June 25, 2011, The Grand 794th Anniversary Memorial Puja of Drikung Kagyu Lord Jigten Sumgön
On June 6, 2010, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang appointed the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, guided by his disciple His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, to coordinate The 793rd Anniversary Lord Jigten Sumgon Memorial Grand Puja. Fourteen thousand attendees participated in this puja, which was held at the Taipei Arena in Taiwan and presided over in person by His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang. In hopes to continue the tradition and uphold the Lineage, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche paid homage to His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang in New Zealand earlier this year, and pleaded for holding successive grand memorial pujas.
On June 25, 2011, being granted permission by His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche held and presided over The 794th Anniversary Lord Jigten Sumgon Memorial Grand Puja with 3,200 participants at the Taipei International Convention Center in Xinyi District, Taipei. The puja was perfectly completed. Upon perfect completion of the puja, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche donated all the offerings from attendees, more than 2.16 million NTD, to the Ministry of the Interior for charitable social services and disaster relief funds, under the witness of representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, bank representatives, and a lawyer.
Drikung Kagyu flags fly at the Taipei International Convention Center.
On June 25, 2011, being granted permission by His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche holds and presides over The 794th Anniversary Lord Jigten Sumgon Memorial Grand Puja with 3,200 participants at the Taipei International Convention Center in Xinyi District, Taipei.
The officers in the Ministry of the Interior highly praise Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for presiding over the pujas for the past years, without seeking fame or fortune, to help Taiwan and its people. Minister Jiang specially presents the scroll "Bestows Virtues to all People" to recognize Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for the good deed of propagating orthodox Buddhism.
Minister Luo of the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission presents a banner to express his wishes for a perfectly performed puja.
Early on the morning of the puja, the typhoon approaches Taipei. It's still raining heavily at 4 A.M. When the believers start to enter the venue after 6 A.M., there is only light rain, and during the Grand Puja, the typhoon changes direction.
The believers, despite frailty and limited mobility and undeterred by the rain, still insist on participating in the auspicious Grand Puja.
The believers, despite frailty and limited mobility and undeterred by the rain, still insist on participating in the auspicious Grand Puja.
The display of flags hanging in the lobby of the Taipei International Convention Center is very splendid.
An ordained practitioner participates in the puja, and signs in at the service counter.
The believers who participate in the puja enter in an orderly endless stream.
The auspicious Dharma photo of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche is hung high on the wall to overlook the believers who enter the venue one by one.
The decorations make attendees feel the auspiciousness of the puja before entering the venue.
Upon arriving at the venue, all believers draw tickets to be selected by lottery as representatives to light lamps that will be offered to the Buddhas and for the mandala offering.
Upon arriving at the venue, all believers draw tickets to be selected by lottery as representatives to light lamps that will be offered to the Buddhas and for the mandala offering.
At the Dharma throne of Kyabgon, the Dharma photos of H. H. 36th Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang and H. H. 37th Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang are reverently placed.
The mandala of the Grand Puja is solemn and splendid.
The thangka of taking refuge scene of the Drikung Kagyu is hung high at the center of the mandala. It refers to the pure transmission of the Lineage and its long history.
The huge Deity Torma is very hard to make. It can only be completed under auspicious blessings bestowed by Most His Eminence Vajra Guru Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
Prior to the puja, a video of precious dharma talk by His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang is played on the projection screens.
The volunteer explains to the representatives, who drew tickets to be selected by lottery, about the ritual and process of offering a mandala.
The believers read the handout for the memorial puja to gain a more profound understanding of transmission of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage and trace Most His Eminence Vajra Guru Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s propagating of the Dharma.
A volunteer shares the nectar water, which is bestowed by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for the attendees to drink in order to purify their body, speech, and mind.
On the floor lays a white carpet printed with the eight auspicious symbols and covered with flower petals to welcome His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
The disciples hold the prayer flags to greet His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to ascend the throne.
The prayer flags, eight offering girls, musical instruments, and an incense burner, as well as a jeweled parasol, greet and escort His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to the throne.
The prayer flags, eight offering girls, musical instruments, and an incense burner, as well as a jeweled parasol, greet and escort His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to the throne.
All attendees gravely rise up and put their palms together to greet His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to ascend the throne.
All attendees gravely rise up and put their palms together to greet His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to ascend the throne.
All attendees gravely rise up and put their palms together to greet His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to ascend the throne.
All attendees gravely rise up and put their palms together to greet His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to ascend the throne.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche offers to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas with incense.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche does prostrations to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche offers the Khadak to the Dharma throne of Kyabgon, and pays tribute by touching Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s forehead to it.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche offers the Khadak to all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas at the mandala.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche lights lamps to offer to the Buddhas.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche lights lamps to offer to the Buddhas. Khenpo Namdol, nearby, lights lamps to offer to the Buddhas.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche ascends the throne to preside over the Dharma.
Attendees put their palms together to pay tribute to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
Attendees put their palms together and do prostrations to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
The leading chant master leads attendees to recite the Dharma text.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche delivers auspicious Buddha Dharma to the attendees.
The volunteers guide the representatives, who drew lottery tickets to be selected, in lighting lamps, one by one, in front of the mandala as an offering to the Buddhas.
