Download NBHolidays Manual (as of Feb 2014)

BUDDHIST HOLIDAY
PRACTICE MANUAL
Compiled under the guidance of
Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
Nalandabodhi Publications
3902 Woodland Park Ave N
Seattle, WA 98013
USA
This text is distributed as part of the
Practice Curriculum of the Nalandabodhi Buddhist Path
under the direction of The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
Holiday Practice Manual: Nalandabodhi 2011
© 2011 by The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche and
Nalandabodhi Publications
All rights reserved. No part of this text may be used or reproduced in any manner
whatsoever without written permission from
The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche and Nalandabodhi Publications.
For more information about the Nalandabodhi Practice Curriculum, contact the Mitra
Secretary at: [email protected]
Compiled under the guidance of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche by Acharya Lhakpa, Mitra Lee
Worley, Mitra Mark Power, Mitra Tyler Dewer, Susan Busby and Todd Anderson.
Many thanks to others who contributed suggestions and holiday traditions.
Table of Contents
Losar
The Düchens
Chotrul Düchen
Saka Dawa Düchen
Chokhor Düchen
Lhabab Düchen
Losar
What does it mean?
Losar is the Tibetan New Year. “Lo” means “year” or “age” and “sar” means “fresh” or
“new.” Losar is the start of the “month of miracles,” the miracles that the Buddha
performed to tame tirtikas (non-buddhists) after his enlightenment.
Because Losar is a holiday based on the lunar calendar its date changes every year. Losar
falls on the first day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar, usually near the new moon in
February. Not all Buddhists celebrate Losar on the same day. There are two main systems
of Tibetan astrology. The most popular system, and the one historically used by the Central
Tibetan Administration, is called Phukluk. It was developed by Phukpa Lhundrub Gyatso
(15th century C.E.). The one used by the Karma Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism, and the
one relied upon primarily by the Nalandabodhi sangha, is called Tsurluk. Tsurluk is the
system that was developed at the time of the 3rd Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje (1284-1339), at
Tsurphu Monastery, the main seat of the Karmapa lineage. It is celebrated and widely
acknowledged as a very accurate astrological calculation system.
Each year is ruled by one animal and one element. Tibetans follow a twelve year animal
cycle with the animal changing each year. Each element is in place for two years before it
changes to a new element. The animals in order are Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep,
Monkey, Bird, Dog, Pig, Mouse, Ox and Tiger. The elements are Wood, Fire, Earth,
Iron/Metal and Water.
Why do we celebrate it?
Losar is a time to start with a new outlook. It is a good time to be mindful of our emotions
because our attitude at this time will set the tone for the rest of our year. Thus, we want to
start the year with good emotions.
The actions we take on this day are also said to set the tone for the year ahead.
Traditionally on Losar, people do not spend time on worldly activities, buying things or even
throwing out the garbage in case some good luck might be thrown out with it. Losar is a
period of change, new beginnings, and a time to clear away obstacles and open our hearts
and minds to a fresh new start.
As we contemplate our aspirations for the coming year we might want to refresh and renew
our commitment to arouse and increase our Bodhicitta, to feel our interconnectedness, clear
away obstacles, and open our hearts further for the well being of all sentient beings and our
planet Mother Earth. It is also a very valuable time to reflect on our work within the mandala
and with each other. Remembering the preciousness of the Three Jewels on this day is
important. Practicing the six paramitas on this day would also be good.
How do we celebrate it?
Losar is traditionally the time when our Nalandabodhi administrative leadership honors
those who are stepping down and welcomes new coordinators and directors. This may be
done with the Conch-Passing Ceremony. Losar is also a time when we make monetary
offerings to our precious teachers, His Holiness the Seventeeth Gyalwang Karmapa,
Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Dilyak Drupon
Rinpoche, and our Acharyas and Lamas. These personal offerings could be made by
sangha members by placing them on trays in front of the shrine or teaching chair.
