Garchen Tsechu Puja and Vajra Dance at Bodh Gaya in Jan 2014

GANGTOK, 22 Dec: The 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje along with other eminent Rinpoches and Lamas, will lead a grand Garchen Tsechu Puja and Vajra Dance at Bodh Gaya from 03-16 January next year. The Karmapa will confer Guru Rinpoche empowerments, teachings on Mipham’s Commentary on the Seven Line Prayer, and continue his teaching on Jamgon Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye’s text The Torch of Certainty, which concerns Mahamudra preliminaries.
A press release informs that this is the first time ever that the Garchen Tsechu Puja and Vajra dance is being held at a sacred site such as Bodh Gaya, India, with the participation of many thousands of ordained and non-ordained sangha, for the benefit of all sentient beings and world peace.
This year [Buddhist calendar], the  10th day of the eleventh lunar month is of particular significance as it is the anniversary of the day when many centuries ago Guru Rinpoche prepared to conceal millions of Treasures (gter sbas) all over Tibet; he subdued  many local deities and made them guard the Treasures. Hence, making offerings on this 10th day brings many benefits such as the purification of afflictive emotions and the removal of obstructions to knowledge.
The practice of the great Garchen Tsechu Puja and Vajra Dance has continued as an unbroken tradition at all the major seats of the Karmapa, unaffected by changes in times or circumstances, it is mentioned.
The main puja will be held on 07-09 January while the Garchen Tsechu Vajra Dance will be performed on 10 January. Five-day Kagyu Monlam will be held from 11-15 January followed by lamp offering prayers on the last day 16 January.