Chanted Prayers (pujas) are traditional prayers translated into English and set to beautiful tunes composed by ordained Sangha of this tradition. The practice of prayer in the Buddhist tradition has many aspects; it enables us to make a close connection with enlightened beings, receive their blessings and inspiration and thereby strengthen our minds of wisdom and compassion. Through concentrating on their meaning with a good motivation we can purify negative karma, gather virtuous karma, and fill our minds with pure, positive healing energy.
A brief description of a few of our most popular pujas is below:
Prayers for World Peace
These popular classes consist of a short introduction to a meditation topic, chanted prayers, and a period of silent meditation typically focusing on solutions to problems encountered in daily life.
Heart Jewel
Prayers and requests to Je Tsongkhapa and his Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden. This puja has a 20-minute Lamrim meditation in the middle.
Offering to the Spiritual Guide
Prayers for relying upon the Spiritual Guide. It includes all the essential practices of the stages of the path (Lamrim) and training the mind (Lojong). Done on Fridays closest to the 10th and 25th days of the month, with tsog offering.
Purification with the 35 Confession Buddhas
Officially called “The Bodhisattva’s Confession of Moral Downfalls,” this is a purification sadhana (method). It emphasizes the “three superior heaps” of Prostration, Confession, and Dedication.
Powa Ceremony
This is a puja for transferring the consciousness of the deceased to a Pure Buddha Land. This is a sadhana of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion.
Liberation from Sorrow
Praises and requests to the twenty-one Taras. The twenty-one Taras are manifestations of Green Tara. “Tara” means “Rescuer,” and she is also known as the “Mother of the Conquerors.” If we rely upon Green Tara sincerely, she will protect us from all obstacles and fulfill all our wishes.
Avalokiteshvara’s Sadhana Avalokiteshvara, or Chenrezig in Tibetan, is an enlightened being who is a manifestation of all Buddhas’ compassion. He is known as the Buddha of Compassion.
* Tsog Offering *
We offer food, drink, flowers, and other pleasant objects to the Buddhas during some pujas. You may bring nice offerings that you would give to a good friend.
Dates and Times: Pujas begin at 5:00pm on Fridays and Prayers for World Peace at 10:30 on Sundays, unless otherwise noted.
The Sadhanas (prayer booklets) of Kadampa Buddhism:
All the essential practices of Kadampa Buddhism are included in a series of sadhana booklets prepared by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and published by Tharpa Publications.
Click on a sadhana for more information:
Bodhisattva’s Confession of Moral Downfalls
Condensed Essence of Vajrayana
Great Liberation of the Father
Great Liberation of the Mother
Mahayana Refuge and Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony
Meditation and Recitation of Solitary Vajrasattva
Offering to the Spiritual Guide
