His Eminence Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche Attends the Grand prayer of Gratitude during the Vu Lan Festival at Tay Thien

DNHN - The Amitayus Grand Prayer of Wisdom – Gratitude is taking place from August 12 to 19 at the Grand Mandala Stupa of Tay Thien, featuring the participation of the Drukpa Lineage Sangha from India and Vietnamese Monks and Nuns.

His Eminence Thuksey Rinpoche – a realized incarnate Guru (one of the two main disciples of His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa) - will grace the event to preside over the Medicine Buddha grand prayer and the refuge ceremony, bringing the light of compassion and wisdom to the public.

Throughout his many visits to Vietnam, His Eminence Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche has presided over Dharma assemblies, imparted teachings, offered prayers for national prosperity and world peace, and forged deep connections with the country's Buddhist community.

He shares a special bond with the Tay Thien Grand Mandala Stupa, a holy monument that has hosted multiple Buddhist activities under his guidance. In 2025, representing the Drukpa Lineage, he attended the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak celebration in Ho Chi Minh City, helping to spread messages of compassion, harmony, and peace.

Most recently, in July 2026, His Eminence led a group of monastics and lay Buddhists on the Zanskar Eco Pad Yatra in Ladakh, India. This five-day walking pilgrimage combined spiritual practice with activities aimed at raising awareness about environmental protection, drug prevention, and the responsibilities of the younger generation.

“Every step we take today is a step toward a healthier society and a more sustainable world,” he remarked.

In early August, representing His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa, he received the Ladakh dPal-rNgam Award 2026 - the Union’s highest civilian honor recognizing decades of service and contribution to the culture, the environment, and the community - just as the same the spirit of service the masters have cultivated in Vietnam.

Opening the Grand Prayer from August 12 to 14 is the Amitayus prayer, featuring intensive practice sessions to pray for health, longevity, auspiciousness, and peace for the Masters, the Sangha, and the public

The prayer is conducted continuously within the sacred space of the Great Mandala Stupa of Tay Thien, incorporating sublime rituals according to the Vajrayana tradition. Through the dedicated practice and devotion of the Sangha and the public, this ritual helps eliminate obstacles, enhance merit, wisdom, and longevity.

Tara Yuldog Grand Ceremony to Pray for Peace and Prosperity

A highlight of the Grand prayer is the Tara Yuldog Prayer, held on August 15. This is a special practice of the Drukpa Lineage aimed at removing obstacles, purifying the causes of unrest, and praying for peace and harmony. Traditionally, the ritual is held at meaningful times for the community, with the wish to transform adversity and cultivate favorable conditions for life.

For the participating public, the special energy received from the Tara Yuldog ritual is the transformation of obstacles through wisdom and compassion. The ritual guides practitioners to recognize and transform external hindrances as well as internal "demonic obstacles" such as greed, anger, ignorance, delusion, and fear; while practicing the purification of body, speech, and mind, accumulating good karma, and nurturing a peaceful life.

Amitabha Jangwa ceremony to Commemorate and Pray for the liberation of fallen matyrs 

On August 16, the Grand prayer dedicates a special day to the Jangwa Ceremony of Gratitude. Jangwa is a Vajrayana ritual for purification and consciousness transference, performed by Masters and the Sangha to pray for the deceased.

During this year's Vu Lan season, the Great Assembly especially focuses on commemorating and praying for the fallen soldiers and those who sacrificed their lives for the nation's independence, sovereignty, and peace; while also praying for ancestors and those who have recently passed away. 

A spiritual ceremony to invoke and carry the tablets of the fallen soldiers on a procession is also scheduled to take place, with the participation of the martyrs' families and the general public. This will be followed by a Lotus Lantern offering ceremony and a 13-round circumambulation around the Great Stupa, turning mindfully toward prayers for world peace.

Not only holding significance in remembering the deceased, the Jangwa Grand Ceremony is also an occasion for the living to reflect on the blessings they receive, cherish the sacrifices of past generations, and convert gratitude into concrete virtuous actions in daily life.

Vu Lan Nurtures Gratitude and Sharing

The guiding spirit throughout this year's Grand prayer is Gratitude and Reiteration of Gratitude, tied to the Four Great Gratitudes in Buddhism: gratitude to parents, gratitude to the Triple Gem, gratitude to the country, and gratitude to all sentient beings.

Bhikkhuni Thich Nu Hai Duc, representing the Organizing Committee of the Grand Puja, shared: “Gratitude in Buddhism does not stop at mere remembrance. What is more important is knowing how to translate gratitude into virtuous actions, self-cultivation, and personal transformation.”

Accordingly, showing filial piety to parents can be expressed through a virtuous life; repaying the debt to predecessors by preserving peace and treasuring life today; repaying the Triple Gem through sincere practice; and repaying all sentient beings through compassion, sharing, and actions that help alleviate suffering.

Every chanting session, every lamp offered, every circumambulation around the Great Stupa, or every good deed during the days of the Grand Puja is therefore directed not only toward oneself and one's family, but expands with prayers for the community, the country, and all sentient beings.

On August 19, the Grand Puja will conclude with the Medicine Buddha prayer – Great Merit Dedication. The organizing committee announced that His Eminence Thuksey Rinpoche—an incarnate Master (one of the two main disciples of His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa)—will grace the event to preside over the Medicine Buddha prayer and the Refuge ceremony, bringing the light of compassion and wisdom to the public.

The program includes ceremonies praying for national peace and auspiciousness, the Medicine Buddha empowerment practice, the Refuge ceremony, Vajra Dance, and the Great Dedication of Merit to repay the Four Great Gratitudes and honor the fallen martyrs.

Through a series of activities throughout the Vu Lan Festival season, the Organizing Committee hopes the Grand prayers will not only serve as a spiritual event, but also as an opportunity for everyone to return to their roots, remember parents and ancestors, express gratitude to those who sacrificed for the homeland, and cultivate a life of mindfulness, gratitude, and compassion.

The Grand Puja is held at the request of the Nuns of the Great Mandala Stupa of Tay Thien. His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa—spiritual leader of the Drukpa Lineage—requested monks from the Druk Sang-Ngag Choling Monastery, an important seat of the Drukpa Lineage in Darjeeling (India), to visit Vietnam and conduct the ceremonies. The Sangha from the Monastery consists of masters, tulkus, and accomplished Yogis, ensuring the Vu Lan Grand Prayer at the Great Stupa is accomplished properly according to the Dharma and fulfilling the wishes of the attending public.

Anh Nguyen