swayambhunath and was foretold by Shakyamuni Buddha long before its appearance. The entire hill upon which Swayambhunath stands is regarded as the mandala of Chakrasamvara Buddha. While ordinary beings may see only a mountain, accomplished yogis perceive a pure realm of enlightened reality. Offering paint, sponsoring an umbrella and a pinnacle, cleaning the stupa, making prayers, or circumambulating it become causes of vast merit and benefit for countless sentient beings.

Thank you!

We offer our heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors whose generosity has made these projects possible. Your support is helping to preserve sacred places, create holy objects, and make the Dharma available to future generations. We invite everyone to rejoice in what has been accomplished and in the generosity that has made it possible. Through these projects, the FPMT community continues to fulfill Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vision and wishes and bring immeasurable benefit to sentient beings.

We encourage everyone to continue contributing to the creation of holy objects, whether through your local Dharma center or through one of the FPMT Holy Objects funds.

To help ensure our support to the creation of holy objects around the world, we invite you to offer a donation of any amount to the Holy Objects Fund.

Rinpoche teaching during the 100 Million Mani Retreat 05-Oct-2017 ILTK. Italy Photo by Lobsang Sherab

Benefits of the Mani Retreat
By Lama Zopa Rinpoche

This is such a wonderful time, especially doing practice to develop compassion and bodhicitta. Without compassion you can’t have the realization of bodhicitta, you can’t enter the Mahayana path, you can’t achieve enlightenment, you can’t achieve the infinite qualities of the holy body, holy speech and holy mind of Buddha. Without great compassion you can’t do perfect work for sentient beings, bringing them to enlightenment. I mentioned this the other night when I arrived, but maybe it was difficult to hear so late at night . . . . Those who can make the time should come to the retreat. Even if you cannot come for all three months, you should come for some weeks—or at least for one week. If you do not give yourself the time, the freedom, to do this, it is very poor, very sad. Of course, it would be best to come for the whole time, until the end of the retreat, but if you cannot do that, while you can give yourself the time and the freedom, you should come for one month or for a minimum of one week. You should attempt to do this. If you have a family, of course it’s not possible for all the family members, the whole assembly of parents and children, to come for the Mani Retreat, but maybe you could take turns. Do whatever you can, whatever days you can do. Give yourself the time to come again and again. Even if you cannot do one week straight, come again and again. Do at least one day, then come another day, then another day. At least come quite often in this way. 

We should especially think of death. When the thought of death comes, when we remember death, there’s nothing else that makes sense; everything else is total nonsense. When we think of death, so much of what we do in life doesn’t make sense; it’s all just nonsense. The only thing that makes sense is Dharma practice. Only Dharma will benefit us at the time of death and after death. The only thing that we can carry with us and enjoy in our future life is Dharma—nothing else. This practice of the meditation-­ recitation of the Buddha of Compassion will especially benefit us.

Reciting oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ has merit as limitless as the sky. Even Buddha can never finish explaining the unbelievable purification and collection of extensive merit brought by reciting oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ. This is a special means to develop compassion. Intellectual study alone cannot bring you the realization of compassion and bodhicitta. With the intellectual understanding, you then have to purify your mind and collect extensive merit. On the basis of those preliminary practices, you then receive this special deity’s blessings by reciting oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ. It is through this that the realizations of great compassion and bodhicitta then come. Reciting oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ is one of the most powerful means of developing compassion and bodhicitta.

Doing specific meditation on the Buddha of Compassion and reciting the mantra are like soil and water, the conditions that together enable a seed to produce a sprout, or like all the pieces that are put together to enable a clock or watch to show the time. The mind works in a similar way. The preliminary practices and the meditation-­ recitation of Compassion Buddha persuade the Compassion Buddha’s holy mind. Purifying negative karmas, or obstacles, and collecting extensive merit enable us to receive the blessings of Compassion Buddha, and through these blessings we then receive realizations.

And the benefits of compassion are as limitless as the sky. After hearing the lamrim and having studied it and also other teachings, we can understand the benefits of compassion. Compassion has limitless benefits for oneself and for all other sentient beings. 

Excerpt from Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s book Teachings from the Mani Retreat bestowed at Chenrezig Institute, on December 2000. Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive Publications. You can also read this book online, or listen to an audio recording from the retreat.

Upcoming for the Global Mani Retreat

FPMT Mongolia’s 14th 100 MILLION MANI RETREAT in Ulaanbaatar has begun! This retreat is part of the official Global Mani Retreat program and will take place from August 20 – September 17 2026. Participation onsite is entirely optional.

Ven. Tenzin Drachom will lead the eighth Chenrezig Group practice on August 22.   

To keep up on all details related to the FPMT Global Mani Retreat, please refer to our webpage, and join the Facebook Group. 

Foundation for the Preservation of the 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.

International Office News
August 2026

Lama Zopa Rinpoche at 100 Million Mani Retreat, Mongolia, August 2013. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

As we were preparing to publish this issue of our newsletter, we received news about the recent flash flood and mudslide along the Nepal–Tibet border, which struck the Rasuwa district north of Kathmandu and is believed to have been triggered by an earthquake-induced avalanche and snowmelt entering the Bhote Koshi River. Severe flooding has been reported in Rasuwa, with warnings issued for communities living along the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli, and Narayani rivers. Over 300 people have lost their lives, with hundreds more currently reported missing at the time of this publication. Over the years, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered various pieces of advice for prayers and practices to turn to when facing natural disasters which we share in hopes that it can be of benefit. 

