Guru Puja (Lama Chöpa)
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 online-only event that is administered using Zoom.
After registering, the system automatically sends a confirmation and/or a receipt email that contains the Zoom meeting link and/or other instructions. 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 Online Practice
Please download and refer to this sadhana during the online practice.
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 Daylight Time (GMT/UTC-4)
If the registration above didn’t work for you, please try this alternative page or 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. Full sponsorship is $108. Great merit is created by your contribution of any amount. Sponsorship is processed through registering above, even if you will not be attending the puja. If you would like to schedule and sponsor an individual puja, please write to jennifer@shantidevanyc.org. 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
Dana for the Teacher
About the Teacher
Miffi Maxmillion is the Spiritual Program Coordinator at Langri Tangpa Centre in Brisbane, Australia and is an FPMT registered teacher. Miffi was brought up a Buddhist and had the great good fortune to play with Lama Yeshe as a child. His hook of compassion sustained her through the many rebellious stages of growing up. She took refuge with Lama Yeshe at age 10, and did her first lamrim and Nyung Ne retreat with Lama Zopa Rinpoche at age 16.
Miffi’s passion is in bridging the seemingly disparate worlds of modern life and the rich inner experience of Buddhist practice. She teaches classes and leads pujas with great enthusiasm and joy. She also admits to watching far too much late night TV and is an avid reader of The New Yorker.
