As I get ready to fly out to welcome six senior Kopan monks to Sri Lanka, here’s a quick update of the ground breaking Tour that the Tara Lanka group has planned for them.
Although we have accomplished much this year, which will be shared at the end of the year, the imminent Tour is worth alerting you to right now.
Your continued generosity and prayers have brought Tara Lanka to a truly remarkable moment that progresses Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vision in a way I never dreamed possible.
There are four major events coming up in Sri Lanka over late October/ early November—each one is a milestone in the Medicine Buddha Project 5MB and they progress Rinpoche’s healing and reconciliation objectives by bridging the gap between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions.
Thank you so much for being part of this journey.
It hasn’t been without challenges. Last month has been a soap opera of misunderstandings, threats and losses. Apparently, samsara is uncertain. All the ups and downs have aged me many years – riots and shutdowns in Nepal, temples withdrawing accommodation for sangha, you name it – every day has been nerve wracking.
I am now even more aware of the tightrope we have to walk between political and personal agendas in Sri Lanka. However, I am very happy to report that a valuable schedule is planned with significant gatherings, teachings, and the first ever Guru Bhumtsok puja at Anuradhapura.
One of Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist sites, Kelaniya is believed to be where the Buddha visited to reconcile two Naga clans (serpent-like protectors of the Dharma). The temple, rich with murals and legend, remains a centre of living devotion. The Naga Puja honours this connection, offering prayers for peace, protection, and harmony among beings. 
Thanks to Assaji Thero, the Medicine Buddha statue prototype has now found a home at the historic Gangarama Temple, Colombo. It is under the care of Assaji Thero, who was quick to offer his essential support. A low-key consecration ceremony is planned with the visiting Geshes and Tara Lanka members –unfortunately, it won’t be the grand affair we had hoped to arrange, but the risks that publicity might stir meant changes had to be made. 
On top of the generous contributions from the donors and workers who made the construction and consecration of the prototype happen, transport from Kathmandu was covered by Kopan Monastery who offered the gift to the people of Sri Lanka.
Officially welcome at Mahavihara, near the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi Tree.
The Australian Consulate and Local District Governor will attend to mark this auspicious occasion.
An unprecedented gathering for peace.
At the historic Abhayagiriya Temple, former army soldiers, ex-Tamil fighters, and war widows will come together for a shared meditation, a dharma talk and chanting session led by the visiting Geshes from Kopan, and poetry of Dr Maureen Ernest whose healing journey went from seeing Buddhists as enemies to brothers and sisters from other mothers.
Around 150 participants are expected, with a senior Army Brigadier coordinating this moving event.
That Healing event will be followed by the great Guru Bhumtsok, a vast offering ceremony to Guru Rinpoche who seems to have a strong connection to Sri Lanka spreading blessings and harmony throughout the land. This is an all day event following a day’s preparation, so people will be coming and going throughout.
The Guru Bhumtsok, an elaborate ritual of offering and prayers to Guru Padmasambhava, has never been publicly performed in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka, long seen in the Vajrayana tradition as the sacred ground where the Ati Buddha Vajrasathva first revealed the tantric path according to His Eminence Hosel Rinpoche, now becomes the setting for this profound reconnection — an offering uniting the source and the fruition of the Vajrayana heritage.
Tenzin Lekdron
Tara Lanka Foundation
Medicine Buddha 5MB Project 