New Year’s Greetings & Blessings From Nepal

February 8, 2016
Every year Tara Dhatu and members send Andrea Abinanti donations for the many pujas she arranges during the holiday season. Donors names are read out, along with the names of those who died during the year, and those who ask for special prayers for special needs. This is the first of three of Andrea’s reports….
Nepal NY 2016b

I realize I’m a bit late with sending  New Year greetings for the western year of 2016. However, Tibetan New Year is on Feb. 9th, Nepali New Year is in April … so we here in Nepal get three chances to send New Year greetings to all…

When the earthquake shook Nepal on April 25th…it slightly damaged the stupa, thus we were not able to have it painted as we have done for many years.  When I look at the fissures in the lime, I don’t see any cracks.  I have heard some special photo needs to be taken so they can see if the inside of the dome is damaged or not. Fortunately Tarthang Tulku’s daughter Tsering Palmo renovated the stupa in 2010 thus you can not see any major damage…what a blessing!!!
Nepal NY 2016c
My friend Kari and I are getting ready to start the lighting of the lamps encircling the base of the stupa.
Nepal NY 2016eThe wicks were first soaked in oil, to make them easy to light…and then more oil was added for them to burn longer…
Nepal NY 2016g

After all the lamps had been lit, I read out this prayer .

 

 

 

May this light dispel the darkness of ignorance…
May it awaken the mind…
May it bring luminous, clear wisdom…
And awaken the joy within…
May it dispel all obstacles…
All confusion …
May all pride, selfishness and impurities be dispelled…

May this light free the mind of all fears…
May our lives be filled with stability and peacefulness
May all necessities be sufficient…especially in Nepal where there is so much need!!!
May our bodies be healthy and strong…
Filled with vitality!
By the innate pure wisdom of this light, may all be auspicious and pure!
May the warmth of  this light fill one’s heart with boundless compassion.

We send these blessings out for our family,  our friends and all being.

Nepal NY 2016i
From Swayambhu, we continued on to Manjushri Hill, the hill on which I live. Around this stupa we also lit lamps. Before heading up to the monastery to light the last of the butter lamp offerings for the day, we gathered for a group photo.
Nepal NYj
A thousand lamps were offered…we sent the light out to all!
Nepal NY 2016j
Again we dedicated the merit of all the offerings to those who passed away this year…
to those who need healing and to all those who generously contributed, making it possible for all the wonderful prayers and offerings to be made, as well as to all their family and friends…

After offering the lamps, we went into the gompa for tea,

Nepal NYl

biscuits and to make offerings to the monks.  The protector puja, Manangi Khangtso was performed with the hope that all obstacles for this year will be removed!

The final activity of the day was the hanging of prayer flags…may the prayers of auspiciousness be sent to all!!!
Nepal NY 2016n
Nepal NY 2016q

Lha Gya Lo *** Lha Gya Lo *** Lha Gya Lo

May all the gods be happy with the offerings made!!!

The tsampa flour is thrown to the divine with strong prayers that

by pleasing the gods auspiciousness may pervade in all the realms!

May this New Year be filled with happiness, good health and success!!!

Much love to all…
Andrea

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