In this issue you will find additional timely advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe, in the context of political division, dangers of the elements, and the ongoing Global Mani Retreat. 

We also share important updates from around the world including from our own Board of Directors; as well as many causes for rejoicing including information on recent grants offered to schools in India and Nepal and news on the two Maitreya statues being built in Kushinagar and Bodhgaya. 

Also read about opportunities for practice and study, and changes within the organization. 

Please note that a partial lunar eclipse will occur in the Americas, Europe, and Africa on August 27 and 28. Please read Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice for practice on these powerful days. 

Advice from and News Regarding Lama Zopa Rinpoche

A Spiritual Response to Wars and Violence

Recently we shared an open letter, written by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche to then U.S. President George W. Bush following the September 11 terrorist attacks. In it, Rinpoche offers a Buddhist perspective on war and its causes, while presenting practical methods to help reduce conflict and cultivate peace in the world—guidance that is relevant to people of every faith and background:

Dear Mr. President,

Since war was declared, some people have been protesting against it and clamoring for peace. But if what those people really want is peace, then they should first come up with a clear practical idea how to stop the terrorist attacks in the United States and other countries. Otherwise, you shout for peace and let the United States be completely destroyed by terrorists? This is like the saying in Tibetan Buddhist texts: “A blind yak eating grass.” Or the Western saying: “To throw out the baby with the bath water.” So many people are suffering now due to lack of awareness of what will come in the future. The problem is that common ordinary people are limited in what they can see, because of the lack of development of the mind. They do not have the power to see beyond, to read the minds of the terrorists and those in training. If Government intelligence had the power to see beyond, then they could foresee future dangers. They could see the harm in the minds of all those harmful people and terrorists. They could see what damage they could do to the United States and the whole world. War is what ordinary people in the world regard as the solution. The problem is that war, even if it is won, is like medicine that has side-effects. It may temporarily help the situation but afterwards there will be continual complications. Why? Because the people you defeat generate hatred towards you and in future generations they harm you back. In the natural law of actions, called karma in Sanskrit, the action of harming leaves an imprint on the mental continuum and that imprint is like a seed. When it ripens later, the person experiences the result of receiving harm from others.

I understand that the situation is very difficult and that the American public is very angry, but there are ways to solve the problem other than by going to war. It is possible that these terrorists can be overcome by spiritual power rather than by using military power. War costs so many lives and so much money. Even one missile can be so expensive, costing millions of dollars. When spiritual power is used to solve the problem, it saves all this expense and costs hardly anything. Please continue to read Rinpoche’s full letter.

Happiness Starts When We Renounce This Life

Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s book How to Practice Dharma: Teachings on the Eight Worldly Dharmas deals with the eight worldly dharmas, essentially how desire and attachment cause us to create problems and suffering and how to abandon these negative minds in order to find perfect peace and happiness. This excerpt below is from Chapter 8, “Turning Away from Worldly Concern.”

The terms “renouncing this life” or “renouncing suffering” both mean renouncing the mind that is the cause of the problems, the thought of the eight worldly dharmas. Therefore “Dharma” includes even pragmatic, transient techniques to stop attachment from arising. This is the actual Dharma, the method that immediately solves our confusion and mental illness. Bringing clarity and lack of confusion to our mind is the best way of bringing happiness to our life. Renouncing suffering doesn’t mean we’ll never have stomach or knee pain, a headache or a cold. It doesn’t mean wishing to be free of all pain but wishing to be free from the very cause of all suffering.

It has been the experience of these great yogis that we don’t have to wait until our future lives to experience this happiness. As soon as we stop the dissatisfied mind, immediately—immediately—there’s the result, happiness.
At first we might be nervous about letting go of desire because we normally equate desire with happiness. In fact, it’s exactly the opposite. As soon as we let go of desire we achieve inner peace, satisfaction and happiness; we become independent. Before, we were dictated to and controlled by desire but now we have achieved real freedom.

We can see in the biographies of the great yogis Tilopa, Marpa, Milarepa, Lama Tsongkhapa and many of those other highly realized beings whose holy minds passed into enlightenment how, even without material possessions, they generated great tranquility and peace and through that were able to realize the great achievements of the path. They didn’t have even the scent of the eight worldly dharmas about them but by completely renouncing desire for this life, they received everything—the best reputation, perfect surroundings and sufficient material comfort.

From How to Practice Dharma: Teachings on the Eight Worldly Dharmas, by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Chapter 8. Edited by Gordon McDougall and published by Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive. You can order a print copy from the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive online store. You can also read this book online, access translations, or order the audiobook from Audible.com. LYWA Members can download the ebook for free.

