Guru Puja (Lama Chöpa)
*IN-PERSON & ONLINE
*Offsite in midtown Manhattan.
Guru Puja lays the whole path to enlightenment on the mindstream, connects us more strongly to our teachers, accumulate merit, and purify negative karma. The practice consists of making offerings to and requesting inspiration from the spiritual teacher (whether or not the teacher us physically present), seen as the embodiment of the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha), preparing our minds to achieve realizations.
Spiritual vows and commitments that have degenerated are also restored through this practice. We unite our minds with the holy mind of the spiritual teacher, considered the root and life force of the spiritual path.
Join us for this meritorious practice. Offering of sweets, fruits, or flowers for the altar are warmly encouraged to generate merit (positive potential).
Important Note
This is an in-person and online event. For in-person, the puja will take place at a private residence in Midtown East, Manhattan. For online, the events will be administered using Zoom*.
After registering, the system automatically sends a confirmation and/or a receipt email that contains the offsite address and/or the Zoom meeting link. If you don’t immediately receive the system email(s) or you have any other questions, please contact us at registration@shantidevanyc.org.
*Zoom is an interactive video-conferencing tool that allows participants to see one another and ask questions. You will need a computer, a tablet or a smartphone with the Zoom application to attend. If you are using Zoom for the first time, please login earlier to allow any necessary installations on your device.
Sadhana for Practice
Sadhana and center prayers are usually screen-shared or projected during practice. (We also sometimes recite Calling the Guru from Afar.) If the session allows for in-person attendance, you are encouraged to download them onto your device, or to bring a printed copy if preferred.
FPMT – The Foundation Store
Please visit the link(s) below to have your own copy of the most up-to-date version.
Please download and refer to this sadhana and this prayers booklet during the online practice.
Registration / Schedule
Open donation: free, $5, $10, $21, $35, $50, $108
Your generosity makes it possible for us to share the Dharma and continue working together for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Time zone: US Eastern Standard Time (GMT/UTC-5)
For questions regarding registration, please email registration@shantidevanyc.org for assistance.
Prayer Requests
If you would like to request a dedication for yourself or someone else who might benefit from this practice, please email prayers@shantidevanyc.org and provide basic information including the person’s name, city of residence, dedication message, etc. Please provide a 24-hour notice for prayer requests.
Puja Sponsorship
You are welcome to sponsor all or part of the puja. Great merit is created by your contribution. Sponsorship is processed through registering above, even if you will not be attending the puja. Please make sure to email prayers@shantidevanyc.org with your prayer request. We are grateful for your generosity! “If someone offers a small flower or rice to a Buddha statue, a stupa or scripture then the benefit extends from then up to Enlightenment. Amazing, amazing. It is said in the sutra Piled Flowers, on top of that benefit, you achieve ultimate happiness – liberation from the causes of delusion and karma and on top of that full Enlightenment – all the realizations and omniscient mind.” —Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Recording
About the Puja Leader
Native New Yorker, George Michael Cuesta, first came to the Dharma in this life while on a family vacation in Thailand in November 2005. At Wat Doi Su Thep in Chiang Mai, he was amazed by the giant stupa, the circumambulating pilgrims, the monks, the nuns, the incense, the water offerings, the chanting, the thangkas, and the ubiquitous statues of the Buddhas. Upon departure from the temple, he purchased “What the Buddha Taught” by Walpola Rahula and read it from cover to cover on the long plane ride home to New York City.
George then began practicing Dharma in 2006 and started practicing with Shantideva Center in October 2008 after an inspirational teaching with Venerable Robina Courtin, his kind teacher with whom he took Refuge Vows at Columbia University. George has been a licensed psychologist in the State of New York since 1996, and he has dedicated decades of his life serving Veterans and their families, to promote psychological healing and well-being.
George recently completed the Master of Arts degree in Buddhist Studies at Maitripa College, Portland, Oregon in May 2024 under the guidance of Yangsi Rinpoche. At around the same time, he also completed the Discovering Buddhism course under the guidance and direction of Geshe Namdak at the Jamyang London Buddhist Centre. He returned to New York City in September 2024 and resumed his volunteer participation with Shantideva Center.
