The Grand Memorial Puja Commemorating the 795th Anniversary of Lord Jigten Sumgon of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism on June 14, 2012
Under the direct guidance of His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, for the second time, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche presided over the Grand Memorial Puja Commemorating the 795th Anniversary of Lord Jigten Sumgon of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism at Taipei International Convention Center on June 14, 2012. The day on which the Puja was held was the memorial day designated by Drikung Kagyu Lord Jigten Sumgon, which had been confirmed and approved by His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang. The fact that this Grand Memorial Puja was held on the memorial day designated by Lord Jigten Sumgon not only signifies reverence for the auspicious accomplishment of Lord Jigten Sumgon, but also represents promotion of the pure Drikung Kagyu Dharma lineage, as well as the Vajrayana disciples’ reverence for and gratitude to the gurus.
This year’s Grand Puja was held under the blessings and protection of Lord Jigten Sumgon, the patriarchs of all generations of the Drikung Kagyu Order, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, and the Dharma Protector Achi. With no media or posters used to advertise or publicize the event, the Puja still had more than 3,400 attendees. The auspicious Grand Memorial Puja had all-inclusive participation of the fourfold assembly from both Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism, including three khenpos and three lamas of the Drikung Kagyu Order, one Lama of the Gelug Order and 74 ordained practitioners of Exoteric Buddhism.
On June 14, after days of heavy rain, the sky was covered with heavy clouds until before the admission to the Grand Puja. The outline of the sun started to appear clearly out of the thick clouds, and soon after that the sky opened up and the sun started shedding shiny light through.
A ray of sunlight came through the clouds on the Dharma photo of His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche that was standing at the east gate of the venue of the Puja.
The sun lit up above the venue of the Puja, with the Drikung Kagyu flags flying at the Taipei International Convention Center.
The warm sunshine shed on the entire Taipei International Convention Center.
June 14 is the designated memorial day of Drikung Kagyu Lord Jigten Sumgon. The sun shed its light on the Dharma photos of Lord Jigten Sumgon and Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, signifying that this Grand Memorial Puja was both rare and auspicious.
The Dharma photo of Lord Jigten Sumgon and the flag of the Drikung Kagyu Order at the entrance of the Puja made all attendees of the Puja feel the auspicious lineage and blessings of the Drikung Kagyu Order before they entered the venue.
The Minister of the Interior praised His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for holding the Puja annually to help the land and people of Taiwan without seeking profit or fame. The Minister of the Interior, Mr. Lee, presented a centerpiece calligraphy scroll wishing the Puja a perfect success.
Chairman Luo of the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission presented a centerpiece calligraphy scroll wishing the Puja a perfect success.
Solemn arrangements adorned along the entrance of the Puja, making the attendees feel the auspiciousness of the Puja.
The Dharma photo of His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche hanging high on the wall of the hall showed his stately Dharma appearance.
A Khenpo and a lama of the Drikung Kagyu Order came to attend the auspicious Grand Puja.
Ordained practitioners of Exoteric Buddhism were signing in at the reception before attending the Puja.
Believers continued to pour in at the ground floor of the venue to attend the Puja.
Believers, including the elderly and those with limited mobility, came on time to attend the auspicious Grand Puja.
Believers, including those on the wheelchairs, came to attend the auspicious Grand Puja with reverence.
Attendees of the Puja lined up to enter the venue in order.
The mandala of the Grand Memorial Puja appeared stately and magnificent.
The Dharma photos of the 36th and 37th throne holders - His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang and His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang - were reverently enshrined on the Dharma throne.
The stately Yidam Torma.
The Drikung Kagyu Refuge-Field Thangka was hanging high in the center of the mandala, representing the everlasting pure lineage of the Order.
The mandala of the Grand Memorial Puja appeared stately and magnificent.
Before the Puja, a video was shown through a large projection screen depicting His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang's journey in promoting Buddhism and the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. In the video, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang praised Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for the many contributions that he had made to the Order. The video, which the attendees watched with reverence, clearly revealed a close relationship of lineage between His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
Before the Puja, a video was shown through a large projection screen depicting His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang's journey in promoting Buddhism and the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. In the video, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang praised Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for the many contributions that he had made to the Order. The video, which the attendees watched with reverence, clearly revealed a close relationship of lineage between His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. It also showed photos depicting that His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang led Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in conducting a three-month retreat in the Snow Mountain of Lapchi in Nepal with an altitude of 4,500 meters above the sea level, as well as the Fire Puja thereafter.
