Two-week Vajra Guru Dhongdrup to begin on 16 Oct at Samdruptse

NAMCHI, 07 Oct: The Vajra Guru Dhongdrup will be held at Samdruptse here for the fifth consecutive year.
According to the scriptures, the Vajra Guru mantra consisting of 12 syllables carries the blessings of all of Buddha’s teachings. Therefore to recite the Vajra Guru Mantra is equivalent to reciting the entire Tripitaka or practicing all the teachings of the Buddha.
This recitation of Vajra Guru Mantra is to invoke Guru Padmasambhava’s blessings for universal peace and prosperity and for the welfare of all sentient beings. The recitation of Vajra Guru Mantra has become one of the main annual events at Samdruptse.
This year too the prayer ceremony will be held here at the altar of the grand statue of Guru Padma Sambhava from 16 to 29 October. This two-week prayer ceremony as usual is being organized by Guru Padma Sambhava Society Namchi, South Sikkim.
The opening ceremony on 16 October will be conducted by Serdup Dungzin Rinpoche of Namchi Serdup Chholing Monastery of Alay Namchi, while the ceremony on the concluding day will be performed by Khochhen Rinpoche of Mindrolling Monastery of Dehradun.
The prayer ceremony will take place till 28 October followed by ‘kawang’ [long life initiation] on 29 October by Khochhen Rinpoche who will also bless the devotees. This grand spiritual event will also be attended by monks from Sikkim and neighbouring places like Darjeeling, Mirik, etc along with head lamas, khempos (scholars/philosophers), and nuns.
It is informed that the committee will be providing food and accommodation for the devotees also and is expecting more visitors and devotees in this year’s prayer ceremony. Over the two weeks, the Vajra Guru Mantra - “Om Aha Hung Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hung” – will be recited 12 crore times.