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BLISSFUL RAYS OF THE MANDALA IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERSBLISSFUL RAYS OF THE MANDALA IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS

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e-VOL. 4 ISSUE 1

FEBRUARY 2011

The Official

Publication of

The Foundation for

the Preservation

of the Mahayana

Tradition

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MAKING ADIFFERENCE TOGETHER:

MAKING ADIFFERENCE TOGETHER:

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e-Vol 4 ISSUE 1 FEBRUARY 2011. The Mandala eZine is published as an online quarterly for Friends of FPMT byFPMT Inc., 1632 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97214-4702.

LAMA YESHE’S WISDOM6 Taking Suffering and Giving HappinessBy Lama Yeshe

ADVICE FROM THE VIRTUOUSFRIEND11 Fighting for FreedomBy Lama Zopa Rinpoche

COVER FEATURE14 Friends of FPMT

COMMUNITY FORUM19 Discussion Topic20 Photo Bulletin Board

MEDIA PAGE23 Featured Media

COVER:Portrait of Lama Yeshe, 1975. With the idea of com-missioning a statue of Lama Yeshe, Mummy Max (MaxMatthews) arranged for a series of shots taken just of hishead from every angle, as well as photos of Lama in med-itation posture. Photo taken on Saka Dawa (the cele-bration of Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death) atChenrezig Institute, Australia, 1975. Photo donated byWendy Finster. Courtesy of Lama Yeshe WisdomArchive.

fpmt Mandala eZine

CONTENTS

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February 2011 MANDALA EZINE 3

Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive contains recordings and transcripts

of Lama Thubten Yeshe’s and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings

dating back to the early 1970s—and we’re still growing! Our

website off ers thousands of pages of teachings by some

of the greatest lamas of our time. Hundreds of audio

recordings, our photo gallery and our ever-popular

books are also freely accessible at lamayeshe.com.

Please see our website or contact us

for more information

LIFE, DEATH, AND AFTER DEATHby lama yesheedited by nicholas ribush120 pages, free

“Tibetan Buddhism teaches us to understand the death process and trains us to deal with it so that when the time of crisis arrives and the various illusory visions arise, instead of being confused, we’ll know what’s going on and will recognize illusions as illusions, projections as projections and fantasies as fantasies.”

TEACHINGS FROM THE MEDICINE BUDDHA RETREAT

by lama zopa rinpocheedited by ailsa cameron458 pages, $20

Teachings from Land of Medicine Buddha October-November 2001

KADAMPA TEACHINGSby lama zopa rinpocheedited by ailsa cameron288 pages, free

Commentary on essential pieces of advice from Kadampa Geshes.

* plus shipping charges of $1 per book ($5 minimum)

* plus shipping charges of

free books!*

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Mandala is the official publica-tion of the Foundation for thePreservation of the MahayanaTradition (FPMT), an interna-tional charitable organizationfounded more than thirty yearsago by two Tibetan Buddhistmasters: Lama Thubten Yeshe

(1935-1984) and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche. FPMT is now a vibrantinternational community with a network of over 150 affiliate centers,projects, services and study groups in more than thirty countries.

Editorial PolicyRecurring topics include: Buddhist philosophy; Education; Ordinationand the Sangha; Buddhism and Modern Life; Youth Issues; FPMT Activities Worldwide; Lama Yeshe and his teachings; Lama Zopa Rin-poche and his teachings; His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his teachings,among many other topics.

Writers, photographers and artists, both amateur and professional,are encouraged to submit material for consideration. Mandala currentlydoes not pay for publishable content; we credit all photos and other workas requested.

Mandala, in addition to the Mandala eZine, is published quarterlyand is available via the Friends of FPMT program. Additionally, bothpublications are supplemented by online stories published exclusively at:www.mandalamagazine.org

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To learn about Friends of FPMT levels and benefits, contact us orvisit: www.fpmt.org/friends

Mandala is published in January, April, July and October.Mandala eZine is published in February, May, August and December.

