During four holy times each year, according to the Tibetan calendar, Root Institute organises a celebration of the most significant events in Lord Shakyamuni Buddha's life, which we call our Festivals of Lights & Merit – please join us!

Chökhor Düchen commemorates the anniversary upon which Shakyamuni Buddha first began teaching the Dharma. For seven weeks after his enlightenment, the Buddha did not teach. Then, Indra and Brahma offered a dharmachakra and a conch shell, and requested Shakyamuni to teach. Accepting, Buddha Shakyamuni turned the Wheel of Dharma for the first time in Sarnath, India, by teaching on the Four Noble Truths.

By the immense power of Lord Buddha's deeds, on this anniversary, the merit of virtuous actions we perform is multiplied by 100 million (see the FPMT article, Practice on the Four Great Holy Days, where the late Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche cites the Vinaya text, Treasure of Quotations and Logic).

Rinpoche has advised how important these commemorations are for success, and for our centre to be most beneficial.

We are honoured and committed to continue following Rinpoche's advice.

You are welcome to join in these offerings in person and/or to provide sponsorship:

• numerous butter lamps offering light to the Mahabodhi Stupa

• offerings of flowers to the Mahabodhi Stupa

• prayer flags festooned around the banks of the Muchalinda Lake, in the grounds of the Mahabodhi Stupa

• Guru Puja by the monks of Namgyal Monastery in Bodhgaya.

Sponsors' names and dedication prayers will be read out.

Accumulate skies of merit for you, your loved ones, and for all mother sentient beings during this auspicious day!

Indian sponsors

Indian students now have a quick & easy way to donate to Root Institute – scan this QR code, going to:

UPI ID: rifwc@sbi

Please follow this up by sending an email to:  specifying:

• your name
• donation amount
• donation purpose (FLAM), and
• your dedication prayer.

(This method does not work for foreign bank accounts).

International sponsors

International students can sponsor offerings and pujas via FMPT gateway