Events List

Thangka depicted the 15 days of Buddha’s Miracles at Shravasti.

The festival celebrating the 15 miracles of the Buddha begins on New  Years Day (Lunar), this year on January 25, 2020. In addition to being LOSAR, New Year’s Day — the Year of the Iron Mouse or Metal Rat — day seven of the lunar year celebrates the first miracle of Shakyamuni Buddha:

Day seven — miracle seven

On the seventh day, Buddha’s own clan, the Sakyas, made offerings to him. He blessed all the listeners so that they became great chakravartins (universal Kings that support the Dharma), each possessing seven magic jewels. Each ruled his own small country and had many respectful ministers. All were very happy with this and when Buddha spoke they had great faith. Having increased their bodhi-mind, many attained arhatship and others sowed seeds of rebirth as humans or gods.

• Introduction to the Fifteen Miracles (Part 1 of an in-depth feature on the Miracles of the Buddha)>>
• For a more in-depth feature on the 15 miracles plus the sutra references, (Part 2) see>>

Chotrul Cuchen (Chunga Choepa)

On the 15th day of the New Year, all fifteen miracles are celebrated on Chotrul Cuchen (Chunga Choepa), the Day of Buddha’s Miracles, this year on February 8, 2020 (Which is Lunar Month 1, Day 15 (Lunar January).

Thangka depicted the 15 days of Buddha’s Miracles at Shravasti.

The festival celebrating the 15 miracles of the Buddha begins on New  Years Day (Lunar), this year on January 25, 2020. In addition to being LOSAR, New Year’s Day — the Year of the Iron Mouse or Metal Rat — day eight of the lunar year celebrates the first miracle of Shakyamuni Buddha:

Day eight — miracle eight

On the eighth day Indra invited Buddha and prepared a great lion throne. When the Tathagata was seated, Indra himself made offerings on Buddha’s left while Brahma made offerings on his right. They bowed down before him, while the people sat quietly. Buddha placed his right hand on the lion throne in the earth touching mudra, and there was a great sound of trumpeting elephants.

Five fierce demons came roaring forth and the thrones of the six teachers were destroyed. After the demons, Vajrapani came, with flames shooting from the point of his vajra. The six teachers were terrified and jumped into the water and disappeared. Their teachers having deserted them, the ninety thousand attendants took refuge in Buddha and asked to become fully ordained monks. Buddha welcomed them and the matted locks and beards that had marked them as disciples of the six teachers miraculously disappeared.

Buddha taught all of them according to their abilities to understand. Freeing themselves from the fetters of desire, hatred and ignorance, each attained arhatship. Then the Tathagata radiated eighty-four thousand rays of light from the pores of his body, so that the light filled the entire sky. On the point of each ray was a beautiful lotus, and on top of each lotus appeared a Buddha along with his attendants. Each Buddha was teaching the Tathagata’s doctrine. All felt joy at this sight, and their faith was greatly increased. Then Buddha spoke the holy Dharma and many increased their bodhi-mind, some attaining arhatship, and a countless number produced the inclination to take rebirth as humans or gods.

• See our full feature on Vajrapani’s fire>>

• Introduction to the Fifteen Miracles (Part 1 of an in-depth feature on the Miracles of the Buddha)>>
• For a more in-depth feature on the 15 miracles plus the sutra references, (Part 2) see>>

Chotrul Cuchen (Chunga Choepa)

On the 15th day of the New Year, all fifteen miracles are celebrated on Chotrul Cuchen (Chunga Choepa), the Day of Buddha’s Miracles, this year on February 8, 2020 (Which is Lunar Month 1, Day 15 (Lunar January).

March 4, 2020: Daka Day — and Guru Rinpoche Day —  are celebrated on the 10th Tibetan Day in the lunar calendar each month, honoring the “male” embodiments of Enlightened Energy and Father Tantra. These precious events are “healing” and “purifying” meditations, and often highly festival when observed in a group. Although this is an event primarily for Higher Tantric initiates, it is beneficial for anyone to make offerings and participate.

• For a full story on “What is Tsog” see this feature>>

Feast of Heroes

H.E. Lama Zopa at Lama Chopa Tsog.

