Heruka Vajrasattva Tsog
This Heruka Vajrasattva Tsog practice, written by Lama Thubten Yeshe, consists of a series of requesting verses combined with the recitation of the hundred-syllable mantra of Vajrasattva. All are welcome to participate. The yoga method of Heruka Vajrasattva has the power to purify all negative energy, which is the main thing preventing us from actualizing the path to enlightenment. This impure energy creates both physical and mental hindrances, and also leaves certain imprints. When you feel that you cannot meditate—there are too many interruptions, you cannot do anything, you cannot solve your problems—remember that there is something else you can do to remove obstacles to your progress: purification. Combining insight meditation with a powerful purification practice, such as the yoga method of Heruka Vajrasattva, helps ensure that you will gain the realizations you seek without frustration.
This Heruka Vajrasattva practice includes tsog: an offering ceremony that represents assembling all of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in a visualization of a sacred dance. Tsog means “gathering” or “assembly,” and in this practice, it is often rendered as “pure offering.” However, the actual tsog is one’s meditation on transcendental, blissful wisdom. The entire purpose of offering tsog is to generate the experience of this blissful wisdom within oneself and to overcome the ordinary appearance and conception of sensory objects. Because the offering of tsog is a profound method for transcending mundane thought, the entire practice assists us in going beyond our ordinary experience of subject and object.
While Heruka Vajrasattva is the highest yoga tantra aspect of Vajrasattva, and those practicing highest yoga tantra normally have a commitment to do a tsog practice twice each month (on the 10th and 25th of the lunar calendar), anyone without an initiation can participate in this particular practice. For those without initiation, you can visualize Heruka Vajrasattva above the crown of your head or in the space front of you. Here is more information about the benefits of the practice.
Important Note
This puja may at times be substituted at the last minute by Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga, or Guru Puja (Lama Chöpa).
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 During Practice
Sadhana and center prayers are usually screen-shared or projected during practice. 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.
Registration / Schedule
Open donation: none, $5, $10, $21, $35, $50, $108
Open donation. All are welcome.
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. 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. 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
About the Puja Leaders
Joseph Doucette is a seeker of higher truth. His collegiate studies focused on pre-Socratic and classical Greek philosophy. Two decades ago he began a journey into meditation with mindfulness. Then he “stumbled” upon Mahamudra meditation and ultimately Vajrayana practice. Although his teachings are predominantly from the Gelug tradition, Joseph’s comprehensive knowledge extends to all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism, thanks to his diverse training and empowerments. He aims to share his knowledge and experience with others, fostering a community of practitioners at Brooklyn’s Shantideva Center.
Jennifer Kim first encountered Buddhism in 2007, after she taught English to Tibetan Buddhist monks in New Zealand and was struck by their joy, scholarship, and deep kindness. Since that time, she has dedicated most of her life to studying and practicing the Dharma, in addition to sharing it with others.
She has attended numerous teachings and retreats over the years with heart teachers including HH Dalai Lama, Choden Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Yangsi Rinpoche, and Khandro Tsering Kunga Bum-ma. She enjoys a special affinity to Tara practice.
Jennifer has been part of Shantideva Center since 2010 and has served as its director, amongst various roles. She also works for Potential Project, which integrates traditional wisdom traditions with scientific research and modern business application to help create more human-centric world of work. She enjoys both traditional Dharma practice and its application to meet the needs of people from all walks of life.
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 currently lives in Portland, Oregon and is currently a full-time graduate student at Maitripa College working toward the Master of Arts degree in Buddhist Studies at Maitripa College under Yangsi Rinpoche.
