Losar – Tibetan New Year

Losar means New Year in Tibetan. It is the most important festival in Tibet. It is an opportunity to celebrate, to leave behind any negative aspects and to invite positivity and auspiciousness into our lives.

This year, Losar falls on March 3 and is followed by The Fifteen Days of Miracles. According to the Tibetan calendar, Losar will mark the first day of the year of the Water Tiger.

The Fifteen Days of Miracles are powerful time for Buddhist practice. All fifteen days starting on Losar are merit-multiplying days, when the merit of virtuous actions performed on these days is multiplied by 100 million, as cited by Lama Zopa Rinpoche from the vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic. It is a perfect moment to renew and strengthen our practice.

For the FPMT, Losar is a special time as it commemorates the anniversary of FPMT founder Lama Yeshe’s passing  at dawn of Losar in 1984.

Program

5.00 – 5.05 pm – Welcome

5.05 – 5.35 pm – Extensive Light Offerings (find the text here)

5.35 – 5.50 pm – Recitation of the Sutra remembering the Three Jewels (find the text here)

6:00 – 6:30 pm – Recitation of recommended prayers for the situation in Ukraine:

• The Vajra Speech of Mahasiddha Thangtong Gyalpo: Words of Truth Pacifying the Danger of Weapons (find the text here)
• Padmasambhava—The Prayer to Guru Rinpoche that Spontaneously Fulfills All Wishes (Sampa Lhundrupma) (find the text here)
• Padmasambhava—The Supplication to Guru Rinpoche Clearing the Obstacles on the Path (Barchey Lamsel) (find the text here)

Feel free to join tonight’s guided meditation and teaching with Ven. Robina! Starting 6.30 pm. (You don’t need to register for the entire Discovering Buddhism course)

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Cost: Suggested donation is 0-15 CHF. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. You can donate online via Paypal, Twint or E-Banking.

Language: English

Level: No prior knowledge required.

Registration: No registration necessary. Drop-ins are welcome anytime.