Benefits of the Mani Retreat

To celebrate the ongoing FPMT Global Mani Retreat, which has brought together students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche from around the world to help fulfill one of Rinpoche’s most cherished wishes, we recently shared this excerpt on the Benefits of the Mani Retreat from Teachings from the Mani Retreat by Lama Zopa Rinpoche:

“This is such a wonderful time, especially doing practice to develop compassion and bodhicitta. Without compassion you can’t have the realization of bodhicitta, you can’t enter the Mahayana path, you can’t achieve enlightenment, you can’t achieve the infinite qualities of the holy body, holy speech and holy mind of Buddha. Without great compassion you can’t do perfect work for sentient beings, bringing them to enlightenment. I mentioned this the other night when I arrived, but maybe it was difficult to hear so late at night. … Those who can make the time should come to the retreat. Even if you cannot come for all three months, you should come for some weeks—or at least for one week. If you do not give yourself the time, the freedom, to do this, it is very poor, very sad. Of course, it would be best to come for the whole time, until the end of the retreat, but if you cannot do that, while you can give yourself the time and the freedom, you should come for one month or for a minimum of one week. You should attempt to do this. If you have a family, of course it’s not possible for all the family members, the whole assembly of parents and children, to come for the Mani Retreat, but maybe you could take turns. Do whatever you can, whatever days you can do. Give yourself the time to come again and again. Even if you cannot do one week straight, come again and again. Do at least one day, then come another day, then another day. At least come quite often in this way.”

Excerpt from Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s book Teachings from the Mani Retreat bestowed at Chenrezig Institute, on December 2000. Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive Publications. You can also read this book online, or listen to an audio recording from the retreat.

Valuable Resources for Students

We would like to draw your attention to some valuable resources for students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Compendium of Precious Instructions: A Catalog of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Works is a collection of Rinpoche’s literary and graphic works which are available digitally and/or in print, with particular emphasis on key teachings that Rinpoche especially wanted his students to take note of and put into practice, as well as a guide on where to find the audio and video.

Life Practice Advice is a resource based on Rinpoche’s essential daily practice and lifetime practice advice. This is his essential advice and by following this advice, students can feel confident they are following and practicing according to Rinpoche’s heart advice.

FPMT.org offers a collection of practical advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Students can also find Rinpoche’s advice on a wide range of topics in the form of short talks and letters at the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.

Lama Yeshe’s Wisdom

On the Buddha of Compassion

Lama Yeshe at Chenrezig Institute, 1975. Photo Credit Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.

In 1976, Lama Thubten Yeshe gave a commentary on The Inseparability of the Spiritual Master and Avalokiteshvara: A Source of All Powerful Attainments, a practice composed by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama when he was just nineteen years old. Avalokiteshvara — Chenrezig in Tibetan — is the buddha of compassion. Lama Yeshe gave these teachings at Chenrezig Institute in tropical Queensland, Australia:

Remember when Lord Buddha was meditating, many mischievous beings armed with weapons appeared, trying to destroy him. Well, his weapon was true love, samadhi love. The power of his concentrated, universal love conquered the beings who were trying to harm him. Remember this. Then you will understand how it is possible for the universal, loving compassion of Avalokiteshvara to conquer the entire world.

Anyway, the whole world already depends on love, doesn’t it? We all need love. You live for love. So you can see how you can interpret this as saying that Avalokiteshvara, who is universal compassion and love, has already conquered all mother sentient beings. In this way, we say that Avalokiteshvara is the owner of the world. It sounds simple but check beyond the words and you will know more deeply what I mean. It will make more sense.

Excerpted from a teaching given at Chenrezig Institute, Australia, July 5–16, 1976, published in Big Love, p. 518, and in Lama Yeshe’s book Becoming the Compassionate Buddha.

Continue reading the excerpt or watching the video or listening to the audio recordings on Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.

From the FPMT Inc. Board of Directors

August 2026 Update from the Board

A recent update from the FPMT Inc. Board of Directors shares details on some important matters including Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s yangsi, a new safeguarding project that was recently approved, and updates on legal and safeguarding matters previously discussed. 

What We’re Rejoicing About

Rejoicing in Grants Offered to Schools in India and Nepal in 2026

Students at Ngari Institute are honoring the third anniversary of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s parinirvana with heartfelt prayers, April 2026.

Education remains one of the most powerful ways to transform lives, preserve culture, and create lasting opportunities for future generations. In 2026, the FPMT Social Services Fund (SSF) continued its commitment to supporting vulnerable students in some of the most remote and underserved regions of India and Nepal. Through partnerships with community-run schools, monastic institutions, and early childhood initiatives, the SSF helped ensure access to quality education, daily care, nutrition, and stable learning environments rooted in compassion and ethical values. Across eight schools and educational initiatives supported in 2026, the impact of this work can be seen in diverse communities and learning environments. In 2026, US$212,976 will have been offered from the Social Services Fund, reaching over 1500 children, monastic students, and educators. Please continue to read about all of the beneficial grants offered to schools in 2026.

Global Mani Retreat: Two Months of Practice in Fulfilling Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Wish

Since launching on May 17, 2026—the first day of Saka Dawa month—the FPMT Global Mani Retreat has brought together students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche from around the world to help fulfill one of Rinpoche’s most cherished wishes: “This is one of my dreams, to have 100 Million Mani Retreats each year and for it to continue forever, even after I die, even after the people living now die. Those who are working, offering service now—to continue even after they die; to continue for as long as the country exists.” – Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

We rejoice in the inspiring response from the international FPMT community and in the growing accumulation of OM MANI PADME HUM recitations dedicated to the benefit of all sentient beings. Please keep up on our Global Mani Retreat Facebook page to catch up on details from the retreat so far, plus upcoming opportunities to join!

Of particular note: FPMT Mongolia’s 14th 100 Million Mani Retreat in Ulaanbaatar has begun! This retreat is part of the official Global Mani Retreat program and will take place from August 20 – September 17 2026. Participation onsite is entirely optional. Sessions will be livestreamed every Wednesday, for the duration of the retreat. All are welcome to watch the recordings on YouTube.

