"It is mentioned in the Kadampa teachings that it is a hundred times more powerful to make prayers with your community than alone in your room."

- Lama Zopa Rinpoche

A puja consists of meditations, visualisations and prayers, including taking refuge and generating bodhicitta, followed by an elaborate version of the seven limb practice: making prostrations and offerings, confessing one's negativities, rejoicing in the good deeds of oneself and others, requesting the Buddhas to remain in samsara and teach, and dedicating the merits (positive energy) thus created. Mantras, praises and requests are also usually recited.

The purpose of a puja is to purify one's negative energy thus clearing away obstacles in life and spiritual practice for oneself and others. One also creates new positive energy and this is dedicated for the fulfillment of one's own wishes and the wishes of others, including the most profound and expansive wish of all: to become a fully enlightened Buddha for the benefit of all beings.

Everyone is welcome to join the pujas at Tushita!

You may participate at whatever level you feel comfortable: simply observing or reciting along with the group. Just come and see!

Most of our pujas are in the early evening (usually starting around 6:30pm) or late afternoon and are 1 - 2 hours long.

Our pujas are usually conducted in English or Tibetan (phonetics provided) or a combination of both.

Tushita offers the following pujas:

• Guru Puja (Lama Choepa) (10th & 25th of Tibetan month)
• Medicine Buddha Puja in English (15th of Tibetan month)
• Tara Puja, 16 Arhats Puja and Palden Lhamo Puja in Tibetan (performed by Gyurme monks at Tushita once a month, exact date changes)
• Protector prayers in English & Tibetan (performed privately most evenings by Tushita Monastics)
• Shakyamuni Buddha Puja in English (On special occasions and wheel turning days)
• Sutra Readings (On special occasions and wheel turning days)

Tushita's monthly pujas are scheduled according to Tibetan dates of the lunar calendar. Please note that the Tibetan calendar is very different from the standard Western dating system, and that a date in a Tibetan month will not match a 'normal' calendar.

For Western dates of each of these pujas, please see our Calendar of Events.

Please contact the Tushita office for more information & exact times and if you would like to make a donation & dedication for the puja (not required!).