As always, with Buddhist offerings, the offerings are not “needed” by self-aware deities or Buddhas. The Enlightened have no need of sensory offerings. In general, offerings are an opportunity for us to earn merit to help overcome our negative karmas and attachments. The act of offering, or generosity, is also the “cure” for the grasping, attached mind. And, then there’s Tsog, which is precious especially to the Enlightened Dakinis and Dakas. [For a story on Dakinis and a previous story on Tsog, see>>]

Chakrasamvara Heruka and Vajrayogini are also Highest Yoga Tantra practices. Heruka, who represents ultimate compassion, is especially honoured on Daka (Hero) Day with Tsog. Here, Heruka is completed by Vajrayogini, who represents wisdom.

In some practices, the Lunar 10th is often called the “Feast of Heroes” (Feast of Dakas) — and is often a celebration of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) — and the 25th is the “Feast of Heroines” (Feast of Dakinis.) In others, there is no distinction, so both days are called the “Feast of Dakas and Dakinis” or “Feast of Yogis and Yoginis” (Feast of Heroes and Heroines.)

Pandit Ratna Raksherita explained:

Those doing the activities of the heroes, it is called the feast of the heroes,
Similarly, those doing the activities of yoginis, it is called the feast of the heroines,
Those whose minds are enriched with control of the circle
Of the integrated method and wisdom,
That is called the circle of unification.

Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava, the Lotus-Born. He is especially celebrated on the 10th of the Lunar Month. (For more on Guru Rinpoche, see>>)

Tsog Purpose

The Heruka Root Tantra explains the purpose of Tsog offering, which is to remove obstacles and hardships:

The waxing and waning of each month
If good tsog is offered
Then one has no hardships, no difficulties
And one goes to the pure land of Tharpo Kachoe

“The very highest meaning of tsog is to join method and wisdom. The real meaning of experiencing tsog is the transcendental wisdom, non-dual great bliss – the wisdom of emptiness, the non-duality of that, and uniting these two. That is the very essence of tsog. It is the offering of that experience, oneself experiencing it, the male and female heroes and heroines, of which the essence is the guru deity, and oneself also experiencing that, as the guru deity. The real meaning of tsog is integrating method and wisdom, the transcendental wisdom, non-dual bliss and voidness (this is the secret meaning).” — H.E. Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Tsog is nearly always at night time. From the Heruka Root Tantra, it is explained — night is symbolically when Dakas and Dakinis are more active:

Offering extensive food and drink
Always do at night time – why?
Because it is admired to do at nighttime
Always wander at nighttime and always gather at nighttime.

April 3, 2020: Daka “Hero” Day — and Guru Rinpoche Day — are celebrated on the 10th Tibetan Day in the lunar calendar each month, honoring the “male” embodiments of Enlightened Energy and Father Tantra. These precious events are “healing” and “purifying” meditations, and often highly festival when observed in a group. Although this is an event primarily for Higher Tantric initiates, it is beneficial for anyone to make offerings and participate.

• For a full story on “What is Tsog” see this feature>>

Feast of Heroes

H.E. Lama Zopa at Lama Chopa Tsog.

As always, with Buddhist offerings, the offerings are not “needed” by self-aware deities or Buddhas. The Enlightened have no need of sensory offerings. In general, offerings are an opportunity for us to earn merit to help overcome our negative karmas and attachments. The act of offering, or generosity, is also the “cure” for the grasping, attached mind. And, then there’s Tsog, which is precious especially to the Enlightened Dakinis and Dakas. [For a story on Dakinis and a previous story on Tsog, see>>]

Chakrasamvara Heruka and Vajrayogini are also Highest Yoga Tantra practices. Heruka, who represents ultimate compassion, is especially honoured on Daka (Hero) Day with Tsog. Here, Heruka is completed by Vajrayogini, who represents wisdom.

In some practices, the Lunar 10th is often called the “Feast of Heroes” (Feast of Dakas) — and is often a celebration of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) — and the 25th is the “Feast of Heroines” (Feast of Dakinis.) In others, there is no distinction, so both days are called the “Feast of Dakas and Dakinis” or “Feast of Yogis and Yoginis” (Feast of Heroes and Heroines.)

Pandit Ratna Raksherita explained:

Those doing the activities of the heroes, it is called the feast of the heroes,
Similarly, those doing the activities of yoginis, it is called the feast of the heroines,
Those whose minds are enriched with control of the circle
Of the integrated method and wisdom,
That is called the circle of unification.

Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava, the Lotus-Born. He is especially celebrated on the 10th of the Lunar Month. (For more on Guru Rinpoche, see>>)

Tsog Purpose

The Heruka Root Tantra explains the purpose of Tsog offering, which is to remove obstacles and hardships:

The waxing and waning of each month
If good tsog is offered
Then one has no hardships, no difficulties
And one goes to the pure land of Tharpo Kachoe

“The very highest meaning of tsog is to join method and wisdom. The real meaning of experiencing tsog is the transcendental wisdom, non-dual great bliss – the wisdom of emptiness, the non-duality of that, and uniting these two. That is the very essence of tsog. It is the offering of that experience, oneself experiencing it, the male and female heroes and heroines, of which the essence is the guru deity, and oneself also experiencing that, as the guru deity. The real meaning of tsog is integrating method and wisdom, the transcendental wisdom, non-dual bliss and voidness (this is the secret meaning).” — H.E. Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Tsog is nearly always at night time. From the Heruka Root Tantra, it is explained — night is symbolically when Dakas and Dakinis are more active:

Offering extensive food and drink
Always do at night time – why?
Because it is admired to do at nighttime
Always wander at nighttime and always gather at nighttime.

May 3, 2020: Daka “Hero” Day — and Guru Rinpoche Day — are celebrated on the 10th Tibetan Day in the lunar calendar each month, honoring the “male” embodiments of Enlightened Energy and Father Tantra. These precious events are “healing” and “purifying” meditations, and often highly festival when observed in a group. Although this is an event primarily for Higher Tantric initiates, it is beneficial for anyone to make offerings and participate.

• For a full story on “What is Tsog” see this feature>>

Feast of Heroes

H.E. Lama Zopa at Lama Chopa Tsog.

As always, with Buddhist offerings, the offerings are not “needed” by self-aware deities or Buddhas. The Enlightened have no need of sensory offerings. In general, offerings are an opportunity for us to earn merit to help overcome our negative karmas and attachments. The act of offering, or generosity, is also the “cure” for the grasping, attached mind. And, then there’s Tsog, which is precious especially to the Enlightened Dakinis and Dakas. [For a story on Dakinis and a previous story on Tsog, see>>]

Chakrasamvara Heruka and Vajrayogini are also Highest Yoga Tantra practices. Heruka, who represents ultimate compassion, is especially honoured on Daka (Hero) Day with Tsog. Here, Heruka is completed by Vajrayogini, who represents wisdom.

In some practices, the Lunar 10th is often called the “Feast of Heroes” (Feast of Dakas) — and is often a celebration of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) — and the 25th is the “Feast of Heroines” (Feast of Dakinis.) In others, there is no distinction, so both days are called the “Feast of Dakas and Dakinis” or “Feast of Yogis and Yoginis” (Feast of Heroes and Heroines.)

Pandit Ratna Raksherita explained:

Those doing the activities of the heroes, it is called the feast of the heroes,
Similarly, those doing the activities of yoginis, it is called the feast of the heroines,
Those whose minds are enriched with control of the circle
Of the integrated method and wisdom,
That is called the circle of unification.

Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava, the Lotus-Born. He is especially celebrated on the 10th of the Lunar Month. (For more on Guru Rinpoche, see>>)

Tsog Purpose

The Heruka Root Tantra explains the purpose of Tsog offering, which is to remove obstacles and hardships:

The waxing and waning of each month
If good tsog is offered
Then one has no hardships, no difficulties
And one goes to the pure land of Tharpo Kachoe

“The very highest meaning of tsog is to join method and wisdom. The real meaning of experiencing tsog is the transcendental wisdom, non-dual great bliss – the wisdom of emptiness, the non-duality of that, and uniting these two. That is the very essence of tsog. It is the offering of that experience, oneself experiencing it, the male and female heroes and heroines, of which the essence is the guru deity, and oneself also experiencing that, as the guru deity. The real meaning of tsog is integrating method and wisdom, the transcendental wisdom, non-dual bliss and voidness (this is the secret meaning).” — H.E. Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Tsog is nearly always at night time. From the Heruka Root Tantra, it is explained — night is symbolically when Dakas and Dakinis are more active:

Offering extensive food and drink
Always do at night time – why?
Because it is admired to do at nighttime
Always wander at nighttime and always gather at nighttime.

June 1, 2020: Daka “Hero” Day — and Guru Rinpoche Day — are celebrated on the 10th Tibetan Day in the lunar calendar each month, honoring the “male” embodiments of Enlightened Energy and Father Tantra. These precious events are “healing” and “purifying” meditations, and often highly festival when observed in a group. Although this is an event primarily for Higher Tantric initiates, it is beneficial for anyone to make offerings and participate.

