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Introduction
to the 2009 CPMT meeting by Lama Zopa Rinpoche-
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 I think it's true that this is the largest number of people at
this meeting so far, since we started in the beginning. I wasn't there for
the very first meeting, which was in Dharamsala. Dr Nick, were you there?
Peter [Kedge] was there because at that time he was secretary. Where's
Peter?
Student: He's here but not in this room.
Rinpoche: Oh I see. OK. He didn't rise up. He didn't rise up from
Dharmakaya! I'm
joking. Anyway, so Lama had the meeting, I think that must have been the
first meeting at Tushita, Dharamsala, when Lama thought to make the
organization. I think there were maybe six people. I'm not sure, I wasn't
there. I was inside the building. They had the meeting outside in the front
of Tushita. Maybe there might have been six people, I think. There was
Jacie Keeley, Peter, maybe Marcel was there. I'm not sure. Anyway, what I
remember was that was the very first meeting when Lama thought to start the
organization. I think that's how it started.
I don't know when Lama gave the name FPMT. I'm not sure which year, whether
it was
that time or afterwards. Do you remember?
Student: 1975.
Rinpoche: '75. 1975. Nepal or Dharamsala?
Student: Kopan.
Rinpoche: Kopan, I see.
 I would like to say from the bottom of my heart, to thank
everyone for coming here. With all the expenses, and taking time off from
jobs and from whatever, whatever everybody was doing there. Taking time
from that.
So who we're working for is FPMT, the name of the organization is FPMT. So
preserving Dharma by learning, by listening, reflecting, meditating,
collecting, gaining experiences. Then you preserve, and also you spread to
others, to sentient beings, so that's what the name means.
Like scientists, you experiment, you analyze, and actualize, discover, and
then when you discover, then you teach, you show to other sentient beings.
And, in that way, you bring them to happiness. Not just happiness of this
life. Even the happiness of this life has to come from virtue; it doesn't
come from non-virtue, so happiness comes from virtue. The happiness of this
life comes from virtue.
If somebody steals another person's possessions, you have comfort (that
your possessions haven't been stolen). But that comfort comes from virtue,
past good karma. Stealing, that can be a condition, but that's not the main
cause. People who do not understand karma look at that as a main cause. But
the main cause is not that. The main cause is virtue.
 So any happiness in this life comes from virtue - even comfort
in dreams, or Whatever, has to come from virtue. Not necessarily virtue
collected in this life, but virtue from past lives. So then no question
about happiness. All the happiness of all the future lives, until we are
able to cease the cause of suffering, karma and delusion, until we are able
to cease that completely, actualizing the remedy, the path, within us.
Until that time we have to die, be reborn in samsara.
Not only that, but ultimate happiness, cessation of all
suffering and its causes, and then full enlightenment - all this comes from
virtue, from Dharma. So achieve that by learning Buddhadharma, up to
enlightenment.
And then also causing happiness for other sentient beings. For this life,
and in all future lives. And ultimate happiness, liberation from samsara
and full enlightenment, you cause all sentient beings [to achieve that]
from knowing, by learning, by understanding, Buddhadharma, and by
actualizing the path.
So FPMT, or Foundation of the Preservation of the Mahayana Teachings, the
name is that, is to serve Buddhadharma, the teachings of Buddha, and
sentient beings.
Colophon: Teachings
given at CPMT 2009, Institut Vajra Yogini, France. Transcribed by Ven
Thubten Munsel, edited by Claire Isitt.
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Updates to the programme-
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 Jamyang is very fortunate to host various visiting teachers
this month, starting with Yangsi Rinpoche, followed by Gareth Sparham and
Robert Beer.
Also, for those of you newer
to Jamyang who would like to learn more about what we offer don't miss the
Open Afternoon and the Introduction to Meditation. Both events are free and
open to everyone.
We are working on the Winter programme now and hope to have new classes and
various visiting teachers in the coming months. It has been confirmed that
the dates for the Vajrayogini retreat have changed, the four-week
retreat will now be from Sunday 27th of December until Saturday 23rd of
January. More details about this retreat will be available on our website.
We hope you enjoy and benefit
from Jamyang's various activities in June!
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THIS
MONTH AT JAMYANG
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Wednesdays @ 7.30pm
Thursdays @ 6.15pm
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VISITING
TEACHERS
Sunday
7th
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Director's column-
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 Hi everyone,
Hope you all have some space to enjoy this wonderful sun and
warmth! I wanted to specifically mention something that really
inspired me from the CPMT meeting. It's called the "Inner Job
Description (IJD) - the pith of our practice". Its purpose is to
provide a set of practical tools to evaluate one's words and actions, and
incorporate this into one's life.
