Protector Prayers
(HYBRID) Prayers to protect from inner, outer and secret obstacles on the spiritual path. The protectors are wrathful emanations of the Buddha, that terrify our distorted attitudes and free us from the bondage of ego. Prayers include praises to Mahakala, Palden Lhamo, and Hayagriva, as well as prayers to Guru Rinpoche for the climate and environment.
Special chants and ritual praises to strengthen our connection to the Dharma and dispel interferences, distractions and obstacles. These prayers are a skilful way to pacify the inner demons of doubt and confusion. We chant the prayers in Tibetan, and practice using the traditional instruments as shown to us by Geshe Zopa.
The protectors appear terrifying to the ego, but are in fact manifestations of the Buddha. Just like destructive actions need a firm hand to protect both the perpetrator and society, so too the protectors terrify our disturbing emotions and distorted attitudes, to protect us from the prison of self-cherishing and self-grasping.
“The way to practice is that the protector, or deity, and the guru, all three, are one. For the guru you can think of His Holiness [the Dalai Lama], as most of you have received teachings from His Holiness.”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche
We also include the poetic and inspiring prayers to Guru Rinpoche to protect from climate crisis, war and disharmony, and a short tsog offering.
This practice is traditionally done on Tibetan 29th which is Protector Day, and most suited for those with a a background in tantric practice, but open to all.
“There are three Dharma protectors of the three principal aspects of the path: Kalarupa is emptiness, Vaishravana is renunciation, and Mahakala is bodhicitta. The protector of the three capable beings is the lamrim, which is the essence of the whole entire Dharma that the Buddha has taught, all 84,000 teachings.”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Event Details
Donate to the Puja
Donations made on holy days on the Buddhist calendar are especially powerful. Your contribution here will go towards altar offerings and holy objects.
*If you can’t make it to puja but still want to be involved, please email us in your dedication so we can read it at the puja.
What You Will Need
Download the Texts:
If you are joining us online, please download these texts to follow along.
Protector Prayers
Guru Rinpoche Prayers
What to bring:
– Offerings for the altar (preferably commercially packaged). They will be offered to the needy at a later date
– Your ritual implements if you have them. We also have some in the gompa to use
Join Event on Zoom
This is a hybrid event, held both in-person in the gompa and online on Zoom. Zoom meeting starts 10 minutes before event start time.
