Post by Neo on Oct 13, 2020 16:59:43 GMT -5
As some of you may know, on March 27th, 2009 His Holiness Penor Rinpoche passed into parinirvana. He was considered to be one of the strongest emanations of Longchenpa and Vimalamitra in our time.
The Palyul Clear Light magazine has a special issue (p. 42) with two great quotes about the merits of performing Ganachakra ceremonies or Tsok Feast offerings on this day.
The Kalachakra Tantra of Holding the Qualities of the Lama teaches:
Whatever virtue is accumulated by relatives for the sake of the dead will ripen upon the dead wherever he or she is born, just as a calf follows the cow.Likewise the offerings devoted disciples make out of sorrow when their master passes away will ripen upon the master, whose wishes will be fulfilled; this will enable the disciple to follow his master’s example. Whoever marks the date, month and the year of their master’s demise and makes offerings on that day will extinguish negative karma accumulated over many eons. Achievement of the unsurpassable state will certainly be enabled.
This merit is not equaled even by the merit of donating eyes or giving life to all beings in the three thousand world systems who are either blind or whose life is deteriorating. This merit is not equaled even by the merit accumulated by leading all beings of the three thousand world systems towards arhathood or by making offering to them for eons. The merit accumulated by making offerings on the anniversary of one’s lama will dispel negative karma and obscurations accrued for countless eons, like the rays of the sun dispelling darkness.
This merit is superior to that accumulated by all beings in the three thousand world systems who gained merit through venerating and serving the Buddha. Moreover, this merit is greater than the merit accrued by donating eyes, curing disease, and dispelling the sorrow of beings who are blind, ill or tormented by suffering in the hell realms and who are as numerous as the dust particles of the three thousand world systems.
The Tantra of the Protector Crow states:
One who holds ceremonies
During the anniversaries
Of the lama’s passing.
Will attain the irreversible state
And after death will be reborn in the realm of
the Khachod dakinis
During the anniversaries
Of the lama’s passing.
Will attain the irreversible state
And after death will be reborn in the realm of
the Khachod dakinis
Vimalamitra statue:
On November 12, 2009 the Vimalamitra statue was consecrated in honor of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche at Tashi Choling, Oregon. Dharma artist, Lama Sonam Tsering, worked on the construction of the Vimalamitra statue. It has been said that His Holiness came to visit the center long ago and the statue now resides exactly where he had sat and gave teachings.
The Shurangama Sutra states:
Mahakasyapa who was present with the bhiksuni Golden Light and others (of his group), then rose from his seat, prostrated himself with his head at the feet of the Buddha and declared:
“In a former aeon, when Candra-surya-pradipa Buddha appeared in this world, I had a chance of following him and of hearing the Dharma which I practised. After he had passed away, I revered his relics, lit lamps to perpetuate his light and decorated his statue with pure gold powder. Since then, in every subsequent reincarnation, my body has been radiant with perfect golden light.”
Ganachakra ceremonies:
For Buddhists, the Ganachakra tsok is a puja or ceremony which includes the recitation of sacred text and mantras. In addition, there are many abundant offerings of music, candles, food and even wine. These ceremonies are traditionally based on the Lunar Calender.
Therefore, each year His Holiness Paranirana Day will be celebrated on a slightly different day. It is important to know, when His Holiness passed away, it was on the First day of the Second month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. Past dates have landed on:
- April 4, 2011
- March 23, 2012
- March 12, 2013
- March 31, 2014
- March 21, 2015
- March 10, 2016
- March 29th, 2017
- March 18th, 2018
- March 7th, 2019
The next ceremony will be held on: March 25th, 2020
Hope that helps!
Neo