I recorded this video of Tibetan Buddhist monks chanting in a Buddhist monastery in March 2013. This was during a special puja (act of worship involving different rituals) at the Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery in Boudhanath, Nepal, better known as the "White Gompa". This special annual puja is called the Ngak-so ("Ocean of Amrita Mantric-Mending") Drubchen and it last for 9 days.
According to a flayer posted on the monastery:
I'm not very familiar with the Buddhist tradition and I don't know much about all these rituals but it was very special to be there. Imagine being inside this monastery listening to the prayers and sounds of the traditional drums, trumpets and other instruments played by these monks for hours and hours each day. I felt like in a trance and I could hear the monks chanting in my mind even while I was sleeping at night, although I only joined the puja for three or four days.
It was very interesting to see all the rituals happening during this puja. The main part of this puja was the mandala, a big tower that you'll see behind the lamas (high Buddhist teacher) on the left side of the gompa. In the afternoon of the first day the mandala was closed with the sacraments inside and then the last day which started at 3am the mandala was opened again, after 9 days of consecration, and all the sacraments were taken out and used to give a blessing to all the monks and visitors present, one by one, by touching their heads with the sacraments.
One thing that I found very interesting was when the two main lamas guiding the puja were manually connected with a string to the mandala. I wonder if that was only symbolic or if it was indeed intended to transmit some special energy.
I hope you enjoy watching this video and if you are a Buddhist or know more about this puja please don't hesitate to share more information on the comment section below.
According to a flayer posted on the monastery:
"This Great Accomplishment puja which evokes the blessings of Guru Rimpoche, Lord Chenrezig, Lord Amitayus and the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities of the bardo state, is specially effective for restoring broken samaya (vows or pledges) and dispelling obstacles during the New Year."
I'm not very familiar with the Buddhist tradition and I don't know much about all these rituals but it was very special to be there. Imagine being inside this monastery listening to the prayers and sounds of the traditional drums, trumpets and other instruments played by these monks for hours and hours each day. I felt like in a trance and I could hear the monks chanting in my mind even while I was sleeping at night, although I only joined the puja for three or four days.
It was very interesting to see all the rituals happening during this puja. The main part of this puja was the mandala, a big tower that you'll see behind the lamas (high Buddhist teacher) on the left side of the gompa. In the afternoon of the first day the mandala was closed with the sacraments inside and then the last day which started at 3am the mandala was opened again, after 9 days of consecration, and all the sacraments were taken out and used to give a blessing to all the monks and visitors present, one by one, by touching their heads with the sacraments.
One thing that I found very interesting was when the two main lamas guiding the puja were manually connected with a string to the mandala. I wonder if that was only symbolic or if it was indeed intended to transmit some special energy.
I hope you enjoy watching this video and if you are a Buddhist or know more about this puja please don't hesitate to share more information on the comment section below.
Awesome post as well as wonderful video! When one has the feeling of dislike for evil, when one feels tranquil, one finds pleasure in listening to good teachings; when one has these feelings and appreciates them, one is free of fear. thanks a lot!
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