26 November 2009

Blazing Gloriously Like A Mountain of Gold:
Seating the Lotus Garden Buddha

Procession to Lhawang Gatsal

When it had been washed and blessed, the statue was then lifted into a shiny red pickup truck to begin a ceremonial procession to Lhawang Gatsal led by Rinpoche, Jetsünla, the nuns and the six Lopöns, followed by the sangha.

Photo Credit: Members of the Lotus Garden sangha carrying the Buddha statue to the pickup truck.
Photo Credit: Procession led by Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche and Jetsün Dechen Paldrön

Musicians gathered by the door of the shrine room played an invocation on traditional instruments.

Photo Credit: Musicians play ceremonial music to welcome the Buddha
Photo Credit: The Buddha statue, supported by sangha members arrives at Lhawang Gatsal, the main shrine room.

The Buddha was placed in Lhawang Gatsal where it could be secured and made safe for the coming year. Lopöns offered khatags in the colors of the five families and flowers were placed at his feet. Rinpoche, Jetsünla, the nuns and the entire sangha then joined in prayers reciting the Supreme Sage and praises to Shakyamuni together. After this, the Buddha was draped with cloth to protect it through the long process of repair, cleansing, filling and consecration during the winter months.

Photo Credit: Sangha members carry the Buddha statue into Lhawang Gatsal
Photo Credit: Sangha members place the Buddha upright in Lhawang Gatsal
Photo Credit: Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche and Lopön Helen Berliner offer a khatag in one of the colors of the five buddha families
Photo Credit: Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, Jetsün Dechen Paldrön and the nuns (foreground) joing the sangha in reciting praises to Shakyamuni Buddha

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