The Annual Tsedup is held at Thrangu Tashi Yangste Monastery, Namo Buddha. Since 2019 the Tsedup was not possible to hold due to the covid pandemic and the passing of Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche in June, 2023. So it was with great joy that it was held this year.
Each Tsedup is held for 7 days leading up to the holy day of Labab Duchen, the day that Buddha descended from Tushita Heaven. On that day Amitayus (long life) empowerment is given in the morning and the sacred lama dance is performed in the afternoon.
The Annual Tsedup is performed for the flourishing of the Dharma as well as world peace, longevity and the wellbeing of all sentient beings.
This year, Kabje Zuri Rinpoche, one of the four major tulkus of Thrangu Monastery, came from Bhutan.
It was a great honor to have him officiating for the seven days and bestowing the empowerment on the last day. As well, Choje Lama, Tulku Damcho Rinpoche, many overseas lamas, Khenpos, over 650 monastics, monks and nuns and many lay devotees from here and abroad took part. The entire Tsedup including food. was sponsored by Kabje Zuri Rinpoche.
Before the Amitayus empowerment Kabje Zuri Rinpoche gave a very heartfelt talk about the continuity and importance of the Thrangu Tulkus and the unmistaken recognition of the 10th Thrangu Rinpoche that will surely take place. Rinpoche also gave advice to the local Mother’s Community who receive teachings daily at the monastery from Lama Karma Phurbu. He also consecrated the new Dewachen
Temple that houses the remains of the deceased.
Every evening during the Tsedup all sangha, including SMD school students, did Thrangu Rinpoche Guru Yoga and prayers were done for Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche’s rebirth.
Kabje Zuri Rinpoche was requested to visit regularly.
A Short History of the Thrangu Tsedup and Sacred Lama Dance
In general, lama dancing is acting out the motions of the yidam deity and dharma protectors.
AT the time of a disastrous earthquake in the regions of Thrangu Monastery in Tibet, the monastery was so damaged, with the exception of the main temple that it was thought that the monastery must be rebuilt in another location. Traleg Yeshe Nyima sent a messenger to Gyalwang Karmapa Tekchok Dorje and he replied that as the main temple was not destroyed it was certainly due great blessings of the dharma protectors and others and that if the monastery was rebuilt it would cause the teachings to flourish.
The great Terton Chokgyur Lingpa was invited to come and he placed a three sided dagger in each of the four directions to tame the earth. The monastery was restored and he established the tradition of performing the long life practice “The Union of Means and Wisdom” revealed by Yonge Mingyur Dorje. Traleg Rinpoche’s next incarnation was appointed the dharma master of Chokgyur Lingpa’s White Amitayus terma. He then combined the lama dance of White Amitayus which came from Chokgyur Lingpa’s pure vision with the long life practice from Yongey Mingyur Dorje. This was performed at Thrangu Monastery in Tibet and then taught by the dance masters to the monks of Thrangu Monastery in Nepal.
This lama dance helps spread the teachings in general and specifically pacifies adversity and increases life force, merit and wisdom in those who participate.
