Merry Colony at Sera Monastery, July 1980. Photo courtesy of Merry Colony.

Merry Colony met the Dharma in Santa Cruz in 1979 and ordained the following year at Kopan Monastery. She served as Lama Yeshe’s secretary from 1981 to 1982, primarily organizing accommodations and teaching facilities for the first Enlightened Experience Celebration (EEC1). She later directed Dorje Pamo Monastery in France, where the nuns elected her as nunnery director before she disrobed. 

Merry went on to serve as co-director and then director of the Maitreya Project (1992–1995), organized the 1998 long life puja for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and directed the Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Program (LRZTP) from 1998 to 2000. She spent twelve years as Director of FPMT Education Services, followed by roles managing Buddha Amitabha Pureland’s development (2014–2016) and directing Milarepa Center in Vermont (2016–2018). Since 2018, she has been living in Colorado with her partner, Harry Sutton, where she completed a three year retreat and continues trying to comprehend the vast Nalanda tradition of her teachers. 

Merry wrote this piece in April 2023, shortly after Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s passing. We are honored to share it now as part of our yearlong celebration of FPMT turning fifty in December 2025. 

Beginnings. The Road to Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lawudo. Spring 1979 – Summer 1980

It was spring 1979, atop Santa Cruz Island, high on magic mushrooms when an old craggy Live Oak tree changed the direction of my life. I was about to graduate from UCSC with a degree in Environmental Studies. All my friends were getting ready to either move to Alaska and save the last frontier or get into politics or law so they could change the course of environmental breakdown that was clearly inevitable already in ’79. My inclination was to get into environmental education, but I wasn’t convinced. Something else was brewing deep inside that needed attention.

Merry Colony at Pashupatinath, February 1980. Photo courtesy of Merry Colony.

So it was there, on that very green island surrounded by blue ocean, that I wandered away from my boyfriend Adam and lay my head upon the old oak. What happened next had never happened before and hasn’t happened since, but it happened that day and it was crystal clear. I understood that I had to leave my family, my country, everything I knew and find a spiritual path.

When I returned to Adam I was crying, all I saw in the ocean below, which just an hour ago had been so blue and vibrant, was death. Everything was pulsing with the message of death, impermanence, nothing to hang on to, life is ever changing.

We walked some and then sat down together looking out over the vista of steeply rising hills cut by canyons and waterfalls. Looking at the scene I suddenly said to Adam the word Nepal. I said, “this looks like Nepal and that’s where I have to go.” Why I said that is a cosmic mystery as I knew nothing about Nepal. I’m not even sure how I knew the name. Maybe I’d heard of Mt Everest. But for whatever reason I knew that’s where my journey was at least going to start.

Now that I knew where I was going, I needed to figure out what I was going for. Santa Cruz, hippie capital of the country at the time, had it all so I started checking out various spiritual things on offer: OM circles, Kundalini ecstatic dance classes, a hug by the beloved Ram Dass … and then one day Adam’s housemate, Dean Alper, told me about a weekend teaching with a Tibetan Lama. Far out, I thought, something else I can check out. It was there, at that weekend teaching that I was led to my root guru, Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche pictured on the poster that first caught Merry Colony’s eye at a weekend teaching in Santa Cruz, 1979. Photo by Ueli Minder.

Not because he was the teacher. He wasn’t. Zasep Tulku was the teacher. And not because I met him in person or heard his voice or knew his name, but because of a poster. On the wall was a poster with a picture of a skinny monk with a mountain in the background. It was advertising a Nyung Nä retreat at Lawudo Gompa in Nepal. When I saw that poster tears welled up and I asked Dean and his friends (Tom Waggoner and a few others from Vajrapani Insitute) if they knew who that was on the poster. They told me that was Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and they told me about a Kopan Monastery in Nepal and how there were Buddhist courses in English. That was it. Now I knew where I was going and who I was going to meet.

However, finding my spiritual path didn’t mean I was going to STAY in Nepal. No, I was going to go, do one of the courses, figure out my path and then travel. My friend Eric and I were going to then meet in Indonesia, eat fruit and hang out on the beach. And from there the world was my oyster.

I left the US on January 2, 1980. First stop was a deserted beach on the big island of Hawaii where my friend Jody was studying spinner dolphins. She lived in a leaf shack that she had built and shared the beach with a Filipino fisherman and his one hundred feral goats. She adopted one and named her Lama (interesting…) who used to sleep on her chest at night. It was a perfect start of the journey. She swam with her dolphins, and I lay on the beach reading Wisdom Energy, teachings by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa. I was in heaven. I loved these guys already. Loved everything they said.

Merry’s original copy of Wisdom Energy.

Next were stops in Thailand and Burma and then on to Nepal. I arrived in February, in time to play a little and eat cake in Kathmandu before heading up to the famed Kopan for the month-long course in March. The course was taught by a western nun, Yana, and I drank it up. It filled in all the blanks. My environmental education had laid the perfect foundation for understanding interdependence and cultivating respect for all life forms, but it had left me hating people. All those horrible people that were destroying our beautiful planet. I couldn’t reconcile how to love the earth and human beings at the same time. Until Yana taught us about karma, future lives, lower realms and compassion. Then it all fit together.

After the course I played around some more, had a little love affair with a Nepali and thought about becoming a goat farmer on his land beneath the Annapurna range, but the teachings had already captured my mind and I knew I had to get back to Kopan. And when I heard that The Great Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who I still hadn’t met, would be going to Lawudo to lead a Nyung Nä retreat, there it was…the poster…the tears…the place I had to go and the being I had to meet. Clearly, I was headed next to Lawudo.

Merry Colony at Lawudo, May–June 1980. Photo courtesy of Merry Colony.

It was there, in the Lawudo Gompa, that I first lay eyes on Lama Zopa Rinpoche and it was there that I first heard his holy speech. And it was there, when he broke down, sobbing on his throne when talking about the suffering of sentient beings that I realized there would be no Indonesia, no traveling the world. I was sitting at the feet of someone the likes of whom I’d never met or even dreamed of, and I wanted to sit there forever. There was just one nagging question that needed answering……should I marry Adam??

So, I asked Rinpoche’s attendant, Ani-la Jampa Chokyi, if I could meet with Rinpoche as I had a very important question to ask. She gruffly and without hesitation said, “no,” but added that I could write my name and my question and she’d get back to me. I told her she didn’t understand that Lama Zopa didn’t even know me and I had a life-shattering question to ask. She said if I wanted an answer I’d have to write it down. So I did. My name and my question: “should I marry Adam or devote my life to the Dharma”? To my amazement the answer came back quite quickly. It was written. I don’t know if it was Rinpoche’s writing or Jampa Chokyi’s. I don’t remember that part. But I remember with crystal clarity what the note said. It said, “medium benefit to marry Adam if we both spend five years in a cave first and excellent to devote the life to Dharma.” Option one: not happening; option two: my life course was now set. All I had left to do was tell Adam. And I still hadn’t met Lama Zopa face to face!

Merry Colony at Lawudo, May–June 1980. Photo courtesy of Merry Colony.

Walking down from Lawudo another cosmic thing happened. I was told there was a great meditator, Gomchen Rinpoche, living in a cave above the village of Benkar, and now that I was on the path of the great meditators I thought I must meet this lama. So, I bought a pound of butter as an offering and made my way to a hermitage that I saw under a rock near the village of Benkar. There was a meditator in the cave, and I offered him my butter only to find out after I left and rounded the bend to Benkar that that wasn’t Gomchen or Gomchen’s cave. Instead, some villagers pointed up an impossibly steep hill behind the village and told me that is where Gomchen lives. By now it was raining hard, and I didn’t have an offering, so I bought another chunk of butter and headed up what felt like the Matterhorn. Halfway up I slipped on the wet grass, dropped my backpack and the butter went rolling down the mountain. I couldn’t show up empty-handed so retrieved the now totally dirty butter and continued up the mountain. And there I met the great Gomchen Rinpoche who smiled and laughed and offered me all kinds of food that he pulled from an old burlap bag. But here’s the cosmic part: There were a few small windows in Gomchen’s cave that were covered with rice paper to keep out the cold and when I looked out those windows, I saw the scene I had seen on Santa Cruz Island. The scene that I had remarked to Adam looked like Nepal. This Buddhist stuff was blowing my mind!

Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Sera Monastery, July 1980. Photo courtesy of Merry Colony.

When I got back to Kathmandu a friend, Robyn Castles, asked me if I wanted to go to Sera Monastery with her. She said His Holiness the Dalai Lama would be there and more importantly (to my ears at that time) Lama Zopa Rinpoche was there too. I immediately said yes. It took us days to get there, bus after bus after train after train and at long last we landed at Sera in South India. Piero Cerri and Ani-la Zia were taking care of Rinpoche, and I asked if I could meet with him. This time I got a yes.

I have no memory at all of what Rinpoche said to me, but I remember the vajra hook that went into my heart when he smiled at me. The smile that communicated a total knowing, a single gesture that made everything up to that moment make sense; the oak tree, the poster, leaving my previous life behind, traveling around the world, it was all to bring me to that room at that moment to meet that being. And at that moment there was not an iota of doubt. Not a cell in my body that was holding back. I had met my root guru and from now on my life would be in his hands.

With grateful thanks to Merry Colony for this precious personal account 

Please read more of Merry’s story which we published in Mandala in 2012 when Merry left FPMT International Office. 

Please also read Harry Sutton’s Road to Kopan story, “Tibet, Tibet, I have to go to Tibet!”

Are you an early student of FPMT who was there at the beginning? Do you have a story to share about how you met Lama Yeshe or Lama Zopa Rinpoche or the impact they have had on your life? Have you personally achieved or actualized a request, advice, practice accomplishment, or project given to you by Lama Yeshe or Lama Zopa Rinpoche? We want to hear from you!

Please explore all of the resources we have compiled related to FPMT history. We look forward to all of your creative ideas on how to bring this year-long celebration to your own local activities and personal practices! Please use the hashtag #50YearsFPMT in your social media posts so we can all be connected in this way. 

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. 

Jampaling Old People’s Home, Dharamsala (74 Elders)

For senior Tibetan refugees living in exile, elderly homes are more than places of shelter – they are sanctuaries of respect, protection, and kindness in the final chapters of life. Many elders have no family backing and live with chronic illness, limited mobility, or advanced age, relying entirely on the compassion and commitment of their communities and benefactors.

Since 2016, FPMT’s Social Services Fund (SSF) has been providing essential, sustained help to Tibetan elder refugees across India, ensuring access to food, medical assistance, safe housing, and daily assistance. In 2026, this commitment continued with a total of US$247,591 provided to eight elder homes, addressing both annual running expenses and critical infrastructure and repair needs. Contributions were also made to two additional projects in Tibetan settlements focused on the care and well-being of elders. This report highlights the positive impact of the 2026 grants, offering much to rejoice in through these compassionate activities. Please continue to read about the valuable elder homes we currently support.

Jampaling Old People’s Home | Kalimpong Old People’s Home | Dhonden Old People’s Home  | Lugsam Samduling Old People’s Home | Old and Infirm People’s Home |  Rabgayling Old People’s Home | Dhondenling Old People’s Home | Phuntsok Ling Old People’s Home | The Tibetan Settlement in Dalhousie | Paonta Cholsum Tibetan Settlement | Thank you!

Jampaling Old People’s Home in Dharamsala is the largest Tibetan-run elder care facility of its kind, providing daily assistance, shelter, and medical care to 74 elderly residents without family backing. Established in 1991 and managed by the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Jampaling is a place of safety, dignity, and compassion for elderly Tibetan refugees.

For nearly a decade, FPMT’s Social Services Fund has been a cornerstone of this initiative. Since 2016, the fund has provided annual help toward Jampaling’s running expenses, helping cover essential costs such as food, medical custody, staff salaries, utilities, and daily necessities – ensuring continuity of care year after year.

In 2026, Jampaling Old People’s Home received a grant to help cover a shortfall in its annual operating budget, meeting essential expenses such as food, healthcare, staff salaries, utilities, and other day-to-day running costs. In addition, a separate one-off grant was approved for major internal repairs and renovations. These included the conversion of an existing garage into a dedicated health clinic; the creation of a new communal dining hall from a former clinic and storeroom; repairs to the drainage system between the residential building and kitchen; and the replacement of outdated electrical wiring and switchboards in one of the residential blocks. Funding also provided furniture and essential equipment for the new facilities, together with minor repairs to staff accommodation. Collectively, these improvements have significantly enhanced the health, safety, and comfort of the elderly residents.

Kalimpong Old People’s Home, West Bengal (12 Elders)

Located in the hill town of Kalimpong in West Bengal, the Kalimpong Old People’s Home (OPH) provides essential care and security to elderly Tibetans who have no family or financial support. Established in 2008 with the facilitation of Ottawa Friends of Tibet, and completed in 2012, the home currently looks after 12 elderly residents. Although Kalimpong is home to more than 3,000 Tibetans, the community is widely dispersed rather than living in a compact settlement. This isolation leaves many elderly individuals particularly vulnerable, making the Kalimpong OPH an essential source of stability and belonging. The home is managed by the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and run by a dedicated team of five staff members, who provide daily meals, healthcare aid, assistance with daily activities, and emotional companionship. In addition to elders from Kalimpong itself, the home also guides residents from nearby regions such as Darjeeling, Gangtok, and even Bhutan, extending its helping hand beyond the immediate town.

Since 2022, the Social Services Fund has played a crucial role in sustaining the Kalimpong OPH by supporting its operational and running expenses. In 2026, Kalimpong OPH received funds to address a shortfall in its annual operating budget, covering essential needs, including food, medical expenses, propane, residents’ pocket money, funeral firewood, and other general operational expenses.

Dhonden Old People’s Home, Chauntra, Bir, Himachal Pradesh (23 Elders) here the Dhonden OPH residents with their new cookware sets

Dhonden Old People’s Home (OPH) is located in the tranquil Bir-Chauntra settlement in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Nestled in a peaceful rural setting, the home provides long‑term custody and stability to 23 elderly Tibetans, all over the age of 60, who are without family support or financial means. Established in 2004 with the generous sponsorship of the Help Tibet Association (London), the construction of Dhonden OPH was financed through grants and loans that have since been fully repaid with interest. Today, the home stands as a secure and nurturing environment for elders who previously lived in scattered Tibetan communities across Kullu-Manali, Bir, and nearby regions, often in isolation and hardship. The home is managed by the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and operated by a dedicated team of five staff members. These staff provide daily meals, medical support, assistance with daily activities, helping some of the most vulnerable members of the Tibetan community.

Since 2021, the Social Services Fund has assisted Dhonden OPH by contributing toward its operational and running expenses. In 2026, Dhonden OPH received a grant to cover a gap in its annual operating budget. The funding was used to meet essential operational expenses, including staff salaries, stationery, travel allowances, water and electricity charges, vehicle repairs and fuel, medical care, and clothing for residents. This support helped ensure the continued delivery of care and services to elderly residents throughout the year.

Lugsam Samduling Home for the Aged and Disabled, Bylakuppe (40 Elders).

Lugsam Samduling Old People’s Home (OPH) in Bylakuppe, Karnataka, is a vital elder‑care facility managed by the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), providing daily assistance and companionship to around 40 elderly Tibetans. With a committed team of caregivers and help from volunteers, the home ensures nutritious meals, age‑appropriate medical attention, and a safe, respectful living environment. During 2025-2026, elders benefited from a full medical check‑up camp, regular hospital supervision, and spiritual support, including a visit from the 41st Sakya Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche.

The FPMT’s Social Services Fund has sustained the Lugsam Samduling OPH’s annual running expenses since 2016, playing a crucial role in sustaining food provision, medical care, staff salaries, utilities, and maintenance. For 2026, a grant was offered toward the home’s annual expenses. Looking ahead, the Lugsam Samduling OPH plans a gardening and beautification initiative in 2026 to create a calmer, greener environment that promotes the elders’ mental and emotional well‑being.

