Losar Prayer Flags

Prayer flags are for the enhancement of health, longevity, wealth, and all desirable qualities.  The prayer flags at Pema Osel Ling contain great blessings as the design and prayers on each flag come directly from HH Dungse Rinpoche, and Lama Tharchin Rinpoche ensured their accuracy.  According to tradition, each Losar, all prayer flags at Pema Osel Ling are replaced with new ones in a sang (smoke) offering.  This year’s Losar (Tibetan New Year) falls on February 5th.

“The raising of prayer flags removes obstacles to the path of enlightenment.  It is particularly good for those experiencing illness and obstacles.  It will increase ‘windhorse’ life energy and bring good fortune and success in the New Year!”  — Lama Tharchin Rinpoche

Following is an excerpt from a letter that Lama Tharchin Rinpoche and Lama Sonam Rinpoche sent from Bhutan in 2012 for Losar:

“Setting up prayer flags raises our lung-ta (translated as “wind horse” and refers to good fortune and uplifting energy).  It helps both our Dharma practice and worldly life.  For practitioners, when our lung-ta goes up, it’s an auspicious sign of increasing our meditative experiences and realization on the path.  For ordinary persons, or on a relative level, raising lung-ta is very important too.

When our lung-ta decreases, then even though we put so much effort into something, our success will be miniscule.  Also, if we face a sudden danger and are saved from it and become victorious over the obstacle, then that is our lung-ta raising.  Without lung-ta, we find that all our good fortune is down.

This practice of raising prayer flags… increases our sok (life force), lu (physical health), wang-tang (power and glorious splendor), as well as our lung-ta.  There are so many benefits.  For example, for people who are experiencing illness, raising lung-ta can be helpful.  Whatever we wish can be quickly accomplished; obstacles are removed.”

If you can join our sangha, that’s wonderful.  If you can’t come to Pema Osel Ling, you can still sponsor prayer flag [click here to sponsor prayer flags].

We will write yours and your loved ones’ names on the prayer flag.

“We will pray for the long lives of our precious lamas, for all of our sangha, and worldpeace in our dedication of the prayer flags, with the wish that we all become victorious against undesirable circumstances and obstacles and that all good fortune flourishes.”

Vajrayana Foundation Newsletter: Dharma Programs 2018

 

Longchenpa’s Parinirvana

This Saturday, February 3rd is the parinirvana date of the great scholar, master and vidhyadhara Longchen Rabjam (1308–1364).  Longchenpa was a major teacher within the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism.  Longchen Rabjampa was born in Central Tibet.  He passed on the 18th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan Lunar Calendar in the year 1364.

Longchenpa wrote many works.  But he is probably best known for compiling the essence of Buddhism within the anthology known as the Seven Treasures.  This Collection of Seven Treasures is a synthesis of the entire path to liberation within Tibetan Buddhism. The Seven Treasures are as follows:

1. yid bzhin mdzod: The Precious Wish-fulfilling Treasury.
2. chos dbyings mdzod: The Precious Treasury of the Dharmadhatu.
3. theg mchog mdzod: The Precious Treasury of the Supreme Vehicle.
4. gnas lugs mdzod: The Precious Treasury of the Way of Abiding.
5. tshig don mdzod: The Precious Treasury of the Meaning of Words.
6. man ngag mdzod: The Precious Treasury of Oral Instructions.
7. grub mtha’ mdzod: The Precious Treasury of Philosophical Systems.

I’m proud to say that our late Holiness Penor Rinpoche was considered be a very powerful emanation of Longchenpa.

Poem:

Taken in part from Longchenpa’s Song of the Enchanted Wildwoods:

Wherever I look,
Apart from people putting their energy into the material world,
Those practicing the Dharma path are as rare as a supernova.
Having seen this to be true,
If I’m going to accomplish the true Dharma,
I can’t stay any longer — I’m going to the wildwoods.

Compared to those who seek distraction with every thought,
People who care for themselves according to the Dharma are altogether rare.
Those who actually practice it are bullied and disregarded.
Thus, I can’t stay — I’m going to the wildwoods.

Even if you spend this life in introspection,
It passes so quickly, without pausing day or night.
Having seen that laziness always gets the better of my virtue
And that this mind won’t settle even a little,
I’m off to the wildwoods right now.