It is a very rare cause and condition for one to be able to light lamps to offer to the Buddhas at the Grand Puja. Each representative, who drew a ticket to be selected by lottery, reverently lights a lamp to offer to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
It is a very rare cause and condition for one to be able to light lamps to offer to the Buddhas at the Grand Puja. Each representative, who drew a ticket to be selected by lottery, reverently lights a lamp to offer to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
It is a very rare cause and condition for one to be able to light lamps to offer to the Buddhas at the Grand Puja. Each representative, who drew a ticket to be selected by lottery, reverently lights a lamp to offer to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche gives auspicious dharma talk.
On the huge projection screen, attendees can clearly see Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche's auspicious teachings.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche auspiciously presides over The 794th Anniversary Drikung Kagyu Lord Jigten Sumgon Memorial Grand Puja.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche compassionately gives dharma teachings.
Although there are many people in the venue, attendees are very focused and nobody walks around.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche compassionately gives dharma teachings.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performs the auspicious Lama Chopa.
The believers reverently put their palms together and intently participate in the puja.
The believers reverently put their palms together and intently participate in the puja.
Under the instruction of Most His Eminence Vajra Guru Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, believers with disabilities are able to participate in the auspicious Grand Puja.
In accordance with Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche's teaching, all believers sit upright and reverently participate in the puja.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performs the auspicious Lama Chopa.
Thee ordained attendees intently recite the Dharma text.
The content of the Dharma text is projected on the huge screen so the participants can follow Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s recitation.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performs the auspicious Lama Chopa.
Khenpo Namdol leads ordained practitioners and representatives, who drew tickets to be selected by lottery, to offer the mandala to Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
The mandala ritual is to offer the most precious jewel in the universe to the guru, Buddhas, and Bodhisattvas in order for all beings to accumulate the virtues of learning Buddhism.
The mandala ritual is to offer the most precious jewel in the universe to the guru, Buddhas, and Bodhisattvas in order for all beings to accumulate the virtues of learning Buddhism.
Eight offering girls offer the Eight Auspicious Symbols to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
Many offering objects are set out on the platform of Eight Offerings.
During the ritual of performing Dharma, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche sprinkles rice and flower petals into the void.
Whether disciples or ordinary believers, they all cherish the rare causes and conditions to participate in the Grand Puja.
Under Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s guidance, participants attentively recite the Dharma text and bask in the merit ocean of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Under Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s guidance, participants attentively recite the Dharma text and bask in the merit ocean of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performs the auspicious Lama Chopa.
Food offerings are cleansed with nectar water in order to be offered to the Buddhas.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performs the auspicious Lama Chopa.
Under Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s guidance, participants attentively recite the Dharma text and bask in the merit ocean of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Eight offering girls sing an offering song of a Dakini, and make an offering to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas with pure singing.
Eight offering girls sing an offering song of a Dakini, and make an offering to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas with pure singing.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche receives the nectar of long life.
The tea offering.
Butter tea is offered to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Butter tea is offered to the throne of His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang.
Butter tea is offered to the revered His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
Eight-treasure rice is offered to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Eight-treasure rice is offered to the throne of His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang.
Eight-treasure rice is offered to the revered His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
Staff members deliver offering food for the Buddhas to all participants of the puja.
Staff members deliver offering food for the Buddhas to all participants of the puja.
Participants share food with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas during the Grand Puja. It is very rare to have this kind of opportunity from accumulated lives.
Ordained practitioners receive the precious nectar of long life.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche possesses great compassion and Bodhicitta.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche steps down from the Dharma throne to conduct the ritual of the lamp offering.
As soon as Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche stands up to descend the dharma throne, all attendees also stand up in reverence.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performs the auspicious lamp offering ritual.
Under Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s guidance, all participants reverently participate the lamp offering ritual.
Khenpo Namdol lights the lamp to offer the Buddhas.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche personally places the lamp on the mandala.
Under the great influential power of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, the venue is solemn and silent.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche explains the true meaning of Buddhist teachings in a simple way.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performs the ritual of residual offering.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performs the ritual of residual offering.
While performing the ritual, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche wears the Gampopa Hat--inlaid with a gold sacred vase and auspicious clouds--which was bestowed on him by His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche sprinkles rice and flower petals to the void. All sentient beings in the void obtain the benefit.
Khenpo Namdol specially flew all the way to Taiwan from Yunnan to help in the perfect completion of the puja.
Reciting the Dedication Prayer.
The participants recite the Dedication Prayer.
After dedication, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche leads all participants in reciting the Six-Syllable Mani Mantra.
The participants recite the Six-Syllable Mani Mantra along with Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
At completion of the puja, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche steps down from the Dharma throne. Preceded by the prayer flags, musical instruments, and an incense burner, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche departs the venue under the jeweled parasol.
The attendees all stand up and applaud to see Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche off. They continuously applaud to thank Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. The scene is lively and moving.
As Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche departs, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche constantly brings palms together in response to the all attendees, who stand up and repeatedly applaud to thank Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
As Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche departs, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche constantly brings palms together in response to the all attendees, who stand up and repeatedly applaud to thank Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
The attendees all stand up and applaud to see Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche off. They continuously applaud to thank Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. The scene is lively and moving.
The attendees all stand up and applaud to see Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche off. They continuously applaud to thank Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. The scene is lively and moving.
Attendees joyfully make offerings to Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche donates all the offerings from attendees to the Ministry of the Interior for charitable social services and disaster relief funds. It helps attendees to accumulate more virtues.
A representative for lighting the lamps receives an unfinished lamp to keep lighting after going home.
The attendees leave, basking in Dharma joy.
The attendees leave, basking in Dharma joy.
Updated on July 19, 2011