The Great Indiscriminate Amitabha Puja for Transferring Consciousness of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism, August 26, 2012
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche presided over the Great Indiscriminate Amitabha Puja for Transferring Consciousness of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism for the eighth time at the Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition Hall. The Puja was attended by a Khenpo and a Lama of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism, an ngakpa and a Lama of the Nyingma Order, as well as a Geshe and a Lama of the Gelugpa Order (a total of six), and 30 ordained practitioners of Exoteric Buddhism. In addition, there were also disciples and believers from the United States, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China, Japan, and Taiwan. The total number of attendees surpassed 21,500, with an all-inclusive participation of the fourfold assembly from both Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism in this auspicious Great Puja for Transferring Consciousness. For this occasion, the President of the Republic of China Mr. Ma Ying-jeou especially presented a basket of flowers with an apothegm that read, “Perfect Merits,” wishing the Eighth Great Indiscriminate Amitabha Puja for Transferring Consciousness of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism presided over by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to be perfect and auspicious, with its merits benefiting boundless sentient beings.
Just one week before the Puja, Taiwan had been under the impact of two consecutive Typhoons, with one of them landing in the island of Taiwan itself. On the day of the Puja, though the risk associated with the Typhoon had not been completely eliminated, the sky had cleared and the weather was pleasant.
The sun shone on the Nangang Exhibition Hall, with the flags of the Drikung Kagyu Order fluttering in the breeze, putting on a stately atmosphere in the early morning.
At the northwest entrance to the Nangang Exhibition Hall, large billboards announced the upcoming Great Indiscriminate Amitabha Puja for Transferring Consciousness.
The magnificent Dharma photo of the presiding guru Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was erected at each main entrance to the Nangang Exhibition Hall.
The magnificent Dharma photo of the presiding guru Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was erected at each main entrance to the Nangang Exhibition Hall.
People were filing into the venue one after another as soon as the Exhibition Hall opened at 6:00 a.m.
Many believers from out of town chartered tourist buses on their own to arrive at the venue early in the morning, waiting to be admitted to the Puja in an orderly manner.
A constant stream of believers arrived at the venue by the Metropolitan Rapid Transit.
Attendees arrived at the venue for the auspicious and rare Great Indiscriminate Amitabha Puja for Transferring Consciousness.
Attendees arrived at the venue for the auspicious and rare Great Indiscriminate Amitabha Puja for Transferring Consciousness.
Attendees included old and young believers, as well as those with limited mobility who came on time to the auspicious Puja accompanied by their family.
Staff members helped believers with limited mobility into the venue.
Attending believers were filing into the venue in an orderly manner.
Large streams of believers were filing into the venue.
Believers went through the security checks one after another before filing into the venue.
The pathways leading to the venue had been set up with solemn decorations, making attendees feel the auspiciousness of the Puja even before they entered the venue.
2,000 representatives to light the lamps to offer to the Buddha and five representatives to offer mandalas during the Puja were selected by lot at the entrance, free of charge.
2,000 representatives to light the lamps to offer to the Buddha and five representatives to offer mandalas during the Puja were selected by lot at the entrance, free of charge.
Volunteers distributed among all the attendees the nectar water which had been compassionately blessed by His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
Attendees received the precious nectar water which had been blessed by His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche so that they could cleanse their body, speech and mind before their whole-hearted participation through the Puja.
Before the Puja, eight large projection screens in the venue were showing video clips and photos that revealed the relationship of lineage between His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche as well as the true realization and genuine cultivation of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
Believers from different places around the world, including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China, and Japan came especially for the Great Indiscriminate Amitabha Puja for Transferring Consciousness to be presided over by His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
The magnificently adorned mandala, solemn and stately, was all set and ready for the Puja.
The mandala of the Yidam of Buddha Amitabha with stately atmosphere.
The Dharma photos of the 36th throne holder His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang and the 37th throne holder His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang were enshrined on the Dharma throne.
President of the Republic of China Mr. Ma Ying-jeou especially presented a large basket of flowers, wishing the Eighth Great Indiscriminate Amitabha Puja for Transferring Consciousness of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism to be presided over by His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to be perfect and meritorious.
