Practice Description
Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019 – 10:30 am at the Center — Losar celebration. We will use Tibetan traditions to greet the new year. Each person will light a candle on the altar and we will pray together. Geshe Denma will do the Chemar ritual, a traditional auspicious ceremony using roasted barley flour (called tsampa) mixed with butter. One person will hold a traditional container of tsampa and butter so each person can take a pinch, offer it lightly three times, touch it to the tongue, and then say the traditional auspicious happiness greeting –
Tashi Delek Phunsum Tsok, Ama Bakdro Kukham Sang
Tendu Dewa Thobpar Shog, Gongni Gongdu Phelwar Shog
The meaning in English is: Auspicious goodness and abundance to you, may you be healthy and peaceful, may you find eternal peace and happiness, and may your pursuit of peace and happiness flourish day by day.
According to the lunar calendar, the actual date of Losar is February 5, 2019, and you may wish to recognize that day even though we will be celebrating on the 9th so more people can attend. Following the ceremony, we will all go to lunch to continue the happy gathering for an auspicious start to the new year.