REACHINGOUT REACHING OUT: A history of and contemporary look at the Centers, Projects and Services of FPMT

Lama Yeshe supervises building of Kopan FPMT pioneers: Peter Kedge, Yeshe, Gompa extension, 1976 Sister Max1 and Lama Zopa , 1982 We make the ocean and the fish will come. – Lama pi-o-neer: And funding? Lama Yeshe was brutal in his insistence 1. One who ventures into unknown or unclaimed that centers and students be self-sufficient and often territory to settle. encouraged them to start businesses. Lama’s early students 2. One who opens up new areas of thought, research or were made up of those from the anti-establishment genera- development. tion and many had been quite proud to cheat on their taxes, accept welfare payments, shoplift or sell marijuana as ama Thubten Yeshe (1935-1984), founder of the methods to remain on the fringes of society. Lama insisted Foundation for the Preservation of the that his students “do what society people do” and function LTradition (FPMT), was many things to many people. as professional members of the world. Breaking the law or What seems a constant impression from those who knew following the “hippie” notion that money and capitalism him was that Lama Yeshe was big. “Think big,” “big love,” were necessary evils would get them nowhere. It was one’s – these are catch-phrases commonly attributed to Lama. motivation that corrupted ventures in commerce, and since Some students even claim he often appeared to physically his students were engaging in business practice to be of grow far bigger than his 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) frame. benefit to others, no way could this be corrupt. He insisted that end results were to be carefully visual- “Thinking big” was not simply a cute expression that ized before plans and details. After all, how can you reach a Lama used to impress his students. Thinking big meant destination without first knowing exactly where you’d like to breaking free from all of the small, narrow, tight thinking go? When students expressed an interest in starting a center that had kept his students cycling in the irresistible misery he didn’t encourage them to start off following a tradition- of samsara for countless lifetimes. ally conservative model by raising a couple of years worth A pioneer in every sense of the word, Lama Yeshe was of funds, working out all budget and program details, fearlessly charging into the new territory of Western securing investors and starting slowly. He instructed them to with a crystal clear understanding of the dominant find “a place,” a physical location first. “We make the ocean Western modes of thinking. Lama Yeshe believed that and the fish will come,” he’d advise. Buddhism, once stripped of the traditional Eastern cultural

1 Sister Max was one of Lama Yeshe’s earliest students and strongest benefactor trappings, would speak easily to the science-centered Western of early activity. mind with its focus on logic and proof. Lama encouraged his

18 July - September 2009 nl n McNeil Ann Anila pioneer, FPMT with Yeshe Lama a h raiain hswsRnoh’ ieto FPMT. of time guide spiritual Rinpoche’s new was the as This emerge himself organization. Rinpoche if the better was ran it said Lama Dalai Holinessthe His didn’t accept. they but gurus, his to zation advised. Rinpoche apart,” fall things let don’t on and “Carry the the together. of everything aims keep encouraged long-term and the organization on Rinpoche focused stay motherless to Zopa students like of Lama stunned Hundreds children. were gone. was students Lama devastated crisis. in was FPMT heart . his in medita- courses and Kopan tion the Yeshe at Lama Rinpoche, Zopa met Lama disciple, they when it even And found something, lives. for searching their necessarily weren’t their in who those was meaning students finding these in ways. interest linking of variety thread a in common 1970s A early and 1960s late the in phenomenon. natural a all rather centers was this starting world: the of over intention the with Westerners (plus them twenty- later. thriving of years still five are all initiatives) new nearly of hundreds And in projects countries. twenty and fourteen centers thirty established had organization Yeshe’s of hundreds Lama his students, Western) to life (mostly to approach big this teaching of blah” blah word. “blah single a his even of trusted all they before on up” “check to students eev ihreuain eofrpol the people the offer and teachings We Buddha’s of knowledge education. combined higher to chance the receive people gives that education. organization higher an to are beings We aim sentient our lead to to as want clear we clean – are we think I world? the over ntal,Rnoh tepe oofrteorgani- the offer to attempted Rinpoche Initially, 1984, of March in away passed Yeshe Lama When Nepal and India to way their found students His teaching begin didn’t Yeshe Lama Admittedly, years fifteen after passing, Lama’s of time the At H EHV SALSE FPMT ESTABLISHED HAVE WE WHY n hs aiiisall facilities these ing establish- we are Why W alse the tablished satisfaction. perfect thus and totality own their discover people h aew es- we have Why st help to is do to trying a eare we hat FPMT? yLm Yeshe Lama By h i oeta a eti l oehrtruhteyears. the through together all it kept has that love big the ingenuity and stories, the students, activities: the these the Russia. and Europe Pacific, America, Asia South the and across North all found be Western first now the can of students, countries home the to spread then to FPMT bring to countries. home continue their students on lives ambitious tradition pioneering as as this cherished And and today. not accessed are widely they could as be teachings to ’ spread the have and centers, students, early early thus, those Without Lama and Rinpoche. students Yeshe Lama Zopa pioneer of of kindness incredible handfuls the few and a just deter- of and mination dedication the The from today. born is was organization it outfit multi-purposed international, individuals. devoted of thousands the of through efforts sustained and countries stretching thirty-three groups over study and services projects, centers, issue. January-March 2010 our organization in Rinpoche’s the incredibleof with journey story to organization. the We’ll tell years the develop and stabilize many over effort continuous enormous made India. in doorstep up modest turned their student Western on first Lamas’ the when years forty ago of conceived or anticipated been have could never that ways in flourished has organization the tion, hrfr ti oia htw hudwr oehrto together work should we that logical grow; is us it helps therefore Buddhism beings; human are We various that. in groups others. with together grow and put share to experience and countries their – share others to wish with the some- do expressed into to – wanted came thing then I who Rather, I students, world. that with the contact said over never all I’ve centers it.” Our want do to development. wanted but Yeshe not of “Lama things is It organically. these process naturally, grown do has natural organization to want a we through said having me or expe- our share this. to of is riences purpose Our life. of way modern ee etk okbc ttedvlpetof development the at back look a take we Here, Nepal, and India in started that organization The organized, the into evolve and grow to had FPMT growing) (and 154 of up made is FPMT Today, Rinpoche Zopa Yeshe away, passed Lama Lama After protec- and care Rinpoche’s Zopa Lama Under esnlyItikta’ ie esol okfor work should We fine. that’s think I Personally you through not is evolved have we way the Now, uy-Spebr20 M 2009 September - July ANDALA 19 CENTERS, PROJECTS AND SERVICES OF FPMT REACHINGOUT

facilitate this kind of education. And it is not only we lamas anything. I’m part of the Central Office; I can give my who are working for this. The centers’ resident and opinion. But it was not necessary to rely on me for every- the students are working too. Actually, it is you students thing. That’s why I established the Central Office. who are instrumental in creating the facilities for However, to some extent I am still responsible for to exist in the Western world. True. Of course, teachers whatever happens in our centers. I have not let go of all help, but the most important thing is for the students to be responsibility and said let whatever happens happen. There- well educated. That is why we exist. fore, I have to know something of what’s going on in the When we started establishing centers there was no over- centers: what the problems are, how serious they are, what all plan – they just popped up randomly all over the world benefits the center is and so forth. The point is, I like mushrooms, because of the evolutionary process I’ve just am not going to let the centers go completely so that they mentioned and the cooperative conditions. Now that all these become totally nonsensical, non-beneficial to others and centers do exist, we have to facilitate their development in a just some kind of ego-trip. I don’t believe that should constructive, clean clear way, otherwise everything will just happen. So I don’t want to close myself off; I like to look at get confused. We have to develop properly both internally and and reflect upon what’s happening, but at the same time I in accordance with our twentieth century environment. don’t want to have to spend my whole life writing letters. Now, the way to bring Dharma to the Western world Thus taking the meant setting up the Central is to bring the nuclear, essential aspect of Dharma. Of Office, which has reduced my administrative work-load and course, you can’t separate the essence from the Eastern given me more time to spend teaching Dharma. I haven’t cultural trappings immediately: “This is culture, this isn’t.” done it because I’m lazy ... well, perhaps I am lazy, but at However, what you should do is take the practical points of least I have to pretend that I’m not! Dharma and shape them according to your own culture. In Quite apart from the fact that I don’t have time to do my opinion you should be making a new kind of Dharma all this administrative work, there are many things to do dependent upon each different place and its social customs. with running a center that you can do far better than I. You Since we are Mahayanists we have a broad view and don’t can communicate with people from your own cultural mind if Dharma takes different shapes. To bring Dharma to background much better than a simple Himalayan monk the West we should have a broad view. can. All the legal and financial work: I can’t do that. Also, Because we have so many centers I can no longer direct there are many positions to be filled in a center; the right them. Of course, at the beginning I had to direct the centers people have to be selected for the right job. You students because the students were always asking, “Lama, what to should do these things yourselves. do?” and we were small enough for me always to be in direct We have to be able to focus and integrate our energy communication with them. But eventually we reached the and store information in a clean clear way so that it can be point where I had to ask myself the question, “Am I a readily accessed. We should make a structure so that we all businessman, a Dharma teacher or what?” Hundreds of know what information is there and how to get it. Without letters were coming in from all over the world; I had to say, a proper structure we’d go bananas! Even a couple living “What is this? Should I spend my life answering letters and together needs to be organized so that their house is clean, running centers?” I thought it was wrong for me to spend there is the food they need and so on. In the centers we are my life in business because this was not the best way to serve involved with hundreds of people’s lives; for some reason my students. I thought that the most realistic thing to do to Dharma has brought all these people together. We are benefit them and make my life worthwhile was to take the responsible to ensure that we don’t waste people’s energy; middle way instead. therefore we have to get ourselves together. This is why So I began to cut down on administrative work. I even organization is very important. wrote to all the centers telling them that they were respon- Let’s say, for example, that one of the older students and sible to make certain decisions, that I couldn’t decide every- I have started a center. We are impermanent; we’re going to thing, and that it was too complicated and far too slow to die. What happens when we’re dead? We established the have all the correspondence coming through Nepal. There- center; it’s never been organized properly; it should die too? fore I said we should have a central office as the centers’ No, of course not. Even though our very bones have disap- business point. Of course, I could still be consulted on peared, the center should continue to function. But for important matters and could still make decisions on people to be able to carry on its work there should be clean

