Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition
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The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (F.P.M.T.) is a network of Buddhist centers focusing on the Gelugpa tradition of Tibet. Founded in 1975 by Lamas Thubten Yeshe and Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, who began teaching Buddhism to Western students in Nepal, the F.P.M.T. has grown to encompass more than 142 teaching centers in 32 countries. Since the death (and subsequent reincarnation) of Lama Yeshe in 1984, the F.P.M.T.'s spiritual director has been his colleague, Lama Zopa.
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[edit] Location
The F.P.M.T.'s international headquarters are in Portland, Oregon (USA).
Its original headquarters was Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal. Kopan continues to be seen as the spiritual "heart" of the F.P.M.T..
In addition, the F.P.M.T. boasts numerous local centers in various countries around the world. Some especially noteworthy ones include the Tushita Center in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh (India; and the "Land of Medicine Buddha" in Soquel, California.
[edit] Structure
The F.P.M.T. is headed by a Board of Directors, with its spiritual director (presently Lama Zopa) as an ex officio member. The F.P.M.T. International Office represents the Board's executive function.
F.P.M.T. Centers have their own local boards, which appoint Center Directors with the approval of the International Board. Centers also have a spiritual program director and in many cases, a resident geshe (and perhaps other sangha as well). The center directors and spiritual directors from various countries meet every 12 to 18 months as the Council for the Preservation for the Mahayana Tradition, in order to deliberate points of mutual concern. Its role is advisory to the International Board.
[edit] Programs
Westerners who encounter the FMPT typically do so via short courses and retreats offered at the various centers. The best known of these is Kopan Monastery's annual month-long meditation course.
Many F.P.M.T. centers have adopted a standardized curriculum called the "basic program", which consists of the following subjects:
- 1. Stages of the Path (Lamrim)
- 2. Heart Sutra
- 3. Mahayana Mind Training (Lojong)
- 4. Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds
- 5. Mind and Cognition (Lorig)
- 6. Tenets (Drubtha)
- 7. Ornament for Clear Realizations - Fourth Chapter
- 8. Sublime Continuum if the Mahayana (Gyulama) - First Chapter: The Tathagata Essence
- 9. Ground and Paths of Secret Mantra
Students desiring more advanced study have a number of options including
- the Instituto Lama Tzong Khapa in Florence, Italy (5 years theological study, 1 1/2 of retreat)
- Maitripa Institute in Portland, Oregon (4 years textual study)
- Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Program (2 years Tibetan language study in Dharamsala, followed by 2 years interpretation residency)
In addition, numerous centers are prepared to supervise a long-term meditation retreat.
[edit] Publications
The F.P.M.T. publishes a magazine called Mandala and a line of books, Wisdom Publications.
The Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive--which claims copyright to the speeches and writings of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa--is one of the F.P.M.T.'s member organizations.
[edit] Projects
- See the full listing at [1]
The Maitreya Project is an undertaking by the F.P.M.T. to build a 152 meter statue of the Maitreya Bodhisattva in Kushinagara, India.