Books:

While he was on retreat, Longchenpa had many pure visions where he was given direct instructions from Guru Padmasambhava himself.  Longchenpa lamanted that he wasn’t famous in his own time and therefore his writings weren’t of much benefit to others in a vast way.  Yet, as the centuries passed and all of his works translated and handed down; he is now considered one of Tibet’s most renown and precious teachers.

Here are a few links to research and enjoy some of the greatest works that beginner, intermediate and advanced Yogis and Scholars alike have cherished and benefited from. We are fortunate, in these degenerate times, that the most important texts are now translated into English.

Shambhala – Several nice books including the short and helpful You are the Eyes of the World

Lotsawa House – which includes free links or downloads to read

Life of Longchenpa – Biography of the Omniscient Dharma King

Seven Treasures – Where the two, must have, treasures can be found which are: The Precious Treasury of the Way of Abiding & The Basic Space of Phenomena

Tsok Practice:

From Rigpa Wiki:

The main benefit of tsok practice (ganapuja feast) mentioned in the tantras is the accumulation of merit with conceptual focus as well as the accumulation of wisdom beyond focus. There could be no greater benefit than this.

In the termas, we also find mention of unimaginable benefits.  For example, it is said that Guru Rinpoche himself will come and bless the tsok practitioners, or that the place where tsok is performed will become exactly the same as the Zangdokpalri heaven of Guru Rinpoche.

And Yeshé Tsogyal said that to practice tsok just once closes the door to lower rebirths.   It is also said that disease, famine and warfare will be pacified, and all the practitioners’ wishes will be fulfilled without the slightest obstacle.

The Kalachakra Tantra of Holding the Qualities of the Lama teaches:

“The merit accumulated by making offerings on the anniversary of one’s lama will dispel negative karma and obscurations accrued for countless eons, like the rays of the sun dispelling darkness.”

Making offerings such as lighting candles or preparing butter-lamps on that day would be a simple way to generate much merit.  However, preparing a more elaborate tsok-feast would definitely be the superior way to generate merit as well as wisdom simultaneously gathering all the right blessings to assist us on our spiritual journey.

Past dates have landed on:

• 2015 February 6th
• 2016 January 26th
• 2017 February 13th
• 2018 February 3rd

The next ceremony will be held on: January 23rd, 2019

Next year I will post Longchenpa’s Tsok date according to the Tibetan Lunar Calendar.

Light,
Neo

Summit of the Victory Banner

One of our Buddhist teachers recently related this story to us.  Since this scripture is not easy to find I will post it again.  As the story goes: Indra was defeated by the king of the demi-gods, and full of fear went to the Buddha for help.

The Buddha told him to recite the Sutra called Powerful Armor Which Is the Summit of the Victory Banner in order to make himself invulnerable to harm from others.

I believe it would be equally important for meditators and not just warriors to know that such a remedy to removes obstacles exists.  Since it is such a powerful sutra to uphold here it is:

Homage to all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!

Thus have I heard:
At one time, Shakyamuni was dwelling in Indra’s celestial realm of the thirty-three, sitting upon a rock slab as white as wool.  At that time, Indra, the king of gods, had become defeated by the demi-gods.  Having been completely defeated and frozen with fear, he speedily went to where the Buddha was sitting.  He bowed his head to Shakyamuni’s feet, and addressed the Buddha as follows:

“Oh Lord, I went into battle against the army of the demi-gods, and I was defeated by the king of the demi-gods, T’hag-Zang.  I was completely defeated, as were all the god’s armies from the realms of the thirty-three.  Oh, Shakyamuni, how can we become victorious now?”

The Buddha answered:

“Indra, king of gods! Recite the Sutra called, Powerful Armor Which Is the Summit of the Victory Banner, which makes one invulnerable to harm from others.  Previously, when I was a bodhisattva, I also received this Sutra from the Tathagata Zhengyi Mit’hub Pa’i Gyaltsen.  Having received it, I also taught it extensively and perfectly to others.  There is no doubt that if you recite this, there is no name of fear.  Not even for an instant will you experience fear, timidity, hair-raising fright, or bodily harm.”

The Buddha spoke:

TATYAT’HA OM JAYA JAYA VIJAYA VIJAYA JAYA PRAHINI SHANKARI SHANKARI PRABHAD KARE

For I and all sentient beings:

SARVA SHATRUM DZAMBAYA DZAMBAYA SATAMBAYA SATAMBAYA MOHAYA MOHAYA BHAGAVATI
JAYAWAHINI MAT’HA MAT’HA PRAMAT’HA PRAMAT’HA GRASA GRASA HASA HASA HUNG HUNG LA
HUNG LA HUNG LAMBO DHAREY TRE NRE TRE CHATUR BHAGA DRE CHATUR DAMSHATE CHATUR
BHUJE ASI MUSALA CHAKRA TRISHULA VAJRAKA VAJRADHARI

Protect, protect me from all harm!

BHAGA WATI HANA HANA DAHA DAHA PATSA PATSA MAT’HA MAT’HA PRAMAT’HA PRAMAT’HA
DHUNA DHUNA VIDHUNA VIDHUNA HUNG HUNG PHAT PHAT BHANJA BHANJA PARA SENAYAM
VIDHANASAYA SARVA SHATRUM NASHAYA DWAJA AGRA KERAYURE TITA TITA TITA VHITA VHITA
ULAKA MUKHI ULAKA DHARANI TRILOKYA MAT’HANI VIDWAN SAPARA SENAYAN

Protect, protect me from all harm!

TSALA TSALA TSILI TSILI TSULU TSULU KAMPA KAMPA KALA KALA KILI KILI KULU KULU
MUNJA MUNJA ATA TAHA SAMA VIDWA NASAYA PARA SENAYAN

Protect, protect me from all harm!

TRASAYA TRASAYA BRAMAYA BRAMAYA BUDDHA SATYENA DHARMA SATYENA SANGHA SATYENA
SATYE VATENAM SATYEMA BUDDHA SATYE MATI KRAMA DHARMA SATYE MATI KRAMA SANGHA
SATYE MATI KRAMA SATYE VATINAM SATYE MATIKRAMA LAMBHO DHARI LAMBHO DHARI KUTA
KUTA KUDTA KUDTA KUDTA KUTA PAYA KUDTA PAYA RUDDRA MANAYA VISHNA MANAYA CHANDRA
SURIYA BAMMANA TRE LOKYA ADI PADI MANAYA SARVA DEVA ADHIPAMANAYA SARVA YAKSHA
RAKSHASA GANDHARVA KUNBHANDE MAHORA GADHI PATI MANAYA VIDWA NASAYA PARASENAM
RANGA RANGA RANGHA PAYA RANGHA PAYA DZALA DZALA PUSHPA MALINI RUNDHA RUNDHA RITI
RITI TSITI TSITI DHITI DHITI VRI KUTI MUKHE PARA SENA KULOD SADHANI KARI HALA
HALA HILI HILI HULU HULU HE HE RINI RINI RINIMATI DZAMBHA DWAJE SARVA BUDDHA
AVALOKITE

Protect, protect me from all fear!

SARVA TAT’HAGATA AVALOKITE SVAHA GUNA RAJA PRABHA SODTA ME SVAHA SURYA ARKA
VIMALE SVAHA CHANDRA ARKA VIMALE SVAHA SARVA GRAHA NAKSHASTRA DHEMI KARANE SVAHA

Protect, protect me from all fear, obstacles, contagious diseases and conflicts
SVAHA!

“King of gods! By reciting this exalted Sutra, Powerful Armor Which Is the Summit of the Victory Banner, also known as the Mantra Which Makes One Invulnerable to Others, whether engaged in battle, fights, conflicts, or wars, wherever you go, you shall not fear and you shall be victorious.

If you attach this Sutra to the peak of a victory banner, or wear it around your neck, you will be protected from every human leader or powerful warrior.  The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will manifest in the form of beautiful ladies in front of you, who will grant you fearlessness and protection.  You will become glorious and overwhelm all opposition.  You will enjoy continuous fortune, purity, great fame, glory, and prosperity.”

Shakyamuni having spoken thus, the world with Indra the king of gods, devas, humans, demi-gods, and ghandharvas rejoiced and praised what the Buddha had said.  This completes the Sutra called Powerful Armor Which Is the Summit of the Victory Banner.

Order expensive prayer flag:  Hither and Yon

Order cheaper version:  Victory over obstacles