The annual Dzambala offering Puja at Thupten Shedrub Jangchub Ling Monastery in Bylakuppe is being held  from September 24 to 28, 2024. Dzambhala means “precious golden deity who gathers or distributes spirituality or Dharma with material stability or accomplishment to our circumstances.” Dzambhala aids us through removing all catastrophes and hurdles, as well as boosting all good fortune and contentment.

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 puja 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 here. Donations are tax-deductible in the US.

Long Life Prayer Ceremony Schedule

for His Eminence Chöje Ayang Rinpoche,

the Illuminator of the Glorious Drikung Kagyu Teachings, 2024

September 16: Arrival at Drikung Kagyu Thubten in Mysore, South India of His Eminence Kyabje Gar-Namrol Rinpoche and ten monks along with their entourage, from Ladakh Aryan region.

September 17: Torma making and offerings preparation

September 18-19 Ritual of Bhagavati Cintamanicakra Tara (Wish-fulfilling Wheel Tara)

September 20: Lamp Illuminating the Clear Arrangement of Practices” ritual, focusing on Chakrasamvara, Mahakala and other deities

Ways to support the Long Life Ceremony for H.E. Chöje Ayang Rinpoche

Feast Offerings (Tsok)

Tea offerings for lamas and monks

Meals for lamas and monks

You may dedicate your offering to loved ones, living or deceased. Please send offerings and names by 5:00 PM (Pacific Time) on September 16th to be included on the prayer list.

Make US-tax-deductible donations through the Amitabha Foundation USA by check (payable to Amitabha Foundation, mailed to P.O. Box 2572, Aptos, CA 95001), or online. Donations may also be made directly to Drikung Charitable Society or through the Amitabha Foundation branch in your own country.

For information in Tibetan and Chinese, please visit Facebook.

Yarney Shrine, 2021

Yarney, or the annual summer retreat, has begun at Ayang Rinpoche’s monastery in Bylakuppe, India. This is a tradition that goes back to the time of Buddha. Its purpose was to allow monks to gather and shelter from the monsoon rains and to take time to reflect, pray, meditate, and listen to the dharma. During Buddha’s time, the summer retreat was three months long: by staying in a single location for the duration of the rainy season, the monks avoided the increased likelihood of walking on and harming many insects and other small beings that reproduce during the rainy season.

At Thubten Shedrup Jangchupling, Yarney starts on the full moon of the sixth month of the lunar calendar and is held for 45 days, concluding on the new moon of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, July 21 to September 3.

The first day of the Yarney begins with the Sojong vows. Sojong is a practice for purifying and repairing broken vows to replenish positive virtues. “So” means “to restore” and “Jong” means “to purify”; in other words, to clear away negative karma and harmful deeds. Apart from Sojong, monks also observe other special monastic vows and restrictions. Khenpos take turns giving short teachings on the importance of the three ground practices of the summer retreat.

To restore broken Pratimoksha vows, the ordained sangha members traditionally practice Sojong bi-monthly. Some lay Buddhists regularly observe this purification practice too. The “Yar-khelen” vows are taken with special vase used for purification called “chab-lug”. The wooden monastic bell called Gendi  (used only for Yarney and Sojong since the time of Buddha) is rung to call for lunch and morning prayers.

The monks take breakfast and lunch in the temple with the traditional monks’ begging bowl called Lhungdze. All the monks, excluding those with health issues, take a vow not to eat at night in accordance with the Vinaya tradition. Every evening, Aspiration prayers (monlam) are recited.

Every Saturdays, there are philosophy discussions and debate on Sundays.  Khenpos and Lopons hold question-answer sessions on particular subject, the monks choose.

It is during Yarney that the monks also sit for their half-yearly examination. Hence, apart from the fixed Yarney programs, they are quite busy with their debate, commentary and essay writing tests that will count in their final scores.