Believers reading the booklet of the Grand Memorial Puja to have a deeper understanding about the Drikung Kagyu Lineage and the activities conducted by His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to promote Buddhism.
All attendees were receiving the nectar water, blessed by His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, to purify their body, speech and mind.
All attendees were receiving the nectar water, blessed by His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, to purify their body, speech and mind.
The venue was covered with a white "Eight Auspiciousness Symbols" carpet, on which petals of flowers were spread to reverently welcome His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
With prayer flags, musical instruments, incense burners and eight offering girls leading the way, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche walked into the venue of the Puja with the escort of jeweled parasol.
More than 3,400 attendees were standing with their palms together, sincerely welcoming His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
More than 3,400 attendees were standing with their palms together, sincerely welcoming His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
With prayer flags, musical instruments, incense burners and eight offering girls leading the way, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche walked into the venue of the Puja with the escort of jeweled parasol.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was offering incenses to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was making prostrations to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was making Khadak offering and prostrations by touching his forehead to the Dharma thrones of His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang and His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was lighting lamps as offerings to the Buddhas.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was lighting lamps as offerings to the Buddhas.
After His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche ascended to the Dharma throne, all the attendees paid their respect through the Three-Greetings.
After His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche ascended to the Dharma throne, all the attendees paid their respect through the Three-Greetings.
Khenpos and lamas of the Drikung Kagyu Order and a lama of the Gelug Order were lighting the lamps as offerings to the Buddhas.
With reverence, representatives of believers were lighting up yak-butter lamps as offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
To be able to light the lamps as offerings to the Buddhas at the Grand Puja is a very auspicious and rare causal condition. 300 lamp-lighting representatives of believers had been selected by lot at the time of entrance with no fee charged.
With one lamp representing countless lamps, attendees prayed to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas on behalf of sentient beings for a bright future with no obstacles on their way of learning Buddhism.
The day on which the Puja was held was the memorial day designated by Lord Jigten Sumgon. Thus not only was the Puja held to honor the auspicious accomplishments of Lord Jigten Sumgon, but also an opportunity to promote the pure Drikung Kagyu Dharma lineage; moreover, it represented the Vajrayana disciples' reverence for and gratitude to the gurus.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was giving auspicious teachings to the attendees.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was giving auspicious teachings to the attendees.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was teaching the precious Dharma to the attendees in an easy-to-understand and humorous way.
The attendees could clearly see the stately Dharma appearance of His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche through large projection screens.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was performing and teaching the Dharma while maintaining an upright sitting posture throughout the entire Puja despite having the lumbar scoliosis.
This Grand Puja had an all-inclusive participation of fourfold assembly from both Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism, including khenpos and lamas from the Drikung Kagyu and Gelug Orders, as well as male and female ordained practitioners of Exoteric Buddhism.
The Puja was attended by khenpos and lamas of Drikung Kagyu and Gelug Orders as well as male and female ordained practitioners of Exoteric Buddhism. It was truly rare and auspicious with attendance of fourfold assembly from both Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism.
The attendees reverently placed their palms together while His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performing the Dharma and chanting mantra.
With proper arrangement, believers with limited mobility were attending the auspicious Grand Puja.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was teaching the auspicious Dharma to the attendees.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was teaching the auspicious Dharma to the attendees.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was teaching the auspicious Dharma to the attendees.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was performing the Dharma ritual.
With their palms together, participants were attending the Puja with concentration.
With proper arrangement, believers with limited mobility were attending the auspicious Grand Puja.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was performing the Dharma ritual.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was performing the Dharma ritual.
Khenpo Namdol led the ordained practitioners and believers selected by lot at the time of entrance in offering the mandalas to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche on behalf of all sentient beings.
Khenpo Namdol led the ordained practitioners and believers selected by lot at the time of entrance in offering the mandalas to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche on behalf of all sentient beings.
With Gampopa's Dharma Hat, bestowed by His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was accepting offerings on behalf of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
With Gampopa's Dharma Hat, bestowed by His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was accepting offerings on behalf of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
In the mandala ritual, treasures of the universe were used in making offerings to the guru, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas so that all sentient beings could accumulate blessed rewards and resources for learning Buddhism.
In the mandala ritual, treasures of the universe were used in making offerings to the guru, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas so that all sentient beings could accumulate blessed rewards and resources for learning Buddhism.
The eight offerings girls were making Eight Auspicious Offerings to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
Representatives of believers were offering mandalas to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche on behalf of all sentient beings.
The attendees were wholeheartedly participating the Puja through the big screen.
