Rituals and Pujas
We have been asked repeatedly whether there is a possibility to ask Lamas, monks/nuns to perform prayers and rituals (Pujas) for the sick and the deceased.
There is indeed a possibility and it is common practice in the Tibetan culture.
The Tibetans like to visit Lamas or monks and nuns to ask for healing for body and mind since most lay people are not able to perform these rituals by themselves, also the rituals are sometimes rather complicated. The power and experience of Lamas and monastic communities are considered as being very strong.
In principle, the Lamas, monks or nuns are invited to the private homes of the ones in need and perform the necessary prayers and rituals there. However, some rituals are performed in the monasteries themselves and sometimes even the whole congregation is engaged in performing rituals and/or prayers. Thereby the monks and nuns are offered food and money. Their practice is considered more effective because of the big amount of ordained people.
You can ask for all kinds of rituals for a big variety of requests, e.g. world peace, peace for a certain area, for the earth and the pacification of the elements, for the well-being of one’s own and / or others bodies and minds (also for animals), for luck and a long life etc. You can even ask to reach Buddhahood.
We present here only a small selection of rituals which are performed by the Tibetan Lamas, monks and nuns living in India.
If you have a particular request for a puja, please send us the name of the puja, the name of the person for whom the puja will be carried out and the reason for the puja (e.g. sickness, death, professional or other issues). In addition - of course - we also need your name (puja initiator) and the amount of the donation.
We are pleased to put forward your request to India or ask which ritual is best for your request.
Since it is difficult to estimate a proper donation for a Ritual we suggest you donate according to your financial abilities. Please take into account the number and quality of the offerings, the time involved, and the number of monks required.
Support FOR THE DECEASED (BARDO LAMTEN)
Spiritual support for the dying and the deceased is often claimed. Spiritual support means accompanying the dying with prayers and meditation and performing the various death rituals after death, for whose impressive methods the Tibetans are known, as well as for their rituals for the Bardo state (Bardo = transitional state to the next existence).
Please state the date of death (and - if known - the hour of death).
The following rituals are frequently performed:
49 days of daily practice for deceased.
At least two monks experienced in this practice practise daily; a different puja is planned for each day, correspondingly different offerings: Incense, tsampa (roasted barley flour), butter, milk, etc. An offering for the monks should also be remembered.
Düntsik
Prayers for the deceased are performed seven times each on the seventh day after the day of death.
One time ritual
Requested number of monks, Monlam prayers, Lama Chöpa puja, butter lamps, offerings.
Tsi
Tsi is an astrological calculation for a deceased person; it is used to find out how the She (consciousness / soul) of the deceased is doing and where it is. Furthermore, it shows what can be done for the deceased, where he will be reborn and what it will do for the survivors. For this, it is necessary to give the date of birth and the exact date of death with time. Only a few are trained in this subject. If the deceased has not yet been buried or cremated, the date of birth and the date of death with the day of the week and time are required. If the deceased has already been buried or cremated, only the date and time of death are required.
Costs for separate astrological calculations beyond this: 150 €.
Medicine-Buddha Puja
For sick people, for example, the ritual for the Medicine Buddha is helpful. With this puja, one invokes the eight Medicine Buddhas and asks for the healing of the sick person, as well as for the healing power of the medicine to be taken.
Single or multiple rituals for the recovery of the person. Donation according to the desired number of monks.
TARA PUJAS FOR ACTIVITIES AGAINST OBSTACLES AND THREATS
The female deity Tara represents the activity of all Buddhas. With the ritual and the offerings we ask for her blessing for our own activities and for liberation from all threats and obstacles.
4-Mandala Tara Puja
The 4-Mandala Tara ritual is a very common and popular practice in Tibetan culture. It is traditionally performed by groups of 4 monks or nuns.
It is common to recite some prayers or mantra many times - up to 100,000 times or more.
Tara Bumther
100,000 times praise to the 21 Tara deities in connection with a Tara puja.
Tara Tsenga
100,000 Tara mantras in connection with a Tara puja.
SMOKE OFFERING (SANG)
This is an ancient Tibetan ritual to promote good fortune so that all our undertakings come to fruition without faltering. For this, one invokes one's own protectors, those of the country etc., hoists colourful cloth flags with lungta (wind horse images) to carry our wishes in all directions and makes large smoke offerings. This should be done on a mountain or at least on a hill; the ritual can also take place on the roof of a house.
A smoke offering serves especially to increase energy and dissolve obstacles in general and in particular.
LAMA CHÖPA (GURU-PUJA)
A very popular practice for accumulating merit, purification and above all to enhance our meditation.
Lama Chöpa Puja
With the Lama Chöpa Puja we ask for support for all our intentions.
Lama Chöpa Bumtsok - (100,000 Tsog offerings).
Offerings are made in abundance and distributed to those in need after the puja.
An auspicious day in the Tibetan calendar must be found for this practice.
Light Offering
In Tibetan Buddhism, light is a symbol of wisdom and is therefore often offered to the deities.
Tongchoe
1,000 lights burn for one day.
Bumchoe
100,000 lights, placed in fairy lights around the main building of the monastery, burn from 20 h - 5 h in the morning.
Our donation account:
Norbu Ling e.V.
IBAN DE90 7007 0024 0191 6600 00
Deutsche Bank München
Project: Rituals and Pujas