AF News | Amitabha Foundation

Annual Wealth Deity (Dzambhala) Offering Puja

November 26, 2023 by Becky

Dzambhala, Tantric Deities Temple, Amitabha Retreat Center, Kathmandu, Nepal

Ayang Rinpoche’s monastery in South India, Thupten Shedrub Jangchub Ling, will hold their annual Dzambhala, or Wealth Deity Offering Prayer, December 3-7 (corrected dates).

Dzambhala is an emanation of Buddha Ratnasambhava, whose enlightened activity is increasing and whose essence is generosity. Dzambhala is an emanation of Buddha Ratnasambhava, whose enlightened activity is increasing and whose essence is generosity. He is portrayed riding a snow lion and holding victory banner and a jewel-spitting mongoose. Some view the mongoose as triumphant over snakes or nagas, the keepers of wealth.

The offering prayer is also referred to as a Yangdrup, meaning a ritual to generate “Yang”, the powerful magnetizing properties associated with fortune and luck. This in turn creates all opportunities to ensure accomplishment in spiritual practice, as well as an abundance of wealth, prosperity, success, good fortune, luck, long life and wisdom in a person’s personal, business and family life.

People who wish to dedicate prayers for their loved ones, including pets, living or passed, may donate towards tormas, butter lamps, tsog, tea, meals, offerings for monks and nuns, or other puja expenses, by sending in their contributions through Amitabha Foundation in their own country, directly to the monastery’s account, or by donating online below. Donations are tax-deductible in the US

Dedications must be received by December 5th at 5 PM (Pacific Time) to be sent to the monastery in time to be included in the puja ceremony. Donations are welcome any time.

Filed Under: AF News, Announcements, Monastery Pujas Tagged With: Dedication of Merit, Offering, Tantra, Vajrayana, Wealth deity

Annual Vajrakilaya Drupchod 2023

October 21, 2023 by Becky

Vajrakilaya (Dorje Phurba) Drubchoe, October 20-24, 2023

Dedications for the Prayer List due by 5 PM (Pacific) Monday, October 23 (Offerings welcome anytime).

At Ayang Rinpoche’s monastery in South India they are holding their annual Vajrakilaya Drupchoe Puja, October 20-24, 2023. Vajrakilaya (Dorje Phurba) is one of the most effective yidam practices, which are the root of spiritual accomplishment. It is known in the Tibetan Buddhist world as the most powerful means of destroying the forces counteracting compassion and of purifying obscurations and negativity. The phurba, or wisdom dagger, is a symbol of our unchangeable true nature of mind. “Vajrakilaya is the best practice to clear away any kind of obstacles.”

All the monastery’s lamas, monks, nuns and associated lay people in the community will do elaborate offering prayers and chant the Vajrakilaya mantra for five full days. There will be no official count of the mantras, but everyone is encouraged to participate by chanting the mantra at home.

OM BENZA KILI KILIYA SARWA BIGHANEN BAM HUNG PHAT

The total cost of the Drubchoe is approximately $22,000. People who wish to dedicate prayers for their loved ones living or dead and would like to sponsor or donate towards meals, butter lamp, Tsog, tea, altar, offerings for monks and nuns, management expenses, may send in their contributions through Amitabha Foundation in their own country or directly to the monastery’s account (see the information below). For a US-tax-deductible donation, you may also send a check in USD to Amitabha Foundation USA, P.O. Box 2572, Aptos, California 95001, or use the PayPal button below. [If sending a check, please email your dedication.] Dedications must be received by October 23 at 5 pm Pacific Time to be sent to the monastery in time. Offerings may be made at any time.

Vajrakilaya

Photos will be posted on H.E. Ayang Rinpoche’s Facebook page.

Filed Under: AF News, Announcements, Monastery Pujas

Achi Chökyi Drölma Offering Prayers

September 21, 2023 by Becky


Achi Shrine 2023	Achi Chökyi Drölma

The annual Achi Chokyi Drolma Offering Prayers are being held September 21-28 at Ayang Rinpoche’s monastery in Bylakuppe. Achi is the main Dharma Protector in the Drikung Kagyu lineage.

Rinpoche invites all sangha members to join by reciting Achi Choekyi Dolma mantras during this time:

OM SARVA BUDDHA DAKINI HRI MAMA TSAK TRA SOHA

You are also welcome to make offerings in your own name, for your business, or for a loved one, including pets, whether they are living or deceased. Send donations to the Drikung Charitable Society account. For a tax deductible donation in the U.S., please send your check to the Amitabha Foundation, P.O. Box 2572, Aptos, California 95001, or donate online below. Dedications submitted by September 26th at 5 pm Pacific time will be posted in the temple for the conclusion of the Offering Pujas.

Brief Biography of Achi Chökyi Drölma

Chöje Ayang Rinpoche, Sydney, Australia in 2004

Achi Chokyi Drolma is an emanation of Vajra Yogini and Tara. She was born in the central area of Tibet. Beginning at a young age she was very special. She had great compassion and always practiced Tara, and she taught the Tara prayer for everyone in the village. When she grew older she prophesied that in the future there would be a new Buddhadharma lineage, and that she would be that lineage’s Dharma protector, whereupon she wrote protector offering prayers. Several generations later, her great grandson Jigten Sumgon started the Drikung lineage and she did become the main lineage Dharma protector.

She moved to Eastern Tibet, married and had 4 sons. Her most holy practice place is in East Tibet. At her death she attained the Great Rainbow Body. Her entire body become rainbows and light, leaving only her hair and nails. Like this, with no need to change this physical body, she went to the Pure Land.

On the relative level, Achi was like the Dharma protector. But on the ultimate level, Achi had already attained the tenth Bhumi of a Bodhisattva. In this way, Achi was already enlightened. Achi’s activity in Tibet is very famous. All the Tibetan people, especially the older generation people, know very well about her great activity, how it is so helpful because it is very fast. In Tibet, some great masters say that Achi is exactly the same as the Buddha, and if we pray to Achi, then by our Achi practice we will achieve enlightenment, or we will attain the Pure Land at our death moment.

Filed Under: AF News, Announcements, Monastery Pujas Tagged With: Achi, Dharma Protector, Donation, Offering, Prayer, puja

Annual Vajrayogini Drupchoe

September 3, 2023 by Becky

Vajra Yogini and Mandala

The annual Vajrayogini (Dorje Phagmo) Drupchö (extensive prayer ceremony) concluded September 2, 2023 at Ayang Rinpoche’s monastery in Bylakuppe.

Ayang Rinpoche said about Vajrayogini: “Among all the wisdom dakinis, Vajrayogini is the highest. She represents the True Nature of Mind, Prajnaparamita, the mother of all the Buddhas of the three times and ten directions.” (Sydney, March 2018)

You may still send offerings to support the cost of the Vajrayogini Drupchö and make dedications in the name of a loved one. You are welcome to send donations to the Drikung Charitable Society account. For a tax deductible donation in the U.S., please send your check to the Amitabha Foundation, P.O. Box 2572, Aptos, California 95001, or donate online below. Dedications submitted by September 12th at 5 pm Pacific time will be posted in the temple for the conclusion of the Yarney Summer Retreat.

Filed Under: AF News, Announcements, Monastery Pujas