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PRAYER & PUJA SERVICES
As a distinctive traditional Buddhist Monastery, the entire curriculum
are based and followed as per the traditional monastic practice & customs. Besides
the main academic curriculum - Buddhist Philosophical studies, Prayers, Pujas / Ritual Ceremonies form
one the main monastic activities. And Sera Jey Monastery has a unique,
centuries old traditional curriculum of Prayers, Pujas & Ritual ceremonies, which is followed regularly.
Prayers,
Pujas & Ritual ceremonies are also conducted at the monastery on behalf of devotees - individuals & organizations, upon request.
The members also individually provide prayer, puja & ritual services at devotee's residences, as it is in the practice of Tibetan culture where monthly or yearly pujas are conducted regularly.
The monastery has been consistent with its spiritual services not only at Bylakuppe, but has for the past several years been successfully extending Prayer / Pujas (Rituals) to distant located Tibetan communities within India & Nepal where there are no monasteries / sangas to avail spiritual services.
The Monastery also performs special Prayer & Puja services on behalf of The Department of Religion & Culture and The Private Office Of His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
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Major prayers,
pujas / rituals ceremonies observed annually at Sera Jey |
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LORSA Tibetan New Year
The first day of first month in the Tibetan Calendar year is celebrated as New Year called Lorsa in Tibetan.
As per the tradtion, a special ceremony is held in the Prayer Assembly Hall before dawn as early as 3 am to 4.30 am in the morning. This will be later followed by a joint assembly prayer with monks of Sera Mey Monastery at Sera Lachi Assembly Hall at 5.00 am.
The management of the Monastery offer greetings of Khata (White Scarves) & shetos (Tibetan cookies, Sweets & Fruits) to The Abbot, Ex-Abbots, Disciplinarian, Chant Master & Tulku Lamas. |
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CHOTRUL DUsCHEN
On the 15th Day of the 1st Tibetan Calendar Month, the First Full Moon Day, marks the final day from the first day of Lord Buddha special dedication performed for the benefit of all his future devotees.
This 15th & Full Moon day is considered an auspicious day to dedicate prayers & make offerings. On this day, very large no of devotees visit to receive blessings and make offerings at the Monastery.
At sunset, the specially huge & grandly sculptured Torma - called The 15th day Ritual Sculpture, crafted from flour & butter, that has been ritualised, is brought out to perform the final ceremonial part. And during the event, special cultural and folk dances are also displayed (organised by the Monastery). Devotees make prostrations and offer prayers and make fulfilling wishes for the removal of unfavourable obstacles before this ritualised Torma (butter sculptur). |
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Saka Dawa
The fourth month of Tibetan Calendar month is referred as Saka Dawa - in reverence to Buddha's Birth, Englightenment & Parinirvana; and considered a very sacred montth. The monastery conducts assembly prayers and it is during this sacred month when there is dedication assembly prayer almost everyday conducted on behalf of devotees.
The monastery makes special arrangements on the Full Moon day of this fourth month, to receive hundreds & thousands of devotees who visit to dedicate prayers & make offerings. |
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DRUKPA TSE-SHI
Lord Buddha's first Teaching that was granted at Sarnath near the historical Indian city of Varanasi, after attaining englightenment, also referred as The First Turning of The Dharma Wheel is reveredly celebrated on the Fourth Day of sixth Tibetan Calendar Month. |
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RIGS CHUNG TSOG-BLANG
It is a small ceremonial Debate Examination held annually for pupils reaching the primary stage of Prajna Paramita (shung)
A total no of 16 top selected pupils will participate in this Debate Examination.
It is held from the 25 th day of 6 th month of Tibetan Calendar.
The debates are ceremoniously held in the Assembly Hall, and contending pupils make individual arrangements to offer a feast to member monks at the assembly. |
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RIGS CHEN TSOG-BLANG
It is a ceremonial Debate Examination held annually for pupils of Karam stage (the last stage in monastic academic hierarchy or the pool from where pupils nomination for respective Geshe award and Lharam course will be determined by the Abbot based on individual merit records.
A total no of 2 leading pupils will participate in this Debate Examination.
It is held on the 1 st & 2 nd of the 7 th month of Tibetan Calendar.
The debates are ceremoniously held in the Assembly Hall, and contending pupils make individual arrangements to offer a feast to member monks at the assembly. |
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YIDAM BSNYEN TSAM (Haya-griva Retreat )
This retreat is observed with great importance by all member monks for a period of 12 days commencing from the 15th day of 7th Tibetan Calendar Month every year.