With their palms together, participants were attending the Puja with concentration.
The eight offering girls were singing the Dakini song in clear unison as an offering to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
The eight offering girls were singing the Dakini song in clear unison as an offering to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was receiving the long-life nectar.
An ordained practitioner was offering yak-butter tea to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
An ordained practitioner was offering yak-butter tea to His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang.
An ordained practitioner was offering yak-butter tea to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
An ordained practitioner was offering yak-butter tea to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
An ordained practitioner was offering auspicious rice to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
An ordained practitioner was offering auspicious rice to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
An ordained practitioner was offering auspicious rice to His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang.
An ordained practitioner was offering auspicious rice to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was performing the Tsok ritual.
Tsok offerings were offered to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche during the Tsok ritual.
Khenpos and lamas were receiving Tsok offerings.
Staff members were distributing to the attendees items that had been offered to the Buddhas.
Attendees had the privilege of enjoying food with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas during the Puja, signifying rare and virtuous causal conditions that had been accumulated through past lives.
Attendees of the Puja included foreign guests who came from the United States, France, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and mainland China. They listened to the teachings of His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche through simultaneous interpretation during the Puja.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was performing the lamp-offering ritual after descending from the Dharma throne.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led khenpos, lamas and ordained practitioners in reciting prayers and lighting lamps to offer to the Buddhas.
Lighting lamps to make offerings to the Buddhas signifies elimination of darkness of ignorance. A lamp represents innumerable lamps to illuminate countless sentient beings and shed light upon all darkness of the void so that sentient beings can have the opportunity to receive the Buddhas’ and Bodhisattvas' Dharma light.
Lighting lamps to make offerings to the Buddhas signifies elimination of darkness of ignorance. A lamp represents innumerable lamps to illuminate countless sentient beings and shed light upon all darkness of the void so that sentient beings can have the opportunity to receive the Buddhas’ and Bodhisattvas' Dharma light.
Lighting lamps to make offerings to the Buddhas signifies elimination of darkness of ignorance. A lamp represents innumerable lamps to illuminate countless sentient beings and shed light upon all darkness of the void so that sentient beings can have the opportunity to receive the Buddhas’ and Bodhisattvas' Dharma light.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was performing the auspicious lamp-lighting ritual.
Under the compassionate and all-embracing power of His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, the venue appeared solemn and stately.
His Eminence Rinche Dorjee Rinpoche gave blessings to the returned offerings.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led the attendees in reciting the dedication prayer.
Wearing the Gampopa Hat, adorned with gold treasure vase and auspicious clouds, bestowed by His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was performing the Dharma.
Attendees of the Puja were attentively following His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in reciting the Dharma text.
Attendees of the Puja were attentively following His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in reciting the Dharma text.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was performing the Dharma ritual.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was performing the Dharma ritual.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was performing the Dharma ritual.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led the attendees in chanting the Great Six-Syllable Mantra.
All attendees were reverently following Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in reciting the Great Six-Syllable Mantra.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was spreading rice and flower petals into the air so that sentient beings of the void could all benefit.
Upon perfect completion of the Puja, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche acknowledged the attendees as he was leaving the venue led by the prayer flags, musical instruments and incense burners and escorted by jeweled parasol.
Upon perfect completion of the Puja, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche acknowledged the attendees as he was leaving the venue led by the prayer flags, musical instruments and incense burners and escorted by jeweled parasol.
All attendees stood up and kept applauding to express their gratitude to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for performing the auspicious Dharma.
With his palms together, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche acknowledged the attendees who kept applauding him.
With his palms together, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche acknowledged the attendees who kept applauding him.
With his palms together, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche acknowledged the attendees who kept applauding him.
All the attendees expressed their gratitude to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for performing and teaching the Dharma tirelessly to benefit boundless sentient beings. The fourfold assembly was filled with Dharma joy.
All the attendees expressed their gratitude to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for performing and teaching the Dharma tirelessly to benefit boundless sentient beings. The fourfold assembly was filled with Dharma joy.
Upon conclusion of the Puja, believers who had lit the lamps were receiving the yak-butter lamps that had been offered to the Buddhas.
Upon conclusion of the Puja, believers who had lit the lamps were receiving the yak-butter lamps that had been offered to the Buddhas.
Attendees were making offerings to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche with joy.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche donated all monetary offerings from the attendees to the Department of Social Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior as funds for charity and emergency assistance, helping the attendees form virtuous affinity and accumulate more blessed rewards.
Updated on October 22, 2012