Dakinis Day:
The Monthly Guru Offering Puja
The Guru Offering Puja, known in Tibetan as "Lama Chöpa བླ་མ་མཆོད་པ།," is a central practice in Vajrayana Buddhism, particularly in the Drukpa Kargyu tradition. This practice emphasizes the importance of the Guru in the student's path to enlightenment.
Dorje Chang (རྡོ་རྗེ་འཆང་།; Skt. Vajradhara) symbolizes the source of the tantric teachings and is seen as the embodiment of the primordial Buddha.
The Lama Chöpa is not just a ritual of reverence and offerings to the Guru or Lineage Masters; it is a profound practice that embodies the essence of the guru-disciple relationship. This practice is deeply integrated with the recognition of the Guru as the embodiment of all Buddhas and the source of all blessings and teachings. The Guru is seen as the pivotal point for the disciple's spiritual progress, offering a direct link to the lineage's wisdom and blessings.
Key Elements of Lama CHODpa in Drukpa Kagyu
Guru Yoga: The core of Lama Chöpa in the Drukpa Kagyu tradition is Guru Yoga, which is the meditative practice of merging one's mind with the enlightened mind of the guru. This practice is essential for receiving the guru's blessings and realizing the nature of one's own mind.
Lineage Blessings: The Lama Chöpa emphasizes the importance of the lineage, recognizing the unbroken transmission of teachings and blessings from Vajradhara through the lineage masters to the present guru. Practitioners invoke the lineage to receive its blessings and to strengthen their connection to it.
Devotion and Surrender: A key aspect of this practice is developing profound devotion to the guru and a willingness to surrender egoic limitations. This devotion is not blind faith but is based on the recognition of the Guru's qualities and the authentic transmission of teachings.
Integration with Mahamudra: The practice of Lama Chöpa in the Drukpa Kagyu tradition is often integrated with Mahamudra meditation, which focuses on recognizing the nature of mind. Through the blessings of the Guru, practitioners can experience glimpses of the mind's true nature, leading to deeper insight and realization.
Commemoration and Offerings: The ritual aspects of Lama Chöpa include making offerings to the Guru, reciting prayers and praises, and performing visualizations that symbolize the Guru's qualities. These ritual practices support the inner meditation work by creating merit and purifying obscurations.
All are welcome to participate in this auspicious and beneficial event.
Should you wish to find out more details of this puja, please write to us: web@dechenchoekhor.org
Thank you!