On behalf of sentient beings, the leading Dharma brother reverently implored His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to ascend to the Dharma throne and preside over the Puja.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was entering the venue of the Puja in an electric vehicle, protected by the jeweled parasol and preceded by prayer flags, musical instruments, incense burners, and the eight offering girls.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was entering the venue of the Puja in an electric vehicle, protected by the jeweled parasol and preceded by prayer flags, musical instruments, incense burners, and the eight offering girls.
More than 21,500 attendees stood in reverence to welcome His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche with magnificent music playing.
With magnificent music playing, more than 21,500 attendees of the Puja stood in reverence to welcome His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to ascend to the Dharma throne and preside over the Puja.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was entering the venue of the Puja in an electric vehicle, protected by the jeweled parasol and preceded by prayer flags, musical instruments, incense burners, and the eight offering girls.
All attendees stood reverently to welcome His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, eagerly looking forward to his arrival.
With stately and dignified Dharma appearance, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was entering the venue of the Puja in an electric vehicle, protected by the jeweled parasol and preceded by prayer flags, musical instruments, incense burners, and the eight offering girls.
With all the attendees bidding welcome reverently, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche stepped onto the mandala with the protection of the jeweled parasol.
Seeing the stately and dignified Dharma appearance of His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, attendees showed their reverence from the bottom of their heart.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche made incense offering to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche made prostrations reverently to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas on the mandala.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche made 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 the lamps as offerings to the Buddha.
Attendees paid homage to the presiding guru His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche as well as the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas with Three-Greeting Ritual.
The huge Nangang Exhibition Hall was a full house with over 21,500 believers and disciples, making it a scene of grandeur and magnificence.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche ascended to the Dharma throne to preside over the Puja.
2,000 representatives of believers were lighting the lamps to offer to the Buddha with joy and gratitude.
The 2,000 representatives of believers for lighting lamps had been selected by lot at the time of entrance, free of charge.
In a grand Puja presided over by His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, all sentient beings are equal and no special board is set up in honor of "major donors." Believers who had the affinity to be selected by lot were the representatives to light and offer the lamps to the Buddha, free of charge.
The Puja was attended by a Khenpo and a Lama of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism, an ngakpa and a Lama of the Nyingma Order, as well as a Geshe and a Lama of the Gelugpa Order (a total of six), as well as 30 ordained practitioners, signifying an all-inclusive participation of the fourfold assembly from both Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism.
The Puja was attended by a Khenpo and a Lama of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism, an ngakpa and a Lama of the Nyingma Order, as well as a Geshe and a Lama of the Gelugpa Order (a total of six), as well as 30 ordained practitioners, signifying an all-inclusive participation of the fourfold assembly from both Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism.
Khenpo Namdol led ordained practitioners, the eight offering girls and five representatives of believers selected by lot in making mandala-offering to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche on behalf of all sentient beings.
The mandala-offering ritual is one in which the most precious treasures of the universe are offered to the guru, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas so that blessed rewards can be accumulated for learning Buddhism on behalf of all sentient beings.
The mandala-offering ritual is one in which the most precious treasures of the universe are offered to the guru, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas so that blessed rewards can be accumulated for learning Buddhism on behalf of all sentient beings.
The eight offering girls made eight auspicious offerings to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche gave precious Dharma teachings to the attendees.
With all-embracing power of His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, all the attendees quietly and reverently listened to the Dharma teachings of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
With all-embracing power of His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, patients with serious illnesses and their families attended the Puja with profound faith, reverently listening to the Dharma teachings of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious Great Amitabha Dharma for Transferring Consciousness.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious Great Amitabha Dharma for Transferring Consciousness.
With all-embracing power of His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, the venue showed atmosphere of incomparable grandeur.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led the attendees in chanting the Amitabha Mantra.
The Amitabha Mantra was also shown on the large screens of the venue.
Attendees followed His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in chanting the Amitabha Mantra.
Attendees followed His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in chanting the Amitabha Mantra.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious Great Amitabha Dharma for Transferring Consciousness.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious Great Amitabha Dharma for Transferring Consciousness.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious Great Amitabha Dharma for Transferring Consciousness.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious Great Amitabha Dharma for Transferring Consciousness.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious Great Amitabha Dharma for Transferring Consciousness.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious Great Amitabha Dharma for Transferring Consciousness.
Khenpo Namdol was receiving the nectar blessed by His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
In clear voices, the eight offering girls sang Dakini's song as offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
In clear voices, the eight offering girls sang Dakini's song as offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
During the tea-offering ritual, an attendant made reverent prostrations and offered yak-butter tea to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee. Rinpoche.
