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LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE NEWS - April 2007

Tenzin Phuntsok Rinpoche (Geshe Lama Konchog's incarnation) and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Because so many of you enjoyed the previous picture, here is another, and note the adorable socks!
Photographer Ven. Roger Kunsang

RINPOCHE'S CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND SCHEDULE
For the detailed schedule and details of how to contact the center and book for these events, please go to http://www.fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/schedule.asp

Rinpoche is currently in Taiwan until April 8th.

Rinpoche's next teachings are scheduled in Singapore between May 7th - 21st, where Rinpoche is teaching and giving initiations including Great Medicine Buddha and Amitayus, followed by teachings in Malaysia (including a short Tara retreat) between May 23rd - June 4th. 

It is likely that Rinpoche will teach at His centers in Mongolia and Hong Kong in September, and then will teach at the Kopan November course towards the end of this year.

Rinpoche is scheduled to teach at Root Institute, Bodhgaya, India in early January 2008.

As soon as we have more details about Rinpoche's teaching schedule we will let you know.

NEW ADVICE FROM LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE
Purpose of Retreat Places  
“A retreat place is not for gaining power like black magic, it’s not for a honeymoon or holiday. Also it is not a place in which to be spaced out.

The whole purpose of a retreat place is to subdue the mind and to actualize the lam-rim up to enlightenment. It is a place for a holiday from negative karma, a holiday from the three poisonous minds and the self-cherishing thought, a holiday from the self-grasping of the person and phenomena, a holiday from the wrong concepts: non-devotional thought towards the guru up to the subtle dual view of white, increasing, attainment.”

The Benefits of Working for a Dharma Center 
Succinct and succulent advice from Rinpoche for us all.  This advice is excellent for anyone working for a center or study group, particularly when you are feeling overwhelmed - especially for directors, as Rinpoche explains how a director should expect to be an object of criticism!

Also included, Rinpoche's pith advice on generating your motivation for the day.

Excerpt:

....If one obtains [and follows] the guru's advice, instruction - then all wishes will succeed, one will achieve infinite merit.  It's good to remember these benefits that are explained in the teachings.  One has to remember that when one is working, even if one doesn't live at a center but works at a center, try to remember this.  Especially when one faces difficulties, when one meets difficulties doing the work, offering service, it's very important to remember this and in this way there's something to enjoy.  You see it is a path.  What one is doing is a path to enlightenment.  By seeing the benefit, there's great enjoyment.

More advice »

Photographer Ven. Roger Kunsang

NEW MEDIA OFFERINGS
Downloadable Ringtone
Please enjoy the sound of Rinpoche laughing!

New Audio Teaching from Rinpoche
This is a lovely 90 second teaching clip of Rinpoche advising that by meditating on impermanence, whatever happens in life doesn’t disturb you. This short teaching can be used by centers to introduce and promote Rinpoche.
More audio teachings »

RINPOCHE’S SENSE OF SCALE
When asked if land which had been offered to Chag Tong Chen Tong Centre in Tasmania was beneficial, Rinpoche sweetly advised the following -

“My dear Lindy,
I am very happy, inspired and excited by this land you found and very grateful to the couple who are offering it. We need a lot of merit to use this land for the Dharma so we need to make this statue of 1000 armed Chenrezig 9 feet high. I don’t want you to faint at the height.... I know you may not be familiar with my sizes ...sorry. But this will be unbelievable benefit for Tasmania, to develop compassion, thru Nyung Nays and Chenrezig retreats. I think SOOOO GOOD. Ok?

Much love and prayer,

Lama Zopa”

Lama Zopa Rinpoche made friends with the elite Indian commandos that guard His Holiness.
Photographer Ven. Roger Kunsang

LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE
PHOTO GALLERY
As Rinpoche is presently in Taiwan, we have few new pictures at this time. Remember to visit the photo gallery, which has hundreds of pictures of Rinpoche teaching and practicing, laughing and praying throughout the world.

DEDICATION ON DAYS OF MIRACLES
From Ven. Roger Kunsang:

"Here in Taiwan Rinpoche did everything possible to take advantage of the 15 days of miracles.  On the last day there was a big animal liberation with a Chinese Master Hai Tao (who is a friend of Rinpoche's). More than a thousand people attended and released 10 big truck loads of fish - 160,000 fish. Most nights of the 15 days of miracles Rinpoche didn't sleep, so by the time Rinpoche was half way through blessing all these people He was so tired He couldn't even lift His hand - so I had to lift Rinpoche's hand and put it on each person's head, as Rinpoche insisted to keep going."

With love,
FPMT International Office

 



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