Two Maitreya Statues, One Vast Vision: Updates from Kushinagar and Bodhgaya

Prototype of the Bodhgaya Maitreya statue. Photo by Maitreya Project in Bodhgaya.

We recently shared updates on the two Maitreya Statues in Kushinagar and Bodhgaya, India: Maitreya Buddha Project in Kushinagar, overseen by the Maitreya Project Trust, originated around 1999. The site adjoins the Parinirvana Temple, the place where Shakyamuni Buddha passed into Parinirvana, as well as the Ramabhar Stupa. After years of complexity involving fragmented land, the project is now centered on a clearly defined, contiguous 3-acre site (1.2 hectares) near the existing project office. At the heart of the current plan is a purposeful vision: a Maitreya Buddha stone statue whose scale reflects both available resources and regulatory realities, there is also a growing intention to create a space that supports learning and community engagement, ensuring that the project serves both spiritual purposes and the wider community.

In addition, we are building a Maitreya Statue in Bodhgaya, much smaller than the originally planned statue, built out of sandstone. The statue is being incorporated and developed in close conjunction with the Dalai Lama Trust and is situated on land in Bodhgaya that was originally offered by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama in 2020. This land, covering approximately 30 acres (12.14 hectares), is currently being developed for a major initiative led by the Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan and Indian Ancient Wisdom.

Please read more to learn about these two statues.

Your News and Stories

Family Feeling News Roundup

This month, we published a digest of short community highlights from FPMT centers and individuals around the world. This list of stories is not exhaustive, just a sample of all the great activities happening in the FPMT family worldwide. Please read the July Roundup!

The FPMT family is full of inspiring activities at centers, projects, services, and study groups, as well as among registered teachers and individuals who bring our communities to life. We would love to hear about it.

Whether it’s a recent accomplishment or an activity that gives your community reason to rejoice, your story can spark ideas and create connections across the FPMT family. We hope that reading these highlights will inspire you to rejoice in the family feeling and good work happening in our global FPMT community!

Please review our submission guidelines and reach out if you have something to share— we’d love to hear from you.

Science and Spirituality

His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed in The Universe in a Single Atom: The Convergence of Science and Spirituality, “I believe that spirituality and science are different but complementary investigative approaches with the same greater goal, of seeking the truth. In this, there is much each may learn from the other, and together they may contribute to expanding the horizon of human knowledge and wisdom. Moreover, through a dialogue between the two disciplines, I hope both science and spirituality may develop to be of better service to the needs and well-being of humanity.”

Several FPMT centers and students have been actively working to bridge the fields of Buddhism and science, and we look forward to regularly sharing these stories.

On June 20, 2026, Jamyang London Buddhist Centre (JBC) hosted a Science & Wisdom LIVE dialogue between Geshe Tenzin Namdak and Professor Murray Shanahan, moderated by Chris Scammell. We shared the story recently, from Paul Wells at JBC.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Marina Brucet, and Hans Burghardt. Photo courtesy of Vajrapani Institute.

We also recently shared an update about the FPMT curriculum Buddhist Mind Science: Activating Your Potential. This month, Vajrapani Institute (US) will host the curriculum’s inaugural retreat. The retreat is intended for participants from the general public, including FPMT students and members, who wish to go through the entire course in an experiential way and gain the maximum benefit from the course material. This is part of an ongoing effort across the organization, in line with Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vision, to emphasize gaining actual experience of the Dharma.

LYWA Invites Students to Share Their Treasured Memories

December 3, 2025, marked what would have been the 80th birthday of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. To honor his profound and enduring legacy, Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive (LYWA) has launched a special project to honor the Lamas’ legacy for future generations: a series of video interviews with Rinpoche’s students from around the world, capturing the heart of his teachings through the personal experiences of those who knew him closely.

Inspired by the interest generated by a similar project released in 2025 by LYWA and Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa to mark the 90th birthday of Lama Yeshe — watch the interviews here —   LYWA is once again collaborating with two students — Fabiana Lotito and Carlota Pinheiro — this time to interview Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s students.

Interview sessions are still open. If you wish to help preserve Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s legacy for future generations and were fortunate enough to have known him, please consider taking part. The interviews will be released in autumn 2026 and the short Zoom call interviews will continue throughout 2026. For contact and more details read Honoring the Lamas’ Legacy for Future Generations.

Celebrating 50 Years of FPMT!

Your memories, contributions, and experiences are part of this living history of FPMT. We have already begun gathering some of these precious stories, but there are so many more voices we would love to hear. We would love to collect as much of this history as possible: short videos, presentations, written stories, and group shots from your center, projects, and services. We warmly invite you to please be in touch!

Resources and Opportunities for Study and Practice

Newly Available from the FPMT Foundation Store

This month we are pleased to offer a newly revised Teachings from the Mani Retreat, which is an edited transcript of teachings given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche from December 22 to 26, 2000, as part of the inaugural Mani Retreat at Chenrezig Institute in Queensland, Australia. This new second edition is now available in eBook and PDF formats. A print edition will be released by Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive soon.

Teachings from the Mani Retreat is a valuable resource for participants of the 2026 FPMT Global Mani Retreat and for anyone wishing to deepen their practice of Chenrezig and the recitation of OM MANI PADME HUM.

