Every Saturday a steady, dedicated group of five volunteers (nicknamed The Dream Team) join the IMI Zoom to provide a safe online space for the recitation of prayers for the return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Ginny is the “bossy one” who plays an organising role in this group of volunteers. The Zoom meeting provides an online space for Sangha members to recite alone or to bring their lay students to recite the ‘Names of Manjushri’ in this public forum.
”Ginny, who are you and what is going on every Saturday?”
Ginny: I live in the North West of the UK. We have a very nice group of volunteers who are Nana (from Ukraine, who lives in Portugal), Mary and Patti (living in the USA) and Rachel (from Singapore).
We don’t have enough volunteers to cover all 24 hours, it would help if we had some Australian volunteers.
Often Ven. Jangsem, currently based at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute in Italy, comes early in the morning, another morning visitor is Tenzin Tsekyi from Chenrezig Institute in Australia. Then there is a big gap till 9am New York time when Ven. Robina Courtin brings about 18 students into her session from wherever she is in the world. Later in the day Ven. Elio (Tenzin Dongyeu) brings in a large group of French students for his session.
In the gaps between Sangha sessions, the team recite ourselves or play a recording of ‘Calling the Lama from Afar’ with images of Lama Zopa and Lama Yeshe and other recorded YouTube sessions of ‘Chanting the Names of Manjushri’ from Teachers and Sangha members around the world. We also include recordings of Tara and Medicine Buddha Pujas for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche from Nalanda and other FPMT Centres.
We keep the “virtual space” safe from intruders, and are open to whoever wants to connect. And we can screen share the prayers for anyone who is not “tech savvy”.
We are a team of Dharma sisters, having a WhatsApp group where we sort out technical issues, arrange cover if one of us is not available, we exchange recordings and updates on Holy Days etc.
“What motivates you?”
Ginny: I took a vow to carry on with this activity until Rinpoche’s return to us. I hope I will be alive when he is recognized and we will be able to meet him. I am 67 years old now and I hope I will become at least 70 in relatively good health. It feels like our prayers are part of the FPMT community; many people do their recitations in different settings around the world. We welcome everyone to touch base with us online, to join the prayer group to lead or listen, even for just half an hour from time to time or on a regular basis.
”What is your personal connection with Lama Zopa Rinpoche?”
Ginny: ”In 2004 I was living in a Karma Kagyu Centre and someone gave me a gift, The Buddha Book written by Lillian Too. On the back of the cover was a photo of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and I felt familiar with him, like ”I know you”.
I then followed Rinpoche just on YouTube until July 2014 when Rinpoche came to Jamyang Buddhist Centre in Leeds (UK). I was sick at that time and was waiting for cancer test results. While being sick, I went anyway, even though I was thinking ‘I might die on the way”.
During the weekend Rinpoche pointed out three times ”Some people in this room think they might be dying of cancer, but then in reality something else will carry them away”. I felt that Rinpoche was speaking to me. Coming home, I looked in the mirror and asked myself
“what else could be wrong?” and I saw my golden molar tooth glinting. So I went to see my dentist, who confirmed that I had a dead tooth under a gold cap leaking bacteria into my heart. I was treated and recovered.
Since then I feel that Rinpoche saved my life and I should use all my time for Dharma. Mostly I listen to Lama Zopa Rinpoche and other teachers on YouTube. I also try to attend Ven. Mary Reavey’s online teachings at the FPMT Centre of Compassion based in Liverpool UK.
I also do Karma Kagyu practices trying to complete Ngongdro, slowly but surely.
The Covid Lockdown changed our lives and I was fortunate to attend the Prayerathon first session in August 2020. Chenrezig Institute hosted at that time, and when they stopped hosting I stepped up.
My friends and family know that I am always busy on Saturday, though sometimes I do miss a session to visit my grandchildren.
The IMI is very grateful to Ginny and the volunteer team for supporting the prayers and recitations; our common effort to create causes and conditions for Rinpoche to return. Next time we hope to introduce some of the other volunteers.
We welcome everyone to touch base with us online, to join the prayer group to lead or listen, even for just half an hour from time to time or on a regular basis. Find more information here.
