Shaken Sikkim to propitiate guardian deities to keep State and its people safe

Rebuilding from the devastation of the 18 Sept 2011 earthquake is still a work in progress in Sikkim. It will also not be untrue to suggest that the Sikkimese had barely gotten over the trauma of that earthquake that the horrors of the Nepal temblor invaded their homes over the weekend. The Nepal quake of 25 April rattled homes in Sikkim even though a bulk of its destructive force was cushioned by the granite bulwark of the Khangchendzonga and its attendant mountains of the Singalila range. Since then the visuals of the devastation in neighbouring Nepal and the roll of the aftershocks have kept Sikkim on tenterhooks. The sense of fear is apparent in the near hysteria with which Sikkim empties out into the streets with every aftershock. Given the jumpy nerves around, it is perhaps apt that apart from awareness generation on disaster mitigation and preparedness, the State Government has also now decided to propitiate the State’s guardian deities to keep Sikkim safe. “The Sikkimese people have a strong belief and faith in our deities. In the wake of the tragedy that struck Nepal and some parts of our country, the State Government has felt it pertinent to seek refuge in the propitiation of our deities,” informs an official press communiqué received from the Ecclesiastical Affairs Department. Sikkim, incidentally, is the only State of India to boast of an Ecclesiastical Affairs Department. This Department, the press release informs, has “requested high incarnate Rinpoches  to perform all necessary rituals and pujas to prevent  the occurrence of  natural disasters and to protect the people from calamities”.

Leo Dunma prayers begin at Tashiding

GANGTOK, 25 Nov: One lakh recitations of ‘Leo Dunma’ prayer began at Tashiding Monastery in West Sikkim on 23 November at 5 a.m. on the occasion of Guru Tshe-Chu. Kyabje Gyari Lodoe Rinpoche, Miniling Tulku Penam, Nayten Chogling Rinpoche and Tingkoe Gonjang Rinpoche were present for the inaugural session, joined by around 300 monks representing 30 monasteries, mostly from Nyingmapa and Kagyupa sects, from all over Sikkim, informs a release issued by S Gyatso [Joint Director, Ecclesiastical Affairs Department]. The one lakh recitations of the prayer is expected to continue for around 15 days.
The prayer congregation is being jointly organized by Lobpon Tempa Gyatso of Pemayangtse, monks of Tashiding and Jamyang Dorje under the patronage of Kyabje Gyari Rinpoche, Miniling Penam Tulku,  Kyabje Sogyal Rinpoche, Phagchog Rinpoche, Nayten Chogling Rinpoche and Richard Gary from USA. The Department of Ecclesiastical Affairs represented the State Government at the inaugural session and offered the prayer contribution.
The prayer, it is informed, propitiates Guru Padmasambhava’s blessing to restore peace in the entire world and also to ward off natural calamities. More monks and Rinpoches are expected to join the prayer in the coming days.
Leo Dunma means ‘Seven Chapters of Payer’ and is believed to have been prescribed by Guru Padmasambhava himself on the behest of his closest devotees on his departure from Tibet. He is said to have instructed his devotees that “whenever you are in trouble, you may invoke me by reciting this prayer; I will certainly come to your rescue”. Its power value is immeasurable and is often recited by lamas to remove obstacles during a journey or during the start of domestic or professional works, the release informs. All well wishers have been invited to participate or contribute to make this prayer successful.