The Retreat is conducted at the Prayer Assembly Hall.
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DBYANGS GDRUB (Prosperity Puja)
Dbyangs Gdrub, a traditonal Tibetan Buddhist ritual that promotes prosperity & harmony, is an annual ritual program of the monastery.
This ritual ceremony is a three day event performed by over 30 senior monks. Prior to the ceremony Tormas (Flour sculptured images) are prepared by monks specialized on such ritual crafts.
The program culminates on the final third day with a procession of prayer chants & ritual instruments at play by all participating monks at the ritual, who circumbulate the Prayer Assembly Hall and makes a final destination stop at the community Kitchen to deposit a Phumba (Wealth / Prosperity vase)
The ritual ceremony is generally performed in the nineth Tibetan Calendar Month, and will vary depending on circumstances.
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dJue-dGu CHOS-PA (Nineteenth Offering)
It is a special assembly prayer ceremony held on the 19 th day of 11 th Tibetan Calendar Month in dedication to Jetsun Choekyi Gyaltsen's anniversary - the author of Philosophical texts which are followed in monastery's course curriculum. |
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bSANG-CHOS MONLAM CHENMO
This is a week long special assembly prayer ceremony in marathon session, held after a one week of the JCHU-DGU CHOS-PA (Nineteenth Offering) in veneration to Jetsun Choekyi Gyaltsen, and begins from the 25 th day of 11 th Tibetan Calendar Month.
The prayer assembly commences as early as 2.30 am and run up to late in the evening with short breaks at regular intervals. |
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SHEM-CHOE
24th day of the 10th Tibetan Calendar Month is observed with special assembly prayer to mark the anniversary of Jamchen Choje Shakya Yeshe - the master & Founder of Sera Monastery.
Butter Lamp offerings & extra special lighting over the prayer assembly Hall during the evening & night are some of the significance.
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Ganden nGAM-CHOS
25th day of 10th Tibetan Calendar Month - the annieversary of Jetsun Lama Tsong Khapa, is observed with special assembly prayer.
Butter Lamp offerings & extra special lighting over the prayer assembly Hall during the evening & night are some of the significance. Monks visiit the Prayer Assembly Hall in the evening to offer prayers & scarves to the image of Lama Tsong Khapa.
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TAMDIN PHURJEL (Ritual Dagger Blessing Ceremony)
Going by the monastery's age old tradition, every 27 th day of the 12 th Tibetan Calendar Month is marked for TAMDIN PHURJEL - Tamdin Ritual Dagger Blessing Ceremony). Where the Phurba - the Ritual Dagger, is taken out only during this day of a year to bless sentient beings.
The ceremony involves some traditional & unique customs performed by the custodian monk in the morning, and later proceeded in special procession to the Abbot's throne. From where the Abbot conducts & offer prayers before commencing the blessing ceremony - by placing the Tamdin Phurba (Ritual Dagger) on each devotee's head.
The blessing ceremony generally will go through well past noon, with devotees in long ques patiently wait to receive the blessing.
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dGu-THOR
dGu-Thor is a traditional Tibetan Buddhist Culture performed at the year-end with a strong belief to remove all ills & adversities for the coming new year. It is characterised by performing specific puja & ritual ceremonies for the last three days of the year, and a specially constructed flour & butter sculptor - Guthor Torma is ultimately incinerated on conclusion of the rituals on the 29th Day of the last 12 th Tibetan Calendar Month, marking the destruction of all ills and adversities for the coming new year.
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LORSA
On the first day of the Tibetan Calendar, celebrated
as the Lorsa or Tibetan New Year, a special ceremony
takes place in the Assembly as early as 3 am to 4.30
am in the morning. Followed by a joint assembly prayer
at Sera Lachi at 5 am. On this first New Year Day, there
Is the practice of greeting the Abbot, Disciplinarian,
Assembly Prayer Leader and the Tulku Lamas by the Administering
Body of the Monastery, with Lorsa Khapses, sweets &
fruits. |
MONLAM
CHENMO
Monlam Chenmo is the ceremonial commemoration of the
vanquishing of evil & demon by Lord Buddha's mortal
departure, and in this occasion a special Assembly of
both Sera Jey & Sera Mey Monastery is convened at
Sera Lachi. On this occasion Lharam Geshe of the two
Monastery's debate & coronation takes place. |
DUKPA
TSECHE
4th day of the 6 month, to venerate Buddha's Teaching
to the world. |
SHEMCHOE
24th day of the 10th month to venerate the mortal departure
of Jamchen Choje Shakya Yeshe the master & Founder
of Sera Monastery. |
NGAMCHOE
25th day of the 10th month to venerate the mortal departure
of Lama Tsong Khapa - The master and founder of the Gelug
Order.