20 MANDALA July - September 2009 on h a-i,tehato h 400teachings 84,000 the of heart the lam-rim, the found kindness…. Lama’s from Lama, from came also … organization this from received Dharma of understanding every enlightenment, and of seeds the negative plantingof the , single single every of collecting every the karma, of purification centers…The the started he him, from directly teachings hear or Lama of founder didn’t meet you the of is many though organization. Even times, this three the of and beings. buddhas the sentient all than of kinder is happiness Yeshe, who Lama the Second, all of source the and beings sentient all for His of to of object kindness only difficult the Holiness, the is by basically name exist we holy First, express. whose Yeshe, kind- Lama the of by second ness and Lama Dalai the of Holiness kindness His the by first comes – every collected have and we done merit have we purification every far, so done have we practice Dharma every and have we Dharma of A beneficial something do to like “I’d say, and you to them. do we’ll things, have various we do if broad to that a saying opportunity Having simply the we but ... pushing but view. not open is energy, view broad and a time have should takes build to facilities that course, find Of adequate we small. be too centers to are our order facilities of the in already many view In broad people. to very open a have growth. center’s should their They neglect not should they vision; for. working and are we peace what is everlasting happiness That of satisfaction. achievement the everlasting utilizes in that wisdom something and method offering Buddha’s are one- or We one-week trip. a just month not is It lives. their very in take seriously should they we that thing; something people serious giving very death. are a to with birth dealing are from we life, Therefore of way or culture, complete a culture-orientated: completely is Buddhism for. culture, established was it what to as directions clear twssatdwt h odhat h students The heart. good the with started was It up come might someone when know never You great have to directors for important is it Also, of view of point the from it about think you If aebe bet eev vr understanding every – receive to able been have beings sentient numberless the and offer to able been organization has FPMT the thing good ny O H PTOGNZTO STARTED ORGANIZATION FPMT THE HOW yLm oaRinpoche Zopa Lama By eh hdoadNc iuh 1984 Ribush, Ven. Nick Bourke, and Paul Khadro Bertels, Yeshe Marcel Lama Rinpoche, Lhundrub, Zopa Lama Lama Nye, Pasang, Jeff Horrocks, Harvey pioneers: FPMT o st aeacencersrcueaddirection. and structure clear clean a have to important us so is for it all why of is benefit That and beings.” sentient sake mother the I for die, things I these all if doing “Even am think, should beings. You sentient important. mother is all That for working one are just You than man. bigger much something You for a atom? working One just are me? I’m for small. working you’re too monk; that’s simple Yeshe; Lama for are they working feel to not openly should they say that directors center to our have all I reason that For thing. person’s facilities. your improve and expand how to people show want you to ready everything have great and with vision ahead plan benefactors should of potential you vision Therefore show anything. can’t any you have expand, don’t to and how have already you what with suffocated that feel show you however, If, and plans. develop,” “Well, your person to reply, ready can project you this time have we that At money.” my with ute dtdfrsaehere. space Lama for Istituto and edited Ribush at further Nicholas by meeting Edited CPMT 1983. January, the in Italy, to Khapa, Tzong given talk a from Excerpted vrt h epewocm oNpl hsi usually is This Nepal. to came who people and the over to hell same over and the karma repeat and attachment just about would things I but realization any lower didn’t have I realms, attachment. attachment, lower attachment, realms, realms, lower , impermanence, lam-rim impermanence, over: of and words over few knew the I repeat just would In I lam-rim. case, about my anything know I that not – lam-rim of uda ennfl ’ utsyafwwrsabout words few a say just I’d meaningful. Buddha, ow aeavr motn o;i sntjs one just not is it job; important very a have we So uy-Spebr20 M 2009 September - July ANDALA 21 CENTERS, PROJECTS AND SERVICES OF FPMT REACHINGOUT how it is in my case. Anyway, those few words repeated over professionals and didn’t have any experience of business. and over did something for their minds. Somehow those Some of them had not completed university. Others might few words benefited them, I think. Because it benefited have finished university but didn’t have any work experience. them, showing them the real meaning of life and what you However, with the good heart and with patience through are supposed to accomplish and what you should abandon many difficulties and hardships, they continued to benefit to be free from suffering, the students basically wanted to others. This is how the organization has grown up to now .… benefit the people in their own countries, so they started the centers. Excerpted from a talk given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the end of a long- life puja at Chenrezig Institute, Australia, on June 21, 2006. Transcribed With the good heart, they continued with the organi- and edited by Ven. Ailsa Cameron, further light editing by Claire Isitt. zation, even though most of these young people weren’t Additionally edited here for space.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL OFFICE’S SUPPORT TO THE CENTERS, PROJECTS AND SERVICES OF FPMT

PMT International Office has a long history of offering us together and said, ‘You people have to organize. Zopa assistance to the many centers, projects and services that and I will teach, but you people have to organize.’” And so Fmake up the organization. FPMT’s Center Services was born the first official, organized managing body of the provides structure and support to newly developing and Lamas’ activities. It was called, the Council for the Preser- established centers, assists centers in finding teachers and vation of the Mahayana Tradition (CPMT). translators, coordinates the teaching activities of Lama Zopa The “office” at this stage was on the road with Lama Rinpoche and helps provide useful guidelines for FPMT as Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The attendant’s responsi- it grows and expands into the twenty-first century. bilities were twofold. First, to respond to letters that came to This history of serving centers can be traced through Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche which included the travel pattern of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa as they invitations for teachings, questions about spiritual practice visited each new center in the early days of activity. The or advice about the running of centers; second, to organize. Lamas sat with and encouraged those pioneers who, with The attendant would organize all aspects of the non-stop very little resources, were laying the foundation for FPMT. travel arrangements and international teaching schedule, Physical visits to each center were necessary because liaise with the centers on Lama Yeshe’s behalf and generally there was no other reliable way to communicate then. There follow up to ensure that Lama Yeshe’s advice and instruc- were no cell phones, no e-mail. Urgent messages were sent tions were being followed by the appointed directors. by telegram. and Tushita Retreat Center The concept of an official “office” developed in 1978. had no phones and a series of miracles were required to Previously, the attendant carried the office equipment around even book an overseas call from telegraph office in Delhi in a suitcase: a small portable typewriter, carbon paper and or Kathmandu. other supplies. But by 1978, the administrative tasks were Formal correspondence was written on a portable growing and it became impossible to organize everything Smith Corona typewriter perched on the suitcase of those while on the road. A stationary place was needed with space who travelled with the Lamas – Ven. Yeshe Khadro, Nick for files and equipment. So, in 1979, the first Central Office Ribush, and then Peter Kedge from 1976 to 1980. was set up with Jacie Keeley’s help at Kopan Monastery. Peter had traveled to India with three of his engineer- In 1980, Peter moved to Hong Kong to set up a ing colleagues in 1971. He learned about the business with the intention to help fund the burgeoning courses on Kopan Hill from fellow travelers and decided to activities of the newly-formed organization. give them a try as an alternative to the “rather hedonistic Jacie Keeley served as the first Central Office Director agenda” he (and thousands of other young Westerners at from 1980 to 1984. She worked out of Kopan and then that time) had been pursuing previously. moved the office to Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK) in After serving as director for Dharamsala’sTushita Retreat Pomaia, Italy in 1984. Before beginning her tenure as Center, Lama Yeshe invited Peter to join him and Lama Zopa director, Jacie had been working for two years as Peter’s Rinpoche on their upcoming travels as their attendant. assistant, serving him and the Lamas. Peter remembers, “Around 1975 Lama called some of When asked how she began working so closely with

22 MANDALA July - September 2009 oaRnoh steorganization’s guide. spiritual the new Lama as Rinpoche to Zopa both of relationship the and the directors Office, of board Central the of responsibilities and roles aboutthe discussion much was there period transition During this passed. Yeshe Lama when whole changed” the had world changed, had “everything as bearings, their getting was organization the in involved everyone when Spiritual as Zopa role guru’s organization. Lama the his of students, Director into distraught stepped of Rinpoche hundreds organiza- grief of the the amidst from for and away, passed year directorship had Yeshe difficult Lama the tion. a over was take year to That Jacie. Italy to route in offering long-life true me.” your for is is that relationship then tie and harmonious your educationally lose and healthy don’t family keep economically you and If too. boss beard my are you your new because instructed: the cut and don’t as office main elected “So, the been of had director he executive Yeshe Lama that Yeshe. Jeff Lama informed from letter unexpected hand-delivered an was Nye Jeff student, American 1984, a offer ever to Holiness. His woman to Western mandala first the the In was 1982. she Holiness in fact, Europe His of tour organized teaching first Lama’s also Dalai She to directors. wishes Lama’s the communicating new by the track keep on helped centers Jacie Yeshe, Lama to dedication dear!” famous attitude, his your like grinned “I Lama said, and again.” just smile try we’ll “And and satisfactorily said, over made wasn’t she start tea him this to if cup Lama, the was Yeshe. Lama presented and to she cup awful tea When an serve making would she experience she worried make American, much up to Growing had tea. opportunity hadn’t of first in cup her a that Yeshe given Lama remembers was she she Lamas) 1978 the thus (and Peter h ietrhpwsgvnt e.YseKar n1986. in Ven. Yeshe Khadro to given directorship was the until situation, transitory difficult very a to nature gentle ahad hr avyHrok okoe as over took Horrocks to Harvey moving until where Kopan at room Kathmandu dining was his and of Rinpoche Central out Zopa run the Lama time, with this based During was year. Office a over lasted but efrclshstm sdrco s“ odn period” holding “a as director as time his recalls Jeff was Jeff while March in away passed Yeshe Lama mid-February in Bodhgaya in retreat on While unwavering and organizational skills her for Known efsre o w er,bign i idand kind his bringing years, two for served Jeff e.YseKar’ emwst efrsxmonths six for be to was term Khadro’s Yeshe Ven. ugt nteofc,btntoe htpol were people that ones for.” not accountable held but particularly office, been the had there in past, budgets the In outlines. timelines, process with and department tasks each for create budgets actually specific to had remembers, we period directorship, Scott’s this “Under during Connie Office of Department Ven. International Education organization. the for global worked who a Miller, of office interna- run tional professionally a to hoc the organization ad rather religious shifting a of with office based tasked volunteer the was from office and setting corporate in a CEO as background a with organization the to Scott appointment. came his from day almost the for to year director one exactly as served Scott accepted. Office, he International which of director as year one to commit fax. and phone mail, rather snail the of methods than outdated rather communication for as e-mail methods and presence web toward more office restruc- the for ture to materials pushed she standardized Additionally, of organization. areas the by the in marked made were also in strides was Harvey significant Sharon’s guidance, Under transition. from directorship over Sharon’s took 1997. Rinpoche, Zopa Lama 1996. in concept new a as Office” tional “Interna- debuted Harvey So, coordinated. activities being the “Central now of that extent clear the capture became quite didn’t also Office” it point, organiza- this international At the tion. of arms many and the structure to bring order to fervently worked and Director Services Center directorship. first Office the became Petra centers. sole new estab- and the both lished of with representatives with established liaising separate of be function a to that clear needed became department and it Central and and America), Asia South from rapidly coming a interest (including growing countries eighteen in to initiatives board on Horrocks. come Harvey with to office the asked co-direct was Chogkyi) Tenzin the remain to there. when difficult too 1995 it made Nepal in in unrest political Buddha, Medicine Land to of office the moved Italy, in England ILTK of in director and Institute of director as founding previously served had who Harvey, 1987. in director n19,Lm oaRnoh se ct arsto Parris Scott asked Rinpoche Zopa Lama 1999, In and Yeshe Lama both of student a Gross, Sharon Central the from sprouted then, Services” “Center eighty of composed was FPMT time, this By Ven. as known (now McWilliams Petra 1995, In uy-Spebr20 M 2009 September - July ANDALA 23 CENTERS, PROJECTS AND SERVICES OF FPMT REACHINGOUT