Saemae Longchok at Samar in Khamdong

GANGTOK, 24 May: Saemae Longchok [meaning ‘Worshipping of Stone Pillar’] at Samar village was conducted in a grand manner at Samar Thasa at Samar in Khamdong on 22 May. The ceremony was organized by the Saemae Longchok Celebration Committee under the initiative of Cultural Secretary of Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association [SLYA], Karma Tshering Lepcha.
The ceremony was chaired by the Curator of Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department, PD Lepcha and was witnessed by the SLYA executive members, NGOs members and local people.
An SLYA press release informs that the ceremony, which lasted for six hours, constituted of religious rites and rituals performed by Bongthings of the neighbouring villages. The release informs that the ceremony started with the offering prayers to deities with offerings of milk, eggs, corn, sugarcane, millet beer, fruits, flowers, butter lamp etc to please the deities for the peace and prosperity of the human kind.
A brief background history of Saemae Longchok [Stone Pillar of Samar Village]
There are numerous folktales in the Lepcha language of Mayal Molok Llyang i.e. now Sikkim but unfortunately we remember very few. If the same trend continues then one day we will remember none.
Here is a brief background history of Samar Longchok or Saemae Longchok meaning worship of stone pillar of Saemae lyang now changed to Samar Lyang. Since the time Lepchas began to inhabit this small village, they found a very pure water spring budding out from beneath a rock and a Cedrela toona roxb tree [Tooni in Nepali] or Samal Kung in Lepcha nearby the village which can even be seen today. Our ancestors were living happily and peacefully in this village by tilling land for cultivation in their own traditional way while some hunted for food. The population gradually increased and diseases began to spread in this village. The Bongthings [Lepcha Priests] and Muns [Female Priests] found out that the cause behind this was the ill treatment of the spring which was being polluted by the inhabitants as a Sornyumu [Devi] resided in this spring.
The people then gathered together and erected stone pillars nearby that spring water source and prayed to various gods and deities of land, water, fire, wind, light, forest etc with offerings of milk, eggs, rice, corn, sugarcane, cooked millet beer, flowers, fruits, butter lamps etc for protection from diseases, natural calamities and peace and prosperity forever. As soon as the prayer and offering ceremony ended, a light shower and rainbow at the source of the very spring water followed which was witnessed by each and every one who had assembled there.
Thereafter, the Lepchas of this village flourished in every aspect of life and happiness and peace returned. Since then, the people of Saemae Lyang [Samar Lyang] strongly believe the traditional practice of worshipping the stone pillars and continue to worship the Saemae Longchok every year. Thus, the name of the village is derived from the practice of such worship known as Saemae Lyang [meaning place of worship].
[Compiled by Karma Tshering Lepcha, Cultural Secretary of Sikkim Lepcha Young Association]

Prayers for earthquake victims to mark Rolu Picnic anniv

PERMISSIONS BEING PROCESSED
NAMCHI, 19 Dec: Organisers of the Rolu Picnic of 2009, the gathering which officially announced Upper Burtuk MLA, PS Tamang’s dissidence with the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, plan to mark the anniversary of the picnic on 21 Dec with a Viswa Shanti Puja in the memory of lives lost to the 18 September Earthquake and to propitiate the Gods to prevent a repeat. A member of the organising committee, Milan Rai, when contacted, mentioned that they had informed the SP [South] about their plans to hold the prayers.

Trinley Thaye Dorje inaugurates Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya, shares stories of Sikkim’s connection with Kagyu tradition

GANGTOK, 18 Dec: Trinley Thaye Dorje, revered by many as the XVIIth Karmapa, inaugurated the annual “aspiration prayers” at the Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya on 14 Dec. The Monlam is scheduled to conclude on 20 Dec and is being attended by thousands of monks and devotees, informs a press release.
Trinley Thaye Dorje, the release informs, is leading many prayers at the event, in particular the Samantabhadra Wishing Prayer, known as 'King of Aspiration Prayers.' Monlam is the Tibetan word for 'aspiration' or 'good wishes'.

International Kagyu Monlam at Bodhgaya from 14 to 20 Dec

GANGTOK, 11 Dec: International Kagyu Monlam, a mass prayer ceremony held every year in Bodh Gaya at the Mahabodhi tree is scheduled to begin on 14 Dec and conclude on 20 Dec with Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje presiding over the week-long prayer ceremony, informs a press release.
The 14th Gyalwang Shamarpa Mipham Chokyi Lodrue will also be present during the prayer ceremony, the release informs. This year, thousands of devotees, both monk and nuns, lay devotees, including a large number from Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal are expected to attend this mega-annual Kagyu ceremony, the release adds.

Rigzing Sokdup prayers conclude at Kambal

GANGTOK, 28 Nov:  The three-day Rigzing Sokdup prayers organized by the Ritsung Chorten Committee at Kambal in East Sikkim concluded today, informs a press release. 

Tumin Lingee Youth Assoc organizes peace prayers

GANGTOK, 14 Nov: Shanti Hawan [Bhagwad Path and Jenshey] was organized by Tumin Lingee Youth Association [TLYA] in collaboration with panchayats, general public and devotees of Tumin  Lingee constituency at Rakshey 4th Mile in Upper Rakdong ,East Sikkim on 11 and 12 November.

Sangitmaya Sri Mad Bhagwat Gita Path for Peace and tranquility

MANGAN, 10 Nov: The Sangitmaya Sri Mad Bhagwat Katha, Gyan Yagya path, which had been underway at Mangan Bazaar, North District since 04 Nov concluded today.

