Offering Thanks

Dear Lama Zopa,
I am writing to let you know how much I appreciate what you do to benefit all of us.

From my own side, I found the Dharma because a quote from you—that our purpose in life is to benefit others—resonated, and as a result I went to the November 2010 course at Kopan. That experience changed my life, not least of which was forgiving my husband from whom I was separated. We are now together again. He joined me for the November 2011 course, took refuge, as I did, and is now doing some volunteer service at a center.

More recently I was inspired by you making a full prostration, even though it was very difficult. Again, when I see the example you set for guru devotion with your attitude towards His Holiness the Dalai Lama, I think of my own roughness and feel humbled, yet also inspired to do better.

Every minute of every day you work to benefit all beings. It boggles my mind when I think of the far-reaching benefits of the FPMT, with all its centers around the world and I wonder that all of this started with two lamas teaching a few Westerners in Kathmandu.

I am so, so, so grateful to have been touched by your compassion. When I wake up in the morning, I am happy to be alive with a precious human life, and I aspire to the example you set. When I work to apply an antidote to some worldly concern, I am reminded that if it were not for you and for your many dedicated teachers, I would not be making this effort of understanding the purpose for it. I am just very, very grateful.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Sincerely,
Anya

Dear Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche,
I am extremely thankful and grateful for the advice and blessings that you gave to me to help me deal with the depression that I had struggled with for many years.

It is some years ago now that I received this advice from you. From what I can remember, I practiced tonglen and other methods you suggested at least once a day, formally, and whenever I needed to during the day.

Although I am not a great practitioner, with your blessings and some effort on my part, I soon experienced the results of the practice, and the length of my periods of depression shortened from months or weeks, to days, hours, and even minutes. I can’t tell you what a relief this has been.

I also experienced some surprising results. I have the memory of one time starting to become depressed and doing the practice. I was quite surprised when the depressed feeling that I was so used to cultivating was suddenly replaced with a feeling of joy. There have also been times when working through the depression, it stopped suddenly and I felt happy; but I also felt disappointed that I wasn’t able to experience more of this suffering on behalf of others. I really felt disappointed, and, in a way, wished it would come back.

Your great kindness was so fortunate for me, because it was only a few months later that I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Previously, this would have surely sent me into a depression. But it didn’t. During the past several years, with this sometimes very difficult illness, I am grateful to say that while there were times I felt discouraged and down, I was never as depressed as I had been previously.

Another thing which this practice has helped me to see is how depression comes from the self-cherishing mind. The words confused me. I didn’t understand how self-cherishing could play a role in hating myself. I came to see that what I was doing was grasping very strongly at my sense of “I,” and then giving it a negative label through which I saw the world. These insights have helped me very much. While I can’t say I have gained any realization, I continue to find these practices very helpful whenever I notice the signs of depression arising (thankfully not too often any more), and for other reasons.

Rinpoche, this is through your great kindness and your many blessings. I am very grateful. Thank you.

With much love and devotion,

Lara

Dearest Lama Zopa Rinpoche,
I just want to say how happy I am (and all of us here, really) to have had the karma to spend time with you. Your kindness and skill has inspired me to go back to the drawing board and totally change my life.

May I work as tirelessly as you to fulfill the wishes of every sentient being, and may you, Rinpoche, always abide in my heart. Thank you for all the understanding, teachings and purification. I have not fulfilled all my commitments to you, but I will!