Massimo Corona took over as the director of which created an unhealthy situation for an organization International Office in 2000 and the office was moved to which Lama Zopa Rinpoche saw as lasting for lifetimes! Taos, New Mexico. Massimo also brought a business and In late 2001, the FPMT board of directors worked with professional background to his directorship and was able to a legal firm specializing in religious organizations to draft a build on the organizational structure that Scott provided. new Affiliation Agreement policy aimed to establish a clear In 1999, Petra made plans to begin a three-year retreat. and legal relationship between the Spiritual Director and Claire Isitt, who was working as the manager of Jamyang his centers, through the legal entity of FPMT, Inc., and Institute in London, was asked to take over as Center serve as a clear guide concerning what it means legally to be Services Director in 2000 and she happily accepted. Claire an FPMT center. was well-rounded for the job having served as director of Understanding that corporate messaging must be Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Program and spiritual consistent and unified, Claire worked diligently to establish program coordinator of Tushita Meditation Center in a standard approach to the way in which centers described Dharamsala previously. their affiliation with FPMT. Over the next few years, Inter- One of the key new developments she took on was an national Office’s relationships with FPMT centers matured. affiliating agreement with the centers. Massimo and the As one condition of this maturation, Center Services board of FPMT, Inc. had identified some problems with the considered the benefits of instituting a probationary current structure of the international organization. Many period for new initiatives before they can officially affiliate centers were incorporated according to local law, with with the organization. various connections stated to FPMT’s Spiritual Director, Thus, 2001 saw the launch of the category “study Lama Zopa Rinpoche – and many had no incorporation or group,” which is how all fledgling endeavors must begin no stated connection. Even when a connection was stated, before application is accepted and affiliation status is gained. no actual workable legal relationship was established The suggested period for this status is two years.

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24 MANDALA July - September 2009 OA MONASTERY KOPAN NEPAL: aefrteLms ciiisadtemn students many the acquiring. and were organizational they activities and Lamas’ the spiritual for the base as in served Rachevsky, Zina and student, 1971 first their and Lamas by the Valley, Kathmandu beautiful the overlooking Hill, B oeqatfal onwoest h organization. the to newcomers to quantifiable more now are activities reaching far and benefits extensive FPMT’s the of resources, Office’s International of to many 24/7 access the giving functional, and more exhaustive became website and and Hand- thorough FPMT more projects the became available, book centers, more made to was services advice Rinpoche’s oped, organization’s evolve. to continued the have services of and projects support centers, and with relationship Kunsang. Roger Ven. CEO, FPMT’s by overseen and supported itself Management Interna- is which each department, a Office of tional directors by the of overseen up office made Committee, being the of to thereafter, director transitioned as Shortly over Office. take to International asked was Francisco, San in Project Prison Liberation for Director Operations as FPMT. of Thus, services” and “centers, initiated. projects supports, been fittingly now also Office had International projects service commu- nity or and social “centers” many and nunneries, of monasteries, centers, composed city centers, Retreat simply groups.” “study pre-center not was FPMT h oatr a enetbihdo Kopan on established been had monastery The soersl fti,sm hragop who groups Dharma some this, of result one As devel- programs education standard FPMT As Office’s International years, few last the Over 2007. in away passed Hollingshead Kim serving been had who Hollingshead, Kim 2006, In that clear became it examination upon Further, auaCyo,rsdn n tf fKpnMnseyfo 9518,cretFM or member board FPMT current 1975-1988, from Monastery Kopan of staff and resident Cayton, Karuna ipcehdaraygvnfu successful four given Nepal. Zopa Monastery Kopan in meditation at courses already Lama and had Yeshe Rinpoche Lama 1972, March y twsvr la hti a aashome. Lama’s was it that clear very was It HOME: oa a lastemother. the always was Kopan EA N INDIA AND NEPAL g.W’enwbgnigt oorjbo bringing of world. job entire the our to culture do wisdom universal to beginning now We’re ago. years many encouraging so Yeshe was in Lama that ways up the growing finally now is organization The FPMT. FPMT. with familiarity deep and has broad and a Coordinator Regional Pacific years Asia six FPMT’s for as served previously had Doris Low. Doris over to responsibilities her passing 2008, of December in possible. when law national by established structure legal required and the organization provide the help of efforts greater localized the as for satellites serve which in offices national regionalized active more of becoming terms in strides great made quality a teachers. and as programs Buddhist appeal authentic of global source truly organization’s the testamentto a is shift this feels and appropriate when ships alive. Rinpoche their Zopa in Lama Lama of and teachings centers Yeshe the original keep start to the order to in countries from wishing home shift students substantial of a model is programs, this Of fantastic course, teachers. in the and reputation FPMT of structure, with advantage organizational affiliation take for to apply order to Rinpoche Zopa begun Lama have with relationship prior no had oaemnyt aaYsescne n eev the receive and write-off. could tax appropriate center Yeshe’s people Lama that to so money nonprofit donate a as States United in center the the incorporated lawyer, and student early an Millpond, Linda courses. early the attended who those to Everest Mount Center as known was Center,Gompa and Mahayana Nepal the was Kopan’s name official days. first hsi niceil xiigtm ntehsoyof history the in time exciting incredibly an is This Office International at service her finished Claire has FPMT years, several last the Additionally, over relation- new these encourages Office International Kpn satal h aeo h oni which in town the of name the actually is “Kopan” those Monastery wasn’t in Kopan called it course, Of uy-Spebr20 M 2009 September - July y ANDALA 25 CENTERS, PROJECTS AND SERVICES OF FPMT OA MONASTERY KOPAN NEPAL: aefrteLms ciiisadtemn students many the acquiring. and were organizational they activities and Lamas’ the spiritual for the base as in served Rachevsky, Zina and student, 1971 first their and Lamas by the Valley, Kathmandu beautiful the overlooking Hill, B oeqatfal onwoest h organization. the to newcomers to quantifiable more now are activities reaching far and benefits extensive FPMT’s the of resources, Office’s International of to many 24/7 access the giving functional, and more exhaustive became website and and Hand- thorough FPMT more projects the became available, book centers, more made to was services advice Rinpoche’s oped, organization’s evolve. to continued the have services of and projects support centers, and with relationship Kunsang. Roger Ven. CEO, FPMT’s by overseen and supported itself Management Interna- is which each department, a Office of tional directors by the of overseen up office made Committee, being the of to thereafter, director transitioned as Shortly over Office. take to International asked was Francisco, San in Project Prison Liberation for Director Operations as FPMT. of Thus, services” and “centers, initiated. projects supports, been fittingly now also Office had International projects service commu- nity or and social “centers” many and nunneries, of monasteries, centers, composed city centers, Retreat simply groups.” “study pre-center not was FPMT h oatr a enetbihdo Kopan on established been had monastery The soersl fti,sm hragop who groups Dharma some this, of result one As devel- programs education standard FPMT As Office’s International years, few last the Over 2007. in away passed Hollingshead Kim serving been had who Hollingshead, Kim 2006, In that clear became it examination upon Further, auaCyo,rsdn n tf fKpnMnseyfo 9518,cretFM or member board FPMT current 1975-1988, from Monastery Kopan of staff and resident Cayton, Karuna ipcehdaraygvnfu successful four given Nepal. Zopa Monastery Kopan in meditation at courses already Lama and had Yeshe Rinpoche Lama 1972, March y twsvr la hti a aashome. Lama’s was it that clear very was It HOME: oa a lastemother. the always was Kopan EA N INDIA AND NEPAL g.W’enwbgnigt oorjbo bringing of world. job entire the our to culture do wisdom universal to beginning now We’re ago. years many encouraging so Yeshe was in Lama that ways up the growing finally now is organization The FPMT. FPMT. with familiarity deep and has broad and a Coordinator Regional Pacific years Asia six FPMT’s for as served previously had Doris Low. Doris over to responsibilities her passing 2008, of December in possible. when law national by established structure legal required and the organization provide the help of efforts greater localized the as for satellites serve which in offices national regionalized active more of becoming terms in strides great made quality a teachers. and as programs Buddhist appeal authentic of global source truly organization’s the testamentto a is shift this feels and appropriate when ships alive. Rinpoche their Zopa in Lama Lama of and teachings centers Yeshe the original keep start to the order to in countries from wishing home shift students substantial of a model is programs, this Of fantastic course, teachers. in the and reputation FPMT of structure, with advantage organizational affiliation take for to apply order to Rinpoche Zopa begun Lama have with relationship prior no had oaemnyt aaYsescne n eev the receive and write-off. could tax appropriate center Yeshe’s people Lama that to so money nonprofit donate a as States United in center the the incorporated lawyer, and student early an Millpond, Linda courses. early the attended who those to Everest Mount Center as known was Center,Gompa and Mahayana Nepal the was Kopan’s name official days. first hsi niceil xiigtm ntehsoyof history the in time exciting incredibly an is This Office International at service her finished Claire has FPMT years, several last the Additionally, over relation- new these encourages Office International Kpn satal h aeo h oni which in town the of name the actually is “Kopan” those Monastery wasn’t in Kopan called it course, Of uy-Spebr20 M 2009 September - July y ANDALA 25 CENTERS, PROJECTS AND SERVICES OF FPMT REACHINGOUT

Kopan Hill is located even though many think of Kopan Monastery as simply “Kopan.” Now Kopan is a thriving monastery of 360 monks, mainly from Nepal and Tibet, and a spiritual oasis for hundreds of visitors yearly from around the world. Nearby is Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery, home to 380 . www.kopan-monastery.com Today Nepal is home to two centers, two retreat centers, two nunneries and two monasteries.

INDIA: Lunch at 10th Kopan course, fall 1977 TUSHITA RETREAT CENTER ama Yeshe left the March 1972 Kopan course Center (now Tushita Meditation Center), and early in order to take teachings from his guru, declared that many students would come there to LHis Holiness Trijang Rinpoche, in Dharamsala, meditate, transform their minds and eventually be of India. While there he made an historic purchase. He real, lasting benefit to others. bought a house. The four-acre property had previ- Today, Tushita’s ten-day residential Introduction ously been the temporary home of His Holiness Ling to Buddhism courses are extremely popular and Rinpoche and His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche at the typically have long waiting lists. Many people from time when the Indian Government allowed the Tibetan all over the world have been introduced to the teachings Government-in-Exile to move from Dalousie to of the Buddha at Tushita. Very often, course partici- Dharamsala. pants comment to the staff of Tushita that attending Lama Yeshe delighted in the prospect of an introductory course there was definitely one of the purchasing his gurus’ old home and negotiated the highlights of their trip to India and thatTushita has a whole deal himself. Lama named his first and very special place in their hearts. auspicious real estate purchase: Tushita Retreat www.tushita.info/index.htm TUSHITA MAHAYANA MEDITATION CENTER, DELHI In 1977, Lama Yeshe called Nick Ribush, early student time to repay the kindness of the Indian people by involved in many of the initial activities of the ogani- helping to bring it back home. zation and current director of Lama Yeshe Wisdom Nick brought Publications for Wisdom Culture (the Archive, to his room at Kopan Monastery and said, “I seed enterprise of Wisdom Publications) with him to think we need a center in Delhi, I want you to go there Delhi and Lama Yeshe sent newly ordained Australian and start one.” , Ven. , along to help set it up. This came as a shock to Nick who was just settling In 1978 Lama Yeshe moved Publications for into his fifth year at Kopan and had no desire to be Wisdom Culture to Manjushri Institute in England, anywhere else. And perhaps that was the problem. but Tushita, Delhi, as the center is commonly referred

Nick remembers, “Lama didn’t like anyone to get too to, carried on and continues today to offer meditation CENTERS, PROJECTS AND SERVICES OF FPMT settled. As he often used to say, ‘There’s no security in classes, teachings, pujas and celebrations organized cyclic existence. Everything always changes.’” around holy days on the Tibetan calendar. Lama Yeshe explained to Nick that for centuries www.tushitadelhi.net/index.html y the Tibetan people had benefited from the greatest of Today India is home to three centers, one retreat center, two study all Indian gifts to the world, Dharma, and now that groups, one translator program, one health care initiative, one school, Buddhism had nearly disappeared from India, it was and one monastic community.

