Akshobhya Buddha Prayer - August 8 through 10, 2014
(The Ullambana ceremony will be performed on August 10)
Buddha Akshobhya, the 'Unshakeable One', is one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas or Five Wisdom Buddhas. The Akshobhya ritual and practice is a very powerful purification practice done for the benefit of oneself and innumerable sentient beings. We will practice the sadhana of Akshobhya Buddha with aspiration prayers to be reborn in the eastern pureland of Abhirati. There will be Tsok offering, lamp and flower offerings every evening.
Ullambana (festival of the Hungry Ghosts) is observed by Buddhists as remembrance of ancestors on 14th day of the 7th Lunar month which will fall on August 10, 2014. Merit is generated through making offerings to the Three Jewels and dedicating those offerings to our ancestors in order to liberate them from suffering. Ullambana embraces the two-fold significance of filial piety and gratitude.
At the conclusion we will perform a Special Fire puja (Jangchok puja) for the deceased, and for the well-being of all sentient beings, especially for those (both living and deceased) for whom we've made dedications and offerings. The Jangchok practice brings great blessings to the deceased and creates favourable causes and conditions for their liberation. It will guide them to be reborn in a precious human body or in the heavenly realm. This prayer also establishes peace and happiness for oneself and liberates our karmic debts.