Geshe Jampa Gyatso Anniversary
Sunday 27 November 2022 marks the 15th anniversary of the day on which our precious master Geshe Ciampa Ghiatso left his body.
PROGRAM
On this occasion we monks and nuns we will meet again at 9:30 in the morning, to celebrate the Lhasang puja, the offering of purifying smoke to the deities.
It is an extended Puja dedicated to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, to the protectors and protectors of the world, to all sentient beings of the six classes and all those with whom we have karmic debts. It is also of great benefit to the surrounding environment.
A fire is prepared and during the ceremony various substances such as juniper, oils and herbs are added to the fire. These produce a thick white smoke that is blown away with the wind, sometimes visible even from a distance.
At 15:00 we will all meet in the Meditation Room of the Lama Tzong Khapa Institute.
The disciples of Geshe Ciampa Ghiatso and the community will have the opportunity to participate in the Ceremony by contributing to the offering of flowers and food (biscuits, sweets, etc.) and drinks which will be blessed and distributed to all those present.
BIOGRAPHY
Geshe Ciampa Ghiatso, known affectionately at the Lama Tzong Khapa Institute as Geshe-la, was born into a nomadic family in Tibet. During his studies at Sera Je monastery, Geshe-la soon became friends with another young monk named Thubten Yeshe (later founder of the FPMT).
A few years later, after engaging in various Buddhist research and study projects, Geshe-la received a letter from his old friend Lama Yeshe asking him to travel to the West to teach. In 1980, after a brief period of teaching Westerners at the Kopan Monastery in Nepal, Geshe-la arrived at the Lama Tsong Khapa Institute, where he remained as a resident teacher until his death in November 2007. Geshe-la was for several years abbot of the monastery of Nalanda in France and first abbot of the monastic community of Pomaia as well as active inspirer of the Sangha Onlus association.