Rituals at Tibetan Buddhist Dharma Centers can delight, intrigue, and/or confuse newcomers. Here we offer some brief guidelines for the curious onlooker.
The last annual puja before Losar was a sang offering based on a text from the Thukdrub Barché Künsel cycle[1]. For this puja, the ritual
Generosity practice is the first of the six transcendental perfections, or pāramitās. We practice generosity when we have the intention, and then the confidence to follow through, to give people what they need.
What is Ullambana, or the Hungry Ghost Month? In Chinese culture, commonly known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, the practice of burning extensive offerings made
In this video teaching, Phakchok Rinpoche reminds us that the essence of our mind is already enlightened. Yet, even though our nature is pure, that does not imply that we then can sit back and do nothing. We need to accumulate merit!
Feast offerings are very important in the Vajrayāna tradition. Here, Phakchok Rinpoche describes the meaning and significance of this ritual practice. Additionally, he gives some very practical instruction on how we prepare for a feast offering.
Water offerings are a tradition was accepted by the masters of the past as a practice unique to Tibet. It is the most common offering of Tibetan Buddhism.
Offering water bowls is an easy and pleasurable meritorious activity widely practiced in Tibetan Buddhism. Water’s purity gives it great power.
In this advice session with students, Phakchok Rinpoche explains that Buddhism encompasses a great deal. “Buddhism is everything!” he says.
Why lights? Light means understanding because light represents wisdom. And light removes and dispels misunderstanding. All of our sufferings come from not knowing and not seeing. Offering lights or butter lamps indirectly removes confusion. Throughout the Buddhist world, in all traditions of Buddhist practice, devotees offer light. The life stories of accomplished men and women give examples of people beginning their path to liberation by offering light to an image or at a place of pilgrimage. We are lighting the way for ourselves and for other beings when we make the wish to dispel the darkness of ignorance!
To receive the latest teachings and information from Samye Institute, including Phakchok Rinpoche’s monthly Guru Rinpoche Day message.
© 2022 Samye Institute · All Rights Reserved.
Please confirm you want to block this member.
You will no longer be able to:
Please note: This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin. Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.