The first FPMT self-evaluation practice was designed for the Masters
Program students at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Italy in 2002. It was
created in response to advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche as a means to help
students evaluate their general behavior, attitude, and the mind of
bodhichitta with the aspiration of becoming beneficial teachers for others.
It was then adapted for SPC and Foundation Training, and further adapted in
October 2005 to become this Performance Review Card. Specific
training in using this tool is now given at FPMT Centres around the world...
hopefully we may be able to host one at Jamyang one day.
 Compassion, compassion, compassion must be all through our
practice of service. Each centre which teaches how to develop
compassion step by step, makes a contribution to world peace every day...
One must practice with
the Bodhicitta attitude every day. People can't see your mind.
What people see is a manifestation of your attitude in your actions of body
and speech
Lama Zopa Rinpoche
The Inner Job Description is a tool for using our external experiences as
the touchstone upon which we develop ourselves on the bodhisattva
path. (It's scary at first!) Why not give it a try? I
would be interested to hear your experiences.
Hope to see you over Saka Dawa weekend... especially for Yangsi Rinpoche's
visit. How fortunate we are to have Jamyang as a place to practice
together on so many different levels! And naturally following on from
that thought, I'd like to offer a big THANK YOU to all the staff, volunteers,
Friends and students who support Jamyang in so many ways. Working
together harmoniously is the best offering we can make our teachers and
Gurus.
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Help needed in the Bookshop-
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Jamyang is looking for a volunteer, interested in books, who
would be willing to look after our small Bookshop on Saturdays &
Sundays when we have events at Jamyang.
The hours would be approximately 10 am - 5.00 pm (flexible), but we
definitely need someone in the Bookshop over the lunch break times.
Would suit someone who enjoys working with books (and reading in the quiet
times)!
This job would be shared with another volunteer doing some
days as well.
Please contact Sally: sally@jamyang.co.uk or phone: 020 7820 8787
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Jamyang's Walk this month-
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 This month's Jamyang walk is a firm favourite. We've had three
visits to this lovely Kent Valley over the years, and it certainly deserves
another. This is a really varied and easy going walk that is about 6 miles.
Meet at Victoria Mainline Railway Station by the Ticket Office fairly
promptly at 10.45 am on Sunday 21st June where we will catch the 11.08
train to Eynsford. Comfortable shoes are sufficient as the walk is fairly
easy. There will be time for a pub lunch stop in Shoreham or bring a packed
lunch, and also there are shops in the village.
At the charming village of Eynsford, close to the ruins of a Norman Castle,
we cross the Darent River over a picturesque bridge and set off towards
Lullingstone Roman Villa where we can stop to see the well preserved
excavations and mosaics. Then we cross fields of lavender and hops, passing
by the elegant Queen Anne House, Tudor gatehouse and world-themed garden of
Lullingstone Castle that featured in a TV series.
We'll have our lunch break in sleepy Shoreham, which was the home of the
19th century painter Samuel Palmer who was inspired by the surrounding
landscape of quiet water meadows and rolling hills.
The walk crosses a golf course and climbs up to Meenfield
Woods, where a terrace path gives us sweeping views of the Darent Valley
before we drop back down to Shoreham for tea! We can visit the delightful
church of St. Peter & St. Paul on the way to the station for our
journey back to London. Anticipated arrival back in Victoria about 5.40 pm.
The morning train we take also stops en route at Denmark Hill at
11.17 and Peckham Rye at 11.20 if you wish to join further along the
journey.
For further information please call Robin on 0207 736 2771
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Goodbye to Clare Walsh- Something from the heart by Sam
Brooks
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 Repaying the Kindness (RTK), formerly Compassion in Action, is
the sister project of Jamyang Buddhist Centre. When I joined RTK in April
2008, Clare Walsh was already a veteran of the project. Clare's role with
RTK included that of administrator, presenter, colleague and friend.
Along with Estelle Rose and many others, Clare has helped to
establish RTK as a respected provider of respite care for carers in the
boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark.
Clare was a personification of the project and a joy to work with. Even in
stressful moments Clare always found the humour and patience to continue.
She radiated warmth and gentleness to all around her, and it is easy to see
why carers respond so well to such a manner.