Srimad Bhagat Mahayajna performed at Tumin

MANGAN, 08 Nov:  “Srimad Bhagat Mahayajna” along with Vedpath and Saptasati path was held here today at Omkareshwar Shiv Mandir, Lower Tumin in East Sikkim.  The yajna was carried out by 17 purohits and pandits of Tumin and Samdong area. 

Vajra Guru Kangshyak held at Silnon Monastery

GANGTOK, 30 Oct: A five-day Vajra Guru Kangshyak puja was organised by the Puja Committee of Silnon Monastery,Tashiding, West Sikkim from 22 to 26 October for those who lost their lives in the recent earthquake and for world peace, informs a press release.

Dzongu offers special prayers in the wake of 18 Sept Earthquake

WANGCHUK BHUTIA
NAMPRIKDANG, 23 OCT: The residents of Dzongu got together at Namprikdang ground today to attend special prayers offered to the guardian deities in the wake of the 18 September Earthquake devastation.
Special prayers - Lingzey Lungnon and Segyi Rumfaat - were offered today by a set of seven Bongthings who gathered here from different parts of Dzongu. The prayers were led by Bongthing Dichen Lepcha.

Lachung Rinpoche leads special prayers for earthquake victims

GANGTOK, 23 Oct: Special prayers were conducted for the lives lost to the 18 September Earthquake and in other disasters and for world peace and prosperity today at the Upper Syari JHS ground.

Sakya Trizin leads prayers for earthquake victims and Sikkim’s well being at Ngor Gumpa

GANGTOK, 17 Oct: Jungdul Shiwai Jensek - Vajrapani Peaceful Fire Puja for earthquake victims and the well being of the universe and the State of Sikkim in particular was performed at Sa-Ngor Chotshog Centre, Rongyek [SNCC] this morning.

Gyaltshab Rinpoche prays for Sikkim and contributes to CM’s Relief Fund

GANGTOK, 17 Oct: The XIIth Goshir Gyaltshab Rinpoche and the monks of Palchen Chosling Monastery, Ralong, South Sikkim, have condoled the loss of lives and destruction of property in the 18 September Earthquake.

Gangtok Muslims pray for Sikkim, contribute relief funds and materials

GANGTOK, 30 Sept: The Muslim community here came together today to offer special prayers for victims of the 18 September Earthquake. This prayer was offered after the Juma Namaaz [Friday Prayers] at the Gangtok Masjid this afternoon.

Thingchim prays for earthquake victims

MANGAN, 28 Sept: Vajra Guru prayers are being offered here at the Kalzang Nyamoo Lhakang Monastery at Thingchim in North Sikkim for victims of the 18 September earthquake. The prayers were organized jointly by the Gumpa committee and the public of Thingchim.

Sangtong Samaj organizes prayers for earthquake affected

GANGTOK, 26 Sept: Vajra Guru Mantra, Pharchey Lamsel and Menlom prayers were carried out by Sangtong Samaj, Ranka Dhajey from 23 to 25 Sept to offer prayers for the earthquake affected and to seek the restoration of normalcy in the State.
The prayers were led by Champa Tashi Ongyel Bhutia and joined by 12 monks and was also participated by the SDF party in-charge, Upper Burtuk, DT Lepcha, officials and local residents, informs a press release.
The Puja Committee has thanked all who attended the prayers.

Shapten underway at Deorali Sheda

GANGTOK, 26 Sept: Sikkim Institute of Higher Nyingma Studies [Sheda] College at Deorali, Gangtok is continuously conducting shapten (prayer) for those killed in the 18 September earthquake, the well being of all who survived and in order to prevent further disasters like the Sunday earthquake, informs a press release.
The Principal, Dr. Khenpo L Tshering, and other professors along with students and other devotees are attending the prayer.

Tadong prayers for earthquake victims

GANGTOK, 25 Sept: Prena Samaj of Gairi Gaon here organized condolence prayers at the Tadong Durga Mandir yesterday for the lives lost in the 18 September earthquake and those who continue to suffer its effects.
The ceremony included the lighting of eleven hundred lamps and began at 6:11 in the evening, coinciding with the one week anniversary of the earthquake.
The prayers were joined by residents of the area and also attended by Daragaon ward councilor Bhasker Basnet.