Lama Tzong Khapa Institute, one of the first FPMT centres founded in 1976, has had the rare and immense honour of welcoming several visits from its founders, Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, as well as five visits from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

The Lama Tzong Khapa Institute is a member of the Italian Buddhist Union (UBI) and is affiliated with the FPMT, whose mission it shares:

The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) is an organization devoted to preserving and spreading Mahayana Buddhism worldwide by creating opportunities to listen, reflect, meditate, practice, and actualize the unmistaken teachings of the Buddha and based on that experience spreading the Dharma to sentient beings.

We provide integrated education through which people’s minds and hearts can be transformed into their highest potential for the benefit of others, inspired by an attitude of universal responsibility and service. We are committed to creating harmonious environments and helping all beings develop their full potential of infinite wisdom and compassion.

Our organization is based on the Buddhist tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught to us by our founders Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche.

Lama Tzong Khapa Institute is one of the most prestigious Buddhist centres in Europe, renowned for the excellence of its programmes in Buddhist philosophy and psychology, led by highly qualified Tibetan and Western teachers.

Set in the Tuscan countryside within a charming historic castle, the Institute offers the opportunity to study and practise Buddhist philosophy through courses on Science and Buddhism, meditation, Buddhist psychology, and contemplative practices.

Below is Lama Yeshe’s vision for the Institute.

“Pomaia has the function of a refuge”

I think the purpose of this Institute is to create the conditions for the complete practice of the Gradual Path, as it was realised by Atisha and Lama Tsongkhapa. This is the only reason for its existence, and I believe it is truly worthwhile: to make possible the completion of the Path, from beginning to end, up to enlightenment.

If the Institute were to become polluted, just another kind of samsaric trip, and simply offer in a new form the same old ego game, then why put our energy into it? Why should you commit? Why should I commit? I don’t think we need that—don’t you agree?

In reality, the true purpose of the Institute is that we are serving. We have been so fortunate to have encountered the Mahayana Dharma of Lord Buddha, and for this reason we are trying to share our experience with others. The Institute was created for this purpose alone.

So, my dear ones, that’s all. It is a good idea for us to come together. Why? Because we are all putting our energy towards the same goal. That is why it matters. We need harmony and understanding for each other, and for each other’s work. We need to respect what everyone is doing. This is how to build a mandala. Our aim is to spread good vibrations, offering our body, speech, and mind to others. We should share with everyone and learn from everyone.

If we don’t open our hearts to others, we will be unable to learn. Culturally, we are quite different, but we all want to find the best way to guide others to enlightenment. Our actions show who we are.

– Lama Yeshe