Vajra Guru Dhondrup recital begins at Samdruptse next week

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, is scheduled to be held from 03 to 18 October at the Guru Rimpoche statue complex at Samdruptse in South Sikkim.

These recitals have been held for the past six years without break at Samdruptse, organized by the Samdruptse Management Committee and attended each year by thousands of devotees not only from all over Sikkim but also from Nepal, Bhutan, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and other parts of West Bengal.

As informed by Bhaichung Bhutia of the publicity wing of the organizing committee, the committee members are hoping that this year as well the prayers will receive a good attendance and participation.

He further informed that like every year, the committee has arranged transportation, meals and accommodation for monks, nuns and lay practitioners who wish to participate in the prayers. Mr. Bhutia also said that this recitation of Vajra Guru Mantra at Samdruptse had become the important annual event of Namchi receiving the participation of members of all communities through local clubs and associations and even at individual capacities. 

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.

Vajra Guru Dhondrup concludes at Samdruptse

NAMCHI, 28 Oct: The Vajra Guru Dhondrup which had started on 16 October at Samdruptse here concluded today. The last day of the prayer was attended by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling accompanied by Sangha MLA, Phituk Tshering Bhutia.
The Chief Minister reached Samdruptse at around 10 AM this morning and attended the morning prayer ceremony. He also met Khochhen Rinpoche who arrived yesterday from Mindroling Monastery, Dehradun. The Chief Minister presented a miniature statue of Lord Buddha to the Rinpoche.
During his brief interaction with the committee members of Samdruptse, the CM urged them to preserve and protect the sanctity of the place, and also appealed to them to provide all the required information in detail to the visitors and tourists, so that they can go back satisfied and well informed.
Further he added that the committee members should work seriously towards preventing plastic or non biodegradable products from entering the area and see that only eco friendly products are allowed inside Samdruptse complex.
He also urged the members to have a good plantation of fruit bearing trees in the area, so that flora and fauna in the area could flourish and the place as well as the whole area becomes eco and environment friendly.
Talking about the Rope Way which will be starting shortly for Samdruptse, the CM informed that it is going to be a huge attraction for tourists as well as locals, and unlike vehicles which can cause pollution these rope ways will be eco friendly. Therefore the committee members should advocate the use of ropeway in Samdruptse, he stressed.
‘Kawang’ at Samdruptse is scheduled for 29 October [Monday] by Khochhen Rinpoche. Since the first day of Vajra Guru Dhondrup, devotees from within and outside the state visited Samdruptse to participate in the fourteen-day prayer ceremony and the spiritual events associated with it.
Domestic as well as foreign tourists also visited Samdruptse during the prayers. The organizing committee, Guru Padma Sambhava Society of Namchi was the key body which was also the managing committee who conducted and organized this annual spiritual event that concluded successfully today.

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.