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Dharma teachings on meditiation. This take place on 10 September 2005, over a period of 3 days.
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The Namgyalma long-life blessing puja which takes place on 5 September 2005
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The vajra masters reciting prayers during the Namgyalma water offering puja
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The booth that we set up for devotees to sponsor items for the monastery building fund.
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The thousand offering puja to the long life deity, Namgyalma on 4 September 05
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The mandala of Namgyalma glowing beatifully in the dark after the devotees offered their light sticks.
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Devotees offering their light sticks to the mandala
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The vajra masters leading the devotees during the circumbulation. The young participants who attended the puja enjoyed it as it feels like a celebration or attending a concert, especially carrying the various coloured light sticks.
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The vajra masters leading the devotees to do circumbulation round the Namgyalma's mandala. The dovotees carries offering such as incense, flowers, light-stick as they circumbulate.
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An outlook of the mandala set-up, decorated with many thangkhas and 1,000 sets of offerings
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The mandala of the long life deity, Namgyalma.
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Puja Write-up
The origin of the Namgyalma practice
At one time, the Buddha was dwelling at the Jeta Grove together with twelve hundred and fifty Bhikshus and twelve thousand Maha Bodhisattva Sangha in all. At the same time, the devas in Trayastrimsa Heaven were also having a gathering in the Good Dharma Hall.
Among them was a devaputra by the name of Susthita, who was enjoying the wonderful bliss of heavenly life. Soon after nightfall, Susthita suddenly heard a voice in space saying that he had only seven more days to live. The voice said that after his death, he would be reborn as an animal for seven successive lives and thereafter fall into the hells to undergo more sufferings. After these, he will be reborn without eyes as a human in a humble and destitute family. Greatly alarmed, he rushed over to the palace of Lord Sakra, who is the king of the devaputras to relate this incident.
After Lord Sakra enter Samadhi, he realized that these were indeed true but could not think of any ways to help Susthita. Lord Sakra felt that only the Buddha could save Susthita. Without further delay, Lord Sakra prepared various offerings and made his way to Jeta Grove, the abode of the Buddha. After relating the incident of Susthita to Him, the Buddha instantly radiates multiple rays of light, which illuminate the world in all ten directions from his usnisa. The lights returned, circumambulating the Buddha three times before entering His mouth. Lord Buddha then explained the merits of the Dharani as well as proclaiming it. After entrusting the Dharani to Lord Sakra, Buddha instructed him to transmit the practice to Susthita and to return to see him together with Susthita after seven days.
After seven days, Lord Sakra brought Susthita, together with other heavenly beings, respectfully bearing various offerings and offered to the Buddha. The Buddha blessed Susthita, to whom He not only preach the Dharma but also bestowed a prediction of Susthita’s attainment to Bodhi. Finally the Buddha said that this Sutra should be known as the “ Purifying All Evil Paths Usnisa Vijaya Dharani”. He also said that all should diligently uphold it. On hearing this Dharma, the entire assembly was extremely happy. They faithfully accepted and respectfully practice it.
The merits of Usnisa Vijaya Dharani
It purifies all evil paths, completely eliminating all sufferings of birth and death.
It liberates all miseries and sufferings of beings in hell, King Yama and animal, destroy all hells and transfer sentient beings onto the virtuous path.
If one hears this Dharani once, all the bad karma incurred from his previous lives will be destroyed altogether. He will acquire a fine and pure body. Wherever he is born, he will clearly remember the Dharani
If someone at death’s door recalls this Dharani, even for just a moment, his lifespan will be lengthen and will acquire the purification of body, speech and mind. Without suffering any physical pain, he will enjoy tranquility, received blessings from all the Tathagatas and will constantly be protected by devas and Bodhisattvas. He will be respected and honored by people and all evil hindrances will be eradicated.
If anyone can faithfully read or recite this Dharani even for a short period of time, all his karmic retribution, which would lead him to suffer in hell, King Yama, hungry ghost and animal realm will be completely destroyed and eradicated without leaving any trace. He will be free to go to any pure lands and heavenly palace; and all gateways leading to the Bodhisattvas’ abode are open to him unobstructed.
