Amitabha Foundation USA
The annual Vajrayogini (Dorje Phagmo) Drupchö (extensive prayer ceremony) began today, August 27, and ran through August 31 at Thupten Shedrub Jangchub Ling Monastic Institute, 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)
Cremation Ceremony of H.E Choeje Ayang Rinpoche
at Thupten Shedrub Jangchubling Monastery in Bylakuppe, South India on July 18, 2026
7.00 AM (India) or 6:30 PM July 17 in California Here is a time zone converter.
His Eminence Gyangkhang Rinpoche, the head of Namdroling Monastery, and Lama Sonam Gyatso Rinpoche, along with the other Namdroling lamas performing the cremation ritual, will arrive at Thupten Shedrub Jangchub Ling Monastery with a traditional welcome by all the sangha members and lay people.
8.00 AM (India) or 7:30 PM July 17 in California
H.E Choeje Ayang Rinpoche’s Kudung (an honorific term for the mortal remains of a realized master) will be carried out from the shrine hall, led by a ceremonial procession of golden parasols and accompanied by skeletal dakas and dakinis. While circumambulating the old and the new temple with the sacred kudung, the monks will chant the prayer melody from “Drangchar Zimbu Mei Gur Yang (sbrang mchar zim bu mei mgur dbyang) from the songs of Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon’s prayer to the Lineage masters. Upon the holy kudung reaching the cremation stupa, notable Rinpoches, Khenpos, and other dignitaries will offer scarves.
On placing the kudung inside the Purkhang (cremation stupa), the Jinsek (fire offering rituals) will begin simultaneously, each of them led by an eminent Buddhist master in the four directions:
East- H.E Kyabje Gyangkhang Rinpoche presides over the Jinsek of Dorsem (Buddha Vajrasattva),
North- Venerable Lapchi Dorzin Thundup Palden presides over the Jinsek of Dorje Phagmo ( Buddha Vajravarahi),
West – His Eminence Palchen Galo Rinpoche presides over the Jinsek of Oepakme (Buddha Amitabha), and
South – Venerable Lama Sonam Gyatso Rinpoche presides over the jinsek of Shitro (100 peaceful and wrathful deities)
Download the full schedule July 16 – July 20, 2026.
For those of you unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be live streamed on Facebook. This is the Facebook page where you can access the live stream and find photos of the preparations.
We invite you to make a tax-deductible offering to help complete Rinpoche’s stupa and to support the cremation ceremonies. Please click below or send your check in USD to: Amitabha Foundation, P. O. Box 2572, Aptos, CA 95001
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| Achi Shrine 2023 | Achi Chökyi Drölma |
The annual Achi Chokyi Drolma Drupchö is being held July 17 – 23 at Ayang Rinpoche’s monastery in Bylakuppe, Thupten Shedrup Jangchub Ling. Achi is the main Dharma Protector in the Drikung Kagyu lineage.
H.E. Palchen Galo Rinpoche and all the Khenpos and Rinpoches of the monastery invite all sangha members to join by reciting Achi Choekyi Drolma 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 July 21st at 5 pm Pacific time will be posted in the temple for the conclusion of the 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.
Wealth Deity, Dzambhala, at Amitabha Retreat Center in Nepal
Ayang Rinpoche’s monastery in India will hold its annual Yangdrup, or Wealth Deity Puja December 10-14, 2019.
Yangdrup, is an extensive 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.
Lamas, monks and nuns at the monastery will also do Guru Rinpoche offering prayers during the Yangdrup.
People who wish to dedicate prayers for their loved ones, including pets, living or dead, and would like to sponsor or donate towards tormas, butter lamps, tsog, tea, meals, offerings for monks and nuns, or all other puja 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. Dedications must be received by December 12 at 5 PM (Pacific Standard) to be sent to the monastery in time. Donations are welcome any time.
