14/08/2026
Dear Dharma friends,
Offering water bowls is one of the simplest yet most profound practices taught by the Buddha. Our most precious guru, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche continually reminded us that even a single water bowl offered with a pure motivation becomes the cause of inconceivable merit, purification, and enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. Rinpoche also encouraged us to make our offerings as beautiful and as perfect as possible, offering the very best we can to the Three Rare Sublime Ones.
In February 2026, the first 100,000 Water Bowl Retreat was held in the holy land of Bodhgaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Around ten students from FPMT centres around the world gathered for one month with the joyful determination to make 100,000 water bowl offerings. Through their dedication and collective effort, this aspiration was fulfilled.
With great rejoicing, we are delighted to announce that this special retreat will be held again in February 2027.
As we prepare for the next retreat, we have the precious opportunity to improve the quality of the offerings themselves. The water bowls currently in use have become old and worn. Inspired by Rinpoche's advice to think BIG and make the best possible offerings, we hope to replace them with beautiful, high-quality bowls worthy of this practice.
Our goal is to purchase 5,000 new water bowls at a total cost of approximately USD 7,500—around USD1.50 per bowl.
These bowls will be used next February 2027 during the 100,000 Water Bowl Retreat, AND the vision is to hold this 100,000 Water Bowl retreat yearly in Bodhgaya. Therefore, your generosity will continue creating merit every time these bowls are filled and offered, year after year. In this way, your offering becomes an ongoing cause for the accumulation of merit dedicated to the enlightenment of all sentient beings. We warmly invite you to join in this virtuous project by sponsoring:
108 water bowls – USD 162
21 water bowls – USD 32
8 water bowls – USD 12
Or any amount you wish to offer
No offering is too small. Every bowl offered with bodhicitta becomes a cause for limitless happiness, purification of obscurations, the accumulation of vast merit, and the fulfilment of all holy wishes. Together, we can create the causes for the flourishing of the Dharma and dedicate this merit to peace in the world and the enlightenment of every sentient being.
To ensure the bowls are ready for the February 2027 retreat, the order must be placed by mid-November. If you would like to participate in this incredible opportunity to create merit, we kindly invite you to make your offering as soon as possible.
Here is the link to make this offering and please remember to specific your dedication for the water bowls
https://fpmt.org/support/rootinstitute/donate/
Thank you for helping to make these offerings as beautiful as possible. May all the merit generated become the cause for the swift return of our most precious gurus, the flourishing of the Buddha's teachings, and the enlightenment of all sentient beings.
With prayers and gratitude🙏🙏🙏
