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In naming the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) Lama Yeshe expressed the idea of “preservation”. “Preserving” illustrates the phenomena of inner transformation, passing from teacher to student. Just as a wheel rolls from here to there, so the dharma transfers from mind to mind. It is first heard, repeatedly studied and from that gradually meditative insights, of the complete path, are recognised. The nunnery purpose aligns with just that “preservation” of the dharma, so needed in this world of rapid change and challenge.
The role of Machig Labdron Nunnery is as a haven for dedicated service, practice, study and transmission to assist and preserve the dharma, specifically the Buddhist Nalanda tradition to take root in this country, for future generations and the benefit of all beings.
Young travellers to India and Nepal in the 60s and 70s, whose good fortune was to quickly ripen, took an interest in Buddhist teachings and way of life. How did that happen? The 50s was a difficult decade for Tibet. It culminated in a tragic change of direction when the invading army of the Chinese Communist Party, finally reached Lhasa. As pressure on the isolated kingdom escalated in 1959, His Holiness the Dalia Lama, and his party, fled to India….
FPMT sangha helped develop centres for Buddhist study, retreat, publishing, hospice work, stupa and other projects and eventually monastic communities. They also worked to financially support the centres, projects, volunteers and themselves. History has shown that for the Buddha dharma to take root in a country it takes centuries, not years. The first FPMT centre outside India and Nepal, was Chenrezig Institute in Queensland Australia. It celebrates its’ 50th anniversary in 2024, and Australia now has 21 FPMT centres, hospices and groups.
In Bendigo, the Green family offered land to Lama Yeshe in 1980. That land has become home to Atisha Centre, the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Thubten Shedrub Ling Monastery and Machig Labdron Nunnery. The sangha train in the Nalanda Buddhist tradition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the FPMT founding Lamas. They all contribute in their monastic communities and Atisha Centre and The Great Stupa, some as teachers, retreat and meditation leaders, in spiritual care and the building facilities. They also teach and assist when invited within Australia, and overseas.
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