In the evening, there are prayers, followed by the traditional ceremonial rice made with butter and dry fruits. Selected monks give dharma talks on specific subjects and display their philosophical debate skills. During the debate, one group establishes a philosophical view while the other tries to defeat them with sharp logic and quick verbal attacks. Since there are strong emotions displayed, watching them leads to lots of laughter and fun for the rest of the monks.

On the morning of the last day of Yarney called Gaye, the monks conclude the summer retreat by wearing their best robes and circumambulating the Amitabha and Achi Temples. Then, for the next three days, the monks have a party at the specially designated summer retreat picnic spot that is adjacent to the monastery. They get busy in all sorts of games and entertainment, appropriate for their age groups.

Another benefit of the retreat is that it gives faithful patrons an opportunity to accumulate merit. It is considered very important for lay people to participate in these virtuous activities through actions such as making offerings for shrine expenses and sponsoring tea and special meals for the sangha.

Shrine offering Items : Flowers, Incense, Rice, Serkyem (Dharmapala offerings), Barley flour for Tormas, Butter lamps, etc  $ 500 for whole Yarney period.

Tea offering for monks: $ 36 for one day

Meals for monks: $ 420 all meals for one day (Breakfast $ 108, Lunch $ 228, Dinner $108)

Evening milk: $24; Evening coffee: $28

Sangha Offering:  No fixed amount.  Traditionally, Rinpoches, Khenpos, Lopons, chanting masters, ritual masters and disciplinarians are offered extra in addition to the offerings made to the regular monks.

You may dedicate your offering to loved ones, living or deceased. Please send offerings and names by August 30th to be included on the prayer list.

Make US-tax-deductible donations through the Amitabha Foundation USA by check (payable to Amitabha Foundation, mailed to P.O. Box 2572, Aptos, CA 95076), or online. Donations may also be made directly to Drikung Charitable Society or through the Amitabha Foundation branch in your own country.

See photos and videos from this year’s Yarney on Facebook.

On June 16, the tenth day of the lunar month and Guru Rinpoche’s most auspicious day, the annual Guru Rinpoche Tsog offering prayer will be performed at Ayang Rinpoche’s monastery in Bylakuppe, India. Anyone who wishes to make an offering and dedicate it to their loved ones, living or dead, may do so through the Amitabha Foundation in their respective countries .

To those who are new, Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, is a highly revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism. His name, meaning “Lotus-Born,” signifies the belief that he was miraculously born from a lotus flower. Credited with bringing Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century, he is regarded by many Tibetan Buddhists as a second Buddha and is deeply venerated for his teachings and spiritual achievements.

Key aspects of Guru Rinpoche’s life and legacy include:
1. Miraculous Birth: Legend states that Padmasambhava was born from a lotus flower on Lake Dhanakosha in the kingdom of Oddiyana.
2. Spiritual Mastery: Renowned for his profound understanding and mastery of Buddhist teachings and tantric practices.
3. Introduction of Buddhism to Tibet: Guru Rinpoche played a pivotal role in establishing Buddhism in Tibet by subduing hostile local deities and spirits and transforming them into protectors of the Dharma.
4. Terma Tradition: He hid numerous spiritual treasures (termas) across Tibet and surrounding regions, intended to be discovered by future tertöns (treasure revealers) at the appropriate time.
5. Eight Manifestations: Often depicted in eight different forms, each representing various aspects of his spiritual journey and teachings.
6. Influence and Legacy: His teachings and practices form the foundation of many Tibetan Buddhist traditions, particularly within the Nyingma school, which considers him its founder. Guru Rinpoche’s influence extends beyond religious texts and practices to the heart of Tibetan culture and identity, symbolizing the deep connection between Tibet and Buddhism. His life and teachings continue to inspire practitioners worldwide.

To make a tax-deductible donation to sponsor the Guru Rinpoche Tsok Offering Prayer in the US, please click here or mail your check made out to Amitabha Foundation, to PO Box 2572, Aptos, CA 95001. To have your dedication included in the Prayer Ceremony, please send your donation by June 14 at 10 pm (Pacific).

May All Be Auspicious!