• For a full story on “What is Tsog” see this feature>>

Feast of Heroes

H.E. Lama Zopa at Lama Chopa Tsog.

As always, with Buddhist offerings, the offerings are not “needed” by self-aware deities or Buddhas. The Enlightened have no need of sensory offerings. In general, offerings are an opportunity for us to earn merit to help overcome our negative karmas and attachments. The act of offering, or generosity, is also the “cure” for the grasping, attached mind. And, then there’s Tsog, which is precious especially to the Enlightened Dakinis and Dakas. [For a story on Dakinis and a previous story on Tsog, see>>]

Chakrasamvara Heruka and Vajrayogini are also Highest Yoga Tantra practices. Heruka, who represents ultimate compassion, is especially honoured on Daka (Hero) Day with Tsog. Here, Heruka is completed by Vajrayogini, who represents wisdom.

In some practices, the Lunar 10th is often called the “Feast of Heroes” (Feast of Dakas) — and is often a celebration of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) — and the 25th is the “Feast of Heroines” (Feast of Dakinis.) In others, there is no distinction, so both days are called the “Feast of Dakas and Dakinis” or “Feast of Yogis and Yoginis” (Feast of Heroes and Heroines.)

Pandit Ratna Raksherita explained:

Those doing the activities of the heroes, it is called the feast of the heroes,
Similarly, those doing the activities of yoginis, it is called the feast of the heroines,
Those whose minds are enriched with control of the circle
Of the integrated method and wisdom,
That is called the circle of unification.

Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava, the Lotus-Born. He is especially celebrated on the 10th of the Lunar Month. (For more on Guru Rinpoche, see>>)

Tsog Purpose

The Heruka Root Tantra explains the purpose of Tsog offering, which is to remove obstacles and hardships:

The waxing and waning of each month
If good tsog is offered
Then one has no hardships, no difficulties
And one goes to the pure land of Tharpo Kachoe

“The very highest meaning of tsog is to join method and wisdom. The real meaning of experiencing tsog is the transcendental wisdom, non-dual great bliss – the wisdom of emptiness, the non-duality of that, and uniting these two. That is the very essence of tsog. It is the offering of that experience, oneself experiencing it, the male and female heroes and heroines, of which the essence is the guru deity, and oneself also experiencing that, as the guru deity. The real meaning of tsog is integrating method and wisdom, the transcendental wisdom, non-dual bliss and voidness (this is the secret meaning).” — H.E. Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Tsog is nearly always at night time. From the Heruka Root Tantra, it is explained — night is symbolically when Dakas and Dakinis are more active:

Offering extensive food and drink
Always do at night time – why?
Because it is admired to do at nighttime
Always wander at nighttime and always gather at nighttime.

June 30, 2020: Daka “Hero” Day — and Guru Rinpoche Day — are celebrated on the 10th Tibetan Day in the lunar calendar each month, honoring the “male” embodiments of Enlightened Energy and Father Tantra. These precious events are “healing” and “purifying” meditations, and often highly festival when observed in a group. Although this is an event primarily for Higher Tantric initiates, it is beneficial for anyone to make offerings and participate.

• For a full story on “What is Tsog” see this feature>>

Feast of Heroes

H.E. Lama Zopa at Lama Chopa Tsog.

As always, with Buddhist offerings, the offerings are not “needed” by self-aware deities or Buddhas. The Enlightened have no need of sensory offerings. In general, offerings are an opportunity for us to earn merit to help overcome our negative karmas and attachments. The act of offering, or generosity, is also the “cure” for the grasping, attached mind. And, then there’s Tsog, which is precious especially to the Enlightened Dakinis and Dakas. [For a story on Dakinis and a previous story on Tsog, see>>]

Chakrasamvara Heruka and Vajrayogini are also Highest Yoga Tantra practices. Heruka, who represents ultimate compassion, is especially honoured on Daka (Hero) Day with Tsog. Here, Heruka is completed by Vajrayogini, who represents wisdom.

In some practices, the Lunar 10th is often called the “Feast of Heroes” (Feast of Dakas) — and is often a celebration of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) — and the 25th is the “Feast of Heroines” (Feast of Dakinis.) In others, there is no distinction, so both days are called the “Feast of Dakas and Dakinis” or “Feast of Yogis and Yoginis” (Feast of Heroes and Heroines.)