July - September 2009 MANDALA 27 REACHINGOUT FPMT MOVES WEST A growing number of Westerners were traveling to the East in the early seventies, and many of them found their way to Kopan Hill. Few of the early students had the means to or interest in staying on in Nepal for extended periods of time and thus returned to their respective homelands. Once home, many could not shake a driving impetus to establish centers in their own countries. These students had found a new way of life, a bigger way of interpreting the world, and weren’t able to leave that in Nepal or India. Many had quickly and readily offered their lives to the Lamas, eagerly willing to do whatever was needed of them to help spread Buddha’s teachings far and wide for the benefit of all. Some students stayed to work and study in Nepal or India, but most eventually returned home and began requesting teachings and courses from the Lamas in their homelands. And these students weren’t merely sitting docilely waiting for the Lamas to appear. They were organizing. AUSTRALIA: DIAMOND VALLEY COURSE The Lamas’ first Australian course was given in Diamond Two hundred people turned up for the much antici- Valley, southeast of Queensland, from August 30 to pated thirty-day course and despite certain physical September 28, 1974. A core group of dedicated Australian discomforts, the dropout rate was remarkably low. A big students including Nick Ribush, Ven. Yeshe Khadro, and marquee sat above a “tent city” like a scene from the gold Tom and Kathy Vichta had worked tirelessly for eight rush era. There was a “main street” and little clusters of tents months preparing for the course. It was held on an open tucked into gullies here and there. The kitchen tent was set piece of land in a remote setting beside a pretty creek near up beside the creek and tree trunks dragged into a semi- the Vichtas’ small farm. circle served as seating. The cuisine was rigidly purist – a Pete Northend appeared just in time to build a small macrobiotic spread of brown rice, vegetables, tofu and miso, two-roomed cabin for the Lamas out of mill ends lined with all washed down with soy bean coffee and alfalfa tea. styrofoam. Their cold water stand pipe was the most Out in the tent city however, secret cakes were shared sophisticated plumbing on site. The only hot water available in the dark, cheeses stashed away and real coffee brewed in came from a forty-four gallon drum suspended over a fire. hidden gullies. Fights broke out over sweet biscuits.

CHENREZIG INSTITUTE Chenrezig gompa, 1975 t a meeting held one very hot afternoon during the Diamond Valley course, the decision was made to Abuild a permanent Australian center. Later that day, while everyone else was in the main tent with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and Lama Yeshe was in his little cabin, a bush- fire broke out in the valley. Somebody had the presence of mind to hit the big dinner gong. Everybody rushed out to see fire rapidly approaching the cabin. “Quick, Lama,” they shouted, banging on his door. “Get out now, the fire is coming this way and your cabin is lined in plastic! It will go up like a bomb!” Lama laughed. He told his frantic students the fire was an auspicious sign indicating that the new Queensland center would grow very quickly. The fire stopped one hundred meters from his cabin. Lama Yeshe momentum, Lama Yeshe asked his Australian students to didn’t even come out of his room to watch. Lama Zopa sign a petition inviting His Holiness the to Rinpoche just continued teaching. visit the country. Meanwhile Lama Yeshe, Anila Ann, Ven. With the plan for their own center now gathering Yeshe Khadro, the Vichtas and a few others got together

28 MANDALA July - September 2009 AJSR INSTITUTE MANJUSHRI ENGLAND: udasn fot n e n fGseRbe’ tdns ruSgi rmo,wocm rmZrc,and Zurich, from came who Kremzov, Sigrid Frau students, Rabten’s of one he, and efforts fundraising h we a 000pud trig–a xrodnr elee then. even deal extraordinary an – with sterling agreed price pounds purchase 70,000 The on. was decided owner was hectares), the (thirty-five acres seventy on rooms hundred one nearly B be to needs it particular beings, possessing this sentient in consciousness “So by the her. place possessed told this he not on is consciousness,” place any that isn’t “There planet puja: that of purpose Wisdom for from Institute up Culture. Chenrezig and center, leading puja the intense track an named led walking Lamas a The Valley. Diamond via the land to pilgrimage Eudlo ceremonial a made everyone 1974, auspicious. most his was land for received Eudlo they the Rinpoche ended that course word Trijang the before Holiness sent Just Yeshe approval. His Lama to part-owned. YK these and piece Nick another land including maps, of up Lama’s At drew Eudlo. they nearby request at land hap- own Ribush, Vichta jointly to Kathy Nick pened and Tom sites. and Khadro suitable Yeshe Ven. potentially discuss to T antueaso ehdi eaelvn fast- a said living himself are Shakyamuni we Buddha if lifestyle. method paced slow a We use change. also cannot must teaching of method presenta- and tion the even Therefore, and change. behavior environment the the then mentality, changes, the time the culture, if one- the that developing are of feelings way My rapid is self. a That presented century. he twentieth why the in life understood historical and cultural important. not the are elements of many because consuming time and too is it because manner Tibetan a IDMCULTURE WISDOM u hr eete ogttekn fmnyrqie o uhaprhs?Hre oriae the coordinated Harvey purchase? a such for required money of kind the get to they were where But hteeig nl n se aaYsethe Yeshe Lama asked Ann Anila evening, That 28, September course, the of day last the On fe netgtn eea oeta ie,CnsedPir nCmra asv n abigpaewith place rambling and massive a Cumbria, in Priory Conishead sites, potential several investigating After etme 95 ee eg n avyHrok eewl nterwyt salsigacne in center a establishing to way their consent. his on well Yeshe gave Lama were Culture, Manjushri Wisdom and Institute name for Horrocks proposed the already Harvey had Peter England. and Kedge Peter 1975, September y vn250yasaoBdh Shakyamuni Buddha ago years 2,500 Even emto fbign hrat the the in not everything itself, do to cannot We culture. Dharma Tibetan Dharma the bring bringing to is West of method he the oktwrsawso utr.– culture. wisdom a towards work progressively worked must we understanding. with be think of level I finer could towards a but working level, gross two is am West a and is on East I that of meeting culture Now the think great I Westerners. old. a years in up thousand brought was I progressively developing wisdom. is our “culture” Dharma of the that say could we meaning If Dharma. the stretch of we truth has wisdom actually the with It do people. to or nothing land certain a collective of the illusions spirit, or mind relative the is “culture” often earlier useful later. hindrance was a becomes what because changes, lc osedafwhus aso weeks. or programs, days relaxing hours, few and study a calm spend formal to peaceful, place a the is Institute from Chenrezig is Apart Institute of The guests. community and largest. large retreatants volunteers, a residents, the , geshe, ordained resident of a one of and composed still world Western is the today in center Buddhist Tibetan cover. issue’s anything of we explained. possession it its he tell or Wethere,” it and harm there. assistance to intent its things no for have positive ask to do offerings only make will we assured uincmay n rsnpoet n tp rjc n one and project one project, branch. distri- Project prison book Maitreya one one communities, company, monastic bution two study three hospices, centers, retreat three four groups, centers, six to home is Australia Today htw omlyudrtn stemaigof meaning the understand as normally we What www.chenrezig.com.au official first the as began Institute this on Chenrezig seen be can puja 1974 this at taken photo A ue utcag hnteculture the when change must rules uy-Spebr20 M 2009 September - July aaYesheLama ANDALA 29 CENTERS, PROJECTS AND SERVICES OF FPMT REACHINGOUT

others each donated enough not religious dogma, but something you can discover to secure the deposit. A scientifically. You cannot abandon the natural sound of your further twenty thousand was nervous system. You might as well try to abandon your head.” raised by offering students In 1976 Lama Yeshe, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Peter three-year leases for small Kedge visited Geshe at his small home in apartments and cottages on Mussoorie, India. Kelsang Gyatso had been in the class the property. In addition, a ahead of Lama Yeshe at Sera Je Monastery and they were wealthy racehorse owner friends there. Lama Yeshe explained to Kelsang Gyatso the whose estate adjoined the scenario of FPMT centers developing around the Western Priory leased part of the land. world and invited him to teach at Manjushri Institute. Audrey Cohen, whom Lama Lama suggested a period of about three years. Geshe Zopa Rinpoche referred to as Kelsang accepted. his “English mother,” along He arrived in November 1977, with a supported visa with her husband, Jack, also and a Geshe Agreement, a contract defining the relation- contributed funds. ship FPMT has with geshes teaching in different centers. The first course Lama From 1978 to 1983 Manjushri Institute functioned as Yeshe taught at Manjushri a thriving hub of FPMT activity. Manjushri Institute, 1976 Institute was on Manjushri Lama Yeshe designed the revolutionary Geshe Studies yoga. Manjushri represents the perfection of wisdom, and Program which began in 1978. “Geshe” is a scholastic holds above his head a flaming sword used to cut degree administered in large monastic universities that through delusions. can take two decades or more to complete. Lama Yeshe Twenty-nine students took the Manjushri initiation, felt that twenty or thirty years of study in a monastery after which Lama began teaching on Manjushri’s : were not necessarily efficiently spent on study. So, he Om Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhi. It is said that experienced practi- streamlined the study and produced Geshe Studies aimed tioners can repeat the Dhi exactly one hundred and eight at training Western students and especially the recently times in one exhalation. Those students who had spent time ordained Western monks and nuns. Peter Kedge remem- at Kopan were familiar with this mantra – it was the one the bered Lama Yeshe’s aim with this program was to “give Mount Everest Center boys shouted as they swept the court- people, both lay and ordained, the depth of insight into yard every morning: “Dhidhidhidhidhidhidhidhidhidhi!” the system of mental development in a Western context Mantra was a new subject for Westerners. “The purpose that would permit them to work if they had to. In Tibet of concentrating on this mantra is to transform ordinary the monastic system received a great deal of patronage speech into divine, indestructible, truth speech,” Lama Yeshe from lay people who considered it a privilege to support it taught. “Actually, speech has much problem. For some people, even if they couldn’t participate. But there was no such not telling a lie for even for one day is impossible. For some concept in the West.” reason, by the force of uncontrolled energy from your Publications for Wisdom Culture also moved to consciousness, the ridiculous vibration of distrust suddenly Manjushri Institute in 1978 from India as did most of the comes out – Pfff! Actually, all human beings want some kind community of monks and nuns of FPMT. of perfection in words, you know. But by the force of karmic In 1978 Geshe Kelsang opened another center in England, energy some people repeatedly tell lies, developing disunity his own, and in contravention of the Geshe Agreement. He of speech energy. Even if you are tired of doing these things offered to resign, but some students begged him to stay. and you want to correct that habit, still somehow, uncon- Unfortunately, Manjushri Institute saw many internal trollably, distrust is coming. Sometimes you hate your problems during this period and FPMT ultimately lost the speech! ‘Why I talk this one? I gain nothing and still I talk center in 1984, the year that Lama Yeshe passed away. this one!’ You don’t understand yourself. Many students attribute Lama Yeshe’s early passing to “Mantra is a sound that has existed in your nervous the disharmony generated at Manjushri Institute. According system since before you were born, and is audible if you listen to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, “Lama’s passing was due to the wisely,” Lama continued. “Mantra is not something you karma of the students and dependent arising, including receive all of a sudden, from a lama. Without the natural what happened at Manjushri Institute.” vibration of sound within your nervous system, you would be Today England is home to two centers with retreat facilities, three study deaf. Each kind of energy has its own natural sound. This is groups and one Maitreya Project branch.

