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NEWS | EASTERN HORIZON 57

Buddhist teacher

Lama Zopa Rinpoche,

co-founder of FPMT,

dies at 76

Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche. Photo By Rod Meade Sperry, April 13, 2023
via fpmt.org

Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche was spent in dedication to the dharma. Publications, writes: It was with
the co-founder of Kopan Monastery, As his FPMT bio states, “Born in great sadness that we at Wisdom
Wisdom Publications, and the the Mount Everest region of Thami received the news of Lama Zopa
Foundation for the Preservation of in 1946, Rinpoche was recognized Rinpoche’s passing. Rinpoche is an
the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). soon afterwards by His Holiness inspiration and a guiding force for
Trulshik Rinpoche and five other so many dharma activities around
Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, lamas as the reincarnation of the the world and this is especially true
the Buddhist teacher and author great yogi Kunsang Yeshe.” Leaving for Wisdom Publications.
who co-founded Kopan Monastery, Tibet in 1959 for Bhutan after
Wisdom Publications, and the the Chinese occupation, he next Rinpoche is well known for
international organization of traveled to West Bengal, India, his eloquent teachings on
Buddhist sanghas and projects where he would meet his teacher impermanence, and has now left
known as the Foundation for the and eventual FPMT co-founder, us with this powerful and difficult
Preservation of the Mahayana Lama Yeshe. teaching on impermanence to
Tradition (FPMT) with Lama work with. On this occasion, here
Thubten Yeshe, has died at age 76. In the late 1960s, the two built the at Wisdom we are reminded of
A statement from the FPMT reads, Kopan and Lawudo Monasteries, and Rinpoche’s great kindness and
in part: Rinpoche had been up in the in 1975 co-founded the FPMT; Lama vast activities, always imbued
mountains in the Tsum Valley since Yeshe would be the organization’s with bodhichitta, which remain as
Monday, and had to be brought first spiritual director, until his a shining example and a light on
down urgently as Rinpoche was death in 1984, which is when Lama the path for us all to follow. While
experiencing altitude sickness. Zopa took on the role. (As Buddhist it feels as though a huge gap has
publisher Wisdom Publications opened up in the dharma world, we
On arrival back in Kathmandu notes, it was Lama Yeshe’s vision of are determined more than ever to
this morning, Rinpoche stopped “publications for wisdom culture” diligently work towards fulfilling all
breathing. The main doctor at that led to the creation of the book of Rinpoche’s advice and aspirations.
Karuna Hospital tried for some company, for which Lama Zopa We are sending much love to all of
time to revive Rinpoche, but that served as a co-founder and spiritual Rinpoche’s students and the greater
was not successful. director.) The FPMT today comprises FPMT community.
160 dharma centers and projects
He passed away at about 9:30am found across 37 countries. Source: Lion’s Roar. www.lionsroar.
Nepal time, on Thursday April 13th. com EH
A teacher of the Gelug school of In a statement to Lion’s Roar,
Buddhism, Lama Zopa’s life was Daniel Aitken, CEO of Wisdom