Dechod
Dechod is the commemoration of the parinirvana of a great master. In this instance, we honor our primary teacher and founder, Kyabje Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche (1931–2011). Rinpoche entered parinirvana on Monday, December 26, 2011. According to the Tibetan Buddhist lunar calendar, this was the 2nd day of the 11th month of the Iron Rabbit year. Each year, we commemorate his passing on this lunar calendar date, which this year corresponds to January 1, 2025. (Scroll down for Schedule)
We also commemorate the parinirvana of our lineage teachers Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche II Jigdral Yeshe Dorje (1904-1987), and Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche III Sangye Pema Shepa (1990-2022). (For more dates, please refer to the Calendar.)
Lama Tharchin Rinpoche, speaking of Thinley Norbu Rinpoche’s Dechod, said:
Regarding Dechöd, In this instance, ”De” is the time when Kyabje Dungse Rinpoche passed into Parinirvana and “Chod” is the aspect where the student can make offerings to connect with the blessings of Rinpoche’s wisdom mind... For us, our Lama’s Dechod is equal to that of Buddha Shakyamuni and all past Buddhas, and is in fact more important because Kyabje Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche is our root lama: He shows us the path, gives teachings, guides us on the path and we rely on Rinpoche until we become fully enlightened and inseparable with him. It is like doing one mantra on a holy day where the merit multiplies by millions. During this time, we can remember Rinpoche’s wisdom, his kindness, how much that has penetrated our mind, how our lives would be inconceivable without him... We can come together and pray, make aspiration prayers together that immediately when this life has set we can be reborn in the Pureland, that we can practice together and attain fully enlightened Buddhahood always together. Then we don’t have any separation, from life to life.
[For Lama Tharchin Rinpoche’s full words about Dechod, please click here]
Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche’s 13th Dechod
🗓️ December 30th, 2024 - January 1st, 2025
📍 Kunzang Gatshal Foundation
This year for Dechod, we will practice The Treasure of Blessings of the Ritual of Buddha (Buddha Puja) and The Rain of Blessings: Guru Yoga in Connection with the Seven-Line Prayer (Shower of Blessings)—both composed by Mipham Rinpoche.
Program Schedule:
Monday, December 30th, 2024
Buddha Puja
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5:00 pm - 8:00 pm: The Treasure of Blessings of the Ritual of Buddha (Buddha Puja)
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8:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Tsok and Dinner
Tuesday, December 31st, 2024
Buddha Puja
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5:00 pm - 8:00 pm: The Treasure of Blessings of the Ritual of Buddha (Buddha Puja)
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8:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Tsok and Dinner
Wednesday, January 1st, 2025
Buddha Puja
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10:00 am - 12:00 pm: The Treasure of Blessings of the Ritual of Buddha (Buddha Puja)
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12:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Lunch Break
Shower of Blessings
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3:00 pm - 6:00 pm: The Rain of Blessings: Guru Yoga in Connection with the Seven-Line Prayer (Shower of Blessings) with additional prayers. (*Tentative Livestream)
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7:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Tsok and Dinner
*Update: Due to good weather, we will be practicing at the Tsokkhang Temple and will not be able to livestream on January 1st as originally planned. We apologize for any inconvenience. To be notified if this changes or for future live events, follow us and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Offerings
Everyone is welcome to make a tax deductible donation for Dechod, to go towards Tsok, flowers, light offerings, and other Dechod related expenses. You may contribute via check or online using PayPal at the KGF donation page. Please select 'Dechod' or 'KGF Tsok Offering' in the drop down menu or note section on PayPal. If sending a check, please make it out to KGF Tsokkhor, write 'Dechod' in the memo, and mail it to:
KGF Tsokkhor
80 Kemp Road,
Delhi, NY 13753
Thank you.