| Sunday, 05 February 2012 |
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FPMT |
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Chenrezig Institute is a non-profit charitable organization affiliated with the FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) an international organisation with centres all over the world.
FPMT Centres provide integrated education through which people's minds and hearts can be transformed into their highest potential for the benefit of others, inspired by an attitude of universal responsibility. The FPMT is committed to creating harmonious environments and helping all beings develop their full potential of infinite wisdom and compassion.
If a centre or project is affiliated with the FPMT, it means that the centre follows the spiritual direction of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and uses the FPMT's educational programs and materials created in the unique lineage of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The FPMT is an international, non-profit organization, founded in 1975 by Lama Thubten Yeshe (1935-84), a Tibetan Buddhist monk. The Foundation is devoted to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values through teaching, meditation, and community service.
Chenrezig Institute was the first FPMT centre established in the western world. Our organization is based on the Buddhist tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught to us by our founder Lama Thubten Yeshe and spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Lama Tsongkhapa (1357–1419) was the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama is the temporal head of the Gelug school.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso
Lama TsongKhapa, also known as Je Rinpoche
Losang Drakpa, is one of the most important figures in the history of
Tibetan Buddhism. Born into an ordinary family in the Amdo region of
Tibet, he took the vows of a monk at a very young age. By adolescence
he had mastered much of the Buddhist teachings and went on to continue
his study under the great Buddhist masters of his day. It is said that
his intense devotion to study and practice resulted in many visions and
teachings received directly from Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. His
voluminous writings provide commentaries on almost all of the classic
texts of Buddhism. He wrote many comprehensive treatises, most notably
the Lam Rim Chen Mo: The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to
Enlightenment.
Lama Thubten Yeshe Lama Zopa Rinpoche
In accordance with the general approach of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and the teachers at the great Gelugpa monasteries; Lama Zopa Rinpoche has expressed the wish "not to have a guru-disciple relationship with anyone who is practicing Shugden."
An explanation about this issue from His Holiness and other lamas is available on the FPMT website. The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama has asked FPMT to use the Three Reasons as our main advice and response to questions about Shugden. In brief the Three Reasons are:
- The danger of Tibetan Buddhism degenerating into a form of spirit worship.
- Obstacles to the emergence of genuine non-sectarianism.
- The practice is especially inappropriate in relation to the well-being of Tibetan society.
More information about the Three Reasons and His Holiness' Advice against the practice of Dolgyal (Shugden), is available at here
"To meet the challenge of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. Each of us must learn to work not just for his or her own self, family or nation, but for the benefit of all." - His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
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