The First Tantric Ritual, “Torgyak,” Held in Kalmykia

Any human afflictions, ignorance, and any wrong views are the source of our suffering. Today the monks of “The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni” helped the laypeople rid themselves of all of this. At the Central Khurul the annual tantric rituals have begun, starting with the “Torgyak” ritual.

From early morning the large prayer hall was crowded. All the participants of the tantric ceremony — young and old — were focused. Heeding the prayers of the monks, each one asked the Burkhans to remove any obstacles in life, asked for prosperity and peace.

Addressing the faithful, the Shajin Lama of Kalmykia emphasized how important it is to recite mantras during these days, to keep kindness, love, and compassion in one's heart, to strive to perform virtuous deeds and to teach this to one's children. “What matters is your sincere faith, faith in what is best and bright,” noted Geshe Tenzin Choydak.

By tradition, “Torgyak” consisted of 2 parts: in the first half of the day a prayer service was held, at which prayers of praise, appeasement, and propitiation of Erlg Nomin Khan were recited, and offerings were made to him in the form of specially prepared torma; while in the second part of the ritual the “sor,” which absorbs all that is negative, was burned in a fire. This part is one of the most spectacular. The sounds of the spiritual musical instruments are like a sign of triumph, majestically proclaiming that all the negativity accumulated over the year and all the obstacles of living beings have been eliminated in the fire.

Tomorrow, October 2, the next ritual — “Jinseg” — will take place. It begins at 9:00 a.m.