Pujas (chanted prayers) are an important component of training in a spiritual life and are held at our Center in Austin throughout the week. They help us to still our mind, connect with enlightened beings, and receive blessings.
Below is a list of the pujas we practice together at the center. Please check the online calendar for any schedule changes. All pujas are free of charge and open to the public. You do not need any previous experience and do need to be a Buddhist to attend. Everyone is welcome!
Note: Occasionally we have events or alternate meditation pratices that might change the time and day of a regularly scheduled chanted meditation. Please consult our LIVE CALENDAR for most up to date information.
Heart Jewel
Heart Jewel is a short chanted prayer consisting of two practices revealed by the Wisdom Buddha Manjushri and includes a meditation on Lamrim. By engaging in the special Guru yoga practiced in conjunction with Je Tsongkhapa we can purify negativity, accumulate merit, and receive blessings, and attain a very special wisdom. By engaging in the special method for relying on the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden we can overcome obstacles to our practice and create favorable conditions.
Wishfulfilling Jewel
Similar to Heart Jewel explained above, however the session includes a tsog offering (food) ceremony, so you can bring a vegetarian food offering with you if you wish. Sundays, 3:30-4:30pm
Offering to the Spiritual Guide
Offering to the Spiritual Guide is a special Guru yoga of Je Tsongkhapa in conjunction with Highest Yoga Tantra. The main practice is relying upon the Spiritual Guide, but it also includes all the essential practices of the stages of the path (Lamrim) and training the mind (Lojong), as well as both the generation stage and completion stage of Highest Yoga Tantra. This practice includes a tsog offering so you can bring a vegetarian food offering with you if you wish. (2 hours). 10th and 25th of every month
Long Protector Puja (Melodious Drum)
This monthly practice consists principally of prayers to our Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden. A Dharma Protector is an emanation of a Buddha or Bodhisattva whose main functions are to avert the inner and outer obstacles that prevent practitioners from attaining spiritual realizations, and to arrange all the necessary conditions for their practice. Dorje Shugden always helps, guides, and protects pure and faithful practitioners by granting blessings, increasing their wisdom, fulfilling their wishes and bestowing success on all their virtuous activities. This practice includes a tsog offering so you can bring a vegetarian food offering with you if you wish. (3.5 hours). Around the 29th of every month
Tara Prayers (Liberation From Sorrow)
If we rely upon Mother Tara sincerely and with strong faith she will protect us from all obstacles and fulfill all our wishes. Since she is a wisdom Buddha, and since she is a manifestation of the completely purified wind element, Tara is able to help us very quickly. If we recite the twenty-one verses of praise we shall receive inconceivable benefits. These praises are very powerful because they are Sutra, the actual words of Buddha.