30 MANDALA July - September 2009 THE : BODHICHITTA EDUCATION RESEARCH AND RETREAT CENTER FOR DEVELOPING HUMAN POTENTIAL

he Lamas visited the United States for the Tfirst time in 1974. They arrived in New York, visited Wisconsin and then headed to Nashville, Indi- ana, to the home of student Louie-Bob Wood. Louie-Bob had attended the fifth Kopan course in 1973 after a series of not- so-subtle cues that she should visit Nepal. To begin with, one night in 1968, while talk- Lama Yeshe with Louie-Bob Wood ing with her husband, Don, in front of their TV, he said.Then he reached into his shirt and produced which was turned off, he suddenly pointed to the set my little silver cross. Suddenly, I realized what was saying, “Look!” going on, that the image of Rinpoche I had seen on “On the blank screen, clear as a bell, was the the television screen had been sent by Lama Yeshe. image of a monk,” Louie-Bob remembers. “First he ‘You sent him,’ I said.” looked at me then he turned and looked at Don. He As she was preparing to leave Nepal for her jour- had the most intense eyes we had ever seen. His look ney back to Indiana she requested that the Lamas visit seemed to tell us that he not only knew precisely her home should they ever find themselves in the what we were thinking at that particular moment, United States. And they did. She remembers: “The but also everything we had ever thought. We didn’t morning after the Lamas arrived, people just began exactly go around telling everyone about this walking up our driveway. Around seventy came just to incident. see these Tibetan monks. None of them had been “Five years later a series of coincidences led me to invited, though a lot of people knew the monks were the Fifth course at Kopan. I was full of anticipation. coming here. They just sat down in my yard, many Two weeks or so into the course Lama Zopa with gifts of food for them. Zopa Rinpoche gave a talk Rinpoche walked into the tent, having just shaved from the porch. The next day Lama Yeshe spoke to his head. Suddenly, I realized that his was the face I them in the living room.” had seen on theTV. I waited two weeks before telling It was here that Lama Yeshe founded his first him about it. He listened intently then said: ‘It was Western center, naming it: Education

for a reason.’ I gave him a little sterling silver cross I Research and Retreat Center for Developing Human CENTERS, PROJECTS AND SERVICES OF FPMT had worn for years. Potential. The center served for nearly two years as a “At this stage I still hadn’t seen Lama Yeshe, until gathering spot for deep conversation and Dharma one evening I walked into his candle-lit room. The study. Because the center never established a relation- impact of it overwhelmed me – he just filled the ship with FPMT, it is typically not discussed as the room. I said: ‘I suppose each person who comes to first Western center even though it was the first center see you believes fate has brought them here.’ ‘Yes yes,’ established by Lama Yeshe.

July - September 2009 MANDALA 31 REACHINGOUT

VAJRAPANI INSTITUTE he formation of Vajrapani Institute can be traced back to 1975 when Ven. Wongmo organized the first TAmerican course with Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, which took place at Lake Arrowhead, California (located in the southern California mountains). One evening during the retreat, sitting around with students after dinner, Lama Yeshe described in great detail his enormous vision for a complete Dharma mandala, with gompa on a hilltop in the center, monasteries surrounding that, and a lay commu- nity,schools, gardens, and a bustling township at the base of the hill. His California students had been exploring the idea of starting a Dharma center for some time, and Lama gave their aspiration a name – “Vajrapani Institute for Wisdom Culture” – naming Dick and Meredith Robinson its new directors. After Lake Arrowhead, the Robinsons and Sharon and Vajrapani Institute is built in the “jungle” Louie Gross, who had all become part of a core committee the Brookes ever became Buddhists. The land was offered tasked with organizing the new center, went back to their before the end of the course and the students formed an respective homes in California, Dick and Meredith to Venice organization to assume the remainder of the mortgage. (on the ocean close to ) and Sharon and Louie Lama Yeshe’s first visit to the land was in April 1977, just to Berkeley in the San Francisco Bay area. In this way after the completion of the Yucca Valley course. Robbie Vajrapani North (Berkeley) and South (Venice) were born. Solick rented a big American car for Lama, and so with These students kept the momentum of activity going strong Robbie and Anila Ann in the car, and trailed by a convoy of in both places by organizing short courses and . students, Lama drove to Boulder Creek to inspect the site. In 1976, both couples decided to move to Santa Barbara “Highway Nine is just like a snake,” remembers Anila Ann, and share a house together, in an attempt to bring Vajrapani who was instrumental in most of the early development of to one location. They invited Vens. Pende and Ngawang the organization. “It follows the river through the redwood Chotak to give classes and organized short Dharma courses forest and you just can’t go faster than about thirty miles an with Geshe Sopa and Geshe Gyeltsen. John and Elaine Jack- hour. Lama swerved and corrected and veered into oncoming son arrived on the scene at this time. traffic every time, and my mutters from the back seat got louder After about six months, however, this Santa Barbara effort and louder. ‘What’s the matter, Anila? Are you nervous?’ Lama fell apart resulting in Dick and Meredith returning to Venice asked. I’d gotten to the point where every button of my North and Sharon and Louie to Berkeley. Together with Ven. American automobile-scare lifetime of experience was being Wongmo’s help again, Dick and Meredith then organized the pushed and my hair was practically standing on end.” March 1977 Yucca Valley course with the Lamas that took Miraculously, the party arrived in one piece and after place at the Institute of Mentalphysics retreat center near checking into a motel braved the equally perilous drive along Joshua Tree, California. They requested Lama Yeshe to teach a barely existing road to the land itself. “Oh dear, this is my on Vajrapani, since no one really had yet any idea about what interpretation of jungle,” said Lama Yeshe as he walked around. “a Vajrapani” was. Soon after, gripped by the pioneering spirit, a group of Janet and Ross Brooke, who were both present for this students hastened to set up camp in this majestic redwood course, owned two parcels of land deep in the redwood forests forest. Among those prepared to forego all manner of behind the town of Boulder Creek near Santa Cruz in part- comforts to labor in the wilds were John and Elaine Jackson. nership with their friends, James and Miriam Kent,Tom Post, They sold their home, and with their children, aged five and and Harriet Heywood. One piece was fifty acres, the other two, set about building a new life on this rugged uncleared thirty acres. They asked their partners how they felt about land. Anila Ann, the Brookes, John McKay, Chuck Thomas, donating their investment in the thirty-acre piece and the Tom Waggoner, Jacie Keeley, and five others followed suit. group agreed immediately.It was an extraordinary gesture from Jacie Keeley remembers, “It was a very exciting time because young people who were disciples of Baba Mukhtananda – only we were indefatigable. There was nothing that could stop us.”

32 MANDALA July - September 2009 OJ HN INSTITUTE CHANG DORJE ZEALAND: NEW nldn ryr o hs h r ik yn reprecn btce,huebesns n uhmore. services much and other blessings, house of obstacles, experiencing variety or dying a sick, and are retreats who those pujas, for practice, including and philosophy Buddhist advanced road. through beginning country in lonely a on deer full-grown a from cheek the on kiss a receiving herself of photo a oa e eln shm otrecnesadoehospice. one and centers three to home is Zealand New Today A IetbihdaFr uaHueadafire-puja completing a individuals and for House available Puja team Fire support a Additionally, established site. cremation VI Yeshe’s Lama on by situated ridge cabins a retreat seven group has and VI West Camp, Kopan Family and annual popular the including personal year, retreats a group thirty of welcoming average an Hosting retreatants. center retreat i)Mlsya director. Malasky as him) www.dci.org.nz/program.shtml him sent Hursthouse Ecie student after Zealand New to return to persuaded was he everyone told Lama arpn nttt V)i o contemplative a now is (VI) Institute Vajrapani steods iea uditcne nNwZaad oj hn nttt fesmdtto lse,courses classes, meditation offers Institute Chang Dorje Zealand, New in center Buddhist Tibetan oldest the As Yeshecalled Lama (‘Esteeb’ Steve as with September 1976, Auckland in established in Institute was Chang Dorje aeArwedCus,17.Wod o eonz nti itr?Fe oyof copy Free picture? this in recognize you do Who 1975. Course, Arrowhead Lake tdnssatdt etrglry fe h aa’tidvsti 96tefrtNwZaadcne was center Zealand New first the 1976 Institute. Chang in Dorje Yeshe, visit Dharma Lama third of Lamas’ by group named the a 1974, After regularly. in Zealand meet New to to visit started Rinpoche’s first students Zopa Lama and Yeshe Lama of result a s h ae ftems epe r ik or,yuaentalwdt ly ehv ogv h tesachance! a others the give to have We play. to allowed not are you sorry, Nick, Dr. people. most the of names the w ulsigiiitvs ardatpoetadoeMiry Project Maitreya branch. one and project art sacred a children, initiatives, publishing for two school one college, Buddhist one retreat groups, with study centers ten three facilities, centers, ten to home is States United the Today leadership and visibility community. their the within increasing at alliance projects and aimed an centers sister Area spurring Bay eleven currently the between is VI retreats. tantric Mandala ett esnwocntl us tell can who person to sent uy-Spebr20 M 2009 September - July ANDALA 33 CENTERS, PROJECTS AND SERVICES OF FPMT REACHINGOUT ITALY: ISTITUTO LAMA TZONG KHAPA n the spring of 1975, Italian students Claudio Cipullo, idea was that people living in the country far from the busy Piero Cerri and Massimo Corona each separately asked city, through helping each other, would progress more ILama Yeshe to teach in Italy during his second world quickly in the practice of Dharma. In this way, they would tour; to each of them, he agreed. become an example and a guide to those interested in the Several months later, they began working together to teachings. Lama wanted the place to have space for monks organize the first Italian meditation course with Lama and nuns as well as single lay people and families. He said, Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. At that time Piero, “We have to build a mini-society in which these three types already a monk, was staying in the entrance hall of a of individuals who have always formed the base for the house sublet by a friend of his. This became their office. spreading of the Dharma in a country are present. The It was a bare, unfurnished room, with only a carpet on the ordained and the lay people are to help each other in order floor and a telephone. From this office, they produced to be able to create a suitable support for a Buddhist society. pamphlets and posters, pasting them up around town to Ordained people alone or lay people alone cannot work.” announce the upcoming course. The Corona family enabled the purchase of the large prop- This first course was held in a Roman Catholic retreat erty that still exists as the home of Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa. center in Eupilio, from October 13 - 20, 1975 and was Currently ILTK offers a seven-year Masters Program attended by about eighty people. On October 19, many (MP), both residential and online, in English and Italian; of the participants at the course met with the organizers to and a five-year Basic Program (BP) online in Italian. discuss the possibility of establishing a center in Italy. They Currently the residential MP has approximately fifty requested and received permission from Lama Yeshe to do students, the online program about one hundred students, so. Later that evening Lama suggested they choose between and the online BP seventy-five students. The Istituto also naming the new center “Atisha” or “Lama Tzong Khapa.” offers Discovering Buddhism in weekend modules ranging The latter was agreed on by all. over a two-year period. In addition, other Dharma courses Lama wanted the new center to be in the country and to are offered regularly on weekends and during holiday be composed of a community of practicing students. It was periods. Essential Education hosts a summer and winter to serve both as a base for the organization of courses, camp for children and their parents at the Institute. conferences and other activities that would be useful for Italy is now home to six centers, two retreat centers, one study group, one making Dharma teachings known to the public and as a Liberation Prison Project branch and one distance adoption program for center that would inspire the practice of Dharma in Italy. His Tibetan refugees. FRANCE: INSTITUT VAJRA YOGINI

