Fifty Years of FPMT: A Personal History

by Nicholas Ribush 1975 was an amazing year for the (as-yet-unnamed) FPMT. First, there was the enthronement of Yangsi Rinpoche in early January, followed by a visit and teaching by Gomchen Gampala, a manifestation of the great Thang Tong Gyalpo. At the end of January Lama Yeshe gave the International Mahayana Institute (IMI) monks andContinue reading “Fifty Years of FPMT: A Personal History”

Rinpoche’s Animal Friends

We are constantly delighted by Rinpoche’s Animal Friends. This LYWA free book showcases more than one hundred images of the soft toys, also known as plushies, which appeared regularly in Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s video teachings from Kopan during the COVID-19 pandemic and were later gifted to delighted students around the world. May you enjoy this taste fromContinue reading “Rinpoche’s Animal Friends”

My Last Trip to Lawudo, Spring 1977

by Nicholas Ribush First published in the Love Lawudo Newsletter The story of my second trip, 1974, finished with “The Lamas arrived in India from Australia towards the end of October and went to Mussoorie for a short break. Rinpoche got back to Kopan in the first week of November while Lama stayed in IndiaContinue reading “My Last Trip to Lawudo, Spring 1977”

My Second Trip to Lawudo, Summer 1974

by Nicholas Ribush First published in the Love Lawudo Newsletter The story of my first trip, 1973, finished with “We got back to Kopan around the twenty-fifth of October, about three weeks before the fifth course was due to start.” A lot of amazing stuff happened between my first and second trips to Lawudo, theContinue reading “My Second Trip to Lawudo, Summer 1974”

My First Trip to Lawudo, Summer 1973

by Nicholas Ribush First published in the Love Lawudo Newsletter Kopan 1973 I first got to Kopan in October, 1972, just in time for the third Kopan meditation course. I knew practically nothing about Tibetan Buddhism when I arrived; by the end, I knew quite a bit more, but not enough, so I decided toContinue reading “My First Trip to Lawudo, Summer 1973”

A Tribute to Lama Yeshe

In 1984, shortly after Lama Yeshe’s death, Wisdom Magazine (the magazine of the FPMT, the precursor to today’s Mandala magazine) paid this tribute to Lama’s life and work. Big Love, the official, authorized biography of Lama Yeshe contains personal stories of the lamas and the students who learned, lived and traveled with them, as well as moreContinue reading “A Tribute to Lama Yeshe”

The Advantages of Monastic Life

From a talk offered by Lama Yeshe to the fledgling Western sangha as part of a series of talks given at Tushita Retreat Centre in Dharamsala, India in April, 1982 during the first Enlightened Experience Celebration. Edited by Nicholas Ribush and published by LYWA in Advice for Monks and Nuns. Multimedia presentation created by Megan Evart. May theContinue reading “The Advantages of Monastic Life”

The Manifestation of Enlightened Activities of A Perfect Guru

Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche How He worked day and night, without stopping, for the benefit of all sentient beings. Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive We are so happy to share with you our latest multimedia title based on a book by Venerable Thubten Osel, and edited by Venerable Thubten Munsel, LYWA transcriber extraordinaire, highlighting the perfectContinue reading “The Manifestation of Enlightened Activities of A Perfect Guru”

Making Life Meaningful

The Motivation In this teaching, Lama Zopa Rinpoche rejoices for the rarity and great opportunities afforded by our present human rebirth  and encourages us to examine fearlessly whether or not we are creating the causes necessary to attain human rebirth again in the future. These teachings were offered by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at a weekendContinue reading “Making Life Meaningful”