Updates from Pema Ts'al
Our new students have arrived!!!
Phurdhok (Averting of Negativities by Vajrakilaya Ritual): This Phurdhok Ritual was held for one week before Losar from 31st Jan till 5th Feb, '08 . Vajrakilaya and Mahakala rituals were performed for all seven days but on the final day, a very precious lama dance was also performed. This Phurdhok Ritual averts all negativities of the old year and brings a very fresh New Year.
Earth-Mouse 2135 Losar Festival Celebration: Losar(Tibetan New Year) festival is celebrated for three days every year in the month of February, in which the 1st month of Tibetan according to Lunar calendar falls most of the time. This year's Losar festival was celebrated from 7th till 9th Feb. In Tibet Losar festival is celebrated for fifteen days with lots of entertainment and fun but here in exile communities, the Tibetan people celebrate it for only three days.
The Losar festival celebration for this year was a fantastic one. On the 1st day in the early morning, all lama teachers and monk students assembled in the main shrine. They offered the Long-life Prayers for HH the Dalai Lama and HH the Sakya Trizin together with prayers for all Rinpoches of Tibetan Buddhism and sentient beings were said. The students had their own time thereafter until the noon of the third day. In the afternoon, different entertaining games were organized for the students. All students were made to participate in one or two games. They competed for 30mtrs race, 30mtrs spoon & marble race and tug-of-war games to name a few. The handsome cash prizes were given for all winners and two runners up in each game. The entertaining program was not concluded yet. We also had our Tibetan authentic cultural show in the evening for nearly two hours. In total, ten different dances and songs of three provinces of Tibet were performed.
This is the first time in the 9 years of Pema Ts'al history that these kinds of games and cultural show were organized. The students were all given new dresses for Losar and provided full of delicious meals for three days. In a nut shell, the celebration of this year's Losar festival ended in a very happy note.
Addition of New 25 Students: In February 2008, 25 new students from Upper and Lower Mustang and also from Nepali Gurung communities were selected for the third time. The institute had only 30 students in the year 1999 when it was established. In the year 2004, 25 new students were added for second time. The inst has now 80 monk students. This monastic Institute welcomes any child who wishes to become a monk student regardless of any different in caste and colour.
Sponsorship of New Students: The sponsorships are needed for new 25 students. The institute office welcomes anyone who wishes to take the sponsorship of a child. You could choose anyone out of 25. Please contact the institute office for more procedures of sponsorship. The rate of sponsorship money is USD35 x 12months = 420 a year.
Vairochana (Kun-Rig) Sand Mandala Ritual: This mandala ritual will be held from 12th to 18th June, '08 for one week. This puja is very helpful for the deceased. It helps the deceased to overcome from the sufferings of hell and approaching them to heaven. For more details, please contact the institute office or have a look at the page prayers and pujas.
Vajrakilaya Sand Mandala Riutal (Phurba Drubchen): This mandala ritual will be held from 3rd to 12th November, '08 for ten days. This puja is very helpful for overcoming from all kinds of obstacles and bad evils. You could request us for this ritual and other rituals. Please contact the institute office for more info or have a look at the page prayers and pujas.