Sravasti Abbey to Honor Geshe Tenzin Chodrak with Medicine Buddha Puja
News Brief | FāVS News
The Ven. Geshe Tenzin Chodrak (Dadul Namgyal), 64, who went missing when he went for a walk the evening of Nov. 7, will be honored on Jan. 21, at 10 a.m., at the Sravasti Abbey, in person and live on YouTube.
The Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Department retrieved a body from a pond near the Abbey on Jan. 3. They believe it matches the description of Namgyal. An autopsy for the cause of death and a correct identification of the body is still in process.
However, the Abbey is still moving forward with formalling remembering the teacher’s life through a Medicine Buddha Puja and a potluck to honor the Abbey’s late teacher.
The Medicine Buddha practice invites great compassion and profound wisdom to support the continuity of the deceased, according to the Abbey’s website.
Offerings are welcome.
Registration information:
The Abbey asks in-person guests:
- To register online to attend in person.
- To bring a COVID-19 rapid home test with them and arrive early to test upon arrival.
- To postpone their visit if they have respiratory symptoms. Symptoms listed here.
- To postpone their visit if they’ve been exposed to someone who has COVID.
What are pujas?
A puja is a Buddhist ceremony that involves visualization, meditation, making offerings to holy beings and mantra recitations to receive inspiration and support, according the Abbey’s website.
A puja generally focuses on a specific deity — a manifestation of enlightenment such as Tara, Avalokiteshvara or Medicine Buddha.
Pujas support the Abbey’s Dharma practice, accumulate merit (positive karma) and help to remove obstacles and other negative circumstances for ourselves and others.
A Medicine Buddha Puja also supports health-related issues, healing the world and restoring peace and harmony.