Anyone who hears this Dharani even for just a moment will not undergo karmic retribution from the evil karma and severe hindrances accumulated from thousands of kalpas ago. Owing from the merits from hearing for a moment this Dharani, after death he will be reborn in the Buddha lands or in a distinguished Bramin or Ksatriya family, or in some other wealthy and reputable family.
If the Dharani is written for distribution, propagated, received and upheld, read and recited, heard and revered, this will cause all evil paths to be purified; miseries and sufferings in all hells will be completely eradicated.
If someone could write this Dharani and place it on a tall banner, high mountains, tall buildings or in stupas; one who sees the Dharani, or the shadow of these structures falls onto their bodies, or particles of dust from the written Dharani blown onto their bodies, those who accumulated evil karma which cause them to fall into evil path such as realms of hell, animal, King Yama, hungry ghost, asura and others will be spared, and will not be tainted with filth and defilements. Instead, all Buddhas will bestow predictions onto them and will never regress from the path of complete enlightenment.
How to practice
Instructions given to the four heavenly kings by Lord Buddha:
On the 15th of the lunar month, one should first bathe and put on new clothes, uphold the precepts and recite this Dharani for 1000 times. This will lengthen one’s lifespan and be permanently free from the sufferings of illness; all of one’s karmic hindrances will be completely eradicated. If animals and other sentient beings heard this Dharani once, they will never again be reborn in these impure and gross body forms once their lives have ended.
Obtain part of the skeleton of the decease, and holding a fistful of soil, chant this Dharani 21 times before scattering the soil over the bones. This will cause even those who commit severe evil deeds who ought to take rebirth in realms of hell, animals, King Yama, hungry ghost, or even in the Avici Hells to be reborn in the deva’s realm.
Chanting the Dharani 21 times daily. This will cause one to be worthy of accepting all the immense world offerings and will be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land after death. All Tathagatas will always give discourses of the wonderful Dharma and will receive predictions of one’s own enlightenment.
At one time, the Buddha was dwelling at the Jeta Grove together with twelve hundred and fifty Bhikshus and twelve thousand Maha Bodhisattva Sangha in all. At the same time, the devas in Trayastrimsa Heaven were also having a gathering in the Good Dharma Hall.
Among them was a devaputra by the name of Susthita, who was enjoying the wonderful bliss of heavenly life. Soon after nightfall, Susthita suddenly heard a voice in space saying that he had only seven more days to live. The voice said that after his death, he would be reborn as an animal for seven successive lives and thereafter fall into the hells to undergo more sufferings. After these, he will be reborn without eyes as a human in a humble and destitute family. Greatly alarmed, he rushed over to the palace of Lord Sakra, who is the king of the devaputras to relate this incident.
After Lord Sakra enter Samadhi, he realized that these were indeed true but could not think of any ways to help Susthita. Lord Sakra felt that only the Buddha could save Susthita. Without further delay, Lord Sakra prepared various offerings and made his way to Jeta Grove, the abode of the Buddha. After relating the incident of Susthita to Him, the Buddha instantly radiates multiple rays of light, which illuminate the world in all ten directions from his usnisa. The lights returned, circumambulating the Buddha three times before entering His mouth. Lord Buddha then explained the merits of the Dharani as well as proclaiming it. After entrusting the Dharani to Lord Sakra, Buddha instructed him to transmit the practice to Susthita and to return to see him together with Susthita after seven days.
After seven days, Lord Sakra brought Susthita, together with other heavenly beings, respectfully bearing various offerings and offered to the Buddha. The Buddha blessed Susthita, to whom He not only preach the Dharma but also bestowed a prediction of Susthita’s attainment to Bodhi. Finally the Buddha said that this Sutra should be known as the “ Purifying All Evil Paths Usnisa Vijaya Dharani”. He also said that all should diligently uphold it. On hearing this Dharma, the entire assembly was extremely happy. They faithfully accepted and respectfully practice it.