Doegueling Old and Infirm People’s Home, Mundgod (50 Elders). Here a Doeguling Mundgod OIPH’s resident Dolker Wangmo receiving blessings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The Old and Infirm People’s Home (OIPH) at Mundgod Doeguling Tibetan Settlement, South India, provides round‑the‑clock care, medical assistance, and a safe living environment for 50 elderly residents, many of whom are over 80 years old and living with chronic or life‑limiting health conditions. The home is administered by the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and reinforced by a devoted team of caregivers, including medical and support staff.

The FPMT’s Social Services Fund (SSF) has contributed toward OIPH’s annual running expenses continuously since 2016, helping ensure stability in essential services such as food, medical care, staff salaries, utilities, and daily operational needs. In 2026, the SSF provided funds toward the home’s recurring annual costs. In addition to core operations, the 2026 grant also included funding for welded wire mesh fencing along the verandah to improve safety and provide greater peace of mind for elders at night, as well as key infrastructure requirements to facilitate the relocation of elderly residents from Block 6. These improvements are especially important for frail and mobility-limited elders, helping reduce the risk of falls, exposure to weather, and related health complications.

Rabgayling Old People’s Home, Hunsur (13 Elders), here the residents enjoying their meals.

Rabgayling Old People’s Home (OPH), located within the Rabgayling Tibetan Settlement in Karnataka, provides residential care, daily support, and companionship to 13 elderly residents. The home is administered by the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and serves elders who rely on the community for safety and stability in their later years. The FPMT’s Social Services Fund has backed the Rabgayling OPH’s annual running expenses consistently since 2015, ensuring continuity of essential services such as food, utilities, medical attention, and staff support.

For 2026, a grant was offered toward the home’s annual operating costs, helping meet day‑to‑day needs and maintain a secure living environment for the elders. Beyond daily care, Rabgayling OPH continues to strengthen its facilities to improve safety and long‑term living conditions. Planned improvements include upgrades to drainage, better lighting, exterior maintenance, and infrastructure enhancements to protect elders from weather, structural risks, and safety concerns.

Dhondenling Old People’s Home, Kollegal (20 Elders)

Dhondenling Old People’s Home (OPH), located within the Dhondenling Tibetan Settlement in Kollegal, Karnataka, provides nutritious meals and medical support to elderly Tibetans who depend entirely on community assistance. The home is administered by the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and serves elders with limited financial means and increasing health
needs.

Residents of Dhondenling OPH extend their warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2026 to all members of the FPMT

The FPMT’s Social Services Fund has supported Dhondenling OPH’s annual running expenses since 2018, playing a vital role in sustaining food provision, medical care, and basic daily operations. For 2026, funds were offered toward the home’s annual costs, helping ensure that elders continue to receive proper nutrition and necessary medical attention.

Phuntsokling Old People’s Home, Odisha (13 Elders), here Phuntsokling OPH’s resident Samten Choetso

Phuntsok Ling Old People’s Home (OPH), located within the PhuntsLinok g Tibetan Settlement in Odisha, is a friendly community for the elderly, caring for 13 residents, including four bedridden seniors, sustained by a capable team of five staff members. The home is administered by the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and plays a vital role in ensuring dignity
and stability for elders living far from their homeland. The FPMT’s Social Services Fund has supported Phuntsok Ling OPH since 2021, helping to sustain essential services, including food provision, medical care, staff salaries, and day-to-day operational
expenses.

One of the the households in Odisha affected by the severe rainstorm in 2026.

In 2026, the grant was allocated for the renovation of the Phuntsok Ling OPH, including urgent repair works required after cyclone-related damage, as well as the renovation of homes belonging to three destitute households. In May 2026, severe rainfall caused substantial damage to the homes, resulting in roof leaks, water damage, and weakened structures. Renovation support enabled the necessary repairs, improving the overall living conditions of the affected families.

Tibetan Settlement Office Dalhousie. The Dalhousie Phuntsokling Tibetan Settlement proudly welcomes Sikyong Penpa Tsering from the Central Tibetan Administration, August 2025. Photo Courtesy: Tenzin Phende, CTA

The Tibetan Settlement in Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh, was established as part of a rehabilitation effort to resettle Tibetan families scattered across the Chamba region, bringing them together into a cohesive community that could preserve Tibetan culture while ensuring better access to welfare and social support services. Within this settlement, the Tsering Khang and Kalsang Khang
residential buildings, constructed in 2007, are home to 49 households, many of whom are elderly Tibetans who depend on a safe and healthy living environment. The Whitewash of Buildings Project was initiated to address long‑term deterioration caused by
exposure to weather, moisture, and aging infrastructure. The buildings had not been whitewashed since their construction, leading to peeling paint, damp walls, and conditions conducive to the growth of harmful fungi and mold – posing serious health risks for elderly residents, particularly those with respiratory or age‑related illnesses. By applying protective whitewash, the project helps prevent moisture retention, improves hygiene, and contributes to a healthier indoor environment for older residents. In 2026, FPMT’s Social Services Fund offered a small grant toward this project, enabling essential whitewashing and maintenance work to be carried out.

On 8th September 2026, elderly residents of the Paonta Cholsum Tibetan Settlement were deeply blessed to receive an audience with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Paonta Cholsum Tibetan Settlement, located in Himachal Pradesh, India, is home to more than 1,000 Tibetans, including many elderly community members who have contributed greatly to preserving Tibetan culture and community life in exile. In 2026, FPMT’s Social Services Fund sponsored the costs for a special pilgrimage for elders aged 65 and above to attend a private audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala. The funding enabled 45 elderly residents, accompanied by 4 camp leaders and 2 volunteers, to travel safely and comfortably, covering transportation, accommodation, meals, and other essential expenses. For many participants, this precious opportunity to receive the blessings from His Holiness was the fulfillment of a long-held aspiration and a deeply meaningful expression of gratitude and care for the settlement’s senior community members.

Thank you!

The stories and updates in this blog reflect more than numbers or projects – they reflect lives cared for with respect, patience, and compassion. Through consistent operational support and timely infrastructure improvements, FPMT’s Social Services Fund has helped ensure that elderly Tibetans can live their remaining years in peace and comfort. The US$247,591 granted in 2026 to eight elder homes represents not only financial assistance, but a continuation of a long‑standing promise: that elders who carried the weight of displacement, survival, and cultural preservation are not forgotten. As the needs of aging communities continue to grow, sustained support remains essential. With deep gratitude to all donors, partners, and caretakers, this work stands as a living expression of compassion in action – and an ongoing commitment to serve those who once served their people so faithfully.

We deeply appreciate your support, together, we can help these resilient communities build stronger and safer environments, ensuring that the Tibetan elders continue to live with dignity and peace. 

Your continued support to the Social Services Fund, helps ensure continuous assistance for elderly homes and those who are in need.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe during a wedding blessing at the 12th Meditation Course, 1979, Kathmandu, Kopan Monastery, Nepal. Photo by Ina Van Delden. Photo courtesy LYWA

People think, “To be with them is all I need in life.” They never think about the possible problems, and instead, see a life filled with beauty and bliss. They think, “If I could only be with this person, I could kiss the rest of the world goodbye. Whatever happens after that, even if the world were to be destroyed by fire, it wouldn’t matter? It is very interesting to investigate how the mind thinks, and in particular, ‘the trip’ that attachment takes us on. Attachment sees only beauty, only bliss. It considers that particular person to be absolutely wonderful and the most important and best thing in life. Even before you meet someone, you hope to encounter such a person and imagine how the relationship will be, including the holidays you will go on together. Mentally you make up stories or daydream about how nice it will be. Then at the beginning of an actual relationship, there is a lot of excitement. You are attracted to each other and meet for an hour or so here and there, perhaps in a park or at a restaurant. You meet more and more often and come to think, “How wonderful it would be if we could live together.” Eventually, you either get married or move in together. But only then do you begin to really see the other person. As the days pass, you gradually begin to get angry when the other person behaves in ways or says things that you don’t like. You begin to notice many previously unnoticed things about them, such as the unpleasant smell of their body and excrement. Gradually you come to see many faults. You begin to see the selfish mind of the other person, that they don’t want to do what you want them to do and that they only want to do whatever they want. Your unhappiness starts to grow and then gets stronger and stronger.

