Lama Tsongkhapa Day
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Tuesday, December 12, (All day) 2017
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Lama Tsongkhapa is the founder of our lineage, the Gelugpa tradition, in Tibetan Buddhism. He was a renowned scholar, practitioner, meditator, teacher and author. His studies and meditations in all the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism resulted in the founding of the Gelugpa lineage. Among his major accomplishments is writing the Lamrim, or the Great Treatise on the Path to Enlightenment, a step-by-step guide to the spiritual practices that lead to enlightenment. He also wrote several condensed versions of the Lamrim, including Foundation of All Good Qualities, the Three Principal Aspects of the Path, and Song of Experience. He also revitalized the monastic code in Tibet, established the annual Great Prayer Festival, established Ganden Monastery, the first of the great monasteries in the Gelugpa tradition, and wrote 18 volumes of teachings. Lama Tsongkhapa Day is a celebration of the anniversary of his parinirvana. Practices recommended for this day include making offerings and reciting Lamrim texts, as well as Guru Puja. |
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At Kadampa Center, we will celebrate the day with a few events.
Lama Tsongkhapa Day honors a very powerful practitioner so there is great power in the merit of supporting it financially. Supporting this holy day's spiritual practices – whether you are able to attend or not – is an opportunity to collect great merit. If you are sponsoring but not attending, you can offer prayers for those who are participating in the events.
Geshe Gelek encourages students who have previously taken Eight Mahayana Precepts to take them at home before their altar.
At 10:30 am, we will do practices honoring Lama Tsongkhapa and meditating on the major points of the lamrim. Sponsor the morning practice ($75)
At 6 pm we will make light offerings to the stupa. Sponsor the light offerings ($50)
At 7 pm we will have Guru Puja. All are welcome to come and join in! Sponsor the Guru Puja ($125)
In Guru Puja, we reflect on and celebrate the good qualities of all our teachers -- and Lama Tsongkhapa is such an important lineage teacher for us! This
beautiful practice includes many stanzas meditating on key points of the lamrim.
Location at Kadampa Center:
Gompa
