This is the only reason to exist. Lama Zopa Rinpoche is now the Spiritual Director of the Foundation and oversees all of its activities. In its efforts to work for the benefit of others, the FPMT strives to follow the example of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his compassionate service to humanity. Two years after Lama Yeshe passed away, a Spanish child, Osel Hita Torres, was recognized as his reincarnation. The majority of the FPMT centers are set up around the central activities of study and meditation, providing the means for their students to hear the teachings and meditate upon them.
Centers offer weekly meditation sessions, weekend courses and retreats of various lengths.
More serious students can enroll in our intensive study programs which are based on the commentaries of Atisha, Tsong Khapa and other great masters, following a lineage which goes back directly to the Buddha. Retreat sharpens the clarity of one's mind and strengthens one's compassionate wish to work for others. Many of the centers, especially those in the countryside, have retreat facilities. Communities Some of the centers, like Vajrapani in America, Vajra Yogini in France, Istituto Lama Tsong Khapa in Italy , Maitreya Instituut in Holland and Tara Institute in Australia have resident communities and help to provide facilities for people to study and meditate. Community living is an opportunity to practice intensively among fellow Buddhists and gives the chance to serve the needs of others.