Vajrakilaya and Shenpa Marnak
"Vajrakilaya cuts through the solidity of hardened minds and afflictive emotions with the weapon of sharp, clear awareness." --Lama Tharchin Rinpoche
Please join Tulku Thadral Rinpoche, Tulku Jamyang Rinpoche and Lama Sonam Rinpoche this Lunar New Year for as much as your schedule allows.
An online viewable read only digital text (not including the Mé-Ley lower activity) will be provided to all who register.
Dharma Treasures Onsite Store Hours
Sponsoring Butter Lamps, Tsok, Prayer Flags and Ritual Activity
Vajrakilaya-Losar related Supplies and Items from Dharma Treasures store
Prayer Flags to Purchase at Dharma Treasures
The wrathful Vajrakilaya Gutor practice is a powerful purification ritual traditionally done in the final days of the outgoing Tibetan year to cleanse and pacify all accumulated negativities, defilements and obstacles, in order that we start the New Year afresh. We will do His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche's Putri Rekphung - The Razor that Destroys at a Touch Vajrakilaya practice. Read the 2017 letter to Pema Osel Ling Sangha from Dudjom Rinpoche III Sangye Pema Shepa [in Tibetan or English] about the importance of reciting the Shenpa prayers.
Gutor Day (February 19, 2023) we will go through the sadhana up to tsok. Beginning at approxiately 2 pm, we will start with the averting ritual, where the sacred Black Hat Dance is performed, and the ritual torma cast and consumed in a wisdom bonfire. The large zorchen torma, made from a mold sculpted in 2011 by Lama Tharchin Rinpoche, is thrown into the bonfire on Gutor Day to dispel negativity of the past year. This paves the way for a New Year where “all positive circumstances increase like the waxing moon. Relative circumstances such as longevity, merit, glories, joy and family lineage are increased. And on the path, meditation qualities, experience, wisdom and fruition of practice are accomplished.” Lama Tharchin Rinpoche
The Zorchen torma is burned to incinerate all negativity of the past year.
On "Thanksgiving Day" (Tang-rak, February 20, 2023), we will perform the Vajrakilaya sadhana beginning in the morning, followed by Losar preparations in the afternoon. On this day, traditionally, house cleaning is undertaken to usher in good energy for the New Year.
Lake Born Vajra and Khandro Norlha Pujas in the morning; Riwo Sang Chod Puja in the afternoon
On Losar day, we will start in the morning with offerings to the Guru Rinpoche statue and the lamas. We will do Lake Born Vajra with Orgyen Khandro Norlha long life and wealth practices and tsok. In the afternoon, we will carry out a Riwo Sangchod smoke offering puja to accompany the raising of our New year's Prayer Flags.
Vajrakilaya puja and Shenpa Protector practice require many tormas (ritual sculptures) and sacred substances, which you can help sponsor. Make offerings for Tsok, Butter Lamps, Riwo Sangchö, tormas, flowers, dharmapalas, Prayer Flags, and more.
Covid Policy (February 9, 2023)
The Community Risk Level in Santa Cruz County is currently low, so we are making masks optional in the Shrine Room. Vaccination is encouraged but not required. Good hand washing is still important to maximize health, and you should stay home if ill or exposed. We will continue to used exhaust fans for improved air quality, but social distancing may not be practical and everyone needs to be aware that chanting and playing horn instruments are part of our ritual activities. We encourage unvaccinated and immunosuppressed people to protect themselves with quality masks. We will have masks at the entrance to the shrine room for people who wish to use them.
For those traveling by air or other public transportation to get to Pema Osel Ling, we request that you self-test before leaving home and wear a mask during your travels. If anyone becomes ill and tests positive for Covid while at Pema Osel Ling, they will be asked to isolate and leave the retreat immediately. This policy will be reviewed periodically and may change if Covid risk increases again locally.