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6 MANDALA EZINE February 2011

Lama Yeshe’s WISDOM

We are most fortunate to have been able topinpoint attachment as the greatest of all

problems. When we speak of evil, demons andso forth, it’s the inner devil of attachment we’retalking about. Even though for countless liveswe’ve looked outside ourselves for the source ofour problems, there’s nothing external to blame.Therefore we should rejoice that we have finallyidentified this inner cause of all suffering.

We can be quite foolish. Say you’re in aspooky old house somewhere with a couple offriends. It’s late at night and you’re watching horror movies on TV. One of your friends says,“Don’t go into the basement; there’s somethingevil down there.” Then, if you do have to godown to the basement, you feel scared: “Therereally is something evil down here.” You’re so easily prone to superstition. This is completelysilly. There’s no such thing as external evil andfear of it is simply a projection of the evil in yourown mind. If you speculate enough, your super-stitious mind is sure to produce something, andwhere once you were unafraid, you now feel fear.All such foolishness comes from attachment.

Therefore finally recognizing that all thesenegative things – demons, enemies, evil orwhatever other terms are used in everyday conversation, science or religion – come fromthe inner demon of attachment and bravelychanging attachment to oneself into concernfor others is both wonderful and wise.

There are countless living beings on Earthbut very few know about exchanging self andothers. This practice may be very difficultbut it’s extremely worthwhile. If you can doit, it will help solve all your problems.

Changing your outlook in this way trans-forms whatever misery you perceive into thepeaceful path of liberation.

We desperately need a method such as this.Life is suffering; our minds are weak. Exchangingself and others is truly revolutionary and thisinner revolution, which has nothing to do withradical external change, completely turns ourmental attitude upside down.

If you were to think that Buddhism was simply about sitting in meditation practicingconcentration, you might reject it: “My kneeshurt; my body wasn’t built for this. Buddhism isjust a Himalayan lama thing. Anyway, I can’tlive without working and taking care of myworldly affairs. Dharma is not for me.” But Mahayana Buddhism is about much more thanjust sitting in concentration. If you are wise, youcan practice 24 hours a day.

Whenever any difficulty or problem arises,instead of getting depressed, be brave. Think,“Fantastic. If this problem had not arisen I mighthave felt I had no problems. This problem is myteacher; all problems are my teacher. They giveme knowledge-wisdom and help me recognizemore clearly the nature of attachment. This is sowonderful. May all mother sentient beings’problems ripen upon me right now and maythey receive all my merit, fortune and wisdom.”

If you have difficulty taking the suffering ofothers onto yourself, first practice on yourself.The next time your knees hurt when you’re sitting in meditation, take that pain onto yourego and let it freak out. Let your ego freak outmore and more. Practice that for a week.

Then practice taking onto yourself all the

Taking Suffering and Giving HappinessBy Lama Yeshe


Lama Yeshe at Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, 1974. Courtesy of Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.


Lama Yeshe’s WISDOM

suffering you have ever experienced in yourlife. Your ego and attachment won’t like thateither, but let them freak out again. Thenslowly, slowly extend your practice to takeupon yourself the sufferings of your parents,your friends, all the people in your country andall the people on Earth until you are receivingthe problems and suffering of all sentient beings throughout the universe. Then, withouthesitation, send out to them all your posses-sions, happiness and merit.

What is the technique for actually practic-ing this taking and giving meditation, which Tibetans call tong-len? You combine it with meditation on the breath in what is basically anine-round breathing meditation.

Start by breathing out through your rightnostril. Visualize the air you exhale in the formof white light, the essence of which is all yourpositive energy and wisdom. This white light radiates to all sentient beings in the six realmsof samsara and beyond. It enters their left nostril,goes into their hearts and generates in themgreat bliss. Visualize the air they exhale in theform of thick black smoke, the essence of whichis all their negativity, confusion and heavy suffering. This dark, polluted energy entersyour left nostril and goes down into your heart.Don’t leave it outside of you; bring it rightdown into your heart so that your ego and attachment completely freak out.

