Sakya Tenphel Ling presents Update on July Mailer: The Sakya Nunnery Program with Khentrul Rinpoche Special Program: The Vajrayogini Chöd Ritual of the Narokarchod lineage (23 July 16, Sat, 8-9.30pm) Special Write-up: In July 2015, Kharchok Rinpoche with an Entourage of Nuns from The Sakya College introduced for the first time in today’s Sakya Fraternity, the Chöd practice based on the Narokarchod lineage of Vajrayogini. His Eminence Luding Khenchen Rinpoche holds the Narokarchod lineage of the Vajrayogini Chöd, and transmitted the Loong to Khorchak Rinpoche. The 2015 CHÖD ritual had profound effect on all attendees and those who were link with it, and there were talks that we should continue this special practice as a regular activity in STL. This will go a long way to revive the Chöd practice in the Sakya Fraternity and enable the spread of Chöd benefit to others in Sakya in all levels from practitioners to anyone that has a link with Sakya. Such action is indeed of great merit and auspiciousness to our Centre if we are able to maintain a regular STL Chöd practice session. His Eminence the late Dhonthog Rinpoche of Seattle revealed that he always kept a tape on CHÖD ritual with him, and would play out to listen to the chanting whenever he encountered obstacles or negative emotion, physical harm and health problem. Rinpoche said that the blessing and healing received just from listening to the Chöd can be very effective. Although this year Sakya Nunnery has no Chöd ritual in its program, STL is very fortunate that Khentrul Rinpoche, who lead the Sakya Nunnery Entourage*, requested a Chöd ritual during the program. Rinpoche has requested to continue last year Vajrayogini Chöd ritual with one session on 9 July 2016. We hope look forward for Rinpoche to hold at least another 2 sessions during their stay in STL. This will regulate us to have a yearly CHÖD Ritual session, as next year the Sakya College for Nuns will be invited to a program here. (* Most of the student of Sakya College for nuns are also from the Nunnery). Chöd in Tibetan means ‘to cut through’ or ‘to sever’. The spiritual practice of Chöd is to cut through self-grasping (ego) which is our enemy, and is the cause for all sufferings. Therefore, CHÖD practice is to transform and annihilate self-grasping so as to pacify our mind by realizing our true inner nature that is devoid of all sufferings. However, this is easier said than successfully done, as such false view (existent of an inherent self) are ingrained in our mental continuum since beginningless time though we are aware of it. To enable us to have convincing understanding and spiritual experience, the CHÖD ritual brings to play special methods which engage our body, speech and mind during the ritual for the transformation of the present mundane state (of egoistic body, speech and mind) to the realization of inner peace and happiness. It involves the playing of Hand-drums (a large hand held Damaru), Bells and Kanglings (hand held blow-horns) coupled with special chanting and visualization/meditations from the texts on various offerings and ‘scarification’ activities. The sound of chanting is very unique and mystical, the bodily movement of the practitioners with musical instruments is very beautiful and ‘hypnotic’ and its (Chöd) internal practice of visualization and meditation is very transforming and blissful. It (Chöd ritual) mesmerises everyone in the session and also those who will hear it every times at any occasion. Resting one’s body in sleeping posture creates greater merit of offering our body and soul to the deities. By doing these, defilements and impurities will be dispelled. Witnessing this ritual is a blessing that can change our lives. We are grateful to Khentrul Rinpoche and the Nuns for their altruistic and compassionate intention to hold the Vajrayogini Chöd ritual session in our Centre where our members and visitors can receive all the blessing and healing benefit of Vajrayogini. With accordance with the law of dependent arising, may this blessing that arises from this Chod ritual also spread forth to our local community and all the Sakya fraternity. Our mundane state will be completely overcome! Rejoice! All are welcome to attend this Chöd session on 23rd July 2016! (open to public) With the blessings of our Guru and the triple gem, we wish all a very fruitful session together. 44th EXCO. 5th July 2016.