IVY 1980 IVY today In 1979 a small community of twelve students moved into Elisabeth Drukier, the Institut’s first director. “There were an old abandoned chateau in the southwest of France to no showers or toilets, no heating, and we had to repair start a new center. Institut Vajra Yogini (IVY) would be its roofs, install a waste water system, tidy up the overgrown name. The first years were difficult, remembers Ven. gardens...”

34 MANDALA July - September 2009 OJ AOMONASTERY PAMO DORJE NALANDA D I ol tr.I a biu hywr okn nme on working were they obvious was these It start. all would to and Rinpoche breath, drew routine Lama mind as monastic soon administration. As my finance, about opening issues fired just different reply, both any me to giving they without time me, Suddenly at question after Rinpoche. question with and had ever I Lama experiences off incredible kicked most question the That of it?’ one finance ‘How to said: going and you forward leaned are He out- job. Lama new while my beds, lined carpeted Lama Tushita. on at sat house Rinpoche new and Lamas’ the in room tiny director. first its as serve Yeshe to was Lama he monastery. that Ven.Gyatso told a establish to eager Lama at was Lavaur, Yeshe near building living large another of still purchase the financed were had fire Institute Yogini the Vajra from that sangha insurance now but England, FPMT in Institute the Manjushri of Most olt.Ltrw tpe laigadcoigand cooking and cleaning people’s we lay stopped the pujas, we cleaned Later leading and toilets. kitchens Besides the IVY. in worked for worked nuns the was Greene) coordinator. program (Cherry spiritual Chodron nuns. world’s Thubten Buddhist Ven. the Tibetan Western of of community director first wrathful appointed the was (Kathleen Varahi, McDonald) Khadro Sangye Vajra Ven. Vajrayogini. of for aspect is term Pamo thirteen Tibetan Dorje of the Monastery. the group in Pamo a floors Dorje where two IVY, established to In given attached were nuns. stables not nuns monks, for the at place hands mid-1982 a their became up it put EEC nuns the but than mind, monks in more nuns when with purchased been Nalanda actually that had recall Some Nalanda. into immediately purchase Monastery. Nalanda to became which away, them miles) (six kilometres allow ten chateau would another insurance the money from the that knew good already ... he Perhaps good purification!” very good, “Very this, Elisabeth, Ven. by encouraged telling was Yeshe Lama night. the during eevdalte eln i ocm oDharamsala. to come to him he telling letter when a received as Bodhgaya in known was (now Gyatso), Feldman Thubten Ven. Adrian 1981, March n e.Gas eebr,“ a nteforo a of floor the on sat “I remembers, Gyatso Ven. e.TutnCornrmmes A is the first “At remembers, Chodron Thubten Ven. fire caught chateau the of wing west the 1980, In se i agawowsrayt move to ready was who Sangha Experience Yeshe his Lama asked Enlightened Bodhgaya, (EEC) first Celebration the uring hc ilcniu ni 02we the when 2012 until Program continue to the will fortunate teach which is Jamphel and Geshe men Abbot lay have of number a and monks business.” good, do greater to the had for I that was place. me the gave finance he to it message going catching The was and I air how the me in asking up while it the throwing picked was into Lama and up ingot. came it silver for long Nyima four-inch charging a Losang with still that. against room I all was sky. acted and I the just courses actually… of you that out if come that believe was into would wasn’t idea I support life. My purely, pure all. very a at live business to trying was I and ol nwr hypeetdteetr itr ome. to picture entire the presented I they which answer, could of one not questions, their Through together. laesepg 6frarpr nteCM etn n visit: and meeting CPMT Mani the the “Worldview” on on under Retreat update report an a for for 66 www.mandalamagazine.org/2009/july page see Please ae ebgnmkn adcem.W tre a started We creams. and hand hearts, making cloth began Brin we rose-filled and later called, we how us lavender was taught studying, make März [it to Eva Besides Grass)]. of business energy. (Blade small d’Herbes of a the lot But many). established a for Western is had of still plight (and nuns the days was those not in it was It Sangha but IVY. situation, at talks ideal Dharma an to give continued and we pujas though lead own, our on cooking began yhsigte20 PTmeigada100 a and Rinpoche. meeting Zopa Lama CPMT with Retreat 2009 Mani Million the hosting by 1 od23vw sopsdt h hrysxvw fanvc monk. novice a of vows thirty-six the to opposed as vows 253 hold is n er ooy ihGseTengye Gun Geshe ordained), with Colony, longer Merry no and are Cissé (who nuns Pamo Dorje original Two eogi ul randmn nteTbtntaiin Gelongs tradition. Tibetan the in monk ordained fully a is gelong A oa aad scmoe faottwenty-five about of composed is Nalanda Today www.nalanda-monastary.eu “Gelongs hsya,IYclbae t hrit anniversary thirtieth its celebrated IVY year, This ilas eoffered. be also will 1 aeavwntt oc ivro gold or silver touch to not vow a have uy-Spebr20 M 2009 September - July ai Program Basic Masters ANDALA 35 CENTERS, PROJECTS AND SERVICES OF FPMT REACHINGOUT

newsletter, gave many Dharma talks and led nyung-nes very much. I received a wonderful Dharma education and and retreats for women. loved living in community. Living with other nuns, rather “Geshe Tengye was incredibly compassionate towards than in Dharma centers, was a totally different experience the nuns and helped us a great deal. He was always that helped me grow in the Dharma. In fact, living at Dorje encouraging us in our studies and giving us advice. When Pamo planted the seeds for beginning , a Geshe Jampa Tegchok arrived at Nalanda we started monastery in northwest USA, where I now live.” going over there for teachings. It was a precious oppor- Unfortunately, people did not support the nuns in the tunity to study with a great master.” same way they supported the monks. Dorje Pamo closed “We had one dilapidated car with part of the floor and most of the nuns were sent away to other centers. By missing that we took to Nalanda daily for class with 1986 it was all over. Geshe Tegchok – at least six of us went in that,” recalls Many years later a community of Western nuns was Director of FPMT Education Services, Merry Colony, established at Chenrezig Institute in Australia. who was ordained at the time. Today France is home to two centers, one retreat center, one publishing Ven. Thubten Chodron continues, “My time at Dorje company, one study group, one monastery and one area of retreat land. Pamo was a very happy and productive one that I cherish THE NETHERLANDS: MAITREYA INSTITUUT

aula de Wys Koolkin was at Kopan Monastery in 1972 and met fellow PDutchman, Marcel Bertels there during the third November course. She returned to the Netherlands, but he remained in Nepal and ordained. In 1976 she was asked to arrange a two week lam-rim course for Marcel, so that people could hear these teachings in their own language for the first time. That summer course was repeated in the following summers and in 1979, when Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche were plan- ning to visit Amsterdam, other students like Jan Paul and Margot Kool helped to organize the event. Lama Yeshe then suggested to plan one weekend course a month with teachers Lama Yeshe visits Holland, 1979 invited from the surrounding countries and to put out a old former youth hostel was found in the woods in the east Dutch language magazine including reliable information of the country. After buying and fixing up that property, about Dharma subjects. Jan Paul, Margot and Paula put a Maitreya Institute Emst moved in and has been there ever lot of energy into doing both of these things and the formula since. Geshe Konchog Lhundrup retired in 1989 and was seemed to work well. After renting premises for these followed by the great scholar Geshe Sonam Gyaltsen, who monthly courses for a few years, a group of Dutch students is living and teaching there now. The center has an extensive returned from Kopan with a plan to look for premises for a teaching program, with Geshe-la’s teachings translated “real center.” In 1981 the Lamas came to open that center, directly from Tibetan into Dutch. Maitreya Instituut, which was rented in Bruchem then. www.maitreya.nl The center moved to Maasbommel after that, where www.maitreya.nl/adam Geshe Konchog Lhundrup came to live as Maitreya Insti- Today the Netherlands is home to two centers and one Maitreya Project tuut’s first resident geshe. It was time to buy a place, and an branch.