Clare has consistently actively engaged with the carers' often
very difficult living situations. She has always been available with a warm
open heart, willing to listen and to offer advice (and rescue remedy!)
whenever appropriate.
In April this year Clare left RTK to enter semi-retirement and to continue
her pursuit of life, love and song. Clare plans to present RTK Tai Chi
workshops for carers in the future.
With all love and many thanks,
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Memorial to Ian Brown ( 1945 - 2009 )-
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 Ian was one of the very earliest committed students who began
coming to our Centre back in the days when we used to be called Manjushri
London. In the early 1980s he joined the small gatherings in a front room
where we met in Swiss Cottage, and began studying with our first resident
teacher Geshe Wangchen. As the Centre grew, Ian was always there, sitting
modestly on the sidelines, book or notepad pressed close to his face,
listening intently.
It is only now after the memorial ceremony that was held
on May 22nd that some of us got to hear more about the extraordinary
full and varied life that he had had. A glowing tribute from his
brother-in-law described the gifted nature of Ian. We learnt how he taught
himself to read at the age of 3, about his prodigious memory and very high
IQ, the many ancient and modern languages that he knew, along with degrees
in maths, law and all sorts of other interests. Students from the Holborn
College of Law related how respected he was as a lecturer, with a gift for
being fair and always encouraging - using his wisdom to guide them. No
doubt some of us at Jamyang were aware that Ian's knowledge of Buddhism was
quite vast. I recall many a time when, sitting close to him, you could
catch him instantly responding softly, under his breath to complicated
questions, or to sources of texts and relevant names, but he never drew
attention to himself.
Whenever there was an important visiting Lama, a Retreat
or an Initiation somehow Ian was able to make time to attend, despite busy
commitments. This diligence was most graphically evident when, despite the
advanced state of his cancer, he found the strength to come to the Centre
for the start of the teachings of Khensur Rinpoche Jampa Tegchok. Only days
later he was admitted to a room in the Whittington Hospital.
It was that short spell in hospital which for me will
be the lasting impression of Ian's accomplishments. To witness his devotion
to his Dharma, surrounded with his text books; to see how courageous and
selflessly he faced his death. Then to see the joy he had when Geshe Tashi
visited him was inspiring! He slipped away mid afternoon on the 8th May
with his sister and brother-in-law at his side, and the room had a
palpable, almost radiant, quality of peace.
Prayers were said almost immediately for him by
Gen Tegchok and Geshe-la, and his name had been forwarded to His Holiness
and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Along with the dedications at Jamyang I'm sure Ian
had the most auspicious protection. In the end one feels he applied himself
as thoroughly to the task of dying well as he did to all the other aspects
of his life, and for this he's left an immensely valuable lesson for us
all.
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Contributions
from CPMT attendees-
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A bit
about FPMT and some remarks from UK students who attended the CPMT meeting
in France during May 2009.
It
would be very difficult to summarize in a few lines all of the different
projects under the umbrella of FPMT, as you can imagine, seven days of 10
-20min presentations was not enough. So what we will do for Gentle Voice is simply
enumerate the different types of projects and suggest you go to FPMT's
website if you are interested in learning more. Also, we asked a couple of
the people that went from UK to the meeting to share a bit their
experience, which you can find below.
Every
living being has the potential to be free from suffering and to develop
limitless love and compassion for others. Working to help human beings
fulfill this potential are the FPMT meditation, retreat and study centers,
monasteries, publishing houses, businesses and students. The FPMT strives to
follow the example and inspiration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his
compassionate service to humanity.
FPMT students try to serve others throughout the world with kindness and
wisdom. We are a rapidly growing non-profit organization participating in
many aspects of the world community.
Some
of the projects which are affiliated with FPMT are:
- Monasteries and nunneries in 6 countries
- Liberation Prison Project
- Leprosy Clinics
- Polio Clinics
- Health and Nutrition Clinics
- Meditation Centers in 34 Countries
- Hospices
- Building the world's largest statue: a 500ft/152m statue of
Maitreya, the future Buddha, by the Maitreya Project in Kushinagar, Uttar
Pradesh, India
- Publishing houses
- Essential Education Schools
To
find out more information and to watch a short documentary click here. To read
FPMT's Annual Report click here (it takes a few
minutes to download the PDF).
Some
notes from people who went to the meeting:
1) Patricia Curmi - When do you know you're not at your
average annual meeting?
