The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) was founded in 1975 by Lamas
Thubten Yeshe and
Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, who began teaching Buddhism to Western students in Nepal.
The FPMT has grown to encompass over 160 Dharma centers, projects, and services in 37 countries.
Since the death of Lama Yeshe in 1984, the FPMT's spiritual director has been Lama Zopa
Rinpoche.
FPMT maintains a number of charitable projects, including funds to build .