The nature of attachment is such that whenproblems arise, it blindly pushes them away. Thispractice trains your mind to handle negativity,feel compassion for the others and take their suffering and problems onto yourself, which in

turn helps you overcome self-cherishing andcherish others more than yourself.

Do the above cycle of breathing white lightout through your right nostril and black smokein through your left three times. Then breatheout through your left nostril and in through yourright three times. Then breathe out and inthrough both nostrils together three times. Atthe end of each nine rounds concentrate for aslong as you can that you and all other sentientbeings have been completely purified of all suffering, negativity and dualistic mind and arefully enlightened, experiencing everlasting blissthat pervades your entire body and mind. Whenyou lose focus on this, repeat the nine roundsonce more. Repeat this cycle again and again forthe duration of the session.

Don’t think that this is just a fantasy andthat doing this meditation makes no differenceto the suffering of yourself and others. Actually,it is a profound practice and each time you doit, it brings you and all other sentient beingscloser to enlightenment. The greatest obstacleto enlightenment is self-cherishing, and takingon all the suffering, karma and delusions of allsentient beings and giving them all your happiness and merit is best way of overcomingit. The most effective way of training yourmind to overcome self-cherishing is to practicetong-len meditation. �

Published in Ego, Attachment and Liberation, a free

publication from the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive. The

book features a collection of Lama Yeshe’s teaching

from a five-day meditation course near Melbourne,

Australia in 1975.

Whenever any difficulty or problem arises, instead of getting depressed, be brave. Think, “Fantastic. If this problem had not arisenI might have felt I had no problems. This problem is my teacher; all problems are my teacher ....”


Essential Buddhist Prayers,An FPMT Prayer Book, Vol 2:Comprehensive collection ofpractices advised byLama Zopa Rinpoche to beperformed on the 8th, 15th,29th and 30th of the Tibetan month. (340 pgs)

Heart Advice forDeath and Dying;Profound and accessiblewritten teachings on deathand dying by Lama ZopaRinpoche & 11 hours ofexquisite audio teachings andmeditations by Ven. SangyeKhadro on MP3 CD

Buddhism in a Nutshell;Overview of the completepath to enlightenment. Writtenteachings by Lama Yeshe,Lama Zopa Rinpoche and VenAmy Miller & 11 hours of audioteachings and meditations byVen. Amy Miller on MP3 CD

Essential Buddhist Prayers, An FPMT Prayer Book, Vol 3:Short daily practices of the primaryGelug Tantric deities: Guhyasamaja, Gyalwa Gyatso, Chakrasamvara, Vajrayogini, Yamantaka and more. Requires Empowerment.(340 pgs)

Essential Buddhist Prayers, An FPMT Prayer Book, Vol 1:All one’s daily prayers andpractices, from blessing the speech in the morning todedicating the merits in the evening. (292 pgs)

FPMT Education ServicesProviding Programs and Pract ice Materials For All

Available from the Foundation Store: www.fpmt.org/shop

Homestudy Courses:FPMT Prayer Book Series:

www.fpmt.org

FPMT Retreat Prayer Book;All of the daily practicesadvised by Lama ZopaRinpoche when in personal retreat. This text will also be used at group retreats with Lama Zopa Rinpoche. (360 pgs)

W E A L L H AV E A W O R D F O R G E N E R O S I T Y:

慷慷慨慨 ggeenneerrøøssiitteett vvrriijjggeevviigghheeiidd ssuuuurreemmeeeellssuuss kkaaggaannddaahhaanngg--lloooobbhhààoo pphhóónngg 寛寛大大なな ggéénnéérroossiittéé ggeenneerroossiittàà GGrrooßßzzüüggiiggkkeeiitt щедрость

ggeenneerroossiiddaaddee kkeemmuurraahhaann ggeenneerroossiitteett ggaavvmmiillddhheett GGeenneerroozziittaatteeaa

Practice generosity with your own International Merit Box kit, now available in eleven languages.Email [email protected] for more information and to obtain your own Merit Box kit, or visit

www.fpmt.org/meritbox If you are already an International Merit Box participant, thank you for practicing generosity today, and throughout the year, in support of FPMT projects worldwide.