Whereas at the beginning, there were no problems and you were completely absorbed in bliss, now that bliss is like a cloud or a rainbow disappearing from the sky. First, there is just a trace left and then it is completely gone. The days pass and there are more and more problems. Eventually, your heartfelt wish comes to be expressed in the thought, “When can I be rid of them?” At this point, your way of thinking is completely opposite to what it was at the beginning of the relationship. Now what you wish and pray for from the bottom of your heart is to be free from this person! That becomes the most important thing in your life-to be rid of them is what would make you the happiest person alive. Day and night, while you are at work and when you return home, you continually ask yourself, “When am I going to be free?” You look for a way to make this happen and as a result, there is more and more fighting and quarrelling. Your life becomes filled with tears and misery. You blame each other, saying, “You did this” and “You did that.” Finally, either you leave them or the other person leaves you. And then what you want is to never see that person again! While at one time, the best thing imaginable was to be with that person forever, now the best thing would be to never encounter them ever again.

One time I was in Singapore and an Indian couple came to visit me. They told me that they couldn’t wait for their daughter to get married and asked me to pray for this to happen quickly. I advised them to be careful, to take their time and to not rush, but I didn’t go into any detail about the possible problems that could arise. They seemed to have no idea what marriage implied; it was as if they were completely hallucinating. For them, their daughter’s marriage was the most important thing in their lives and they seemed oblivious to the fact that marriage is not always sun-shining bliss. This showed me that not only young people but also their parents never actually think about what can happen; everyone just takes it for granted that couples will always have a good life together. Even though everyone sees and hears about the problems that occur in relationships,people never think that this will happen to them. However, sooner or later, there will be problems; for example, some couples end up fighting over money and other possessions to the point of ending up suing each other.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s book: Joyful Parents – Successful Children.

When the experience of being together starts to become unpleasant, you see more and more problems, and at the same time, your attachment diminishes more and more until the excitement is completely gone. But even before that relationship is over, you get into another relationship with the thought, “This person loves me more than my present partner. You start the same mental story all over again, “This person is fantastic; they only love me. If we could be together, there won’t be any problems, only bliss. This time there won’t be any darkness, just sun-shining happiness.” Then, the same story starts all over again. You move in together and gradually the other person learns more about what you are like, and you also begin to see things that you didn’t notice before. You find more and more faults in each other and gradually lose interest in each other. Once again the relationship ends. Then again you meet someone new and think, “This person loves me so much more.” If on top of everything else you have children, this can create additional problems as then all the attention tends to become focused on them. If that happens, you can easily come to feel that your partner doesn’t love you anymore.

For all these reasons, you should consider having a relationship to be an opportunity to practice Dharma and to free yourself from worldly thoughts, just like having children. In particular, you should make sure that being together with someone becomes a cause of enlightenment by keeping in mind the motivation of bodhicitta. You should cherish, serve and dedicate your life to your partner in the same way that you aspire to do for all sentient beings.

You can use your relationship to practice morality by, for example, observing the five lay vows of abstaining from killing, stealing, adultery, lying and mind-altering substances. Likewise, having a partner provides an opportunity for you to practice the other five perfections of giving, patience, perseverance, concentration and wisdom. If you can do this, they will give you enlightenment just like your children.

You can also think about your partner in exactly the same way as your children, “I have received every happiness experienced throughout beginningless lives from this person.” Just that kindness is unimaginable, but on top of that, you also receive all your future happiness from them. In addition, you also receive liberation from every suffering, which is much more precious, from them. Then, you also receive enlightenment, which is even more precious, from that person. Thinking in this way, the conclusion is that your partner is the most precious, most dear and most kind person in your entire life.

You should also keep in mind that in past lives, your present partner was your mother and at that time was kind to you in the four ways. By recognising the vast kindness you’ve received from them, you will come to see yourself as their servant. Thinking in this way, your living together will become an opportunity to practice Dharma. With the attitude that the other person is most precious and kind, every single action you do will become a means of collecting extensive merit. If you also act with bodhicitta, you will collect limitless skies of merit and your actions will become the cause to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. By thinking, “I am going to offer service to this person who is a most precious sentient being” you will collect a huge amount of merit every day and also purify defilements collected throughout beginningless lives. Since you will constantly create the cause for the biggest success-full enlightenment for all sentient beings, your life will be filled with happiness and hope.

When trying to understand the things that happen in a relationship, you need to take past karma into account. Everything that you expect to happen doesn’t necessarily happen because the way things go depends on the karma that you and your partner created in the past. If you always remember to relate events to karma by thinking, “This is my karma” and “This is their karma, a potential problem doesn’t even become a problem because you accept the situation. It does not bother you and there is peace in your heart. But if you don’t think of or don’t accept karma, you will feel as though you are crushed beneath heavy mountains of problems. However, it’s your own faulty way of thinking that makes you feel like that. 

If you remember karma, then even if one day your partner leaves you, there will be no problem at all. You will respect their decision by seeing how they are the most precious, dearest and kindest sentient being from whom you receive all your past, present and future happiness. Thinking like this, you won’t have any clinging or attachment, and even if your partner decides to leave you, you will be able to mentally offer them whatever is best for them. If a relationship begins with this way of thinking, it will also end well. On the other hand, if the motivation at the beginning is faulty, then at the end when separation occurs, there will be intense suffering even to the point of contemplating suicide.

If you are able to make use of all your relationships to practice Dharma, you will lead a very healthy life. Whether you have a partner or children, whether you are taking care of other people’s children, the elderly or your own parents, you should practice seeing yourself as their servant and the sentient beings you are taking care of as your lord or boss. Then serve them by working to free them from suffering and to bring them happiness. This is the attitude of a bodhisattva towards all sentient beings. 

By thinking in the ways that I have explained here, you will be able to fully enjoy life. You will find satisfaction and fulfillment and you will experience inner peace and happiness. Otherwise, no matter the excitement and no matter how many good things happen to you, your heart will always be empty and you will be miserable.

This teaching is drawn from Joyful Parents, Successful Children, edited by Venerable Joan Nicell (Amitabha Buddhist Centre, 2015).

You can read the book here

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.

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.

Kopan Sangha preparing relief supplies for 300 families. Source: Kopan Monastery Facebook page.

The devastating floods that struck the border area of Tibet and Nepal on August 26 have caused immense suffering. According to the latest Nepal Government report, as of September 2, 1,204 people had lost their lives, 4,216 people remained missing, and 301 people had been injured. Thousands of people have been displaced, while homes and livelihoods have been destroyed, leaving many families facing an uncertain future. Children have been among those most deeply affected, with humanitarian organizations reporting growing concerns for vulnerable and orphaned children.

In response to the floods, FPMT established the FPMT Emergency Relief Fund to provide assistance to those affected. In cooperation with Kopan Monastery and Kopan Nunnery, the fund is already supporting emergency relief efforts for flood-affected families from Rasuwa.

Kopan monks distributing relief supplies to families from Ama Tsodinmo village. Source: Kopan Monastery Facebook page.

On September 1, rice and dal were provided for flood relief efforts through Budhanilkantha Municipality. On September 6, relief supplies—including mattresses, pillows, towels, and other daily necessities—were provided to 40 people from Ama Tsodinmo village in Rasuwa. On September 9, household kitchenware—including pots, pans, pressure cookers, cups, plates, and other items needed for preparing and serving meals—was provided to approximately 140 families affected by the floods. These families had traveled to Kathmandu from the flood-affected area and requested assistance.

Kopan Monastery providing essential kitchenware to around 140 families affected by the recent floods in Rasuwa. Source: Kopan Facebook page

Kopan Monastery providing essential kitchenware to around 140 families affected by the recent floods in Rasuwa. Source: Kopan Facebook page

These relief efforts have been made possible by Kopan Monastery and Kopan Nunnery and through the generosity of donors to the FPMT Emergency Relief Fund, together with the support of Kopan Helping Hands, Kleine Hilfe Deggendorf e.V., and many individuals and volunteers who have responded with open hearts to this crisis.

