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Khadro-la; Tsoknyi Rinpoche; Mingyur Rinpoche; Lama Zopa Rinpoche; the Abbot of Shechen Monastery, Yeshe Gyaltsan; the Abbot of Mindroling Monastery, Theckchok Gyaltsan; and Kopan Monastery abbot Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi offering fire pujas. These fire pujas are for all beings and the current world situation, for healing and purifying obstacles, Kopan Nunnery, Nepal, July 2020. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
More than forty fire pujas are being done in Nepal to purify and heal the coronavirus pandemic situation and its negative impact in Nepal and around the world.
Based on advice from Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme (Khadro-la), several high lamas and abbots in Nepal are participating in the fire pujas, which began earlier in the month. The fire pujas, which require extensive preparations, are being done in different locations in Kathmandu.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche during a fire puja held at Kopan Nunnery, Nepal, July 2020. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
In a message written on Chokhor Duchen (July 24), Khadro-la explains the purpose of the ritual practices as well as all the practices she has initiated. After acknowledging the supreme importance of the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, she writes:
“In these most decadent of times, the world we live in has become a frightening place. It is if we are being held between the very fangs of the lord of death himself. As such, it is correct to petition the three Rare and Sublime Ones to send forth a downpour of cooling nectar to, extinguish, pacify, and thoroughly wash away the raging fires of the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, may improper action and thought, that which serves to belittle and harm others, saber rattling, the readying of weapons, and all forms of warfare be naturally pacified. May virtue increase and be completed in a perfect and timely way and may the sun of truth never set on the plight of the Tibetan people.
“In essence, may the mistaking of appearances, the clouds of grasping at independent existence, co-emergent ignorance, which shower such suffering, be completely blown away, allowing the naturally bright sun—the natural and spontaneously present wisdom, a natural state of emptiness and awareness conjoined which is arisen in of itself and abides inherently awake and self-liberated. It is the primordial nature, the basic-space of the ground that pervades all beings—to rise without impediment in a bright and clear sky; it’s natural and brilliant knowledge and wisdom radiating outwardly as the illumination of the unmistaken mutual dependence of things.
“I considered that if the causes were correctly assembled, the ensuing result would prove meaningful.”
The tantric college monks and other monks offering prayers, while Khadro-la, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Mingyur Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the Abbot of Shechen Monastery, the Abbot of Mindroling Monastery, and Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi offer the fire pujas, Kopan Nunnery, Nepal, July 2020. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
(From left) The Abbot of Shechen Monastery, Khadro-la, Mingyur Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, the Abbot of Mindroling Monastery, and Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi in the gardens at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, July 2020. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
The core group of lamas participating in the fire pujas are Khadro-la; Tsoknyi Rinpoche; Mingyur Rinpoche; Lama Zopa Rinpoche; the Abbot of Shechen Monastery, Yeshe Gyaltsan; and the Abbot of Mindroling Monastery, Theckchok Gyaltsan. They have been joined by Osel Dorje Rinpoche, Kopan Monastery abbot Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi, and other geshes, depending on the day and location.
(From left) Khadro-la, the Abbot of Shechen Monastery, Mingyur Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, the Abbot of Mindroling Monastery, and Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi doing an incense puja at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, July 2020. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
The fire pujas are often accompanied by an incense puja, such as Padmasambhava incense puja or incense puja for the four directions. In total, seven sets of fire pujas will be completed by the six core lamas in the coming weeks.
Please enjoy this inspiring video of scenes from a fire puja at Kopan Nunnery:
https://youtu.be/HAJ6OtrY4Yo
PLease enjoy this inspiring video of scenes from an incense puja at Kopan Monastery:
https://youtu.be/gcXVLpiHJHE
Watch more from the video series Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Teachings on Thought Transformation during the Time of COVID-19 and find links to videos in translation, transcripts, MP3s, additional practice advice, and more:
https://fpmt.org/fpmt/announcements/resources-for-coronavirus-pandemic/advice-from-lama-zopa-rinpoche-for-coronavirus/
Practice advice from our teachers, Dharma study-from-home opportunities, and more can be found on the page “Resources for the Coronavirus Pandemic.”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche is the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.