During these two sacred veneration days, special assembly
sessions are held, with the lighting of butter lamps inside
and around the Monastery. |
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CHOEPA
19th day of the 11th month in veneration on the mortal
departure of Jetsun Choege Gyaltsen (the author &
master of course syllabus of the Monastery) |
SANCHOE
CHENMO
One week veneration, after the 1st week of Jetsun Choege
Gyaltsen's mortal departure, from 25th day off 11th
month to 1st of 12th month. During this occasion, special
marathon prayer assembly are held starting as early
as 2.30 am and lasting upto 9 pm in three sessions.
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TAMDIN
PHURJEL
On the 27th day of the 12th month, the sacred relic
Tamdin Phurba (Dagger of exorcism) is taken out once
in a year for blessing monks and lay public. |
GUTHOR
Guthor Puja on 27th, 28th and 29th day of the 12 month,
and concluded by the Thorkya (Fire Puja) on the final
day. This is Ritual is performed to pave for a healthy
& prosperous coming New Year, by eviction of evil,
misfortune & diseases. |
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ANNUAL SPECIAL CEREMONIAL EVENTS |
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The Monastery has well
marked monastic cultural ceremonial events in the calendar
of the Monastery. During these events, devotees attend in
great no to receive blessings of the auspicious occasion and
make prayers and offerings. |
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| Choenga Choepa
Day |
The 15th Day of the
1st month, the First Full Moon Day, and considered an
auspicious day to visit and receive blessings in Monastery
and make offerings. On this day, very large no of devotees
visit to receive blessings and make offerings at the
Monastery.
At sunset, the specially huge &
grandly sculptured Torma, crafted from flour & butter,
that has been ritualised, is brought out to perform
the final ceremonial part. And in the event, special
cultural and folk dances are also displayed (organised
by the Monastery). Devotees make prostrations and offer
prayers and make fulfilling wishes for the removal of
unfavourable obstacles before this ritualised Guthor
(butter sculptur). |
Saka
Dawa |
The 4th month of the year, in which
Buddha descended into mortal form; gained enlightenment;
and in which he left his mortal form. Tibetan Buddhism
consider this one of the most auspicious month of the
year. During this month, prayers and offerings are made
to the maximum, and devotees refrain from consuming
meat or alcohol. On the 15th Day, the Full Moon Day,
devotees throng monasteries to make prayers and offerings. |
Tandin Phurjel |
On the Buddha Procession Festival,
the 27th Day of the 12th month, the sacred relic of
Tandin Phurba (Dagger of exorcism) is brought out from
its year long seclusion, to make available its infinite
blessings for mankind. Before the fall of this auspicious
day, the Abbot takes a weeklong meditation retreat in
dedication to this relic. And on the particular day,
a series of ritual is undertaken and then draped in
holy yellow cloth and is made ready for proffering its
blessings.
The Abbot holds this sacred relic in his hand, and places
it on the head of each member, starting from the most
seniors, and later to lay devotees. Who throng in thousands
to receive this most sacred blessing, which is a traditional
practice of many generations. |
Guthor |
The Guthor Torkya is an annual
event, at the year-end that is performed to remove all
ills & adversities for the coming new year. It is
characterised by performing specific puja & ritual
ceremonies for the last three days of the year, and
a specially constructed flour & butter sculptor
- Guthor Torma is ultimately incinerated on conclusion
of the rituals, marking the destruction of all ills
and adversities for the coming new year. |
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ACTIVITIES |
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Besides the main Monastic
curriculum, there are quite no of other activities as part
of the Monastery's cultural obligations, from dissemination
of the Buddha Dharma to welfare of the Monastery.
One such activity is the deputing of our qualified Geshe,
for teaching at Buddhist Institutes in different parts of
world, at their invitational request.
The Monastery also conducts program tours, consisting of groups
small and large, with different programs, to parts of Europe,
America, and elsewhere depending upon the support and capacity
of the Inviting organization or individual. This has substantial
dual benefit to the Monastery, first and foremost as the obligation
in service of the Buddha Dharma and secondly for providing
the privilege of a much-needed Fund Raising opportunity for
the general administration and management and for particular
projects. |
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Puja & Ritual events |
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| Copyright
© reserved for SERA JEY MONASSTERY |
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