At present, the focus remains on meeting immediate and essential needs. As needs continue to be assessed and circumstances evolve, we hope that support can extend beyond immediate emergency relief and contribute to longer-term recovery wherever possible.

Kopan Sangha preparing relief supplies for 300 families. Source: Kopan Monastery Facebook page.

We offer our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported these efforts so far. Your kindness is already reaching families in need and bringing practical help, comfort, and hope during an extraordinarily difficult time.

We offer our sincere prayers for all those who have lost their lives in this devastating flood, and to all the families and communities who have been affected. Lama Zopa Rinpoche often reminded us that, even when circumstances seem overwhelmingly difficult, sincere prayer can have a profound effect. We have compiled Rinpoche’s key advice for natural disasters, along with prayers to do for those who have passed away.

The FPMT Emergency Relief Fund provides immediate support to communities connected with FPMT around the world. The fund assists people and families affected by natural disasters, emergencies at FPMT centers and projects, and other urgent situations where immediate help is needed.

This teaching is from Knowledge-Wisdom: The Peaceful Path to Liberation, Volume 1, edited by Nicholas Ribush and published by the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, Boston, 2023. It is drawn from a teaching Lama Yeshe gave to students at the University of California, Berkeley, on July 13, 1983, titled “Anxiety in the Nuclear Age.”

Lama Yeshe teaching at UCSC, Santa Cruz, California, United States, 1978. Photo by Jon Landaw. Photo courtesy of LYWA.

[…] If you go to Russia and ask people, “Do you want to be killed by nuclear missiles?” they’re going to say “No!” For sure, they don’t want that to happen. Therefore, we have to educate people to understand the difference between what is beneficial for humanity and what is destructive for the individual and for all. It’s simply a matter of education.

Lord Buddha stressed the importance of generating loving kindness for all people irrespective of race, nationality, creed or anything else; he taught that all human beings and even animals were the object of loving kindness. This is the best guarantee against nuclear war, because each individual has to maintain control and take personal responsibility for the welfare of all beings in the universe. Taking universal responsibility is the guarantee. If each individual doesn’t take personal responsibility for the welfare of all, it won’t work.

To bring happiness and peace to earth, we have to eliminate every situation leading to hatred and anger. That means totally eradicating our own hatred and anger. We have to make our own lives peaceful and happy. This is the way to work for peace twenty-four hours a day. If our minds harbor destructive, angry thoughts, any talk of peace is just a joke. It’s merely artificial; there’s no guarantee. The only guarantee is to fertilize our minds with peace and loving kindness toward all; that’s the way we should do it. The question remains, is it possible to spread these ideas throughout the whole world? Can we get everybody in the world to agree to abandon the use of nuclear arms and not to kill any human being? Can you make that determination yourself? Can we spread this philosophy or not? What do you think? We’re not using religion in this; we’re not using Buddha, we’re not using Christ, we’re not using religion or non-religion—we’re just concerned for the welfare of all human beings. What do you think?

Do you think it’s possible to make this kind of program and reach that point or not? I’m not talking nationalistically or making any philosophic argument; I’m just talking about feeling secure, taking care of each other, loving each other, bringing peace and happiness to each other. It’s a very simple thing.

Therefore, in our daily lives, each of us should dedicate ourselves to bringing peace and happiness to all beings, and this determination itself is a powerful way of bringing peace and success into our own lives. But this doesn’t mean not to act, either; to just think good thoughts but be passive. But when you do act, act with wisdom and without selfishness, hatred or emotional fear. In that way, you will educate yourself and others.

Don’t worry. Any talk of nuclear destruction of the earth is still speculation. It’s just a mental projection; it’s not yet reality. Therefore, relax and enjoy the rest of your life as much as possible. Be happy and peaceful, and don’t waste your time with pessimistic thoughts, fear or worry. Thank you so much.

Excerpt from a teaching by Lama Yeshe, published in Knowledge-Wisdom: The Peaceful Path to Liberation, Volume 1, edited by Nicholas Ribush and published by the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, Boston, 2023. You can read the entire talk here.  

Lama Yeshe gave a second public talk with the same title in Santa Cruz, California, on July 23, 1983. A DVD of both these talks is available from LYWA or you can watch the videos on LYWA YouTube channel. The multimedia title, Switch Your Mind from Emotion to Peace, presents the Berkeley talk, enhanced by video, audio and images. 

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.

The News Roundup is a digest of short community highlights from FPMT centers and individuals around the world, as part of our ongoing effort to nourish the “family feeling” and bring back the “News Around the World”  and “News in Brief” sections previously featured in the print Mandala magazine that so many of us have missed! This list of stories is not exhaustive, —just a sample of all the great activities happening in the FPMT family worldwide. 

We hope that reading these highlights will inspire you to rejoice in the family feeling and good works happening in our global FPMT community!  If you would like to share photos or details from your center, we would be happy to include them in the upcoming edition.

Prayers and Aid for Nepal | Practices | Holy Objects  | Milestones | International

Prayers and Aid for Nepal

Prayers for Rasuwa at Kopan Monastery. Photo courtesy of the Kopan Facebook page.

On August 26, 2026, in the Himalayan border region of Nepal and Tibet, a massive glacier collapse triggered catastrophic flash flooding along the Nepal–Tibet border. Hundreds of people have died, hundreds more remain missing, and thousands have been affected or displaced. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing amid difficult terrain and challenging conditions. At this time of immense loss and suffering, FPMT centers around the world have offered special pujas, prayers, and programs dedicated to all those affected. 

Kopan Monastery and Nunnery dedicated prayers for those who passed away in the Rasuwa floods and wished a swift and full recovery to all those injured. As part of the one-door relief collection system initiated by Budhanilkantha Municipality, Kopan Nunnery has provided immediate relief assistance consisting of 40 sacks of rice and 20 sacks of lentils (dal). The relief materials were handed over to the municipality for distribution to the affected victims and families. Additionally, the FPMT Emergency Relief Fund was established to assist individuals and families affected by natural disasters, emergency situations at FPMT centers and projects, and other urgent crises requiring swift aid. FPMT is working directly with Kopan Monastery to identify those most in need and to help ensure that support reaches affected families directly. 

Geshe Tenzin Zopa shared the following heartfelt words of condolence: “To my brothers and sisters in Tibet and Nepal, and to those every individuals who have been impacted by the devastating flood. I mourn with those who have lost their lives and hold the affected families and communities in my prayers. May those who have passed away rest in peace. May those still missing be found swiftly and safely, reunited with family. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who are affected during this extremely difficult time.”

Read more on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice on practices to do during times of natural disaster.

Practices

(Canada) Lama Yeshe Ling Centre, following Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vast vision to recite this sutra as much as possible to bring peace and stop wars, gathered on August 1 to recite the Sutra of Golden Light for peace in our world.

(Australia) Tara Institute‘s students marked the completion of 3,000 recitations of the Sutra of Golden Light in May 2025, as advised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and have continued reciting it weekly, with the tally now at 3,105.

We rejoice in this, and invite centers to keep us updated with their tally of complete recitations and to share your experiences of hearing, reading, reciting, giving, or receiving, or simply thinking about the Sutra of Golden Light.

(Australia) Following advice from His Holiness the Dalai Lama last year, Tara Institute‘s students are also doing the White Tara practice to remove obstacles to the health and long life of their resident teacher, Geshe Doga, with a collective goal of reciting 10,000,000 White Tara mantras by 2028. We rejoice in this group practice!

(Nepal) On August 20, 2026, at Kopan Monastery, the Lama Gyupa monks began constructing the Yamantaka Thirteen-Deity Sand Mandala and commenced the great Self-Initiation Puja, engaging in profound practices for purification, protection, and the accumulation of merit. 

Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi at Losang Dragpa Centre Photo credits of Losang Dragpa Centre Facebook page.