Pandit Ratna Raksherita explained:

Those doing the activities of the heroes, it is called the feast of the heroes,
Similarly, those doing the activities of yoginis, it is called the feast of the heroines,
Those whose minds are enriched with control of the circle
Of the integrated method and wisdom,
That is called the circle of unification.

Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava, the Lotus-Born. He is especially celebrated on the 10th of the Lunar Month. (For more on Guru Rinpoche, see>>)

Tsog Purpose

The Heruka Root Tantra explains the purpose of Tsog offering, which is to remove obstacles and hardships:

The waxing and waning of each month
If good tsog is offered
Then one has no hardships, no difficulties
And one goes to the pure land of Tharpo Kachoe

“The very highest meaning of tsog is to join method and wisdom. The real meaning of experiencing tsog is the transcendental wisdom, non-dual great bliss – the wisdom of emptiness, the non-duality of that, and uniting these two. That is the very essence of tsog. It is the offering of that experience, oneself experiencing it, the male and female heroes and heroines, of which the essence is the guru deity, and oneself also experiencing that, as the guru deity. The real meaning of tsog is integrating method and wisdom, the transcendental wisdom, non-dual bliss and voidness (this is the secret meaning).” — H.E. Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Tsog is nearly always at night time. From the Heruka Root Tantra, it is explained — night is symbolically when Dakas and Dakinis are more active:

Offering extensive food and drink
Always do at night time – why?
Because it is admired to do at nighttime
Always wander at nighttime and always gather at nighttime.

July 29, 2020: Daka Day — and Guru Rinpoche Day —  are celebrated on the 10th Tibetan Day in the lunar calendar each month, honoring the “male” embodiments of Enlightened Energy and Father Tantra. These precious events are “healing” and “purifying” meditations, and often highly festival when observed in a group. Although this is an event primarily for Higher Tantric initiates, it is beneficial for anyone to make offerings and participate.

• For a full story on “What is Tsog” see this feature>>

Feast of Heroes

H.E. Lama Zopa at Lama Chopa Tsog.

As always, with Buddhist offerings, the offerings are not “needed” by self-aware deities or Buddhas. The Enlightened have no need of sensory offerings. In general, offerings are an opportunity for us to earn merit to help overcome our negative karmas and attachments. The act of offering, or generosity, is also the “cure” for the grasping, attached mind. And, then there’s Tsog, which is precious especially to the Enlightened Dakinis and Dakas. [For a story on Dakinis and a previous story on Tsog, see>>]

Chakrasamvara Heruka and Vajrayogini are also Highest Yoga Tantra practices. Heruka, who represents ultimate compassion, is especially honoured on Daka (Hero) Day with Tsog. Here, Heruka is completed by Vajrayogini, who represents wisdom.

In some practices, the Lunar 10th is often called the “Feast of Heroes” (Feast of Dakas) — and is often a celebration of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) — and the 25th is the “Feast of Heroines” (Feast of Dakinis.) In others, there is no distinction, so both days are called the “Feast of Dakas and Dakinis” or “Feast of Yogis and Yoginis” (Feast of Heroes and Heroines.)

Pandit Ratna Raksherita explained:

Those doing the activities of the heroes, it is called the feast of the heroes,
Similarly, those doing the activities of yoginis, it is called the feast of the heroines,
Those whose minds are enriched with control of the circle
Of the integrated method and wisdom,
That is called the circle of unification.

Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava, the Lotus-Born. He is especially celebrated on the 10th of the Lunar Month. (For more on Guru Rinpoche, see>>)

Tsog Purpose

The Heruka Root Tantra explains the purpose of Tsog offering, which is to remove obstacles and hardships:

The waxing and waning of each month
If good tsog is offered
Then one has no hardships, no difficulties
And one goes to the pure land of Tharpo Kachoe

“The very highest meaning of tsog is to join method and wisdom. The real meaning of experiencing tsog is the transcendental wisdom, non-dual great bliss – the wisdom of emptiness, the non-duality of that, and uniting these two. That is the very essence of tsog. It is the offering of that experience, oneself experiencing it, the male and female heroes and heroines, of which the essence is the guru deity, and oneself also experiencing that, as the guru deity. The real meaning of tsog is integrating method and wisdom, the transcendental wisdom, non-dual bliss and voidness (this is the secret meaning).” — H.E. Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Tsog is nearly always at night time. From the Heruka Root Tantra, it is explained — night is symbolically when Dakas and Dakinis are more active:

Offering extensive food and drink
Always do at night time – why?
Because it is admired to do at nighttime
Always wander at nighttime and always gather at nighttime.