Printed Materials and 1-Click Download

You can order printed copies of a selection of Foundation Store titles through Amazon’s print-on-demand service in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the USA. In the item description, click on the Amazon market that is closest to you. Foundation Store also offers a selection of prayers and practices available for 1-click download.

Retreat Opportunities

Please check our retreat schedule page for group retreat opportunities upcoming in your area.

Announcements, Opportunities, and Changes

Changes in the FPMT Organization

Choe Khor Sum Ling Centre (Bangalore, India)
We welcome Pratibha Sharma as new spiritual program coordinator.

Yeshin Norbu Centre (Sweden)
We welcome Eleni Rothe as new spiritual program coordinator.

Yeshin Norbu Centre (Sweden)
Grateful thanks to outgoing director Carina Thoren.

Opportunities to Offer Service

Read about the amazing benefits and importance of offering service in the FPMT organization, and have a look at these meritorious opportunities to offer service as paid staff or as a volunteer in FPMT centers, projects, and services around the world, including opportunities in Australia, France, India, Italy, North American Region, Nepal, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, UK and the USA.

Recently added: Chenrezig Institute (Australia), Buddha House (Australia), Land of Medicine Buddha (California) and Ocean of Compassion (California) are looking for a new director; Ocean of Compassion (California) and Atisha Centre (Australia) are looking for an SPC; Root Institute (India) is looking for a receptionist/house manager.

European Teacher Development Service Seminar in France this September

The Teacher Development Service Seminar (TDSS) supports the lifelong growth of current and aspiring FPMT teachers, facilitators, and meditation leaders. Returning in a hybrid format, TDSS now features updated pedagogy and a flexible delivery to meet the needs of our global community. Rooted in the FPMT lineage, the TDSS introduces the principles of contemporary Dharma pedagogy -practical, effective methods for teaching and guiding others with wisdom and compassion.

Kalachakra Retreat Centre, France, is organizing a TDSS on September 24-26, 2026 with pre-seminar online modules and places are still available. Reservations are now open.

Become a Friend of FPMT

Contact information for the centers mentioned, and all FPMT centers, projects, and services can be found in the FPMT Directory.

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FPMT International Office is Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s office.

Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching at Royal Holloway College, UK, 1975. Photo by Dennis Heslop. From the LYWA Collection.

Happiness Comes from the Mind, Not from Outside

By Lama Zopa Rinpoche

All human beings and even the tiniest of creatures desire happiness and freedom from suffering. But our biggest problem is that although we desire happiness, we don’t know what actually causes it; although we don’t want suffering, we don’t know what causes that either. That’s our biggest problem. Most living beings, no matter how much they wish for happiness, spend most of their time destroying the cause of happiness; and no matter how much they do not want suffering, they constantly rush to create its cause. All this comes about because sentient beings lack method and wisdom.

Earth’s original human inhabitants did not have minds as negative and cruel as those of today. As a result, the actions of their speech and body were not as violent and harmful as those of the people we see around us now, and life was much more peaceful then. But gradually, as their delusions of anger, attachment, pride and jealousy arose more frequently and strongly, their minds became increasingly cruel, negative and harmful, and the actions of their speech and body became more violent and destructive. And no matter how much we have progressed in external development since those times, life has simply become busier and more dangerous; no matter how many material things, such as nuclear weapons have been developed, instead of bringing true peace, all they have brought is more danger. However, we can’t blame external things for all these problems; the actual cause is the internal factor—the unhealthy, dissatisfied mind, attachment, hatred and so forth. Even though people have undertaken external development with the expectation that it will bring happiness, that’s a wrong conception.

Happiness does not arise principally from external things but from the internal factor, the mind. For example, people who have all the material things they need and desire—gourmet food, beautiful clothing, a luxurious apartment and so forth-are not necessarily happy. They get unhappy and depressed because they feel dissatisfied and don’t know why; and since they also don’t understand the meaning of human life, some of them think there’s nothing left to enjoy, get completely despondent and kill themselves.

All such problems come from the mind, the internal factor, attachment. Instead of bringing satisfaction and happiness, all these desirable external things bring only more dissatisfaction. Similarly, with respect to the suffering that arises from problems caused by other people-enemies, family members, countrymen—even if we were to kill all the other human beings on earth, even all other living beings, and remain here alone, still we would not experience happiness or peace. Stopping suffering and receiving happiness does not depend on making all other humans, all other living beings on earth, non-existent. Since doing so would not bring peace or happiness to the mind it shows that this is not the right method, not the way to receive happiness. By being alone with no other people, friends or other living beings around, we would feel lonely and very unhappy. Those problems also arise from within, from the internal factor, attachment.

Even when we get the material objects or close friends we desire, after a while we get bored and lose interest. That also comes from the internal factor, the dissatisfied mind, attachment. Our physical body dying, becoming non-existent, does not mean that our suffering is over; the mind does not stop when the body does. Even though our body no longer exists, our mind is still in suffering—as long as our mind is under the control of the delusions of ignorance, attachment and anger, it is not free from suffering. The delusions themselves are the worst suffering, the root of every problem people and animals experience; The delusions are like the root of a tree if there were no root there’d be no branches, leaves or fruit, which produce more seeds. So if there were no root of the delusions-ignorance, attachment and hatred-there wouldn’t be any of the problems that we and other living beings experience, such as sickness, old age, death and so forth.

