White Tara Longevity Ritual
Today hundreds of believers prayed for the well-being and long life of all sentient beings. The first of six longevity rituals took place at “The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni”. Today all prayers were offered to the goddess of longevity, White Tara. It was crowded, with participants of the ritual seated in the Dugan, in the conference hall, and even on the third level of the khurul — young and old alike asking the Goddess for their most cherished wishes.
🙏Om tare tuttare ture mama ayur punya jnana pushtim kuru svaha🙏 — reciting this mantra, the believers turned to White Tara with a plea to help remove all obstacles to a long and happy life. As the Shajin Lama of Kalmykia, Geshe Tenzin Choydak, noted, during these rituals it is important to sincerely wish longevity not only for oneself, one’s family, and loved ones, but for all sentient beings. “With what motivation do you come to the temple? Why is it necessary to prolong one’s years? Why is it important to offer prayers for the benefit of all sentient beings? By answering these questions, a person generally comes to understand where they need to improve on the path of spiritual development.
Today’s ritual lasted almost three hours, and many prayers were offered. Tomorrow, December 8, at 9:00 a.m., the prayer service for the long life of Buddha Amitayus, “Tsaglsh uga nasni sudr”, will take place.
