Lama Tsongkhapa Bhumtsok Puja with Geshe Tenzin Zopa – over the three days of the Chenrezig Institute 50th Anniversary Celebration

26th - 28th September 8:30am to 4:00pm Daily

We warmly invite you to take part in the Lama Tsongkhapa Bhumtsok Puja, which will be happening throughout the Big Love Festival each day from 8.30am to 4.00pm. The puja sessions will be led by Geshe Tenzin Zopa, a close disciple of Kyabje Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, joined by FPMT Geshes from our region and Geshes and monks from Sera Monastery in Southern India, as well as many sangha members (monks and nuns), members of our community and guests.

As you arrive on site, you'll be greeted by inspiring displays of offerings that wind through the gardens and into the meditation hall. Throughout each day our community will come together in a shared act of devotion, celebrating the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa and strengthening our bonds with one another. Everyone is welcome to join us in this beautiful and inspiring celebration of our 50th anniversary.

Lama Tsongkhapa (1357–1419) was a great Tibetan Buddhist scholar and the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, the lineage which our centre, as part of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) follows. His teachings continue to inspire practitioners with their emphasis on wisdom, ethical conduct, and compassion.

The Bhumtsok Puja is a traditional practice that honours his legacy, through which our community can collectively engage with these timeless teachings and create the positive energy that allows them to flourish.

Geshe Tenzin Zopa is a highly respected teacher known for his approachable manner and deep understanding of the Dharma. His guidance during this puja will help us connect more deeply with the meaning of the offerings and the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa, fostering a sense of shared purpose and mutual support.

The Lama Tsongkhapa Bhumtsok Puja involves making extensive offerings such as water, flowers, incense, food and lights. These offerings are symbolic of various aspects of our spiritual and communal lives, helping us to generate generosity and compassion. By participating, we not only honour Lama Tsongkhapa but also reinforce our community’s commitment to these values and celebrate together.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche was known for making extensive offerings:

“We are not aware of the limitless skies of benefits we achieve from the practice of offering, what we can achieve and enjoy from life to life. Even while you are in samsara, you enjoy good rebirths, wealth, and every happiness. Even just the samsaric perfections are amazing, without adding all those incredible realizations that allow us to offer deep benefit to sentient beings, liberating them from oceans of samsaric suffering and its cause, delusion and karma.”

You can be a part of this very auspicious event…

This event is made possible by the donations and support of our community. Over the three days, a total of 100,000 offerings will be made, with 1,000 actual sets of offerings. You are welcome to sponsor one set of offerings for $30, or to contribute whatever you are happy to offer. Even a small donation made with a generous heart and a strong motivation is of huge benefit!

You may dedicate your offering in many beautiful ways: to the long life of any of your teachers; to the quick return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche; to the health and wellbeing of your family, friends, pets and all sentient beings. Share the wonderful merit you create when you donate to this very auspicious event!

Please join us in helping to build a stronger, more compassionate community through this special event. If you are not able to attend in person - you can join us on zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/372934059?pwd=bGpDUGw5MDgremd5ZjVnNDhKeTlPUT09

meeting code: 372 934 059 passcode: 029924