Excerpted teaching from Lama Zopa Rinpoche from Freedom Through Understanding. Edited by Nicholas Ribush, Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive. You can also read this book online, access translations, watch on YouTube and experience the teachings in multimedia format. 

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.

Shakyamuni Clinic staff engaging with the community during the outreach program

Shakyamuni Buddha Community Health Care Centre | Maitri Charitable Trust | Lamp of the Path | Patient Care Trust | Tibetan Heart Foundation | Integrated Indigenous Tribal Children’s Ministry of India | REWA Tibetan Youth Center | Thank you!

The Shakyamuni Buddha Community Health Care Centre in Bodhgaya, India, had an exceptional year in 2025, serving 39,065 people through its clinic, mobile outreach, health camps, and education programs – surpassing its annual target of 36,000. Its mobile clinic brought essential healthcare and medicines to five remote villages, while special initiatives included large-scale health camps, blood pressure screening, and menstrual hygiene programs supporting women and girls. The clinic also strengthened preventive health education and reopened its Community Dental Clinic after a two-year closure. In 2026, the Clinic will focus on expanding dental services, strengthening women’s health programs, supporting undernourished children, and increasing preventive care through mobile outreach. The US$29,400 grant from the FPMT Social Services Fund will support these initiatives and essential operational costs, including staff salaries, medicines, and facility expenses.

Photo report from Maitri on their TB Program activities

MAITRI Charitable Trust in Bodhgaya, India, continues to provide deeply compassionate, practical care for mothers, children, and people affected by tuberculosis in some of the region’s most underserved communities. In 2025, its work reached far beyond the clinic walls: MAITRI detected and managed 525 new TB cases, collected 252 sputum samples from seven collection points, supported an average of 82 TB patients each month with food rations, and carried out wide-reaching TB awareness efforts in 1,535 villages through wall paintings, community outreach, school engagement, and World TB Day activities. For mothers and children, the team registered and followed hundreds of patients, delivered 221 healthy babies, provided 21 anti-tetanus vaccinations, completed 21 tubectomies for women in their third pregnancies, and offered regular checkups, blood tests, supplements, milk powder, cerelac, legumes, and sanitary pads to vulnerable women and children. What makes MAITRI’s work especially moving is the way it combines medical treatment with nutrition and consistent human support. The clinic continues to face several challenges, including growing healthcare needs among elderly women in nearby villages, rising living costs, delays in government TB services, and ongoing needs for staff support and building maintenance.  In 2026, MAITRI will continue strengthening its outreach, hospital services, staffing, and infrastructure to meet growing community needs. To help sustain this essential work, the FPMT Social Services Fund has awarded US$55,000 toward MAITRI’s annual operating needs. This support will enable the organization to continue providing compassionate, lifesaving care to some of the region’s most vulnerable families.

LOP’s Soup Kitchen beneficiaries celebrate the new year with a special lunch

For more than 22 years, Lamp of the Path (LOP) Community Center, the flagship social service project of FPMT Mongolia, has been a place of warmth and hope for vulnerable families living in the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar. Guided by Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vision of compassion in action, LOP offers practical care to people facing poverty, homelessness, illness, and social isolation, while creating safe and nurturing spaces where children can learn, grow, and flourish. In 2025, LOP served 14,199 hot meals through its year-round Soup Kitchen, delivered 1,920 meals to homebound families, distributed more than 9,000 items of warm clothing, provided regular medical check-ups and tuberculosis screening, and harvested 9,000 kilograms of vegetables to nourish beneficiaries while generating income to sustain its programs. Its growing Mahayana Children’s Program continued to expand, offering educational activities and healthy snacks for children from disadvantaged families.  To help sustain these essential services, the FPMT Social Services Fund has awarded US$27,203 toward LOP’s annual operating needs in 2026. This support will help ensure that some of Mongolia’s most vulnerable community members continue to receive nourishment, care, friendship, and hope throughout the year.

PCT’s free medical camp

For more than a decade, Patient Care Trust (PCT) has been a lifeline for Tibetan refugees and vulnerable Himalayan communities, ensuring that those facing serious illness can access high-quality specialized healthcare regardless of their financial circumstances. Working in partnership with some of India’s leading government hospitals, PCT helps patients overcome the barriers of poverty, distance, language, and complex medical systems with compassion and practical support. In 2025, PCT reached a remarkable milestone by assisting 10,506 patients through a range of healthcare initiatives. These included 4,832 free ophthalmology outpatient consultations, 2,698 patients treated through free medical camps in Mundgod, 2,064 Tibetan schoolchildren receiving free vision care in Himachal Pradesh, 567 people screened through community eye care surveys, and 345 patients receiving ongoing monthly medical assistance. Building on a new three-year partnership with AIIMS Delhi, PCT has also expanded its capacity to provide care through its Majnu-ka-Tilla center and a network of Delhi government dispensaries, laying the foundation to reach up to 20,000 patients annually in the coming years. In 2026, PCT will continue expanding its services through its strengthened partnership with AIIMS Delhi and ongoing outreach to underserved communities. To support this vital work, the FPMT Social Services Fund has awarded US$10,000 toward PCT’s annual operating needs. This contribution will help ensure that thousands more patients receive care they deserve.