THE INTERNATIONAL

MERIT BOX PROJECT


Photo by Ven. Thubten Kunsang


Advice from THE VIRTUOUS FRIEND

Fighting for FreedomBy Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Every single thing in daily life that getsdone that is what the guru advisedleads to unbelievable purification of

past negative karma: many lives and manyeons of negative karma get purified. It is themost powerful thing. You collect the most extensive merits; the highest merit you collectis with the guru.

I already mentioned how the guru is morepowerful than numberless buddhas. Everytime you complete the advice, you collect themost extensive merits. Every time you dowhatever the guru advised – whether chantingmantra, whatever commitments you have todo to do (like every time you chant one malaof OM MANI PADME HUM) – because you aredoing as instructed, you purify negative karmaand collect the most extensive merits. Everyday in life, when you study the Dharma, thishappens constantly. It is the most powerful purification and the most extensive way of collecting merits. You come closer to enlight-enment all the time.

By cleaning, by offering service – each timewhen you clean with a broom or whatever,each time you dust – you come closer to enlightenment. Unbelievable lifetimes of andmany eons of negative karma get purified andyou collect the most extensive merits: it is mostamaaazing. Every day, every hour, every minute,

every second, you come closer to enlighten-ment. The most powerful thing is each timethat you please the guru; that is the most unbe-lievably powerful purification. Among all of thepurification practices, that one – pleasing theguru – is the most powerful.

Of devoting to the guru with thought anddevoting to the guru with action, the most important is obeying him. If you are able todevote to the virtuous friend with the mind,by seeing him as a buddha, then with everysingle advice given you are immediately able topractice the advice with incredible joy, notwith a sad depressed mind thinking, “Now Ihave to do this. I have to do that. I have nofreedom.”

… In the West, even during childhood,when you grow up a bit, even in school, thereis talk about freedom from parents. You hear itfrom friends, and then you talk about wantingfreedom. Your parents have unbelievable concern for your life, for you to not have sickness or difficulties, and in the future tohave everything and success. Of course, in regard to their wish for their child to haveDharma, that is only if the parents think thatDharma is most important; not only for thislife, but understanding that the happiness ofall future lives comes from Dharma. Dharma isthe main cause of happiness. Only some

The most powerful thing is each time that you please the guru; that isthe most unbelievably powerful purification. Among all of the purifica-tion practices, that one – pleasing the guru – is the most powerful.

Advice from THE VIRTUOUS FRIEND


parents feel that it is most important in life forchildren to learn Dharma. Even Buddhistsdon’t do that. They let their children do whatthey want.

In Western culture, there is fighting for freedom. There is a correct fighting for freedomand there is a wrong fighting for freedom. Forexample, with regret, there is negative regret andpositive regret. Regretting having done negativekarma, having harmed others, that is positivebecause it purifies past negative karma. But ifyou made charity to others, gave your wealth toothers, and then later you regret it thinking,“Oh, I shouldn’t have done that,” that is some-thing negative. If someone says that you are sillyto give to others because you might find your-self with problems later – you might not findfood – and then you think, “Oh, I shouldn’thave made charity,” that is wrong regret. Thereis wrong patience and right patience, it depends.There can also be wrong compassion and rightcompassion.

Parents are really so concerned, so worriedall the time. They want you to have a good education so you can make lots of money,wealth, friends, to have everything of what com-mon people believe is a good life, what worldly people believe is a good life. Of course, theDharma is most important. Without Dharma,there is no happiness. I’m not talking about lib-eration or enlightenment. Not just the happi-ness of future lives, but even the happiness ofthis life comes from Dharma – having positivethoughts and positive actions, virtuous thoughtsand virtuous actions done with non-attachment

and non-anger. The best Dharma is a goodheart unstained by self-cherishing thought andactions done with that. That is the bestDharma: thinking of others.