On behalf of all attendees, the leading Dharma brother made offerings of yak-butter tea to the wish-granting-jewel Dharma thrones of His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang.
On behalf of all attendees, the leading Dharma brother made offerings of yak-butter tea to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
The leading Dharma brother made offerings with auspicious rice to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas on behalf of the attendees.
On behalf of all attendees, the leading Dharma brother made offerings of auspicious rice to His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang.
The leading Dharma brother made offerings with auspicious rice to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche on behalf of the attendees.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was performing the Tsok ritual.
Staff members distributed among all the attendees the items that had been offered to the Buddha.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche compassionately bestowed upon the attendees with the opportunity to receive the Tsok offerings, signifying that they shared the food with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and hence planted the causal condition for them to share food with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in their future lives.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche compassionately bestowed upon the attendees with the opportunity to receive the Tsok offerings, signifying that they shared the food with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and hence planted the causal condition for them to share food with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in their future lives.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche compassionately bestowed upon the attendees with the opportunity to receive the Tsok offerings, signifying that they shared the food with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and hence planted the causal condition for them to share food with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in their future lives.
The attendees received the bottled nectar water blessed by His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, which contained nectar pills and nectar water.
The attendees received the precious nectar water with reverence.
The attendees gave back a part of their received offered items as offerings on behalf of sentient beings.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious Great Amitabha Dharma for Transferring Consciousness.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious Great Amitabha Dharma for Transferring Consciousness.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious Great Amitabha Dharma for Transferring Consciousness.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious Great Amitabha Dharma for Transferring Consciousness.
The leading Dharma brother made prostrations to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and the guru with reverence on behalf of all attendees and their ancestors.
All the attendees stood up in reverence while the ritual for transferring consciousness was under way.
All the attendees stood up in reverence while the ritual for transferring consciousness was under way.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious Great Amitabha Dharma for Transferring Consciousness.
During the ritual for transferring consciousness, all attendees reverently paid the three-bow homage to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas on the mandala on behalf of the deceased.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious Great Amitabha Dharma for Transferring Consciousness.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious Great Amitabha Dharma for Transferring Consciousness.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was liberating all the deceased that the attendees wished to have liberated.
The name list of the deceased was projected on the large screens of the venue.
The attendees stood in reverence with their palms together and the entire venue was in a solemn state of silence, as His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was liberating all sentient beings that were present with extremely profound meditation and grand merits that the guru had accumulated.
The attendees stood in reverence with their palms together, and the entire venue was in a solemn state of silence.
The attendees stood in reverence with their palms together, and the entire venue was in a solemn state of silence.
The attendees stood in reverence with their palms together, and the entire venue was in a solemn state of silence.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious Great Amitabha Dharma for Transferring Consciousness.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche cast rice and flower petals into the air as offerings to and praises for the Yidam.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche cast rice and flower petals into the air as offerings to and praises for the Yidam.
Upon perfect completion of the Dharma, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche stepped off the mandala and would start to purify and bless all the attendees with nectar water.
Upon perfect completion of the Dharma, all attendees stood up to welcome Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche with reverence as he descended from the Dharma throne and started to purify and bless them.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche stepped off the mandala and boarded the electric vehicle to go around the venue preceded by the eight offering girls, purifying and blessing more than 20,000 attendees with nectar water, cleansing their body, speech and mind.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche purified and blessed the attendees with blessed nectar water, cleansing their body, speech and mind.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche purified and blessed the attendees with blessed nectar water, cleansing their body, speech and mind.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche kept waving the Kusha-grass to spread the nectar water to the attendees, in complete disregard of the fact that he had scoliosis and pain in the right shoulder joint.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche went around the huge venue as though he was tiding back and forth over the boundless suffering sea of reincarnation to help countless sentient beings.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche went around the huge venue as though he was tiding back and forth over the boundless suffering sea of reincarnation to help countless sentient beings.
In the purification process, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche kept chanting mantras to bless the attendees.
The attendees sat reverently in their seats, looking forward to receiving the purification and blessings from His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
In the purification process, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche kept chanting mantras to bless the attendees.
In the purification process, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche kept chanting mantras to bless the attendees.