36 MANDALA July - September 2009 SPAIN: OSEL LING CENTRO DE RETIROS panish students, Paco Hita, Maria Torres and Francois Camus, approached Lama Yeshe in S1981 about starting a retreat center on main- land Spain. Lama Yeshe agreed and Paco and Francois put all of their energy and money into building the center including retreat cabins, a meditation house and a road leading up to it. His Holiness the Dalai Lama made a surprise visit to the center in 1982 and named the center Osel Ling, Osel Ling Retreat Center “place of clear light.” His Holiness also said that he fervently hoped that in times of great darkness it would Teachings: courses, group retreats and FPMT Educa- indeed be a place of clear light and emphasized that it tion programs; Service: as a countryside premises, there is retreat centers such as this that are so important to are many daily chores and services offered to those who the success of Dharma practice. engaged in retreat or attending teachings; Projects: Osel In February of 1985, not yet a year after Lama Yeshe’s Ling is carrying out different projects under the advice passing, Paco and Maria welcomed Osel Hita Torres into of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The most recent is a 9 ft the world. Osel, “clear light” in Tibetan, would later be bronze statue which is nearly finished. recognized as the reincarnation of Lama Yeshe. www.oseling.org Today, Osel Ling’s program has four major Today Spain is home to five centers, two retreat centers, one publishing components: Retreats: individual houses for retreat; company, one Liberation Prison Project branch and two study groups. GERMANY: ARYATARA INSTITUT FPMT spread to Germany in 1980 through the Resident Teacher, Ven. Fedor Stracke teaches the efforts of Sylvia Wetzel who became the first director FPMT Basic Program, Discovering Buddhism, and of Aryatara Institut. For many years the center was Tibetan language courses. located in Lower Bavaria, and is now located in the www.aryatara.de heart of Munich. Today Germany is home to two centers and one study group. OTHER FIRSTS FOR CANADA, EUROPE AND RUSSIA: GREECE: Gonpo Chakduk Ling, 1991 AUSTRIA: Panchen Losang LATVIA: Ganden Centre, 1993 Chogyen Center, 2003 DENMARK: Tong-nyi Nying-je Ling, 1997 Tong-nyi Nying-je Ling has initiated two projects: one CZECH hospice and one publishing company REPLUBLIC:

Dompipa Study CENTERS, PROJECTS AND SERVICES OF FPMT Aryadeva Study Group, 1997 Lama Zopa Rinpoche greeted by RUSSIA: Group, 2005 Today Russia is home to two study groups. students in Russia FINLAND: CANADA: Lama Yeshe Ling, 2001 Tara Liberation Study Group, 2007 Today Canada is home to one center and one study group FRENCH POLYNESIA: Meditation Center, SWEDEN: Tsog Nyi Ling Study Group, 2001 2000 y

July - September 2009 MANDALA 37 REACHINGOUT FPMT MOVES EAST While many young Westerners were traveling to the East in the early 1970s in response to a growing dissatisfaction with Western materialism, the Vietnam War and nine-to-five living; young Asians were not typically traveling in the same way or with the same purpose. At that time very few Asian youth had options outside of beginning their work career at fifteen or sixteen years of age. This was quite a different reality from that of young American, European or Australian renegades who enjoyed the cool luxury of dropping out of college – or just delaying their careers to travel in India or Nepal looking for a Guru or answers to life’s bigger questions.

As a result, the early centers inspired by Lama Yeshe and relate to the traditionally faith-based cultural incorpora- Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings were established by tion of religious practice by the older generation and felt Western students who had met the Lamas in Nepal and inspired to hear the more complete explanation of life and brought their new worldview and sense of purpose back to the mind offered by the Lamas. their home countries. Thusly, the initial interest in the Lamas had been FPMT development in many Asian countries ignited by Westerners traveling East. Until fairly recently, happened a bit later although Lama Yeshe did visit and even the centers in Nepal and India were run by Westerners. teach in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Initially, travels The connection with Asian students, conversely, origi- to these countries occurred during stopovers en route to nated with the Lamas’ visits to those respective countries Australia, New Zealand and the United States. While and developed further and more substantially under Lama there, the Lamas met young educated people who couldn’t Zopa Rinpoche’s spiritual directorship.

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38 MANDALA July - September 2009 MTBABDHS CENTER BUDDHIST AMITABHA SINGAPORE: TE ISSI ATR N OTES ASIA SOUTHEAST AND EASTERN IN FIRSTS OTHER (CHAM-TSE-LING) ASSOCIATION BUDDHIST MAHAYANA THE CHINA ageKar uldalo h fot oehradmade and together efforts the Ven. finally of until all home. followed her Singapore pulled Kratzer Dieter Khadro contacts. Sangye of lot a up She support. retreats.” financial many of did lot instructed a her Lama gave and Brechbuhl, Lama “Dharmawati Max husband, remembers, Keeley ABC. Jackie she today). (which still clothes developing green does and make-up of wear always to charge Dharmawati in Brechbuhl, (ABC). Center Buddhist Amitabha called center a start he that suggested and Wilson ordained Yeshe Lama visit, this During n oatccmuiyadoeMiry rjc branch. Project Maitreya one and company, community publishing monastic one one centers, two to home is Taiwan Today MALAYSIA: publishing one initiative. and translation centers and two to home is Mongolia Today MONGOLIA: INDONESIA: TAIWAN: JAPAN: and and talks named give many officially to was inviting teachers meditation Cham-Tse-Ling and lay courses, holding and homes, Sangha, of different lamas, years in after sessions and practice Dharma.” no has place Road “This said, Nathan and turned up Lama and walking were Lama and Peter Kong, FPMT. development of financial business the assist a would develop that to was intention The 1980. in Kong Yeshe’s Lama HongWith approval, to moved Peter Kedge I oa aasai oet w etr,oehsieadoesuygroup. study one and hospice one centers, two to home is Malaysia Today ogwitnepaainadltracpe nivtto ovisit. to invitation an accepted later explanation and written long with a replied immediately Lama teachings. Tara for asking Yeshe Lama to wrote Tan Wilson named student Singaporean a 1980, n B a fiilyrgsee sacaiyo aur ,1989. 1, January on charity a as registered officially was ABC built who Singapore to Chodron Thubten Ven. sent then Lama Dharmawati student, Indonesian his put Yeshe Lama Later, hr a ml ru neetdi td and study in interested group small a was There Hong in was Yeshe Lama times first the of one On oa igpr shm ooecne n n ateaPoetbranch Project Maitreya one and center one to home is Singapore Today oNa ugJkCne,1991 Center, Juk Sung Ngak Do hkauiCne,1994 Center, Shakyamuni age igRtetCnr,2003 Centre, Retreat Ling Jangsem hdu ig 2000 Ling, Shedrup ooaCne,1999 Center, Potowa more. meditation classes, teachings, animal liberations, and pujas beforements graduating Cham-Tse-Ling Nathan Road. to apart- various in following, years meetings were some For Sokrani’s apartment. Pauline in nights Indian Monday on good food some having and socializing meditation, 1989. in Kong Hong in established oa hn shm ooecne n n ateaPoetbranch Maitreya Project one and center one to home is Today China www.fpmtmba.org of program full a offers currently Cham-Tse-Ling of combination a were gatherings earliest The y tdnsi awngetn aaZp Rinpoche Zopa Lama greeting Taiwan in Students o:Lm eh ihWlo a n others, and Tan Wilson with Yeshe Lama Top: igpr,18.Bto:Lm eh and Yeshe Lama Bottom: 1981. Singapore, hraaiBehul noei 1979. Indonesia Brechbuhl, Dharmawati uy-Spebr20 M 2009 September - July ANDALA 39 CENTERS, PROJECTS AND SERVICES OF FPMT REACHINGOUT FPMT MOVES TO CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA MEXICO: PMT activity took root in Mexico in 1989 with Lama Zopa Rinpoche´s first visit to the country. Even though no FPMT group was established at Fthat time, Rinpoche’s visit planted seeds and established interest. Later, with the initiative of Rocio Arreola, who met Lama Zopa Rinpoche at a Kopan course, and a few other students, a study group began in Mexico City. Rocio also built Serlingpa, a retreat center in the beautiful forest of Michoacan. In 2001 Ven. Lobsang Tonden (then known as Carlo Carranza), formed a study group in Aguascalientes and the following year established Khamlungpa Center in Guadalajara.

Ven. Thardoe, Geshe Gelek, Ven. Tonden, Ven. Today Mexico is home to three centers, one retreat center, one branch of Liberation Prison Project and Lobsang Dawa, at Teotihuácan pyramids outside Mexico City five study groups. BRAZIL: CENTRO SHIWA LHA In 1992 His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa By the mid-1990s all four Tibetan Buddhist lineages Rinpoche both travelled to Brazil. Soon, Buddhist were present in Brazil and Marly Ferreira found herself lamas and teachers from other traditions began Center Director of a new FPMT center in Rio de Janeiro, appearing in Brazil as well. Students who were beginners the Dorje Jig Je Center, which would later become became devoted Dharma practitioners and non- Centro Shiwa Lha. Buddhists began to respect Buddhism as a philosophy. Today Brazil is home to one center and two study groups.

40 MANDALA July - September 2009 OISRH TD GROUP STUDY SARAHA YOGI ARGENTINA: CENTER MEDITATION BUDDHIST YAMANTAKA COLOMBIA: lvradwe ece iisfo lc hr hrai luihn ti orfehn n ie sthe us gives and refreshing so is it flourishing is Dharma where place practice.” a our from continue to visits strength teacher a when and flavor ua Ia ogaeu otesosradt eh-a eaei h ideo h ugehr ihn Dharma no with here jungle the of middle the in are We Geshe-la. to and sponsor the to grateful so am “I puja. ot aoia idsosrealdteti nwihGseGlkbesdtecne yofrn Tara a offering by center the blessed Gelek Geshe which in trip the enabled sponsor kind A Carolina. North h etrt ecetdi ooa “Yamantaka Bogota, in created Center.” Meditation be Buddhist to named in Rinpoche center needed Zopa the Lama much country. was violent center this been Buddhist had a people and many and killed cities principal the of all bombing were cartels drug the Colombia: in situation California. to flew teachings. give and packed Mauricio to hesitation, moment’s a about Without was Rinpoche Zopa Lama where Buddha Medicine of advised Land She to there. come living to Mauricio was who nun a with madecontact and book the of front the in California, Buddha, Tantrato Yeshe’s book, Lama read he bed, hospital in depressed to a deeply lying way while when, his 1993 in found FPMT Mackenzie, Roa Mauricio trator, 1980s. late the in Colombia ifcl lcsaetebs olanfo. h tl ul ned osatamnseyi h uue u o now Dharma. for the but with students future, her the provide effectively in more monastery can she a so start computer to she a obtain intends April, to fully In is still goal week. most She term “the a shorter from.” as her times Argentina learn – in four to Buddhism best least of the spread at the are teaches for places and hopes difficult has meditation Kundrol students.Ven. leads two She to vows meetings. Refuge public. for gave in gompa robes small her a wear has to she able not she’s that such at is situation social like the really remembers. instance, she was flourishing,” For from “It activity Dharma obstacles. her all opposing with describes door Kundrol filled the Ven. as a first. Argentina country had home to and that her return Italy requested in Rinpoche to center Zopa a moved Lama start she monastery. she a 1997 start In to Center. desire Juk strong director Sung as served Ngak and Do Japan in of years thirteen spent She killed. getting age O I ooba aygetlmsbgnt visit to began lamas great in settled Many War Vietnam Colombia. the from practi- fleeing Buddhist American tioners of group a 1970s the n arcotl aaZp ipceaotthe about Rinpoche Zopa Lama told Mauricio adminis- business a student, Colombian One e.Knrlwsvr norgdb he-a ii nMyfo eh ee fKdmaCenter, Kadampa of Gelek Geshe from May in visit three-day a by encouraged very was Kundrol Ven. where Aires, Buenos in apartment ground-floor her in Group Study Saraha Yogi established has she Now orpin nte17satrsen ayyugpol her people young in many “country seeing a calls after she 1970s what the left in She corruption” 2007. in homeland her to FPMT brought Kundrol Thubten Ven. Argentina, from riginally efudteadeso ado Medicine of Land of address the found He . y Introduction hnadzntahr rmaon h world. the around from teachers dozen a than more by visited been has Center Meditation Buddhist after way organized left. more she a in continue could which tremendously Her center many. the of impacted interest contribution kind the piqued and stations radio several by interviewed was She enthusiasm. great with received was and practice daily philosophy, a beginning the center got new Colombia. the he in visit to finally wanted I Robina but Ven. fast message. so understand,” speaking hardly Courtin. was could Robina “She Ven. remembers, from call Mauricio phone a received Olga first and his Sierra. Urrego Lucia met Gustavo he Arcos, There Rosario city. the students, of in located part gymnasium northern a the in classes first the taught He www.yamantakabogota.org Yamantaka existence, of years fifteen its During Buddhist of aspects many on taught Robina Ven. Mauricio efforts, these into year one 1994, In work. to went and Colombia to returned Mauricio eiaingopi edz,Argentina Mendoza, in group Meditation uy-Spebr20 M 2009 September - July ANDALA 41 CENTERS, PROJECTS AND SERVICES OF FPMT REACHINGOUT PROJECTS AND SERVICES INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS: FPMT currently supports six international projects which contribute to the organization’s core mission of inspiring, educating and serving all those interested in working toward a more wise and compassionate (inner and outer) world. LKPY: LOVING KINDNESS PEACEFUL YOUTH onceived in 1999 by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, LKPY (Loving Kindness Peaceful Youth) believes that peace Cstarts from just one person. LKPY was instigated by young people for young people and aims to create the space for young people to develop peace: for themselves, their community and the world as a whole. Through projects and activities which nurture, engage, educate and inspire people from all cultures and faiths world- Original instigators of LKPY: Freeman, Mike, Shyla, Matt, Poh Lin. wide. LKPY uses the tools of essential education, to inspire Three out of the five instigators’ parents were students of Lama young people to realize that they are able to make a difference Yeshe through their thoughts, words and actions. www.lkpy.org LAMA YESHE WISDOM ARCHIVE he Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive (LYWA) contains all the recorded teachings of the late Lama Yeshe, founder of the FPMT, and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, its Tspiritual director. The Archive maintains a rapidly-growing website that offers these teachings in edited and unedited form, audio, video and much more, all searchable with powerful technology. The LYWA also publishes free books (more than 450,000 in print) and books for sale, DVDs and other materials. The Archive recently published Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s extensive teachings on guru devotion, The Heart of the Path, and is preparing for publication of Big Love, the authorized biography of Lama Yeshe. www.lamayeshe.com INTERNATIONAL MAHAYANA INSTITUTE n 1974, Lama Yeshe established the International Mahayana Institute in order to develop a community Iempowered to respond to, and take care of, the needs of its family of monks and nuns through the development of quality education programs, harmonious monastic communities, effective communications, financial support and advocacy. IMI is distinct in preserving the unique of Lama Tsong Khapa, integrating study and practice as manifested by its teachers, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and Lama Yeshe, all the while adapting to various cultures and conditions around the world. www.imisangha.org FPMT Sangha at 2009 CPMT meeting

