September 13-15, 2012 Special Fire Puja and Amitabha prayers for Liberating the Deceased and Benefitting Beings
Ullambana Ceremony (Festival of the Hungry Ghosts)
Ullambana is celebrated by Buddhists in Taiwan, Malaysia, China, Korea, Japan, Singapore and other countries. This practice is more popular in the Mahayana tradition.
Ullambana observed on 15th day of the 7th Lunar month. We will be performing Amitabha sadhana on September 13th to 15th, 2012. Merit is generated through making offerings to the Three Jewels and dedicating those offerings to our ancestors in order to liberate them from suffering. Hence Ullambana embraces a two-fold significance of filial piety and gratitude.
Ullambana ceremony is based on the meaning of the Ullambanapatra Sutra. According to the Sutra, Arahant Maudgalyayana, who had great powers of clairvoyance, saw his late mother suffering tremendously in the realm of hungry ghosts. Maudgalyaya was unable to save his mother with his supernatural powers. Hence, he approached the Buddha for advice.
The Buddha said the 15th day of the 7th Lunar month is the day of "Sankasya" in which the Sangha members would reflect on their own actions and repent, thereby purifying unwholesome karma. On this day, the Buddhist disciple should make offerings to the Three Jewels on behalf of their parents and ancestors and dedicate the merit generated by them. Our parents and our ancestors will be released from suffering as hungry ghosts.
Our Tulku, Lama, Khenpo and monks will host Amitabha prayers for this auspicious Ullambana Ceremony. We will practice the sadhana of Amitabha Buddha, Mantra recitation, and aspiration prayers to be reborn in the pure land as well as make offerings (tsok). There will Tsok offering, lamp offerings, flowers, etc. every evening. Your offerings are welcome.
At the conclusion we will perform a Special Fire puja (Jangchok practice) for the deceased, and for the well-being of all sentient beings, especially for those whom we've made dedications for, both living and deceased. The practice 'Jangchok' is included within the chanting of the Amitabha sadhana. Jangchok is conducted for the benefit of the recently deceased or for those who may have passed a long time ago. The Jangchok practice brings great blessings to the deceased and creates favourable causes and conditions for their liberation. This prayer establishes peace and happiness for us and our karmic debt will be liberated through this practice. For the deceased, this prayer will guide them to be reborn in a precious human body or to be reborn in a heavenly realm. Please donate any amount and provide us with the names of both the living and the deceased.
Schedule:
September 13 and 14, 2012
7:00 to 8:15 pm Chanting Amitabha prayers and mantra accumulation
8:15 to 9:00 pm Tsok offering and dedication of prayers
September 15, 2012
7:00 to 8:15 pm Chanting Amitabha prayers and mantra accumulation
8:30 to 9:00 pm Special Fire offering ceremony (Jangchok) for the living and the deceased
Note: Participants may bring a food items for tsok (no meat, eggs), flower, and fruits.
Schedules may be subject to change without any further notice.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 778-297-6010