Losar 2010 - Offering Kata

In the morning of the first day of first month. Tibetan calendar, 2137th Tibetan Royal Year, on the Losar (New Year) day, Mugsang Rinpoche lit the golden butter lamp and offered scarves to the three main statues, and to the fearless Lion thrones of both His Holiness Dalai Lama and the late His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche in the main temple.

Then they prayed with the monks and recited the Tashi Tsepa (the Heap of Goodness), Thubchog Jinlab Terzod (the Treasury of the Blessings of the Supreme Buddha) and Neten Chagchoe (salutation and worship to the sixteen Arhats) for well beings. After the prayer, headed by Tulku Khenpo and Lama all offered the white scarves with prayer of Rebirth His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche.

Then after they visited Zangdog Palri Temple where they received blessings from the holy body of the late His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. Of course, this year we don’t have special celebration for New Year but will focus in prayer and practice.

A Sertreng Ceremony, consisting of a line of Namdroling Monastery monks and nuns that included the Three Heart Sons, tulkus, khenpos, and lamas was formed at the gate of the monastery and proceeded to the residence of Gyangkhang Tulku Rinpoche, which is where the visiting Rinpoches had been invited to stay during their visit. In honor of their visit, the Gyaling were sounded and fragrant incense was burned at their arrival, and all the faculty of Namdroling Monastery followed HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, the Twelfth Throneholder of Palyul Monastery, in offerings of khata to the visiting dignitaries, who were also welcomed with desi (the traditional sweetened saffron rice) and butter tea.

Kyabje Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche (left) and Kyabje Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche (right) visit Namdroling

Early the next day the visiting Rinpoches went to Zangdog Palri Temple to pay their respects to His Holiness Penor Rinpoche’s Kudung. At the temple, Kyabje Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche and Kyabje Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche presided over the monks of Namdroling as they carried out a special one-day puja based on a Vajrasattva practice from the Minling Tradition, and the Lama Puja according to the Namcho Cycle.

Dilgo Khentse Yangsi Rinpoche and Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche in Zangdokpalri Temple

Later in the day, on behalf of the Namdroling sangha, Kyabje Karma Kuchen Rinpoche along with Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche offered the two high lamas mandalas of body, speech and mind, as well as khata, monetary and other offerings as tokens of gratitude for their visit to the monastery. Offerings of gratitude were also presented to Gyalse Tulku, Jangling Tulku and Tulku Kunga, along with their attendants. The puja concluded at 5 pm with the prayers of aspiration and dedication.

The visiting Rinpoches returned to Shechen Monastery in Nepal early in the morning of the following day.

Additional Photos are here at Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/palyul/sets/72157617536685524/

Written by Disciplinarian (Gekho