Vajra Dakini Nunnery

Our Vermont celebration of Buddhist Mother's Day Labab Duchen was a smoke offering and was attended by a nice group of neighbors. We had David in charge of building up and keeping the fire going. He did a most wonderful job, tending the fire with so much care and respect, such as I have never seen before. The result was a powerful practice of making offerings to all the Buddhas and bodhisattvas, as well as every kind of protector spirit. Placing gifts of herbs and foods in the fire resulted in the most beautiful (and amazing) smoke spirals. No doubt that all beings to whom we offered the many substances were delighted with its quality and its beauty.
Thubten Saldon

In India, La Bab Duchen was also a glorious affair. Khenmo Drolma participated in both elaborate mandala offerings and smoke offerings.

"I chose La Bab Duchen to offer our annual gift to the Drikung Institute. Every year we share funds- approximately 5% of what is offered to us, to the Drikung Nunnery in Dhera Dunn and H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche for his numerous activities. It was wonderful to make the offering directly.

So many groups wished to offer on that day that the first offerings were before dawn during the 5am practice. First we offered representations of the Buddha's body speech and mind to H.E. Garchen Rinpoche who was giving the empowerments and teachings. Then tea was offered and a small gift to all the monks and nuns.
mandala dd

I had an opportunity to contemplate the depth of meaning of these mandala offerings. When I was offering to H.E. Garchen Rinpoche, I called to mind gratitude that he has devoted his whole life, putting aside any physical difficulties in order to teach world wide so that sentient beings are lifted out of their suffering. We can see his body aging and he cheerfully continues to beam love. We also offered a monetary gift to help sponsor the teachings that day. In doing so, we make a karmic connection to all the participants, assisting them in their understanding now and in their future teachings. We are linked to all they meet in their life when they teach, as are you.

In Nepal, at Rinchen Ling Monastery, we fed 100 young monks for a day! I love imagining the great teachers of the future and helping them".

In 2011 Vajra Dakini also made a similar donation to Ven. Dhyani Ywahoo for her Dharma activites. Additionally modest donations were made to Samtenling Nunnery where we sponsor two nuns, Dongyu Gatsal Nunnery (led by Jetsuma Tenzin Palmo), Gape Lama's Nunnery in Tibet and The Buddhist Global Relief Fund.

Your generosity inspires generosity; a continuous circle of giving. Through your support, you connect to all the people who come to Vajra Dakini, listen online and all those whom we touch with compassion, as well as, all of their activities when they put the teachings into motion in their lives.

We expressed our gratitude to the teachers and for the teachings at the close of the ceremonies with a rain of flowers during the dedication prayers! We send the same gratitude out to all of you who have helped us at Vajra Dakini in countless ways.
flower offering