(Malaysia) On August 21, the auspicious and joyful arrival of Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi at Losang Dragpa Centre marked the beginning of the annual Festival of Prayer with Thousand Offerings, which continued through August 23 with the Yamantaka Fire Puja Preliminary Prayers, Yamantaka Controlling Fire Puja, Dzambala Puja, Green Tara Jenang & Short Tsog Offering, Incense Puja & Protector Puja Torma Gyatsa Puja, and Medicine Buddha Jangwa Puja.

(US) Land of Medicine Buddha, on August 30, celebrated the Ksitigarbha Festival with 100 Torma Offerings and made prayers for all beings. Monks from the Gyuto Tantric College led a special puja to make offerings and requests to the enlightened beings and dedicate prayers for the benefit of all beings in the six realms. We rejoice in the merits generated by the practice!

(France) At Nalanda Monastery, daily from August 3–8, the monks of Sera Thekchenling Lachi monks led a Medicine Buddha puja each morning and created a sand mandala representing the celestial palace of the Medicine Buddha. On August 8, they performed a puja for rain, which was answered, and then the mandala was dismantled on August 9. On August 12, the 2026 FPMT Most Secret Hayagriva Retreat began during the solar eclipse—a highly auspicious day for the practice—and continued until August 28, for the benefit of all sentient beings and specifically to eliminate obstacles and gather favorable conditions for FPMT. We are deeply grateful to all the students who took part in this!

(UK) Togme Sangpo group in Scotland recently sadly lost their founder and FPMT registered teacher, Margo van Greta. Togme Sangpo group is deeply grateful to Margo for creating and running it, and they look forward to continuing in the same spirit of service to all sentient beings. Read more about Margo.

Holy Objects

New Stupa in  Bucharest . Photo credit of Garden of Maitreya Study Group Facebook page.

(Romania) Congratulations to the Romanian Dharma brothers and sisters of the Garden of Maitreya Study Group who completed the first stupa in Bucharest! August 18 marked the culmination of a project that began with cemetery plots, a groundbreaking ceremony, a Kadampa stupa built and blessed at Nalanda Monastery in France, and months of gathering, preparing, and consecrating everything that would eventually rest inside it. All of that came together in a single day. Offerings and a mandala were presented, Ven. Tenzin Gendun officiated the Gektor and Rabné ceremonies, and during the final consecration a rainbow appeared. Rejoice in the great merit generated by the Romanian students!

(Italy) Congratulations also to the Italian students who finished construction of the Stupa of Enlightenment dedicated to Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa. The work was organized and carried out by volunteers from Stupa Onlus, and the stupa will be consecrated on December 3, 2026, during the auspicious day of the birthday celebration of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

(Netherlands) We rejoice that another stupa dedicated to Lama Zopa Rinpoche is on the way! Thanks to the community of Maitreya Instituut Loenen, 318 large mantra scrolls have now arrived at the center, each with 273.40 yards (250 meters) of paper—106 with the lotus mantras, 106 with the name mantras of Lama Tsong Khapa, and 106 with the mantras of the long-life deities and the three leaders. The scrolls were filled with incense (a conifer and lavender mixture) and covered with satin, thanks to a volunteer day on June 7 and to the summer lamrim students who spent many hours on the work. Thirty-two microfilms have also arrived to be placed in the stupa; each contains hundreds of thousands of mantras, prayers, and sutras. We rejoice in the efforts of all the people involved in the realization of the stupa in line with the vast vision of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Work in progress at f Maitreya Instituut Loenen. Photo credit of f Maitreya Instituut Loenen Facebook page.

(France) Among the new holy objects in progress are also holy statues in several French centers. At Institut Vajra Yogini, Geshe Loden filled and blessed the new statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, which now sits in the small upper gompa alongside the new statue of Vajra Yogini, also blessed by Geshe-la. From August 11 to 13, they also had the joy of welcoming four monks from Sera Jey Monastery, who came especially from southern India to perform the blessing rituals for the Institute’s prosperity vases in the gompa. Meanwhile, Nalanda Monastery has completed preparations to fill the statues of Lama Tsongkhapa and his two disciples, Khedrup Je and Gyaltsab Je, with new mantras, purchased through the generous support of the community. Geshe Jampa Kalden of Sera Monastery, a classmate of Nalanda’s abbot, Geshe Jamphel, was invited to Nalanda to carry out this important work! May all these new holy objects help to bring peace, wisdom, compassion, and liberation into the world.

(Australia) Rejoice also in the effort of Langri Tangpa Centre‘s tsa-tsa production, now busy painting and gold-leafing hundreds of tsa-tsas in time to be blessed in preparation for the Guru Bhumtsok, this special national event, with Geshe Tenzin Zopa leading the puja and many of Australia’s geshes expected to attend to recite 100,000 Tsok Offering prayers and mantras to Guru Rinpoche, accompanied by abundant offerings of lights, flowers, incense, food, and tsok and traditional musical instruments to dispel obstacles for the entire world and dedicated to world peace and the long life of all our teachers. For the big occasion, a second drum stand—constructed by Manly Men’s Shed, decorated by SPC Miffi, with a drum donated by Stefan Shepherd and a deer 3D-printed by Helene Holland and her son—has also been completed. Congratulations to all the people involved in this collective practice of great generosity! 

We also recently shared a report on several holy object projects sponsored through grants provided from the FPMT Holy Objects Fund. 

Milestones

(Spain) This year is a year of celebrations for Tekchen Chö Ling Center. In addition to marking its fortieth anniversary as a Dharma center, the community celebrates thirty-one years of practicing rotating offerings, following the direct advice of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, with the Ontinyent practitioner group. It is a wonderful reason for joy.

FPMT Basic Program students giving thanks to Geshe Namdak and receiving blessings from relics now housed in the Gompa at Jamyang London. Photo credit of JBC.

(UK) Jamyang Buddhist Centre London (JBC) celebrates the 2026 class that completed the FPMT Basic Program with Geshe Tenzin Namdak in August, after five and a half years of study, debate, retreat, and examination. We rejoice in this wonderful milestone—congratulations! May it inspire everyone considering a Buddhist study program at their own center.

(US) We rejoice with Thubten Kunga Center for Wisdom Culture in Florida, whose offer to purchase its center’s location was accepted, securing a permanent home. The community is now actively raising funds to complete the payment, and thanks to the generosity of a matching donor, Home Fund contributions are currently being matched dollar-for-dollar. May they soon have a definitive home for the community! Discover more here.

(Australia) While Vajrayana Institute has just completed the center renovation, see the final look here. A huge congratulations and thank you to all the people involved!

(Australia) De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre has received a generous $65,000 donation from the sister center Buddha House in South Australia. Buddha House has completed a ten-year pledge to De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre with a lump-sum gift of $65,000—the result of an anonymous benefactor’s original request, years of annual deposits, and, most recently, three bequests from Buddha House members who have passed away. The pledge began when Buddha House raised funds to purchase a retirement property for their teacher and DTL Executive Committee chairperson, Venerable Dondrub; the donor’s sole condition was that Buddha House also support De-Tong Ling over the following decade. De-Tong Ling rejoices in this uncontaminated generosity and offers heartfelt thanks to everyone who made it possible.

Interfaith event at Potowa Study Group. Photo credit of o Potowa Study Group Facebook page.

(Australia) Congratulations to Potowa Study Group for bringing faith communities together to discuss mental well-being, hosting the event One Humanity, Many Faiths: Supporting Mental Well-Being on August 22 in Wagga Wagga. The event brought together representatives from eight faith, spiritual, and cultural traditions, including Geshe Tenzin Zopa representing Buddhism, to explore how spirituality, compassion, and connection can support mental well-being and strengthen understanding across communities. 

While Cittamani Hospice Service organized its 2026 Spirituality Conference on July 31. The event brought together healthcare professionals, carers, community members, and spiritual practitioners to explore the role of spirituality, hope, and connection in palliative care, with the theme “Sustaining Hope and Staying Connected.” Congratulations to Cittamani Hospice Service for offering an opportunity to share diverse perspectives and foster community!