The merits of Usnisa Vijaya Dharani
It purifies all evil paths, completely eliminating all sufferings of birth and death.
It liberates all miseries and sufferings of beings in hell, King Yama and animal, destroy all hells and transfer sentient beings onto the virtuous path.
If one hears this Dharani once, all the bad karma incurred from his previous lives will be destroyed altogether. He will acquire a fine and pure body. Wherever he is born, he will clearly remember the Dharani
If someone at death’s door recalls this Dharani, even for just a moment, his lifespan will be lengthen and will acquire the purification of body, speech and mind. Without suffering any physical pain, he will enjoy tranquility, received blessings from all the Tathagatas and will constantly be protected by devas and Bodhisattvas. He will be respected and honored by people and all evil hindrances will be eradicated.
If anyone can faithfully read or recite this Dharani even for a short period of time, all his karmic retribution, which would lead him to suffer in hell, King Yama, hungry ghost and animal realm will be completely destroyed and eradicated without leaving any trace. He will be free to go to any pure lands and heavenly palace; and all gateways leading to the Bodhisattvas’ abode are open to him unobstructed.
Anyone who hears this Dharani even for just a moment will not undergo karmic retribution from the evil karma and severe hindrances accumulated from thousands of kalpas ago. Owing from the merits from hearing for a moment this Dharani, after death he will be reborn in the Buddha lands or in a distinguished Bramin or Ksatriya family, or in some other wealthy and reputable family.
If the Dharani is written for distribution, propagated, received and upheld, read and recited, heard and revered, this will cause all evil paths to be purified; miseries and sufferings in all hells will be completely eradicated.
If someone could write this Dharani and place it on a tall banner, high mountains, tall buildings or in stupas; one who sees the Dharani, or the shadow of these structures falls onto their bodies, or particles of dust from the written Dharani blown onto their bodies, those who accumulated evil karma which cause them to fall into evil path such as realms of hell, animal, King Yama, hungry ghost, asura and others will be spared, and will not be tainted with filth and defilements. Instead, all Buddhas will bestow predictions onto them and will never regress from the path of complete enlightenment.
How to practice
Instructions given to the four heavenly kings by Lord Buddha:
On the 15th of the lunar month, one should first bathe and put on new clothes, uphold the precepts and recite this Dharani for 1000 times. This will lengthen one’s lifespan and be permanently free from the sufferings of illness; all of one’s karmic hindrances will be completely eradicated. If animals and other sentient beings heard this Dharani once, they will never again be reborn in these impure and gross body forms once their lives have ended.
Obtain part of the skeleton of the decease, and holding a fistful of soil, chant this Dharani 21 times before scattering the soil over the bones. This will cause even those who commit severe evil deeds who ought to take rebirth in realms of hell, animals, King Yama, hungry ghost, or even in the Avici Hells to be reborn in the deva’s realm.
Chanting the Dharani 21 times daily. This will cause one to be worthy of accepting all the immense world offerings and will be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land after death. All Tathagatas will always give discourses of the wonderful Dharma and will receive predictions of one’s own enlightenment.
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Program
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3 September 05 Saturday
3.00pm to 5.00pm, Namgyalma 1000 Offering (part 1)
7.30pm to 10.30pm, Namgyalma Initiation
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4 September 05 Sunday
3.00pm to 5.00pm, Namgyalma Chang Chod Puja
7.30pm to 10.30pm, Namgyalma 1000 Offering (part 2)
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5 September 05 Monday
3.00pm to 5.00pm, Namgyalma Water Offering
7.30pm to 10.30pm, Namgyalma Longevity Blessing Puja
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10 September 05 Saturday
7.30pm to 10.30pm, Dharma Teachings On Meditation (part 1)
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11 September 05 Sunday
7.30pm to 10.30pm, Dharma Teachings On Meditation (part 2)
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12 September 05 Monday
7.30pm to 10.30pm, Dharma Teachings On Meditation (part 3)
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