The attendees were applauding continuously to express their gratitude for His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s selfless efforts.
After many rounds of rigorously waving the Kusha-grass, which required tremendous physical strength and concentration, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was thoroughly soaked. But in the eyes of a compassionate practitioner, there was no self except sentient beings.
After many rounds of rigorously waving the Kusha-grass, which required tremendous physical strength and concentration, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was thoroughly soaked. But in the eyes of a compassionate practitioner, there was no self except sentient beings.
The attendees received the purification and blessings from His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche with joy.
Upon completion of the purification, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche returned to the mandala to give auspicious Dharma teachings to the attendees despite of his exhaustion.
With profound gratitude, the attendees reverently listened to the auspicious Dharma teachings of His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was full of gratitude for Three Grace Root Guru His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, and asked the attendees to give all their thanks to His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang.
No sooner had Three Grace Root Guru His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang been mentioned than His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche choked with emotion; words had failed him but the expression on his face was all showing a profound sense of gratitude.
Upon auspicious and perfect completion of the Puja, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was leaving the venue, protected by the jeweled parasol and preceded by prayer flags, musical instruments, incense burners, and the eight offering girls.
Upon auspicious and perfect completion of the Puja, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was leaving the venue, protected by the jeweled parasol and preceded by prayer flags, musical instruments, incense burners, and the eight offering girls.
With the look of compassion, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche acknowledged the attendees.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was leaving, waving compassionately to the attendees.
The attendees applauded continuously to express their gratitude and repeatedly gave thanks to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in unison for performing the auspicious Dharma to transfer consciousness as well as giving precious teachings and blessings.
With the compassion of never abandoning any sentient beings, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche acknowledged all attendees with palms together and continuously chanted mantras to bless them.
The attendees stood in lines on both sides of the pathway to reverently bid farewell to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, giving thanks to the guru time and again for the Dharma and blessings.
The attendees stood in lines on both sides of the pathway to reverently bid farewell to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, giving thanks to the guru time and again for the Dharma and blessings.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche placed his palms together to acknowledge the attendees.
With the compassion of never abandoning any sentient beings,, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche raised his hand with the prayer beads high while continuously chanting mantras to bless the attendees.
The attendees applauded continuously to express their gratitude and repeatedly gave thanks to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in unison for performing the auspicious Dharma to transfer consciousness as well as giving precious teachings and blessings.
His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche placed his palms together to acknowledge the attendees.
The attendees applauded continuously to express their gratitude and repeatedly gave thanks to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in unison for performing the auspicious Dharma to transfer consciousness as well as giving precious teachings and blessings.
The attendees applauded continuously to express their gratitude and repeatedly gave thanks to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in unison for performing the auspicious Dharma to transfer consciousness as well as giving precious teachings and blessings.
The attendees applauded continuously to express their gratitude and repeatedly gave thanks to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in unison for performing the auspicious Dharma to transfer consciousness as well as giving precious teachings and blessings.
The attendees applauded continuously to express their gratitude and repeatedly gave thanks to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in unison for performing the auspicious Dharma to transfer consciousness as well as giving precious teachings and blessings.
The attendees were picking up the precious aromatic flower petals left in the trail of His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
Attendees were expressing their gratitude to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for creating the opportunity for sentient beings to accumulate blessed rewards by making monetary offerings through the collection box. His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche donated all such offerings to the Department of Social Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior as funds for charity and social welfare.
Attendees were expressing their gratitude to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for creating the opportunity for sentient beings to accumulate blessed rewards by making monetary offerings through the collection box. His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche donated all such offerings to the Department of Social Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior as funds for charity and social welfare.
Attendees were expressing their gratitude to His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for creating the opportunity for sentient beings to accumulate blessed rewards by making monetary offerings through the collection box. His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche donated all such offerings to the Department of Social Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior as funds for charity and social welfare.
Upon the conclusion of the Puja, the believers who had lit the lamps stepped forward to receive the precious oil lamps that had been offered to the Buddha.
Upon the conclusion of the Puja, the believers who had lit the lamps stepped forward to receive the precious oil lamps that had been offered to the Buddha.
Upon conclusion of the Puja, many attendees came in front of the mandala to make reverent prostrations as a way to express their gratitude for the kindness and benevolence of His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche as well as the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
The attendees left the venue of the Puja with their heart filled with Dharma joy.
Updated on October 28, 2012