Lama Tsongkhapa Day
Lama Tsongkhapa Day is the celebration of Lama Tsongkhapa’s parinirvana, when he passed away and left his earthly body. This auspicious occasion falls this year on December 14, 2025.
Je Tsongkhapa (1357–1419) is the founder of our lineage, the Gelug tradition. A great reformer of Buddhist doctrine, Tsongkhapa clarified the texts and composed a number of treatises, among which are several lamrim works setting out the complete path to enlightenment.
Ven. George Churinoff will lead us in the meritorious practice of Guru Puja with Tsog and explain the significance of this celebration. Practicing together vastly increases the positive energy generated. Together we will dedicate these practices to achieving the same realizations as Lama Tsongkhapa: attaining full awakening so that we can be of the best possible benefit to all sentient beings.
Guru Puja lays the whole path to enlightenment on the mindstream, connects us more strongly to our teachers, accumulates merit, and purifies negative karma. Spiritual vows and commitments that have degenerated are also restored through this practice. According to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, “This practice of Guru Puja is very profound, with many extra benefits, and is very quick to bring enlightenment.”
We encourage you to make a special offering on your altar, especially light offerings (electric lights, candles, etc.), which are recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. During our virtual celebration, you can visually share your light offerings and rejoice in the collective merits.
Prayer Requests
You are welcome to request a dedication. Please email prayers@shantidevanyc.org by December 13, 2025 and indicate “Lama Tsongkhapa Day” in the subject line.
May the Buddhadharma flourish and spread forth to all sentient beings in the ten directions!
Practices
Lama Chopa – Root Versus (PDF)
Recording
Recordings with Ven. George Churinoff on Dec 14, 2025 will be posted here, Archive page and on our YouTube channel.
This is a playlist of past recordings. To jump to a particular session, click the playlist icon (near the top-right corner) of the video frame to select video.
About the Teacher
A physics graduate from MIT, Venerable George Churinoff earned a Masters degree in Buddhist studies from Delhi University, India. He took ordination in 1975 and studied the Geshe Studies Program at Manjushri Institute, England, where he also served as Spiritual Program Coordinator. Venerable George was instrumental in founding the FPMT Masters Program at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa in Italy, where he also served as Program Coordinator. After studying and teaching there for eight years he spent several years at Tushita Centre in Delhi, followed by three years as Lama Osel Rinpoche’s English curriculum tutor at Sera Je Monastery in South India.
Venerable George has done many retreats in the sutra and tantra traditions and taught extensively in FPMT centers all over the world. He taught the FPMT Basic Program as resident teacher at Dorje Chang Institute, New Zealand and at Land of Medicine Buddha, USA. Venerable George now resides in Asheville, NC and has recently completed a 3-year retreat.
Venerable Robina Courtin has worked full-time for Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s organization, the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition, since her ordination in the late 1970s. Over the years she has served as editorial director of Wisdom Publications, editor of Mandala Magazine, executive director of Liberation Prison Project, and as a touring teacher of Buddhism. Her life and work with prisoners have been featured in the documentary films Chasing Buddha and Key to Freedom. Venerable Robina is known for her straightforward and energetic teaching style, helping people discover the potential of their own minds with clear explanations about Tibetan Buddhism and how to apply it to their lives.
Visit her website at https://www.robinacourtin.com.
