GREAT PRAYER FESTIVAL 2024

Trashi Ganden Choepel Ling and Padma Ati Buddhist Institute are jointly organising the 100,000 ganachakra offerings ceremony as part of the Padmasambhava for Peace Project. 

Padmasambhava, whose name means Lotus-Born, is also popularly known by the Tibetan title Guru Rinpoche, meaning precious master. Guru Rinpoche is a mystical, mythical figure, who has outer, inner, and secret aspects. The historical figure of Padmasambhava was a renowned 8th century tantric master from the land of Oḍḍiyāna who was instrumental in the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet and wider Himalayan region. It is only through the blessings and power of Guru Rinpoche that Buddha's teachings were able to take root in Tibet and survive to the present day. Beyond the historical figure, Guru Rinpoche is a personification of the inner guru principle, representing our mind's most fundamental nature and our potential to become a fully enlightened Buddha.

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All enlightened beings possess great compassion and therefore respond to anyone who sincerely brings them to mind. However, in order to meet the diverse needs of sentient beings they take on different forms or aspects. Due to the particular aspirations, prophecies, and vows made by Padmasambhava, his enlightened activities are especially powerful and responsive to the challenges confronting our world at this time. Furthermore, the ganachakra offering is a very profound method for quickly purifying negativities and gathering vast stores of merit and wisdom. On the advice of our spiritual advisors Kathok Rigdzin Chenpo Rinpoche and Za Choeje Rinpoche, we will collectively accumulate 100,000 ganachakra offerings according to the Rigdzin Dungdrub practice cycle.

A single bristle cannot clean anything, but when a bunch of bristles are gathered into a broom, it becomes an effective tool. Therefore, many eminent Buddhist masters are currently urging people to engage in Guru Rinpoche practices harmoniously for the benefit of the world and all sentient beings.