42 MANDALA July - September 2009 H ATEAPROJECT MAITREYA THE PROJECT PRISON LIBERATION lc hmi h er hieo h Maitreya the of Shrine Heart the to in order in them world other the place and around from Buddha masters Shakyamuni Buddhist of relics collecting TOUR RELIC SHRINE HEART PROJECT MAITREYA in benefit civic and India. economic northern as social, provide peace as international well and influence community and catalyst personal, long-term for a as act can it so years the of grounds and art. sacred and of collection inspiring fountains an contain buildings will Project water The pools. pavilions, tranquil meditation parks and landscaped in theater with set be audio-visual will All library, services. hospitality exhibition museum, temples, a with public halls, the provide will ing world. and the in everyone bless of heart to and minds potential the transform the with monument enduring Buddha Shakyamuni where Pradesh, away. place passed Uttar the , to close in India, Buddha, future Buddha, the Maitreya of statue 500ft/152m magnificent PARK AND BUILDING THRONE STATUE, BUDDHA MAITREYA 500FT/152M THE Buddha. future the of name the is Maitreya “loving- kindness.” is that “maitri,” word the from comes T Texas Unit, Torres Payne, Mike student, LPP by drawing Pen o ayyas aaZp ipcehsbeen has Rinpoche Zopa Lama years, many For 1,000 least at last to designed is facility public The build- throne its and statue Buddha Maitreya The an provide will statue the of construction The a build to plans Project Maitreya focus, its As o sln spsil.Tenm Maitreya name The possible. the as long bring as to possible, as for is many as Project to benefit possible Maitreya greatest of goal he F emo 0 uditvlner epgieimts tde,mil through mainly studies, inmates’ prisons. guide in help teaching by volunteers also but Buddhist correspondence, 200 of team A Italy. and Mongolia Buddhism. practicing and studying www.liberationprisonproject.org Mandala practice. spiritual their with prisoners 20,000 over helped has LPP 1996, Mexico, Spain, Since in branches has also LPP Australia, and US the in mainly Active uddi 96b e.Rbn ori,te dtrof editor then Courtin, Robina Ven. by 1996 in ounded sfe ok n aeil,t epei rsnitrse nexploring, in interested prison in people to well materials, as and teachings, and books advice free spiritual as offers (LPP) Project Prison Liberation sofrdfe ohnrd fpioe students. prisoner of hundreds to free offered is fe h ateasau scmltdi re to order in completed is people. more statue benefit Maitreya even touring the continue will after relics some relics, the host loving-kindness. Maitreya’s of have felt message and people every- relics the million people by a blessed to personally than been relics more the then, Since of where. blessings the world the bring throughout to travel could collection the that completed. is it when statue u oteicesn ubro niain to invitations of number increasing the to Due so 2001 March in began Tour Relic Maitreya The ob ul nKsiaa,UtrPaeh India Pradesh, Uttar Kushinagar, in built be to iuaino h ateaBdh statue Buddha Maitreya the of Simulation uy-Spebr20 M 2009 September - July Mandala , ANDALA 43 CENTERS, PROJECTS AND SERVICES OF FPMT REACHINGOUT

MAITREYA EDUCATION PROJECT aims to benefit the MAITREYA HEALTHCARE PROJECT plans to create public children and communities of northern India by providing health programs of international stanplans to create public free education from Kindergarten to Grade 10, regardless of health programs of international standard in northern India religion, caste, gender or social status. with the intention of supplementing those medical services already provided by the government. www.maitreyaproject.org THE FOUNDATION FOR DEVELOPING COMPASSION AND WISDOM (FDCW) Providing Essential Education resources, training and connections for people of all cultures and traditions who want to create a more peaceful world. www.essential-education.org Please stay tuned for the upcoming Oct-Dec 2009 issue of Mandala, which will highlight all of FPMT’s education initiatives, for complete information on FDCW and Essential Education. y HEALTH CARE AND HOSPICE SERVICES FPMT supports health care and hospice initiatives aimed at providing those in need with comfortable, quality and compassionate care. MAITRI CHARITABLE TRUST, INDIA In 1979, Adriana Ferranti met the Lamas at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa in Italy. From that auspicious meeting, Adriana went on to complete a Chenrezig retreat based on a sadhana especially written by Lama Zopa Rinpoche related to future leprosy work and she trained at Schieffelin Leprosy Research Center in South India. In 1983 Nick Ribush asked Adriana to manage Lama Yeshe’s Delhi leprosy colony project. Three years later she moved to Bodhgaya and in 1987 established the MAITRI Leprosy Prevention, Treatment & Rehabilitation Center, now known as the MAITRI Charitable Trust. Among its many efforts, the MAITRI Charitable Trust works to eradicate leprosy and tuberculosis, and rehabilitate those disabled by leprosy. The trust also provides humanitarian aid to the poorest of the poor in Bihar, educates men and women about HIV/AIDS and birth control, supports poorer women and children by providing pre- and post-natal care, and provides respite care. www.fpmt.org/maitri OTHER HEALTH CARE AND HOSPICE SERVICES INDIA DENMARK Shakyamuni Buddha Community Health Care Center The Center for Conscious Living and Dying (of Root Institute) (of Tong-nyi Nying-je Ling) NEPAL NEW ZEALAND The Maya Daya Medical Clinic Amitabha Hospice Service AUSTRALIA MALAYSIA Karuna Hospice Center Kasih Hospice Care Cittamani Hospice Service SPAIN Hospice of Mother Tara Potala Hospice (of Center, Madrid) Wheel of Life Hospice Service (of Hayagriva Buddhist Center) USA Tara Home (of Land of Medicine Buddha, CA) y Please refer to FPMT Directory on page 75 for all contact details.

44 MANDALA July - September 2009 ul 0,0 ryrwel,sua,adsaust acur o nml h ol otherwise would who animals for sanctuary a to statues and , wheels, 100,000 build PTspot hrtbepoet pnigi ups rmabtosiiitvsto initiatives ambitious from purpose in spanning projects charitable supports FPMT ekle,t rnigeuainshlrhp,t rvdn urtosmast huad of thousands to meals nutritious providing to scholarships, education granting to killed, be PTsojcieo uligamr opsint ol rmteisd u n critical and out inside the from world compassionate more a building of objective FPMT’s ok tdiga eaJ oatr,aogmn tes hs rjcsaeesnilto essential are projects These others. many among Monastery, Je Sera at studying monks oismsino rnmtigMhyn udittahnsadvle worldwide. values and teachings Buddhist Mahayana transmitting of mission its to ol o ol peace. world for world the around of statues 100,000 Building PEACE: FOR PROJECT PADMASAMBHAVA time. our of scholars best the and teachers Abbotts, Tripa, Ganden the supporting by Tsongkhapa Lama of teachings unstained pure the Preserving FUND: TEACHERS TSONGKHAPA LAMA beings. all for and benefactors, and students FPMT all projects, and centers FPMT all of benefit the for world the around practices and pujas continual Sponsoring FUND: PUJA FPMT THE Tibet. of region Amdo the in hospital a of construction the through underprivileged, the particularly all, to care eye quality and sustainable continuous, Providing CENTER: EYE AMDO years. eighteen last the Je for at monks the of all to day a meals three Offering FUND: FOOD JE SERA THE CHARITABLE PROJECTS: n nomto nhwyucnhl,pes visit: please help, can you www.fpmt.org/projects how on information and world. the around Sangha and to: and Lama offering lamas objects, making Dalai holy including the Rinpoche Holiness Zopa His Lama of activities and PTAS SUPPORTS ALSO FPMT o opeedsrpino l urn priorities current all of description complete a For M,California wheel, LMB, prayer at Roger Ven. CEO, FPMT’s and Rinpoche Zopa Lama world. the around wheels prayer large 100,000 building by peace and compassion universal Increasing FUND: WHEEL PRAYER ttei India. in Maitreya statue meter) (152 ft 500 a to a build needed merit as the create gold to pure means in Sanghata and Prajnaparamita the out Writing : SANGHATA & PRAJNAPARAMITA THE WRITING killed. be to going were that animals liberating and blessing Rescuing, FUND: LIBERATION ANIMAL Taiwan Center, Shakyamuni at Stupa world. the around stupas large 100,000 building by peace and compassion universal Increasing FUND: STUPA y h esnlprojects personal the uy-Spebr20 M 2009 September - July ANDALA 45 CENTERS, PROJECTS AND SERVICES OF FPMT