When do you know you're not at your average annual general
meeting? When there are roaming peacocks, torrential rain, rapping
reincarnated lamas and a swine flu quarantine. Despite the rain - which
fell on the small French town of Lavaur in Biblical proportions - a group
of around two hundred (quite soggy) Buddhists managed to meet in a giant
white marquee and fill it with ideas, experiences and insights. It's quite
staggering to realise the extent of the FPMT centres, projects and groups
all over the world, with volunteers who work with unflagging enthusiasm,
kindness and good humour.
Between the meeting presentations, endless helpings of delicious food and
Lama Zopa Rinpoche's teachings, however, a plot was thickening. Huddled in
a circle, a few people from FPMT centres all over the world began
discussing the future of FPMT. We began with a simple question: Are young
people who come into Dharma centres finding teachings that are relevant to
them in their lives?
 It's
a good question, and one that led to others. Are Dharma centres too
intimidating for new visitors who don't necessarily understand all the
bowing and thangkas? What happens to young people who get involved in a
Dharma centre and then find they don't have a peer group there to relate
to? What happens to parents who can't come to teachings or events unless
they have childcare arranged?
In short, how can FPMT make sure that young people - or anyone else, for
that matter - who visit centres like Jamyang are given all the support they
need to find the Dharma for themselves in a meaningful way?
So, the tentative steps have begun to see what Jamyang is doing right, what
could be done better, and how we can share this with other FPMT centres.
If this has prompted some ideas, please, please share them by contacting
Esther at: spc@jamyang.co.uk
2) Andy Wistreich- I was glad no to get
angry!
Although I first engaged with FPMT in 1980 this was my first CPMT. I
went with an open mind, hoping to feel a sense of connectedness but
prepared to find it challenging. For the first two days I did indeed
find it hard. Maybe it was being in a conference-style set-up with
180 others in a cold, damp marquee, bombarded by PowerPoint presentations
and being talked at from the front. I decided to practise equanimity
and see what happened. I was so glad not to get angry!
The day that we moved onto the topic of Education I began to perk up, and
by now the conference was becoming more participatory in style. I was
extraordinarily impressed by not only the wide range of types of education
programmes in the FPMT, but even more, by the educational ethos pervading
all the programmes, which have four key aspects of study, practice,
behaviour and service. In certificated programmes such as the Basic
and Masters Programmes it seems that you only get the certificate by
fulfilling requirements in all four criteria. Moreover, the practice
element requires quite a lot of retreat.
 For
me the high point was the two hours in the morning of the fifth day when
Lama Zopa spoke for two hours with intense lucidity about our work for the
FPMT as service to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He said "We have
a responsibility to help His Holiness the Dalai Lama by offering service to
him as our Guru.
This is the highest Dharma practice, the best purification,
giving the most extensive merit." The rest of the meeting
gradually unfolded not only the wealth of the positive activity of the
FPMT, but also Rinpoche's vision of how service to the Guru makes
everything we do meaningful. That the project of bringing all sentient
beings to full enlightenment is something we can do better if we work
together, and that it will take many lifetimes.
So, by the time I left, I felt deeply reconnected not only
with the FPMT but with Lama Zopa Rinpoche's vision, in a way I haven't
experienced before. It has given me a new sense of purpose in my
Dharma activities, and the clear feeling that our work for others is what
makes our life meaningful. I feel a strong sense of unity with my
Dharma family across the world that gives strength to my own small efforts
to help others. May all beings benefit from our collective work!
3) Patrick Madden for Essential
Education-
Early in May, Essential Education had its
first opportunity to present its work to the wider FPMT community,
including many people who had known Lama Yeshe and heard about his vision
first-hand. We received a very warm and affirming reception, and were
delighted by the general rejoicing that Essential Education is now up and
running.
Our whole team - Alison, Patrick, Ian and Anna - drove down to Institut
Vajra Yogini in steadily worsening weather, and posted our tent on a bed of
mud when we arrived!
The larger EE team made an 80-minute presentation to the main meeting on
Thursday, which began to the opening strains of 2001: A Space Odyssey and
received an enthusiastic reception. An international team of Pam Cayton,
Andy Wistreich, Alison, Valentina Dolara, Mikkel Kristiansen, Anna Colao
and Martin Lyngby-Nielsen all helped to explain our activities and key
initiatives to the centre directors of the FPMT.
We came away with invitations to present 16 Guidelines courses in places as
diverse as Australia, Colombia, Germany, Mexico, Mongolia, Moscow, and New
Zealand!