THCT’s cardiac outreach: CPR training session for monks

The Tibetan Heart Charitable Trust (THCT) continues to bring lifesaving cardiac care and preventive health education to Tibetan and Himalayan communities across India and Nepal, ensuring that distance and financial hardship do not prevent people from receiving essential healthcare. Through free cardiac screening camps, health awareness programs, and compassionate patient support, THCT is helping communities detect heart disease early, build healthy habits, and respond confidently to medical emergencies.  In 2025, THCT organized cardiac outreach camps across eight regions, providing more than 2,000 health screenings for more than 920 participants and delivering 12 heart health awareness sessions. The Foundation Home in Hubli also provided accommodation for more than 80 patients undergoing treatment, ensuring that vulnerable patients and their families had a safe place to stay during difficult times. Beyond cardiac services, the Trust provided support for patients requiring oncology, orthopedic, neurosurgical, pulmonary, and other specialized treatments, embodying its commitment to holistic patient care.  In 2026, THCT plans to expand its outreach through additional cardiac screening camps, preventive health education, and CPR and Basic Life Support training across Tibetan settlements in India and Nepal. To help sustain this vital work, the FPMT Social Services Fund has awarded US$2,500 toward THCT’s annual operating needs.

Outside the completed orphanage building

The Integrated Indigenous Tribal Children’s Ministry of India (IITCMI) is dedicated to giving orphaned and homeless children from indigenous and tribal communities in Manipur a safe place to call home. More than simply constructing a building, the organization is creating a nurturing environment where vulnerable children can grow with security, education, healthcare, and hope for a brighter future. The orphanage project, made possible through the generosity of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the Social Services Fund, is now nearing completion. In 2025, additional funding supported the construction of the kitchen, dining hall, electrical wiring, lighting, and other essential fittings, bringing the shelter significantly closer to opening its doors. The project now has its core infrastructure, accommodation facilities, and safety measures in place, with approximately 85% of the construction completed.  As the project enters its final stage, the greatest need is no longer the building itself but transforming it into a true home. Essential furnishings – including beds, blankets, cupboards, storage racks, and other basic household items – are still needed to ensure every child has a comfortable and safe place to live. To help complete this final phase, the FPMT Social Services Fund has awarded US$7,000 toward IITCMI’s 2026 needs. This support will help furnish the orphanage and bring the project across the finish line, enabling orphaned and homeless children to move into a permanent home where they can experience safety, care, and the opportunity to build a brighter future.

REWA participants cleaning the Rajpur Tibetan Old People’s Home as part of a community service initiative

REWA Tibetan Youth Center continued to provide rehabilitation, vocational training, and life-skills support to Tibetan youth and young adults affected by addiction and social challenges in Northern India. During the first half of the year, 19 participants enrolled in the program and 14 successfully graduated, gaining practical skills to support their long-term recovery and independence. REWA’s holistic approach combines addiction recovery with education and vocational development. Participants received training in Basic English, computer skills, sewing, guitar-making, and life skills, alongside daily physical wellness activities designed to build confidence, discipline, and healthy routines. The Center further expanded its impact through substance abuse awareness programs in Tibetan schools and military training institutions, mental health workshops for young entrepreneurs, and community service initiatives that inspired participants to contribute meaningfully to society. Several former participants continue to demonstrate the long-term impact of REWA’s work. Graduates who once struggled with addiction are now maintaining sobriety, supporting their families through employment, and mentoring others on the path to recovery. Some have even joined the REWA staff team, using their lived experience to guide and inspire current participants. In 2026, with the support of a US$5,000 grant from the FPMT Social Services Fund, the REWA Tibetan Youth Center strengthens its ongoing initiatives to empower young people and provide the skills, guidance, and support needed to build healthier, more stable, and fulfilling futures. 

Thank you!

Every consultation, warm meal, rehabilitation session, medical outreach, safe shelter, and act of kindness described in this report was made possible through the compassion and generosity of those who support the FPMT Social Services Fund. Together, these projects are relieving suffering, protecting lives, restoring dignity, and creating hope for thousands of people who might otherwise be left without support.

We warmly invite you to rejoice in the generosity of all the sponsors whose kindness made these grants possible, in particular Unione Buddhista Italiana (U.B.I.), whose support enabled us to offer assistance to three of the projects described above, and in the dedicated staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries whose efforts brought these compassionate activities to life. May every act of generosity and service continue to flourish, bringing ever greater benefit, healing, and happiness to countless beings!

If you would like to be part of this meaningful work, please consider supporting the FPMT Social Services Fund. Together, we can continue to extend our reach and uplift even more lives in the years to come.

The FPMT Social Services Fund. established to support Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the FPMT organization, focuses efforts primarily in India, Nepal, Tibet and Mongolia. Funds help children, the elderly, sick, and very poor.

Ksitigarbha statue at Buddha Amitabha Pure Land, WA, USA

Over the years, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered various pieces of advice for prayers and practices to turn to when facing natural disasters. In light of the recent earthquakes in Latin America—in Venezuela on June 24, 2026 and in Colombia on August 10, 2026, as well as recent fire emergencies in Southern Europe, North Africa, and North America—we share the following collection of Rinpoche’s advice, offered in the hope that it may be of benefit.

“Buddha Ksitigarbha is another unbelievably powerful practice for success, I think especially when there’s an earthquake but also when there is any danger of fire, water, earth or wind. If there are any of those dangers, it’s very good to recite this Buddha Ksitigarbha mantra. It’s extremely powerful. You make offerings to Buddha Ksitigarbha and then make the prayer. It’s one hundred million times more powerful for success than praying to other bodhisattvas. If you read the Ksitigarbha sutra, it brings unimaginable benefit for sentient beings.” – Lama Zopa Rinpoche 

All are welcome to download the Ksitigarbha Practice eBook & PDF. Please also listen to Lama Zopa Rinpoche reciting the mantra. 

