My Very Dear Geshes, Sangha, Teachers, Center Directors and Staff, Students, Benefactors and Friends:

Shantideva said, “Merely thinking of benefiting others is considered much more beneficial than making offerings to all the buddhas.” So what need is there to say anything about those who actually attempt to bring happiness to others?

Even one person or one insect—every single sentient being—is most cherished by every bodhisattva; a sentient being that is against or dislikes you is still most cherished by all buddhas and bodhisattvas—that sentient being is most unbelievably, unbelievably, unbelievably precious. Slightly disrespecting even one sentient being is the same as disrespecting all buddhas and bodhisattvas. Similarly, showing even modest respect to one sentient being becomes the best offering to all buddhas and bodhisattvas. Thus you can see how supporting an organization like the FPMT, which exists only to benefit sentient beings, has incredible advantages.

Not only does our organization offer social services, which bring much happiness and joy to the world and individual sentient beings, but, most importantly, we have so many Dharma centers offering teachings, meditations, retreats and practices for taking the minds of sentient beings further from the lower realms and samsara and bringing them closer to liberation and enlightenment. When it comes to learning Dharma and philosophy, which help us achieve enlightenment, there’s no shortage of opportunity—this is amazing! It’s like the sun shining. The FPMT offers Dharma like the sun shining, awakening sentient being. So it’s really most fantastic.

Since the FPMT is a Dharma organization, it has to be run differently from other entities. Our main goal is to bring sentient beings happiness in all their future lives and to liberate them from the oceans of suffering and lead them to the highest enlightenment. If we can achieve enlightenment we are then able to do perfect work for all sentient beings. The way we can do this as an organization is through compassion—our main goal is the happiness of others.

The FPMT has to be run with compassion. This differs from the way normal companies are run, which is usually with self cherishing. Running a company with self cherishing always brings problems; running an organization with compassion brings good karma, peace and happiness.

As a Dharma organization, the FPMT must be run without negative, emotional problems. Even if we don't have much wisdom, if we at least have compassion, people will feel our sincerity and will want to help.

Normal companies are created to do business, not to take care of the mind. Companies are not built to practice Dharma, and as they have money they can kick out and replace people. Dharma centers are made to practice Dharma, to benefit the minds of sentient beings, from guru devotion up to enlightenment; in particular, they must lay the foundation for realization of renunciation, bodhichitta and right view. It is extremely important that this foundation be laid in students’ hearts, subduing or pacifying their ignorance, attachment and self-cherishing thought. Thus FPMT centers are for taking care of the mind and in this way are totally different from regular companies.

And it is especially important to practice compassion, because what distinguishes Buddhism from other religions is compassion—compassion not only for the sick and poor, but for all human beings, including the rich, and all animals: pigs, fish and so forth. The compassion we practice encompasses each and every sentient being, excluding not even one. No other religion embodies such all-embracing compassion for all sentient beings.

Externally, FPMT is doing quite well. We now need to put effort into gaining lam-rim and other realizations. It is very important to at least try.

I send my heartfelt deep appreciation to all those who are helping and supporting the organization. This is really an incredibly amazing way of benefiting others and is the real way to create world peace. In essence, our centers and projects bring compassion into the world. That is what we do. Therefore, you can see how important your work and support is.

With love and prayers...