Sanghas can practice the Nalandabodhi Losar Liturgy. There may also be talks given by
Rinpoche or other Nalandabodhi teachers as an address to the entire mandala. Making
offerings to parents and elders and expressing our appreciation for their kindness is also
appropriate.
Celebrating together as a community is also a strong Nalandabodhi tradition. Having a pot
luck meal, singing and dancing or celebrating in any way that feels right would help set the
tone for an auspicious and connected year as a sangha.
Prior to New Year is a time to clean our homes, shrines, practice materials and practice
environments as we prepare for the approaching New Year. At year end we can also chant
The Aspiration of Samantabhadra as an aspiration for the coming year. Traditionally, the
Mahakala sadhana practice and a lhasang (smoke offering by burning juniper) were also
done to clear away obstacles.
The Düchens
Following Losar, a series of Düchen's or "major anniversaries" in the life of Shakyamuni
Buddha are celebrated each year. “Du” means time and “chen” means great. Düchen is
thus an important or great time or anniversary. It is said that during these days the effects
of positive or negative actions are multiplied ten million times. Mindfulness and practice on
these "Düchen" days is thus strongly encouraged.
Because the Düchens are about the life of the Buddha, the important thing is to reflect on
the qualities of Buddha Shakyamuni, his body, speech and mind. We might contemplate
where these qualities came and how he become so special. The Buddha’s qualities came
from his accumulation of merit and wisdom, which we can also attain. We need to practice
to accumulate merit and wisdom. When we reflect on the qualities of the Buddha, it will give
us a sense of encouragement for our own path.
Chotrul Düchen
What does it mean?
“Chotrul” means miracle. This holiday occurs during the month of miracles, the same month
as Losar. It celebrates Buddha Shakyamuni’s display of fifteen days of miracles. It is said
that the Buddha displayed a different miracle each day to spur devotion and increase the
merit of his current and future disciples.
Why do we celebrate it?
We celebrate Chotrul Duchen to strengthen our devotion.
How do we celebrate it?
Traditionally we commemorate this day by chanting many of the same liturgies as we chant
at Losar, including The Sadhana of the Sixteen Elders and In Praise of the Twelve Deeds of
the Buddha. We can also read sutras, such as, the Prajnaparamita sutra. Or we might read
about or tell the life story of the Buddha or other enlightened masters. We also could
practice any form of guru yoga as a way of reconnecting with our heart of devotion.
Because this holiday is part of a month long celebration, we could celebrate and practice
every day during month, especially on the full moon day.
Saka Dawa Düchen
What does it mean?
Saka Dawa Düchen means major anniversary of the “fourth month,” and is called so
because of the events said to have taken place during the fourth month of the Tibetan
calendar. It is called “Vaishak” in Sanskrit.
This major Buddhist holiday celebrates three great events in the life of Shakyamuni Buddha:
his birth, enlightenment and parinirvana. All three events in Buddhas' life are celebrated on
this holiday. Buddha was born in Lumbini, became enlightened during a full moon night in
the city of Bodhgaya and entered parinirvana (passed away) in the city of Kushinagar.
The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche has said we should consider Saka Dawa a religious
holiday. To mark its importance we should take the day off from work to practice and
celebrate the life and teachings of the Buddha.
Why do we celebrate it?
It was through the diligence and kindness of a young prince, Siddhartha Gautama, that we
have a path to find enlightenment for ourselves. Upon reaching enlightenment through the
path of the middle way, Siddhartha was not sure how he would teach others what he had
discovered for himself. After weeks of pondering this, he was entreated to teach by Indra
and Brahma. Siddhartha taught for forty-five years. He was given the title Buddha which
means “awakened one.” The teachings of the Buddha have been passed down for almost
2,600 years. How fortunate we are to be living in a time when these teachings are available
so that we too can hear them and attain enlightenment.
How do we celebrate it?
On this day we have the opportunity to reflect and connect with the continuity of the
teachings and wisdom of our rich and continuing heritage. We can celebrate our good
fortune by reading stories of the Buddha, and remembering his life, wisdom and unlimited
compassion for all beings.
Offerings of generosity are traditional on this day. These could be offerings to your shrine
or your center. Individuals or groups might donate time, money or goods to local or
international causes in honor of the Buddha. We can take this opportunity to extend
ourselves further in the service of others. We have the Buddha and great teachers as our
examples and guides.
Regarding specific practices to celebrate this auspicious day, Rinpoche has said that we
could "Get up early in the morning, chant 'In Praise of the Twelve Deeds of the Buddha',
meditate on Buddha throughout the day and be mindful yet relaxed with family and sangha.”
Chokhor Düchen
What does it mean?
“Cho” means dharma and “khor” means turning as in turning the wheel of dharma. This day
celebrates the First Turning (first teaching) of the Wheel of Dharma. For the first seven
weeks after his enlightenment, Buddha did not teach. Then, encouraged by Indra and
Brahma, he gave his first teachings on the Four Noble Truths in the city of Sarnath. Buddha
taught that life is suffering and that suffering is unavoidable. Suffering is caused by afflicting
emotions (attachment, anger and ignorance) and the resulting karmic action these produce.
Suffering can end by eliminating these afflicting emotions; and the means to put an end to
suffering is called the Eightfold Path (right view, intention, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort,
mindfulness and concentration).
Why do we celebrate it?
This day celebrates these First Turning Teachings which laid the ground for the entire
Buddhist teachings and path.
How do we celebrate it?
The sangha is encouraged to practice together and if that is not possible to practice
individually in whatever way works for your schedule on that day. You could do the Saga
Dawa Liturgy, or if you are practicing on your own the Twelve Deeds of the Buddha would
be appropriate.
One possible practice format could include a period of open sitting followed by chants.
Some especially appropriate chants include:
• Lineage Chants
• The 12 Deeds of Buddha
• The Dharmacakrapravartana Sutra (the teaching about the Four Noble Truths)
• Verses of Eightfold Auspiciousness
• Sadhana of the 16 Elders
• The King of Aspiration Prayers
• Longevity Chants
• Dedications
Lhabab Düchen
What does it mean?
“Lha” means god and “bab” means descent. The celebration of Lhabab Düchen
commemorates Buddha's descent from the heavenly realm of Tushita back to the human
realm. The Buddha went to Tushita heaven to teach his mother, Mayadevi, who passed
away seven days after his birth and was reborn among the pure realms. To repay her
kindness, to liberate her and benefit the gods, Buddha spent three months teaching
Abhidharma in Tushita Heaven. Then as the gods bowed to him, he descended to earth to
continue teaching the dharma in the human realm.
Why do we celebrate it?
On this day we remember the Buddha who recognized the nature of his mind and gave us
the teachings on how we could do so as well. This is a day of appreciation. Just as the
Buddha appreciated his mother, let us be thankful for our parents, our path and our
teachers including the Buddha.
How do we celebrate it?
The sangha is encouraged to practice together and, if that is not possible, to practice
individually in whatever way works for your schedule. On this auspicious day karma of all
actions, either positive or negative, are multiplied ten million times – so practice and
mindfulness in every day activities is strongly advised. This is also a day to remember our
mothers and fathers who allowed us to be born so we might connect with the dharma.
One possible practice format could include a period of open sitting followed by chants.
Some especially appropriate chants include:
• Lineage Chants
• The Heart Sutra
• Guru Rinpoche Practice (one mala)
• The 12 Deeds of the Buddha
• Tara Sadhana
• Aspiration of Mahamudra
• Longevity Supplications
• Dedications of Merit
The practice of holidays at Nalandabodhi follows and is informed by tradition. Over
time, however, these holidays have been and will continue to be transformed by our
western minds and traditions. The main emphasis is on gathering together in a
relaxed way to appreciate and celebrate.
Practice liturgies have been translated and produced for the use of the Nalandabodhi
sangha. While we can invite the public to practice with us, practice materials should
remain at our Nalandabodhi centers, and electronic versions of documents should
not be sent to non-Nalandabodhi members.