| Chökhor Du Chen is one of Four Great Occasions (“Du Chen” in Tibetan) commemorating pivotal events in the life of the Buddha. Chökhor (“wheel-turning” in Tibetan) commemorates the First Teaching given by the Buddha in Varanasi, 49 days after his experience of enlightenment.Since these days are related to important events in the life of the Buddha, it is said that the effects of virtuous (and non-virtuous!) actions done on this day are multiplied millions of times. Therefore, dharma practice is emphasized on these days.
To take advantage of the blessings of this day, KTC will offer a session of Aspirational Prayers for Chökhor Du Chen beginning at 9 AM. The one-hour program will include a prayer of offering and praise to the Buddha, as well as one of the five main “monlams” (aspiration prayers) recited in the Kagyu tradition. Saying these prayers helps us accumulate a mind of virtue, which in turn helps us see the power of love and wisdom in our lives and sets our spiritual course – both now, and in the future. After the Prayer Service, if the weather is favorable, we will conduct a Stupa Offering Ceremony at the KTC Stupa to accumulate further virtue and pray for goodness for our neighborhood and the world. Prayers for the Day The Tashi Prayer (usually recited before the Chenrezig practice at KTC) can be downloaded at this link: https://www.columbusktc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/8-Auspicious-Tashi-prayer-1.pdf Refuge and Dedications https://www.dropbox.com/s/1l8qrfwy71xexhf/refuge%20and%20dedications%20.pdf?dl=0 The Lama Rinpochema Prayer (usually recited in place of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoché’s longevity supplication) https://www.columbusktc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lama-Rinpochema.Both-translations.pdf Praise of the Twelve Deeds of the Buddha: https://www.columbusktc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Praise-of-the-12-Deeds-of-Buddha.pdf Dedication from “The Way of the Bodhisattva” :https://www.dropbox.com/s/d4fcy48vtw8kz3t/Dedication%20from%20Bodhicaryavatara.pdf?dl=0 Image credit: By Tango7174 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10516495 |