Lama Zopa said several times how pleased he was with the progress that has
been made, and gave impromptu teachings on what he considers the most
important of the 16 Guidelines: kindness, forgiveness, patience, humility,
contentment, courage and delight (otherwise known as rejoicing). He also
very kindly responded to a request for a youth meeting, where he encouraged
the young people present to be peacemakers and role models for others in
their own communities and in the world at large.
Where can you read more
about FPMT at Jamyang?
Down the north corridor, past the Tara Room, you will see the
notice board dedicated to the FPMT that is updated by Carolyn Gillet every
four months.
Currently the display focuses on over twenty-five years of development - from
'getting organized' until now. There are over one hundred and fifty centres
offering services that Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche have inspired,
with their wish to bring happiness to all.
Over the years, this space has highlighted many aspects of the FPMT. For
example -
FPMT has over 40 GESHES teaching at centres
FPMT hosts many RETREATS
FPMT centres have many auspicious STUPAS
FPMT has a vast, comprehensive EDUCATION programme
Have a look next time you are at Jamyang, and rejoice in this
service to sentient beings.
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Join the MANI retreat from home- Di Carroll shares her
experience
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An Ocean of Compassion .... In the 100 million MANI Retreat
with Kyabje Thubten Zopa Rinpoche at Institut Vajra Yogini, our FPMT centre
in France.
3.30 am and the gong sounds....time to crawl out of the tent
into the French Spring and make it up to the huge tent that is the 'gompa'
and retreat place for the 100 million MANI retreat with Kyabje Zopa
Rinpoche and 300+ retreatants from all over the world.
 The first session starts with taking the 8 Mahayana precepts,
always being reminded of the Bodhicitta motivation by Ven Thubten Dhondrub
(Neil), the Australian monk retreat leader. That's followed by prostrations
to the 35 Buddhas and the 7 Medicine Buddhas; then Lama Chopa and Jorchoe
practice; and then a session of the Chenrezig compassion practice with some
recitation of the mantra of compassion OM MANI PADME HUM. If we are lucky
we get some tea brought to the tent by some of the amazing army of volunteer
helpers. Sometimes the schedule is rearranged because the teaching has gone
on very late into the night (well into the morning!) before, so we do
everything at high speed. At 7.45am we stop for a break. There is a short
optional yoga session (Rinpoche requested this be offered as part of the
retreat) and some people make water bowl offerings at the Stupa. And there
are hot drinks and breakfast for those who have taken the precepts at that
level (as it was a 5 week retreat, we can take the precepts and have
breakfast and lunch if we wish). At 9am we start again with prostrations,
then a Chenrezig session and Mani recitation. Lunch is at 12, and then
there's a break till 4pm for discussion groups or for people to do their
own commitments, and for a few days the Maitreya Project Relic Tour was at
the Institute. At 4pm another session of prostrations and Chenrezig until
about 7, and then at 8pm, the last session. Rinpoche came to every session
the first week and from then usually in the evenings comes and takes part
in the session and teaches, often until the early hours of the morning. All
these teachings are available to watch on Institut Vajra Yogini's website.
Rinpoche gave some very inspiring advice for those with children and also
talked very funnily (but also really hitting the point!) about
relationships and how to transform them from attachment to Dharma.
You can also still join in the retreat at home. There is a short sadhana
available from the Vajra Yogini Institute's website, and you can send in
your MANI mantra count. Rinpoche wishes to offer these mantras to His
Holiness the Dalai Lama for his Holiness's wishes to be fulfilled,
especially for Tibet, and for the Dharma to flourish there again even more
strongly than before. These are some of the extensive things we dedicate
for every day.
The retreat continues until 5th June. Go to www.institutvajrayogini.fr
To
date, we have recited about 20 million mantras on site, and we are counting
on the contribution of home retreatants to reach the 100 million goal. If
you still haven't registered for the home retreat and would like to do so,
please visit the institute's website. There you will find Rinpoche's warm
message to those participating off-site.
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FPMT-
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 Jamyang is affiliated with FPMT (Foundation for the
Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) and is one of more than 150
centers and projects worldwide.
FPMT is based on the Gelugpa
tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught by our founder, Lama
Thubten Yeshe and spiritual director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche. If you would like
to receive FPMT's monthly newsletters please subscribe here.
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Your thoughts
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What do you want to see in Gentle
Voice? We would love to hear your ideas and comments
about Gentle Voice,
please contact Esther at: spc@jamyang.co.uk
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