Of course, even though the parents are Buddhist, they don’t [necessarily] teach this totheir children. The children do whatever theywant. Those who teach, who really care, areonly a few. Only some try to teach good behavior, righteous correct pure motivation forlife and righteous conduct that brings happi-ness to oneself and others, and creates so muchgood karma.

Parents are so concerned and always give advice, “Don’t do this, it causes problems, confusion; it is unhealthy and creates disease.”They want their children to have a good education, to not be lazy. They teach them athome or send them to school to study. But, asthey grow up and due to other people andwhat other children say, the children think thatthey are totally controlled by their parents.They don’t think of or see the long-term benefits of listening to their parents’ advice.They are only thinking of this present moment,what they are doing. So, they think it is nogood what their parents are telling them, “Dothis and do this.” They hate it [even thoughthe advice is benefitting them]. �

This teaching comes from the fourth module of Livingin the Path, FPMT’s quintessential lam-rim coursebased on the teaching from the Light of the Path retreat series in North Carolina, USA. Living in the Pathcan be found on FPMT’s Online Learning Center. Edited for publication in Mandala eZine.

Dharma is most important; not only for this life, but understanding thatthe happiness of all future lives comes from Dharma. Dharma is themain cause of happiness.

FPMT programs available online!

Buddhism in a Nutshell Meditation 101Death & Dying Living in the Path Basic ProgramDiscovering Buddhism

Online Learning Center

Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition

Video teachingsAudio teachings and meditationsWritten transcriptsReadingsDaily practices

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Online Learning Center programs include:

FPMT Media Center:High-defi nition streaming video of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Light of the Path teachings

are available in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, and German.

Mindfulness exercises for daily lifeKarma yoga exercisesOnline quizzesOnline discussion forumCompletion certifi cate

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Individual modules available from the FPMT Foundation Store: http://shop.fpmt.org OR become a Dharma Supporter Friend of FPMT and receive free access to all online programs and a subscription to Mandala magazine: www.fpmt.org/friends

FREE! Discovering Buddhism module two, How to MeditateFREE! Living in the Path module one, Motivation for Life

••

http://onlinelearning.fpmt.orgThe Online learning Centre is an absolutely, wonderful incredible resource. Truly, what a gift! Thank you. – Mary, Canada, August 2010

Friends of FPMT


MAKING A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER:

FRIENDS OF FPMT

FRIENDS OF FPMT, knownfrom spring of 2008 through fall of 2009 as Foundation Membership, was established to support the studies and practice of FPMT students around the world, to connect theglobal FPMT community, and to provide reliable funding for FPMT International Office.

The Friends program was designed tooffer a level for everyone including a free leveland discounts are available for ordainedSangha and Friends living in countries withlow to medium foreign currency exchangerates. The levels were inspired by the story ofthe Four Harmonious Friends found in theVinayavastu (Foundation of Discipline), wherethe Buddha tells the story of four friends – apheasant, a rabbit, a monkey and an elephant– who lived together in harmony. Each of the

Drawing of the Four Harmonious Friends by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.


younger animals showed respect for the olderanimals’ life-experience and knowledge by carrying the older on his back. Later, the eldest(the pheasant) taught the practice of ethical conduct to the others, who then taught thesame practice to the rest of the forest creatures.Because of this, happiness and comfort increased greatly in the world. The Friends ofFPMT program was designed with four levels,each level represented by one of the four animals.

The objective of the freeFPMT Membership level, associated with the pheasant, isto make available the variousfree resources offered to FPMT

students in the organization. When you signup for this level, you will automatically receive:

• the monthly FPMT International OfficeNews, containing Lama Zopa Rinpoche’sschedule; Rinpoche’s latest advice; newsfrom FPMT centers, study groups andprojects around the world; new educationresources available, and information on opportunities to serve and support FPMT,• access to free courses on the FPMT OnlineLearning Center,• links to other free resources offered in theorganization.

