“Dorje Drolo Prayer Ritual” led by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche (February 5-11, 2021)
“New Year Kangyur Recitation” by Tergar Osel Ling monastics (March 14-18, 2021)
Background:
Over the past year, the world saw the outbreak of a pandemic and many serious disasters. Afflictions arising from ignorance lead to negative karma, which in turn lead to disasters. In the hope of benefitting all beings, Tergar Asia invites dharma friends far and wide to join us in accumulating merit and virtue through the “Dorje Drolo Prayer Ritual” and “New Year Kangyur Recitation”. By the power of our aspirations and prayers, may all obstacles be pacified for all beings. With the blessings of the buddhas, bodhisattvas and Guru Rinpoche, may the world be free of disasters, all sentient beings have peace and happiness, and all practitioners make progress on their path to awakening without obstacles.
Introduction of the Yongey Dorje Drolö Prayer Ritual, by Khenpo Kunga (2021.1.20)
Every year, the Tergar monasteries in Nepal, India and Tibet will conduct the Dorje Drolö prayer rituals. The history of conducting such rituals in Kagyü monasteries goes back 400 years, but is especially well known in the Tergar tradition, as this particular practice was discovered by the first Mingyur Rinpoche (Rigdzin Mingyur Dorje Drakpo Nuden Tsal).
This particular ritual practice is considered the most powerful to avert obstacles. The Fourth Karmapa, Rolpé Dorje, had a vision of Guru Rinpoche in which he was told that he should maintain a practice that would be especially useful in degenerate times to avert obstacles that might arise.
The first time this practice was performed, was in the monastery of the Karmapas, after the first Mingyur Rinpoche revealed the treasure (terma). After the gathering, Mingyur Dorje said that he now had accomplished the aim of Guru Rinpoche.
Guru Rinpoche had eight manifestations and Dorje Drolö symbolizes the wrathful manifestation. It is an extensive practice that includes many deities like Amitāyus for long life, Dzambhala to increase wealth, ḍākinīs for accomplishments, and lineage lamas for blessings. It also includes the five buddha families and Buddha Samantabhadra, which makes it beneficial for the bardo and for future lives.
His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje said that the three termas of Mingyur Dorje, which includes Dorje Drolö, are like a jewel of the Karma Kagyü lineage.
We would like to announce this special occasion of Dorje Drolö Prayer Rituals at the end of the Tibetan calendar year, which will be conducted for seven days. The concluding part of “Averting Obstacles” represents the pacifying of obstacles for all sentient beings and especially for those connected to the Karma Kagyü and the Tergar lineage.
Mingyur Rinpoche himself will preside over the rituals and if you would like to join, it is a great opportunity to make a connection – by rejoicing and/or contributing with a donation.
Guru presiding over the prayer ritual: Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche was born in Nubri, Nepal in 1976. At age 13, while attending his first traditional three-year retreat, he overcame the panic attacks that had troubled him for years. And at age 17, he was appointed retreat master, becoming one of the youngest lamas to ever hold this position. In 2011, Rinpoche fulfilled his long-held aspiration to follow in the footsteps of the great masters of the past, by going on a wandering retreat that lasted more than four years. Since the beginning of the 21st century, Rinpoche has spent most of his time on traveling and teaching worldwide, working tirelessly to bring meditation and buddhadharma to every corner of the world.
Introduction of the Kangyur Recitation, by Khenpo Kunga (2021.1.20)
The Kangyur may be considered the representation of the holy Dharma on this earth.
A single word by the Buddha is said to have immeasurable benefit and blessings. What need is there to say about the complete teachings of the Buddha?
It includes all the teachings of the sutras and tantras and all of the practice instructions of the Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana vehicles of the buddhadharma. It is therefore beneficial for one’s practice.
Lord Atisha said that if obstacles, like disease, famine, or war, arise, there is no greater benefit than reading the Kangyur again and again and it was considered so precious that it could be written in gold.
All happiness in this world comes from the teachings of the Buddha, which is the source of all happiness and freedom from suffering. Therefore, the Tergar monasteries read the Kangyur annually – including this year.
If you would like to contribute to the happiness of sentient beings and the clearing of obstacles, you are welcome to participate and contribute in any way you wish.
Merit of Reading the Sutras
It is said in Vajracchedika-prajnaparamita Sutra (Diamond Sutra): “Subhuti, if (on the one hand) a virtuous man or woman sacrifices in the practice of charity (dana), as many lives as the sand-grains of the Ganges in the morning, at midday and again in the evening, and continues so doing throughout numberless aeons; and if (on the other hand) a person after listening to this sutra believes in his own mind without (further) contradiction, the latter’s merit will surpass that of the former. How much more so if this sutra is written, received, held, read, recited and expounded to others!”
The merit of reading the Diamond Sutra once will surpass 100 billion times the merit of sacrificing, in the practice of charity (dana) three times a day, as many lives as the sand-grains of the Ganges.
The merit of reading Saddharmapundarika Sutra (Lotus Sutra) once will surpass 100 billion times the merit of sacrificing, in the practice of charity (dana) three times a day, as many lives as the sand-grains of the Ganges.
The merit of reading the Manjushri-Nama-Samgiti Sutra once will surpass 100 billion times the merit of sacrificing, in the practice of charity (dana) three times a day, as many lives as the sand-grains of the Ganges.
Therefore, the merit of reading the Kangyur, which includes buddhadharma of the three yanas and the collected names of all the buddhas and all the teachings of the Buddha, will bring incredible benefits for merit accumulation.
By taking part in this Kangyur Recitation, we, too, could accumulate similarly vast merits.
Supporting the pujas and monasteries
We sincerely invite all dharma friends from the 10 directions to join us in supporting the prayer ritual and the shedra. Together we will pray for the purification of all karmic obstacles and the increase of wisdom and merit. May the world be in peace and all disasters be pacified, and people everywhere prosper and live in peace.
FAQ for donation registration
The registration deadline for donations is February 10, 2021
Donations collected will be used to:
1) Pay for the expenses of the two prayer meetings, including the feast offering, smoke offering, and offering of flowers, incense, lamp, fruit and vegetarian food, and offering for the sangha.
2) Contribute to the running operational costs of the Tergar monasteries under Mingyur Rinpoche’s care. This includes supporting the education of the several hundred monastics living there, and paying for their daily necessities such as clothing, food and medicine.
We are grateful for all of your support. May all of you and your family live a long life, free of sickness, and your wisdom increase. May all be well and auspicious!
With respect,
Lama Lekshey, General Manager of Tergar Ösel Ling Monastery, Nepal
Lama Yadie, Abbot of Tergar Meditation Centre Hong Kong
January 28, 2021
(Please direct your enquiries to Tergar Asia’s fundraising team: 2021donation@tergarasia.org)