Vajrakilaya and Shenpa Marnak
Event Format
In Person and Virtual
Location
Pema Osel Ling Retreat Center
2013 Eureka Canyon Road
Watsonville, CA 95076
Description
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. Then on New Year's Day, we practice to increase good fortune, positive circumstances, and auspiciousness for the New Year. By using the sacred rituals we can start the New Year in a fresh and positive way.
We will begin the retreat on January 31st, by receiving the Vajrakilaya Putri Rekphung Empowerment from Tulku Thadral Rinpoche, which gives us permission to do the following practices and ripens our minds in order to accomplish them.
The main sadhana we will use for the retreat is His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche's, Putri Rekphung, "The Razor that Destroys at a Touch", Vajrakilaya practice. Furthermore, for the first 4 days of the retreat we will also engage in Shenpa Protectors practice (January 31st - Febuary 4th). Please read the 2017 letter to Pema Osel Ling Sangha from Dudjom Rinpoche III Sangye Pema Shepa [in Tibetan or English] about the importance and merit of reciting the Shenpa prayers. Then, during the following 3 days we will participate in additional Dokpa practice (Febuary 5th-6th) in order to purify obstacles and negativity.
Subsequently, on Gutor Day (February 8, 2024), we will begin the morning by reciting the main sadhana up until the tsok offering section. In the afternoon, we will start with the averting ritual, where the sacred Black Hat Dance is performed, and the ritual torma is 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.
Then, on "Thanksgiving Day" (Tang-rak, February 9, 2024), we will perform the Vajrakilaya sadhana beginning in the morning, followed by Losar preparations in the afternoon. Traditionally on this day, house cleaning is undertaken to usher in good energy for the New Year. This is a meritorious opportunity for the entire sangha to come together to clean the shrine and prepare offerings for Losar Day.
Lama Sonam Rinpoche Raising New Year's Prayer Flags
Finally, on Losar Day (New Year's Day, Febuary 10, 2024), we will begin in the morning with making offerings to the Guru Rinpoche statue and to 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 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. This engaging retreat not only helps to pacify negativity and increase good fortune into the New Year, but also allows retreatants to participate in precious and traditional ritual activities that are rarely practiced today in the West.
Dharma Treasures Onsite Store Hours (coming soon)
You can find many Vajrakilaya-Losar related practice materials and supports at our store Dharma Treasures
Pre-Retreat Information (coming soon)
Offerings
Vajrakilaya puja and Shenpa Protector practice require many tormas (ritual sculptures) and sacred substances, which you can help sponsor. Make offerings here for Tsok, Butter Lamps, Riwo Sangchö, tormas, flowers, Dharmapalas, Prayer Flags, and more. Furthermore, Losar is a meritorious day to make offerings to the Lamas and Sangha:
For Tulku Thadral Rinpoche, please send a check made out to Jigmed Namgyal Dorje to 2013 Eureka Canyon Road, Watsonville, CA 95076, or by Venmo to @TulkuThadral (Jigmed Dorje will show up in a search).
For Tulku Jamyang Rinpoche, please send a check made out to Jamyang Gyatso to 2013 Eureka Canyon Road, Watsonville, CA 95076.
For Lama Sonam Rinpoche, please make an offering through the Vajrayana Foundation to his parsonage fund here, or send a check made out to Sonam T. Lama to 2013 Eureka Canyon Road, Watsonville, CA 95076
Learn about phurbas, in video teachings with Drubpon Pema Rigdzin:
