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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.