At the Basic Friendship (US$5-$25 per month) level, ourmost popular, you receive all ofthe benefits listed above, as wellas all forms of Mandala Publi-

cations. For 23 years, Mandala has served asthe official publication of FPMT, bringing the international community relevant teachings,feature stories and worldwide FPMT news.

Mandala’s mission is to help connect and inspire FPMT’s worldwide community of students, teachers and friends through its printpublication; articles, blogs and multi-mediafeatures on www.mandalamagazine.org; andthe quarterly Mandala eZine, which, throughpage-turning software, affords the magazine experience in digital form. Available onlythrough the membership schemes of indivi -dual FPMT centers, projects and services; and

FPMT International Office shares space with Maitripa Collegein Portland, Oregon, USA.

Friends of FPMT


The covers of Mandala and Mandala eZine over the past two years.


via the Friends of FPMT program, Mandalaserves as a critical piece to the FPMT experi-ence. Discounts at this level are offered to

ordained Sangha as well as Friends living incountries with low to medium foreign currency exchange rates.

The main feature of the Dharma Supporter level (US$30-$99 per month), inaddition to the benefits listed above, is complete access to the FPMT OnlineLearning Center. The FPMT Online Learning Center currently offers 28 modulesof six online courses suitable for everyone: from those just dabbling in the Buddhistbasics to those wishing to master the philosophy’s more advanced topics. The

Online Learning Center also hosts the FPMT Media Center, an archive of free videos in fivedifferent languages (English, Spanish, French, German and Chinese) of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’steaching from the immensely successful Light of the Path retreats in North Carolina, USA.

Courses on the FPMT Online Learning Center contain hours of lectures andguided meditations such as “A Peaceful Environment” above by Ven. Sangye

Khadro from Heart Advice for Death and Dying.

The FPMT Media Center currently features audio and video in five differentlanguages, including this excerpt from “Todo viene de tu mente” which was

interpreted by Ven. Paloma Alba for Spanish speakers.

“A Peaceful Environment”

“Todo viene de tu mente”

Accessing the Online Learning Center through the Friends of FPMT program is also an excellent value. Individual modules of the Online Learning Center are sold in the FoundationStore for US$45 each. Through the Dharma Supporter level of the Friends of FPMT program(US$30 per month), you have complete access to dozens of modules (with new modules addedfrequently) as well as other benefits including free resources and a year’s subscription to MandalaPublications. As new programs, courses and features are added, Dharma Supporter Friends arealerted with a quick email so that no opportunities are missed.

Friends of FPMT


The FPMT Patron level (US$100 per month and above)includes all of the benefits detailed in the previous threelevels as well as dedication in a

yearly Patron Puja organized at KopanMonastery. Additionally, with their permission,FPMT Patrons are honored yearly in Mandalamagazine and on the FPMT website. In addition

to the benefits received at this level, FPMT Patrons provide critical support to FPMT International Office, which in turn, benefits the entire organization through providing the necessary framework for all FPMT activity; coordinating communication between LamaZopa Rinpoche and the larger organization; andproviding support and guidelines to FPMT centers, projects and services.

Monks performing puja at Kopan Monastery.

By supporting the studies and practice of FPMT students around the world, the Friends ofFPMT program is an easy way for any student to continue to carry forth Lama Zopa Rinpoche’swishes for a wiser, more compassionate world. Together, we can make a difference. �


Discussion TopicCommunity FORUM

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT RECEIVING DHARMA ONLINE?

Please send your responses to [email protected] post them on Facebook!

Responses will be printed in the February issue ofMandala eZine.

Drawing by Emma Bramma-Smith

RESPONSE TO LAST ISSUE’S DISCUSSION TOPIC

(What have been some of your “best of” moments in 2010?)

Tenzin Paylon, Eudlo, Queensland, Australia:Hayagriva Retreat at Tushita. Light on the Pathretreat. Any time I get to spend with PreciousGuru Lama Zopa Rinpoche is a best moment.

