The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition ( FPMT ) is an organization which was founded in 1975 by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche , who began teaching Buddhism to Western students in Nepal .
Founded in 1975 by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche , who began teaching Buddhism to Western students in Nepal , the FPMT has grown to encompass 150 teaching centers , projects , and social services in 33 countries .