Program of the Celebration of the Great Prayer Gathering Ik Yöräl (Monlam Chenmo)

From February 25 to 27, the Central Khurul of Kalmykia “The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni” will host Ik Yöräl — the Great Prayer Gathering (Monlam Chenmo), founded in 1409 by Lama Tsongkhapa in honor of the miracles performed by Buddha Shakyamuni. Program of the Celebration Day 1 (February 25, Thursday) Session 1 (9:00–11:30) 1. The three-part prayer. 2. Taking refuge and generating bodhichitta. 3. Text: “The Hundred Deities of Tushita.” 4. Lama Tsongkhapa's prayer “Migzem.” 5. Text: “The Foundation of All Good Qualities.” 6. Text: “Invocation of the 17 Panditas of Nalanda.” 7. Text: “Skillful Compassion.” 8. Text: “In Praise of Dependent Origination.” 9. Text: “Ornament of Clear Realization.” 10. Text: “The Brief Essence of the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment.” 11. Three texts for removing obstacles: the Heart Sutra, White Umbrella Tara, Green Tara. 12. Prayer of invocation to the 14th Dalai Lama. 13. Offering of the “Golden Drink” (Serjm). 14. Offering of torma. Session 2 (14:00–16:00) 1. Text: “The Excellently Composed Praise of Tara.” 2. Text: “The Threefold Praise.” 3. Prayer of invocation to Maitreya. 4. The ablution rite. 5. Prayer of invocation “Victorious Ocean.” 6. The ablution rite “King of the Precious Empowerment.” 7. Extensive mandala offering. 8. Brief mandala offering. 9. Prayer of repentance. 10. Offering of torma to the local guardians. 11. Text: “The Secret Biography.” 12. Text: “The Foundation of All Good Qualities.” 13. Prayer for the spread of the Teaching. 14. Prayer for peace on earth. 15. Prayer for the attainment of the Supreme. 16. Prayer: “The Peak of the Victory Banner.” 17. Lama Chöpa. Day 2 (February 26, Friday) Session 1 (9:00–11:30) 1. The three-part prayer. 2. Taking refuge and generating bodhichitta. 3. Text: “The Hundred Deities of Tushita.” 4. Lama Tsongkhapa's prayer “Migzem.” 5. Text: “The Foundation of All Good Qualities.” 6. Text: “Invocation of the 17 Panditas of Nalanda.” 7. Text: “The Two Kinds of Accumulation of the Great Victory.” 8. Text: “Instructions Like an Ocean of Clouds.” 9. Text: “Introduction to the Madhyamaka.” 10. Text: “Like the Boundless Sky.” 11. Text: “The Three Renowned Lands.” 12. Three texts for removing obstacles: the Heart Sutra, White Umbrella Tara, Green Tara. 13. Prayer of invocation to the 14th Dalai Lama. 14. Offering of the “Golden Drink” (Serjm). 15. Offering of torma. Memorial prayer service for the deceased, Yöräl (14:00–16:00) Day 3 (February 27, Saturday) Session 1 (9:00–11:30) 1. The three-part prayer. 2. Taking refuge and generating bodhichitta. 3. Text: “The Hundred Deities of Tushita.” 4. Lama Tsongkhapa's prayer “Migzem.” 5. Text: “The Foundation of All Good Qualities.” 6. Text: “Invocation of the 17 Panditas of Nalanda.” 7. Text: “The Comprehension of Renunciation by All Buddhas.” 8. The Great Praise of Maitreya. 9. The life story “The Beautiful Garden.” 10. Prayer of invocation to the 14th Dalai Lama. 11. Three texts for removing obstacles: the Heart Sutra, White Umbrella Tara, Green Tara. 12. Offering of torma. Session 2 (13:00–15:00) 1. Text: “The Excellently Composed Praise of Tara.” 2. The text of veneration of Buddha Amitabha “Boundless Radiance.” 3. Prayer: “Words of Truth.” 4. Offering of torma. 5. Offering of torma to the local guardians. 6. Text: “The Body of Maitreya.” 7. Text: “Pure Snow Mountains.” 8. The ablution rite. 9. Text: “Victorious Ocean.” 10. Text: “The Precious King of Empowerment.” 11. Extensive mandala offering. 12. Prayer for the spread of the Teaching. 13. Prayer for peace on earth. 14. Prayer for the attainment of the Supreme. 15. Prayer: “The Peak of the Victory Banner.”