To follow the complete list of prayers and practices suggested by Lama Zopa Rinpoche over the years:

• Advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche: Earthquakes 
• Lama Zopa Rinpoche Advises Urgent Practices for Pacifying an Earthquake in California 
• Tsunami and Earthquakes 
• Mitigating Severe Conditions of the Elements
• Preventing Earthquakes
• The Practice of Ksitigarbha to Avert Danger and Purify Obstacles
• Natural Disasters
• Sutra Golden Light for earthquakes, natural disaster and wars

• Kshitigarbha Practice to Pacify Earthquakes

More Ksitigarbha Resources:

• Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
• Kṣitigarbha Ten Wheels Mahāyāna Sūtra from the Great Collection

Through the generosity of a dedicated benefactor, each FPMT center, project, and service around the world has been offered a Ksitigarbha statue. We are deeply grateful for this generous offering and for the support it provides to the FPMT family. We invite all centers, projects, and services that have received a statue to share a photo with us, if you haven’t already, so we can celebrate and showcase these precious statues throughout our community. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching extract from The Path to Ultimate Happiness: Lamrim Teachings from Kopan 2009  No. 42, Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive publications

Foundation for the Preservation of the 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.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Buddha Amitabha Pure Land, Washington, US, June 2018. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche often spoke about solar and lunar eclipses, which are considered auspicious for practice and provide opportunities to accumulate merit manyfold. As stated in the vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic, the karmic results of actions are multiplied by 700,000 times on lunar eclipses, and 100 million times on solar eclipses. 

Rinpoche pointed out that the multiplying effect of eclipses occurs regardless of whether the eclipse is partial or full. Rinpoche advised, however, that the merit-multiplying effect does not last the whole calendar day and as such, merit-making activities should be carried out during the occurrence of the eclipse. Therefore, to use the opportunity for practice, students should check for the timing of the eclipse in their own location. Such information may be found at timeanddate.com and similar websites.  

Please refer to our Practice during Solar and Lunar Eclipses page for advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche about which prayers and practices are most beneficial on this occasion. 

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.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s book How to Practice Dharma: Teachings on the Eight Worldly Dharmas deals with the eight worldly dharmas, essentially how desire and attachment cause us to create problems and suffering and how to abandon these negative minds in order to find perfect peace and happiness. This excerpt below is from Chapter 8, “Turning Away from Worldly Concern.” 

Happiness Starts When We Renounce This Life

By Lama Zopa Rinpoche

The terms “renouncing this life” or “renouncing suffering” both mean renouncing the mind that is the cause of the problems, the thought of the eight worldly dharmas. Therefore “Dharma” includes even pragmatic, transient techniques to stop attachment from arising. This is the actual Dharma, the method that immediately solves our confusion and mental illness. Bringing clarity and lack of confusion to our mind is the best way of bringing happiness to our life. Renouncing suffering doesn’t mean we’ll never have stomach or knee pain, a headache or a cold. It doesn’t mean wishing to be free of all pain but wishing to be free from the very cause of all suffering.

It has been the experience of these great yogis that we don’t have to wait until our future lives to experience this happiness. As soon as we stop the dissatisfied mind, immediately—immediately—there’s the result, happiness.

At first we might be nervous about letting go of desire because we normally equate desire with happiness. In fact, it’s exactly the opposite. As soon as we let go of desire we achieve inner peace, satisfaction and happiness; we become independent. Before, we were dictated to and controlled by desire but now we have achieved real freedom.

We can see in the biographies of the great yogis Tilopa, Marpa, Milarepa, Lama Tsongkhapa and many of those other highly realized beings whose holy minds passed into enlightenment how, even without material possessions, they generated great tranquility and peace and through that were able to realize the great achievements of the path. They didn’t have even the scent of the eight worldly dharmas about them but by completely renouncing desire for this life, they received everything—the best reputation, perfect surroundings and sufficient material comfort.

In Milarepa’s Hundred Thousand Songs he often says how renouncing this life’s worldly activities automatically stops all the thousands of problems associated with the worldly life and brings great bliss.

Without any possessions at all, he led an ascetic life in solitary places. Although he lived like an animal, he spent his life in great happiness, his mind always peaceful, without confusion or problems. He didn’t have even one sack of tsampa but lived on nettles alone. Living without food, clothing or reputation didn’t cause him any problems because of his Dharma practice. He achieved all the high realizations and then enlightenment in that one lifetime, all due to the power of his pure Dharma practice of renouncing suffering, renouncing this life. His mind was incomparably happier than that of the king who has great power and many bodyguards, soldiers and weapons.

Therefore, it’s completely wrong to think that Dharma only brings happiness in future lifetimes but not in this one. We experience peace and happiness the very moment we begin to practice and live in the Dharma. We feel its effects immediately. Continue to read the full Chapter. 

From How to Practice Dharma: Teachings on the Eight Worldly Dharmas, by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Chapter 8. Edited by Gordon McDougall and published by Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.

You can order a print copy from the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive online store. You can also read this book online, access translations, or order the audiobook from Audible.com. LYWA Members can download the ebook for free.

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.