The Annual Red Avalokitasvara Puja was held between 15 June to 24th June in the Main Assembly Hall of the Thrangu Monastery.

         During the Puja, Lama read the Red Avalokitasvara rituals in front of the Mandala continuously for 24 hours a day during the 10-day period, how supreme!

        Despite reading rituals, the participants took part in life release (yak), performed lama dance, large scale smoke offering and also the empowerment ceremony.

The supreme Red Avalokitasvara Mandala

Our venerable Lodroe Nyima Rinpoche loaded the supreme Red Avalokitasvara pills into the container, sealed and placed it in front of the Mandala. The pills were blessed by a ten-day non-stop scripture reading by lamas.

Lamas had been reading scriptures for ten consecutive days.

Lamas offered water in front of the Mandala for the weak and lost lives (such as deceased infants) and to pray and bless for them.

Everyday lamas offered candle lights to the casualties of the natural disasters and accidents (like casualties in the Malaysian Airline incident) and pray for the death because of sickness.

 

        Despite reading scriptures every day, they also offered water and candle lights.

        On the seventh day of the Puja, we were glad to see lots of yaks contributed to the life release. Every year during the Avalokitasvara Puja, Vajra macramé were tied on the head of the holy cow and their bodies were painted with red. After the scripture reading and blessing, they would be free from being slaughtered and died naturally.

Rinpoche tied the Vajra macramé on the sacred cow

 The sacred cows were blessed by Rinpoche

        Life release aims to eliminate the mental anxiety and fear when these lives were slaughtered. The Buddha said that all initiation of the Bodhi heart, rescue of sentient beings, especially not seeking anything in return, the merits are limitless, and its retribution is supreme.

        Rinpoche inspired us: Normally, if we can take good care all kinds of life, especially the promise of not to kill lions, tigers, human and other large animals and not to slay pigs, cattle, sheep, fishes and other animals, do not hurt the insects around us like rats, flies, mosquitoes, ants and lice. The act of abortion is particularly unacceptable. If these rules are followed, their retribution can make our parents, children healthy and longevity.

 Our venerable Rinpoche was reading scriptures for the souls of the death.

        The Red Avalokitasvara puja would continue until the ninth day (i.e. April 18 of the Tibetan calendar, the Goddess of Avalokitasvara’s birthday) for the salvation of the deceased through outdoor smoke offerings.

        Regardless of the bardo, or hungry ghosts beings, generation after generation karmic creditors, through smoke offerings these spirits are temporarily exempted from pain and hunger. At the same time, their loving heart arises and they no longer hurt other beings.Smoke offerings can be applied not only to benefit Six Realms of Existence, spirits and other beings, but also to quell obstacles and evil, away from diseases and to quench nightmares. So, in essence, it is a method that ordinary people cannot see.

Lamas were preparing the venue for the smoke offering

The fried noodles used for smoke offering

Lamas were preparing the five-color fabric for the smoke offering

In the afternoon, Rinpoche offered empowerment to the worshippers

Then, Lama ZhiMing summarized the costs of the puja and express gratitude to the Mainland believers for their support.

 

        At last, our venerable Rinpoche lighted up candles and dedicated this ten-day merit to all sentient beings.

        He also dedicated the merits to the casualties of Yancheng City in Jiangsu Province Funing County because of hail and tornado. We wish the deceased will go to the Pure Land as soon as possible and the injured a speedy recovery.

       We wish the compassion blessing of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. May all beings be able to take this merit, eliminating karma, staying away from pain and misery, and accomplishing the supreme Road.

       We wish to dedicate the merit of the smoke offering to all sentient beings, to eliminate all karma, to raise the intelligence level, to be in good health and longevity and world peace.

       Amitabha!

        We feel thankful to the worshippers for offering vegetarian food. They purchased rice, mushrooms, seaweed, soy products, and other dry goods from the mainland.

 

        At the same time, we feel thankful to the brothers for providing transport to the food. Special thanks were given to Lama Zhi Ming for doing everyday purchase and supervising the production of food and beverage throughout the puja period!
Amitabha!

Thanks to Lama ZhiMing for inviting the chefs for cooking vegetarian food.

 During this ten-day period, rice pudding was made to support monks

 To support Vegetable

To support noodle flakes

To support yogurt

There were also fruits everyday

Share food with the believers who attend the puja

 

        The Red Avalokitasvara Puja had successfully completed. We wish you can come to join in Yushu next year.

        Amitabha!