International FPMT Family 

The FPMT Global Mani Retreat continues to offer an opportunity for the international FPMT family to practice together, create the causes for peace in the world, and support the long life and activities of our teachers, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. As recently shared in the latest FPMT Inc. board update, this has been the first project to bring students from all over the world together, and the results have been very encouraging. In fact, the virtuous goal of 100 million mantras may possibly be doubled thanks to the dedication of all the teachers, the students, and the people behind the scenes, especially the Retreat Coordinator, Selina Foong, and her team.

On August 9, His Eminence Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche bestowed teachings on bodhicitta, based on Maitreya’s Sublime Continuum (Ratnagotravibhaga), chapter 1, verse 27. During the session, he strongly emphasized the importance of proper understanding, without which our Dharma practice is nothing more than a collection of words. He also taught the seven-point method for developing bodhicitta. With more than 340 Zoom logins, some forty YouTube viewers, and many more participating in groups, we rejoice.

On August 15, Ven. Amy Miller led the Chenrezig group practice. She conjoined the Four Immeasurables prayer with tonglen practice, taking time to contemplate “giving and taking” while reciting each verse three times.

On August 20, FPMT Mongolia started the fourteenth 100 Million Mani Retreat. Rejoice in this remarkable milestone to fulfill Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s wishes for Mongolia and the world to accumulate extensive merit. Sessions will be livestreamed every Wednesday for the duration of the retreat (August 20–September 17, 2026).

On August 22, Ven. Tenzin Drachom led the latest Chenrezig group practice. 

We are honored that His Eminence Jhado Rinpoche will bestow teachings on “Practicing Compassion Through the Profound View of Emptiness” on September 7, 2026, on Zoom for the FPMT Global Mani Retreat—a rare and precious opportunity for all.

**Running in tandem with these main sessions are Chenrezig Group Practice sessions offered in Spanish and Italian; as well as in English for those in North American time zones.** Please check our Facebook page for all upcoming opportunities. 

Join the FPMT Global Mani Retreat, a precious opportunity to gather in unity, generate collective merit, and deepen our community connections. The mantras we recite together until November 1 will be offered at the conclusion of the retreat for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Discover more about the Global Mani Retreat

His Eminence Jhado Rinpoche will bestow teachings on “Practicing Compassion Through the Profound View of Emptiness” on September 7, 2026,

We Want to Hear Your Story! 

These highlights are sourced from the social media, newsletters, annual reports, websites, and WhatsApp groups of FPMT centers, projects, and services. If you would like to share your news and highlights with the wider FPMT family, we would be so happy to hear from you! 

In addition to these highlights, please also read longer community news stories and news from around the world!

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 offering a teaching, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, September 2020. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

The Sutra of Great Liberation is formally entitled The Arya Mahayana Sutra Called “Arya All-Expansive Great Liberation, Purifying Negative Deeds through Cleansing Remorse, Perfectly Arranged Accomplishment of Buddhahood.” The Tibetan text, found in the Kangyur, is a translation of the Chinese rendition, the Sanskrit source text having been lost over the course of time. This powerful sutra, which was expounded just before the Buddha’s parinirvana, covers a wide variety of topics, including the three vehicles, the three refuges, how to confess and purify, proclamation of names of many buddhas and bodhisattvas, descriptions and causes of the thirty-two marks of an enlightened being, extensive advice on how to practice the Dharma, instructions on how to do the actual purification, and the signs of purification.

Rinpoche emphasized that engaging with this sutra in any way, even unintentionally, has “unimaginable benefits.” He said that anyone who hears even the name of the sutra, writes, reads, prints, or keeps a copy of it collects unimaginable merit. Reciting it is an easy method to purify all the very negative karmas. Furthermore, anyone who memorizes, holds, or keeps a copy of it will become free from suffering, will never be reborn in the lower realms, and become enlightened. The same is true for anyone who simply hears its powerful mantra. Because of these benefits, Rinpoche recommended that we recite the sutra when we are able, and that it would even be beneficial to “keep the sutra.” Rinpoche noted that wherever a copy of this sutra is kept, this is a place where the Buddha himself resides. 

Benefits explained from the sutra itself:

Whoever sees this sutra sees the face of the Buddha. 
Whoever holds this sutra holds the body of the Buddha. 
Whoever practices this sutra practices the activities of the Buddha.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche stressed the importance of this sutra and kindly offered the oral transmission. 

“I want to give one mantra from the Liberation Sutra [Sutra of Great Liberation]. It is most unbelievably precious. By just hearing it or reciting it one time, your life always goes toward enlightenment. The Sutra of Great Liberation itself has most unbelievable benefit. So in the future, we should get the oral transmission of that text […] I received the oral transmission of the mantra from Kyabje Khyongla Rato Rinpoche, a very high lama from Drepung Loseling. For the motivation, think, ‘The purpose of my life is not just to achieve happiness for myself but to free the numberless kind mother sentient beings from the oceans of samsaric sufferings and bring them to peerless happiness, the state of enlightenment. For that, I must achieve buddhahood. Therefore, I’m going to take this oral transmission of the mantra.’ […] By hearing this mantra with devotion or even if you recite it only one time a day, you will never be reborn as a hell being, hungry ghost, or animal until you achieve enlightenment. This was said by the unbetraying Victorious One.”

— Lama Zopa Rinpoche, during the oral transmission of the Mantra from “The Sutra of Great Liberation” to students at Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, October 2018.

Rinpoche gave instruction on the correct motivation for listening to the oral transmission and commentary of the Sutra of Great Liberation in 2020, when he bestowed this lung over many months of teachings in his video series Teachings on Thought Transformation during the Time of COVID-19 in the teachings titled  “Sutra of Great Liberation” Is Exactly What Is Needed at This Dangerous Time. 

“The purpose of life is not to just avoid the lower realms and receive a higher rebirth, or to be free from the oceans of samsaric suffering forever. The main purpose of life is to achieve full enlightenment, buddhahood, the total cessation of gross and subtle obscurations and the completion of realizations, for all sentient beings. This is for every single sentient being—including every hell being; every hungry ghost; every animal such as tiny insects, dogs, goats, birds, etc.; every single human being including those speaking different languages in different countries, those who are your enemy, friends, or strangers, those who are your parents, brothers, sisters; and every sura and asura. Your purpose is to free them from the oceans of samsaric sufferings and bring them to enlightenment, to buddhahood, by yourself alone. Therefore, you are listening to the teachings, listening to the oral transmission of Sutra of Great Liberation, for this purpose.

 The world is so full of problems, including contagious diseases, wars, fighting, and disasters of the elements such as landslides, typhoons, tornadoes, and fires. The Sutra of Great Liberation is exactly what you need at this dangerous time.”

— Lama Zopa Rinpoche, during the oral transmission of the  “Sutra of Great Liberation” Is Exactly What Is Needed at This Dangerous Time.  The oral transmission begins at 0:41:16 in the video.

You can access the mantra from the Sutra of Great Liberation in PDF and audio; as well as print or PDF from the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive. 

The  Tibetan pecha of the Sutra of Great Liberation is also available for printing.

Explore a larger collection of  Sutras & Dharanis

Watch Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching “‘Sutra of Great Liberation’ Is Exactly What Is Needed at This Dangerous Time”:

Or read the transcript of Rinpoche’s teaching

Watch an extract of Lama Zopa Rinpoche recite the Mantra from “The Sutra of Great Liberation,” with additional commentary

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.

Kopan Sangha offers prayers for all those who lost their lives in the Rasuwa floods on August 27.

People around the world have been deeply saddened by the devastating flash floods and mudslides that struck Nepal on August 26. The disaster has caused loss of life, injuries, displacement, and extensive damage in the Nepal-Tibet border region near the Rasuwagadhi-Gyirong crossing. Roads, transportation networks, and critical infrastructure have also been severely disrupted.

Devastation at the Nepal-Tibet border.

The floods are also affecting our community close to home. We are already in close contact with monks and nuns at Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu whose families have been directly affected by the flooding.

In addition to offering prayers (more information below), we can also express our compassion and concern through practical support. With the FPMT Emergency Relief Fund, we will work closely with Kopan Monastery to ensure that funds reach those facing the greatest challenges. 