Min Chuan Chew, Taipei City, Taiwan: Having the Guru is so precious and how fortunate one is ... Just to be able to meet theGuru needs so much merit.To be able to receive teaching and guidance needs muchmore merit than just for meeting them. Tocontinue to receive teaching and guidance (andalso inspiration) needs even much more merit... Nothing is better compared to continuallyhaving our Guru here and to receiving teach-ing and guidance from Him always ... All thebest comes from the Guru ... My best momentis having my Gurus ….

Grace Yeo, Singapore:Mani retreat hitting 100 million mantras.

Joy Potts, Bel Air, Maryland, USA:My best of moment this year was during theLight of the Path retreat when it was announced that the Heart Shrine Relics werecoming. I had no idea they were going to beon display, and it was an awesome surprise.Thank you Lama Zopa Rinpoche for alwaysthinking of us and giving us the most benefit.

Martin Davidson, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK:Spending five weeks at Kopan Monastery inNepal learning about Mahayana Buddhism.Totally AMAZING!! Thanks to everyone inFPMT!


Photo Bulletin BoardSend us a photo of you or a group with an issue of Mandala and we’ll post it on our bulletin

board in the next eZine. This is an excellent opportunity for us to visualize the amazinginternational community of teachers, students and friends that make up the FPMT family.

To see more of the FPMT community reading their Mandalas, visit our Facebook page.Send your photos to [email protected] or post them on Facebook!

Community FORUM

Students from Potowa Center in Tangerang, Indonesia who attend the center’s weekly Sunday discussion group. Potowa Center is the host of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s

annual commentary on Lama Chöpa.From left to right: Celiang, Doni, Joni, David, Hetty, Tji Ming, Shun Ho, Metta,

Minah, Liliana, Yencin, Leni, Santi, Melly and Guido.


Students from Nagarjuna C.E.T. Barcelona in front of La Casa de les Punxes, a emblematic modernist building designed by the architect Puig i Cadafalch.

Front: Rosa Escudero, Alicia Gondra, Mathilde Guerville.Back: Antoni Pujades, Maria del Mar Garcia, Dominique Cadilhac de Madieres, Teresa Vega, Nina Borg.


Diana Ospina, manager of the Foundation Store, peruses the latest issue ofMandala.

Samten Gorab works to fill your orders and fulfill yourcustomer service needs at the Foundation Store in

Portland, Oregon.

Community FORUM


Media PAGE

Featured MediaFEATURED AUDIO:“Mind and Everything Else”By Ven. Tony Beaumont

Mind and Everything Else comes from a series of teachings by Ven. Tony Beaumont held atChenrezig Institute in December 2010. Ven. Tony Beaumont’s first intensive contact withBuddhism was in 1976 at Kopan Monastery and he has served FPMT in various capacitiessince then. Fully ordained for 17 years, Ven. Tony has a remarkably calming presence and evidently open mind. Ven. Tony speaks on a variety of introductory topics including levels ofmind, the death process, the beginningless nature of mind, buddha-nature, refuge and karma:essential topics that cannot be studied enough.

FEATURED VIDEO:“Transforming Problems”By Ven. Thubten Chodron

This video excerpt from the eleventh module of the Discovering Buddhism series features Ven.Thubten Chodron, a fully-ordained nun practicing in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and astudent of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan masters. She is the abbess of SravastiAbbey in Washington State and works continually to establish the Buddhist monastic traditionin the West. In this excerpt, Ven. Chodron discusses lo-jong, techniques for transforming problems into spiritual fuel. This and other videos from the Discovering Buddhism series canbe found on FPMT’s Online Learning Center.


FEATURED PICTURE:“Mount Everest Centre Students ‘Flying,’ 1973”Photographer Unknown

The little monks of Mount Everest Centre “flying” with their robes in the wind, KopanMonastery, Nepal. December weather in the Kathmandu Valley was generally cold, clear andwindy. This photo comes courtesy of the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.

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