July 9 – Manila | We will have a Smoke Puja this coming Sunday, July 14, 730am, at Tagaytay. Family and friends are welcome to join.
During Smoke Puja, smoke powder and Lungta (windhorse prayer flags) are burned. The smoke powder is a mix of ‘clean’ substances such as spices, wheat, honey, and sugar. The Lungta prayer flags contain mantras and dharanis.
The Smoke Powder, containing a mixture of spices, wheat, and other natural substances
The Smoke Prayer
Smoke Prayer, called Riwo Sang-cho, was revealed by Terton Lhatsun Namkha Jigme of Sikkim, as a Terma. He is a rebirth of the past masters Vimalamitra and Longchenpa. Through Riwo Sang-cho, Terton Lhatsun Jigme successfully overcame human and non-human obstacles, and established the Dzogchen lineage in Sikkim, India.
PURPOSE
Traditionally, we conduct a Smoke Prayer so that we can offer the smoke from the burned ‘clean’ powder, to the four classes of beings – the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas, the Dharma protectors, all sentient beings wandering in Samsara, and those we have Karmic debts to.
There are many reasons behind doing a Smoke prayer. One such reason is that we humans commit many mistakes that pollute our surroundings such as forests and hills. For instance, grilling different kinds of meat causes ‘pollution’ that displeases the gods, goddesses and other elemental beings around us. By burning and offering the smoke from Smoke prayer, these ‘pollutions’ are cleansed.
Smoke Puja presided over by Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche, with Khenpo Tashi, Lama Samten, Lama Tsultrim and other monks
REPAYING KARMIC DEBTS
Offering the smoke powder, oil and wine
Having lived countless lives, we have committed many negative actions to other sentient beings. Just by buying a leather jacket, leather shoes, smartphones, we have indirectly committed killings and sufferings to millions of insects and animals. By building our houses, the earth dug below displaced and killed numerous small insects. Karmic debts to these beings are created unconsciously. So, offering the smoke, blessed by Buddha’s speech and mantra, is one way to repay these debts.
Lungta
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- Lungta, with the five animals
Lung in Tibetan means wind, Ta means horse. This horse is very fast and can go anywhere in an instant. It gives energy and power.
Lungta is also a term of measurement for luck. When Lungta is said to be “low”, things and activities are difficult to be successful. There are many obstacles preventing something to develop.
People throw the Lungta from a very high mountain. It is taken as a good sign when the winds blow them higher. It can also be burned with herbal leaves and incense. Both worldly and non-worldly qualities and merit are increased through this. Lungta is also used to remove the inauspicious obstacles to an individual’s life or Buddhist practice.
On a Lungta paper, four animals are present at the four corners, and one in the center. These are the most powerful animals of the animal kingdom and they each represent one element.
garuda, fire – “who can subdue everything and increases the lungta of excellent qualities”
lion, earth – “who is endowed with strength and increases the lungta of great radiance”
the emerald dragon, water – “who is endowed with powerful sound and increases the lungta of renown”
the tiger, air, “who is endowed with the skill of a great hero, destroying inauspiciousness and increases the lungta of heroic courage”
the windhorse, space, at the center, expands the power of the four elements
Since the paper contains teachings and mantras of numerous Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, they must be thrown in empty, high and clean places where people do not step on them afterwards.
The main altar of a Smoke Prayer, Guru Rinpoche and the eight manifestations
Photos courtesy of Apollo Tan
Extracts from Merit-Making: A Tibetan Buddhist Temple Guidebook