FPMT

 

Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition

 

The Maitreya Institute is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). The FPMT is an international non-profit organization, founded in 1975 by Lama Thubten Yeshe (1935-1984) and currently under the spiritual guidance of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The FPMT aims to follow and be inspired by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his compassionate service to humanity. The FPMT focuses on spreading the values of the Buddhist Mahayana tradition worldwide.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (links) en Lama Yeshe (rechts)

Every sentient being has the potential to be free from suffering and to develop limitless love and compassion for others. To help individuals realize this potential, individuals, meditation groups, monasteries, retreat centers, publishers, commercial enterprises, and members who are part of the FPMT work together. The goal of the FPMT is to help as many people as possible develop loving kindness and compassion through education, meditation, and social projects. To this end, the FPMT has over 160 education and meditation centers, study groups, and projects in 31 countries around the world. The FPMT is based on the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism founded by Lama Tsong Khapa (1357-1419).

FPMT students strive to help others around the world with kindness and wisdom. We are a rapidly growing non-profit organization that engages in many aspects of the global community.

Some of the FPMT projects include:

• Monasteries for monks and nuns in 6 countries
• Liberation Prison Project
• Leper clinics
• Polio clinics
• Health clinics and food education
• Meditation centers in 31 countries
• Projects for the dying
• Construction of a large statue of Maitreya (the future Buddha) in Kushinagar, India
• Publishers
• Schools of Essential Education

The goal of the FPMT

The Maitreya Institute is of course happy to align with the mission statement of the FPMT:

The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) is an organization devoted to preserving and spreading Mahayana Buddhism worldwide by creating opportunities to listen, reflect, meditate, practice and actualize the unmistaken teachings of the Buddha and based on that experience spreading the Dharma to sentient beings.

We 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 and service. We are committed to creating harmonious environments and helping all beings develop their full potential of infinite wisdom and compassion.

Our organization is based on the Buddhist tradition of Lama Tsong Khapa of Tibet as taught to us by our founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe and our spiritual director, Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche.

What does it mean that we are affiliated with the FPMT?

This means that we follow the spiritual guidance of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. It also means that we follow the FPMT teaching programs and materials, which were created in the unique lineage of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. All FPMT centers and projects adhere to the ethical code of conduct of the FPMT.

However, the Maitreya Institute is legally independent and responsible for its own organization and finances.

 

See also the English website of the FPMT.