Taking Refuge
Taking refuge is the first step on the Buddhist Path to Enlightenment. It is a formal ceremony during which a person officially becomes a Buddhist. For most, it is a natural outgrowth of learning about Buddhism and comes about because of an inner sense of connection with the teachings. In short, taking refuge is a very special blessing that makes it easier to do the spiritual practices that make oneself a better person and ultimately become enlightened.

Dedication of Merit (Both Simple & Elaborate Versions)

• Helps heal and relieve the suffering of a loved one or animal who is sick, ill or with a serious disease.
• As a mourning practice, Dedication of Merit assists the person or animal to have a quick and successful rebirth.
• Celebrate your anniversary as a Buddhist.
• Celebrate world events and important occasions.

Green Tara, Mandala Offering, 21 Tara, or Mahakala

• Remove obstacles and negative forces for important events like a business meeting, a trip, an exam, a big sporting event, etc.

• "Clear the path.”

Blessing or Consecration of Land, Home, Business or Store

• Harmonious energy
• Happiness
• Reduced sickness
• Long life

Fire Puja

• Protection of home, person or land.
• Exorcizes formless ghosts, demons, poltergeists. Use when you are afraid or scared of unusual happenings like doors opening, lights going on and off.
• Includes special charm for house.
• Also removes bad luck that comes from bad energies attached to old or antique objects.

Consecration of Statues, Stupas, Tangkas, Malas and Other Religious Objects
A statue or stupa without consecration is empty. It is not correct to leave religious objects empty on a shrine, they need to be filled with “tsung shu” – valued items like secret relics, fragments of special stones, mantras, jewels, medicines, grains, etc.
This spiritual practice turns empty objects into sacred objects.
 
Note: A limited number of consecrated statues are available for purchase at Sakya Monastery; see Gillian Teichert.

To Sponsor a Deity Empowerment – Call the office or see Adrienne Chan

“Kargo” – Private Healing to Subdue Negative Emotions
A very special and sacred ceremony and practice, Kargo puts the person under Lama’s protection. Cures bad dreams, nightmares, disturbances and unhappiness.

“Sur” – The Complete 49-Day Spiritual Practice as Described in “The Tibetan Book of the Dead”

• Facilitates person’s passage through the Bardo.
• Purges attachment to objects.

Chak-Mo – Divination
Get a direct “Yes” or “No” answer on important decisions, i.e., home, business, marriage, relationship, etc. Any doubt you want to resolve.

Weddings
Contact Sakya Monastery Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – noon to arrange for a blessing or ceremony.

Note: There is a brochure and a notebook available upon request that provides complete details on all the above ceremonies.