The FPMT Emergency Relief Fund assists individuals and families affected by natural disasters, emergency situations at FPMT centers and projects, and other urgent crises requiring swift aid. FPMT is working directly with Kopan Monastery to identify those most in need and to help ensure that support reaches affected families directly. This is not the first time FPMT has supported Nepal’s communities in crisis. In the past, FPMT has responded to emergencies such as the 2015 Nepal earthquake and the 2024 Thame flood, providing direct support to Kopan Monastery, Lawudo Retreat Centre, and local communities. As more information becomes available, we will continue to share updates on the situation and how donations are being distributed.

We also want to share The Nepal Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund if you prefer to donate directly there. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche often reminded us that, even when circumstances seem overwhelmingly difficult, sincere prayer can have a profound effect. We’ve compiled some of Rinpoche’s key advice for natural disasters, which you are welcome to engage in as you are able.  Yesterday, His Holiness the Dalai Lama offered special prayers for victims of the recent floods:

Thank you to everyone who has been keeping the people (and all beings) of Nepal in their thoughts and prayers, and to all those offering their help at this difficult time. Knowing how to help in a positive way after a disaster can feel overwhelming. We hope these resources make it easy for anyone to make a meaningful difference.

The 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.

Contribute to the FPMT Emergency Relief Fund

The FPMT Emergency Relief Fund provides immediate support to communities connected with FPMT around the world. The fund assists people and families affected by natural disasters, emergencies at FPMT centers and projects, and other urgent situations where immediate help is needed.

Please use this donation form to make an offering below.

By submitting this donation, you agree that fpmt.org can collect, store and use the data you submit through this form in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

All donations are made in US Dollars.

All donations made to FPMT to support these funds are tax-deductible within the United States in accordance with IRS Code article 501(c)(3) to the extent allowed by law.

Declined Donations

If your card is being declined unexpectedly, and you are using Apple Safari as a web browser, please see below. Otherwise, please contact FPMT Donor Services for help with making your donation. Sorry for the trouble and thank you for your patience and support.

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Donations by Wire Transfer

Please contact Donor Services for details on making a donation by wire transfer or other payment methods.

Need Further Support?

If you have any questions about the FPMT Charitable Projects, please contact the Charitable Projects Director.

If you need any other help with your donation, including cancelling or making changes to recurring donations, please contact FPMT Donor Services.

The FPMT Emergency Relief Fund provides immediate support to communities connected with FPMT around the world. The fund assists people and families affected by natural disasters, emergencies at FPMT centers and projects, and other urgent situations where immediate help is needed.

Current Immediate Need:

Flash Floods and Mudslides – Nepal

On August 26, a sudden flash flood of the Bhote Koshi River struck the border area between Nepal and Tibet, sweeping away villages, homes, roads, bridges, and essential infrastructure in the Rasuwa and neighboring districts. The scale of this disaster is still unfolding, and many people remain unaccounted for. Entire communities have lost their homes and are displaced.

A number of monks and nuns of Kopan Monastery are from these districts. Family members are still missing and unaccounted for, and many of their families have lost their entire homes and are displaced.

Relief is already reaching affected families. Through the Emergency Relief Fund, FPMT is working with Kopan Monastery and Nunnery to provide essential food, household supplies, bedding, and other immediate assistance.

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Latest Updates

Kopan Monastery and Nunnery Support Flood-Affected Families from Rasuwa

Emergency Relief Fund | September 10, 2026 -

The devastating floods that struck the border area of Tibet and Nepal on August 26 have caused immense suffering. According to the latest Nepal Government report, as of September 2, 1,204 people had lost their lives, 4,216 people remained missing, … Read more »

Previous Emergency Responses

In the past, FPMT has responded to emergencies such as the 2015 Nepal earthquake and the 2024 Thame flood, providing immediate support to Kopan Monastery, Lawudo Retreat Centre, and directly to local communities.

Thame Flood

Thame Flood (2024): On August 16, 2024, the remote Nepali village of Thame in the Solu Khumbu district was devastated by a catastrophic flood caused by a nearby glacial lake bursting its banks. In response, FPMT raised funds and provided essential aid to the residents of Thame, as well as support for their future needs. Kopan’s Helping Hands worked directly with the residents to assess their needs and allocate the funds raised effectively.

Nepal Earthquake

Nepal Earthquake (2015): After the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal in 2015, FPMT distributed USD 2.14 million in grants for immediate relief and later rebuilding efforts. Grants were sent for basic necessities needed for survival, such as food, water, tents, bedding, and medical aid, to many who lost everything in remote regions. Later on, grants were given to rebuild a number of monasteries and nunneries.

Offer your compassionate support

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The FPMT Emergency Relief is a project of FPMT Inc. All donations made to the fund are tax-deductible within the United States in accordance with IRS Code article 501(C)(3) to the extent allowed by law.

For questions about the Social Services Fund activities, please contact the Charitable Projects Director.

The FPMT Community Grants Fund provides annual grants to FPMT centers, projects, services, study groups and other initiatives that help bring the Dharma to life around the world. From education and retreat support to holy objects, community services, translations and improvements to Dharma centers, these grants help local communities turn meaningful projects into reality.

Your Support Can Help

Preserve & Share the Dharma

Translations, publications and Dharma resources

Make Study & Practice Possible

Retreat sponsorships and practice opportunities

Create Sacred Spaces & Objects

Holy objects, statues, stupas and sacred spaces

Highlights of 2026

8 projects · US$11,800 in Grants

See all 2026 Community Grants Fund stories →

Why the Community Grants Fund is Needed

Every year, FPMT centers and projects around the world identify meaningful opportunities to benefit their communities – but the resources available to them are often limited.
In many cases, the amount requested exceeds what the Community Grants Fund can provide. The Fund is entirely dependent on the generosity of donors, so the level of support available directly affects how many projects can receive grants and how much each project can receive.

Many projects received less than they requested because available funding could not meet the full demand.

Your support can help close this gap and enable more communities to bring meaningful projects to life.

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Small offerings. Big possibilities.

The Community Grants Fund carries forward the legacy of the Merit Box, bringing the generosity of the FPMT community together to support projects that help local communities thrive.

Choose an Offering

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Your generosity helps us say yes to more projects.

The Community Grants Fund helps local FPMT communities turn their aspirations into action, supporting initiatives that contribute to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions and FPMT’s mission to preserve and share the Dharma and benefit beings.

The Fund mainly supports three of Rinpoche’s Vast Visions

Explore Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions →
Explore other FPMT Charitable Projects →

Explore Latest News & Stories

Community Grants Fund Offers Eight Grants to Dharma Projects

Charitable Activities | July 15, 2026 -

In 2024, the FPMT Community Grants Fund (CGF) was launched as a new evolution of the much‑loved International Merit Box Project, which for more than 21 years provided grants to local FPMT centers, projects, services, study groups, and Dharma initiatives … Read more »

FPMT Community Grants Fund Offers Nine Grants to Inspiring Dharma Projects

Charitable Activities | October 2, 2025 -

In 2024, the FPMT Community Grants Fund was launched as a transition from the much-loved International Merit Box Project, which for over twenty-one years provided grants to local FPMT centers, projects, services, study groups, and Dharma initiatives worldwide. This new … Read more »

Update on the Merit Box Project & New FPMT Community Grants Fund

Community Grants Fund | January 20, 2025 -

The Merit Box Project closed for good at the end of 2024. We invite rejoicing in the many students and friends around the world who contributed to the project, helping bring hundreds of Dharma activities to fruition—including stupas, statues and … Read more »

 

See all Community Grants Fund stories →

Grant History

Merit Box Project 2003–2024

Where else could your support make a difference?

Explore other FPMT funds supporting Dharma, practice, education and compassionate action around the world

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For questions about the Community Grants Fund, please contact the Charitable Projects Director.

The FPMT Community Grants Fund is a project of FPMT, Inc. and is administered by FPMT International Office located in Portland, Oregon, United States. All donations made to this fund are tax-deductible within the United States in accordance with IRS Code article 501(c)(3) to the extent allowed by law.