CPMT meeting in France

By Venerable Jamyang
 
From 26 April – 1 May I attended the CPMT meeting at Vajrayogini Institute in France ‘to catch up with my family’. From all over the world 188 participants, representing 80 different FPMT centres, projects or services, coming from 26 different countries had gathered to reconnect with the bigger FPMT family, to learn about who we are, and where we are going. During the meeting Lama Zopa joined us many times, showing the aspect of being very happy with what has been accomplished so far, and giving advice on where we are going.

During the meeting, presentations were given from all different parts of the organization.  First of all Ven. Roger, CEO of the FPMT and Rinpoche’s attendant,  reported on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s health and explained how students can engage in methods to improve Rinpoche’s health; such as keeping harmony in the centres, practising Dharma, following the guru’s advice, as well as sponsoring and participating in long life pujas for Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

We were updated on the present life of Osel, the reincarnation of Lama Yeshe, founder of the FPMT. Osel has the strong wish to follow his own path, and is exploring different methods as filming and photography to communicate the dharma in other ways.

After this presentations of the main projects of Rinpoche’s followed, as the Sera Je Food fund, which provides 3 meals/day to all the 2300 monks of Sera Je; the Maitreya statue, a deep wish from Lama Yeshe; the Lama Tsong Khapa Teachers Fund, which supports teachers who hold the pure lineage of Lama Tsong Khapa; the IMI, helping western Sangha, Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, preserving the Dharma as given by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa, and making it available (most for free) to the bigger public; the Amdo Eye Clinic; and FPMT Mongolia and more.

Those who offer social services such as palliative care, helping to liberate and care for animals, and addiction programs, inspired everybody by showing how we can help others in need.

Presentations about the different study programs set up by the FPMT Education Department explained the various levels of study, from beginners to very advanced, including translator training and FPMT teacher training programs.   Last but not least Essential Education and Loving Kindness Peaceful Youth presented their development and showed us their worldwide networks.

During the days of the CPMT meeting we did exercises for our inner job description.   Rinpoche wants us to be outer professionals, but more important he wants us to be professionals in working with our mind. We worked with a method that helps to observe the mind, to rejoice in what goes well and to purify what we would like to improve.

After 6 days of meetings the FPMT offered a Long Life Puja to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, attended by 300-400 people. 

Purpose of FPMT

All the centres and projects of the FPMT have only one purpose, which is giving the students an opportunity to purify their negative karma and accumulating merit. The more negative karma we purify and the more merit we create the quicker we will attain enlightenment, which gives us the ability to help other sentient beings to become enlightened. All projects of FPMT are set up by Rinpoche to give students an opportunity to generate vast amounts of merit. For instance any contribution you make to the Sera Je Food Fund creates the merit of providing food to 2300 monks. And the most powerful object of merit is the Guru, Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Every action we do, that is in accord with his wishes, that follows his advice, not only pleases the Guru (it is an absolute delight to see Rinpoche happy!) but also brings us success on all levels, from achieving realizations on the path to success in everything we undertake.

At the moment Rinpoche stresses the importance that we achieve realizations by doing retreat and that we help others to do. Only this can stop our problems and suffering, and gives us the ability to help others in this world.

We are so incredibly lucky!!! Being under the care of such a great being is so mind blowing. Words can not express what I’ve seen, heard and felt during these days. Tears are rolling from my eyes when I write this down. Lama Zopa Rinpoche and everything he does is SO BIG. The opportunity we have is so precious, so rare, it’s not just a once in a lifetime opportunity, but more a once in an eon opportunity. We shouldn’t waste it, as it might never come back to us.

If you would like to know more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his projects, the centres, etc. go to www.fpmt.org