Vajra Guru Mantra recitations to begin at Samdruptse on 05 Oct

GANGTOK, 19 Sept: Vajra Guru Dhondrup, the recitation of Vajra Guru Mantra 12 crore times to invoke the blessings of Guru Padmasambhava for universal peace and welfare of all sentient beings, has become one of the main annual events at Samdruptse in South Sikkim. This puja has been held continuously for the last six years and in order to organise the seventh edition of the same this year, a meeting of the Samdrupste Vajra Guru Dhondrup organizing committee was held at Serdup Choling Monastery on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Sangha MLA, Phituk Tsering Bhutia spoke on the Government’s proactive initiative under the leadership of the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to promote religious harmony in Sikkim by constructing such magnificent statues like the Guru Padmasambhava Statue and Siddheswara Dham at Namchi and Tathagatha Tsal at Ravangla besides many other religious structures all over the state.
He therefore felt it was the duty of all citizens of Sikkim to contribute equally in maintaining sanctity and unity within the state and the universe at large. He stressed upon the need to conduct this year’s Vajra Guru Dhondrup in the same manner as done in previous years with the generous support of all well wishers of Namchi and outside.
Divisional Engineer [Buildings], Sonam Bhutia gave a brief background about the Vajra Guru Dhondrup pujas being conducted at Samdruptse and the efforts of the organizing committee members in making the previous editions successful. He also enlightened the gathering about the renovation works carried out in the main prayer hall inside the Padmasambhava Statue where the puja is conducted.
During the course of the meeting, as per the direction of Serdup Dungzin Rinpoche, it was decided to conduct this year’s Vajra Guru Dhondrup from 05 to 18 October 2013. Accordingly a core committee was formed for carrying out the preparations for the event including raising funds from generous contributors. Various sub committees such as Transportation, meals and accommodation for monks, nuns and lay practitioners who will be participating in the puja, publicity, etc were also formed. The allocation of dates for the volunteers in different areas like food and tea arrangements was also decided.
All the members then visited the Guru Padmasambhava statue to review the renovation works carried out there and see if there are any other requirements for the smooth conduct of this year’s event.
The Committee members earnestly hope that this year too this grand spiritual event will be attended by monks from Sikkim and neighbouring places like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Mirik, Bhutan, etc along with head lamas, khempos, and nuns in large numbers, the release adds. As in previous years the committee will be providing free food and accommodation for the devotees.
The meeting was also attended by Serdup Dungzin Rinpoche, the Chairman Namchi Muncipal Corporation, BT Tamang, the Chultimpa of Namchi Ngadak Monastery and other existing members of the committee. SDM Namchi, Karma R Bonpo attended the meeting on behalf of Samdruptse Management Committee.