By Stephanie Prince
On September 20, 2013, a special announcement was sent out that the Sakya Monastery would host a reading and viewing practice of the Kanjur texts. It was being held especially for the benefit of H.H. Jigdal Dagchen Sakya’s long life and for world peace. The Kanjur, composed of 108 volumes, is the speech or “Translation of the Word”, of the Buddha in the sutra and tantric traditions. For example, some of us had before us on our table sutras such as the Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom), while others of us, were able to view the Kalachakra tantra.
The schedule for this auspicious activity began on September 24 at 9:30 am and was expected to continue during several sessions during that week. As it turned out we had very good attendance and thus this practice was able to be accomplished within two intensive sessions.
Reading/viewing of the Kanjur (“Shachey”) is a very meritorious tradition often practiced in Tibetan monasteries. Those who understand Tibetan could read the texts in Tibetan. However, for those of us who cannot read Tibetan, we were able to participate by respectfully viewing and turning the pages of a volume of the Kanjur while reciting mantras. For this practice, members and friends mindfully recited H.H. Dagchen Rinpoche’s Long Life prayer, mantras such as those of the Three Long Life Deities (Amitayus, Ushinisha Vijaya, and White Tara), Chenrezi, or Green Tara mantras.
Everyone was welcomed to join Tulku Yeshi; Khenpo Jampa; Lama Migmar; and the Sakya Phuntsok Phodrang family for these prayer services and we all had a very enjoyable, enlightening, and beneficial experience. And we all felt very blessed to be able to participate in this virtuous Dharma activity.
