Losar: The Tibetan New Year

Through Lama Tsondu’s measureless kindness, I recently had the opportunity to sit with him and learn more about Losar, its meaning and some of the symbology of this very special and important time of year.

Losar, the beginning of the Tibetan New Year according to the Rigpa Tibetan Calendar, occurs on March 3rd of the Gregorian calendar. For Tibetans, and those of us who study the Dharma, the first fifteen days of the New Year are extremely important. It is during this time that all of our positive and negative actions are magnified 100,000 times! But what is the reason our actions are multiplied so? It is because Buddha Shakyamuni spent one day in each of fifteen different realms spreading the teachings of the Dharma. On the fifteenth day he returned to the human realm to defeat those who opposed the Dharma, the Thirtikas. (A Tirthika is defined as someone who has neither connection with nor capacity to understand or embrace the teachings of the Buddha). Buddha Shakyamuni was successful in turning the minds of most of them towards the Dharma. In many cases, this change was extremely swift.

As always, it all comes down to karma, action and reaction. Therefore, it is important during these fifteen days to focus our minds on positive actions and strive to eliminate from us all negative activity. History gives us a prime example of the power of karma. Milarepa was a great teacher and master of realization. As a young student he made an offering of an empty container to one of his teachers. This, of course, was not a good sign. As a result, Milarepa found it difficult throughout the rest of his life to find food.

Since we are unsure of the opportunities and possibilities our lives may hold for us in the coming year we must create good signs and seek the blessings and the help of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. We do this by practicing generosity, compassion and wisdom and by making offerings to the Buddha, Dharma and to the Sangha.

An example of one of these offerings is the bread-like loaves we all saw on the shrine; these are called “Khapsay” and are made from barley, one of Tibet’s main crops. These loaves are presented as an offering in the hope that the coming year’s crop will be rich and bountiful. Other material offerings include butter lamps, flowers and incense. In addition, mental offerings of mind, body and speech are made.

During the Losar ceremony each participant is given a plate of rice made with saffron and troma to eat.
Troma is a special tiny bulbous root that grows wild in Tibet. Roughly translated troma means: “good luck” and so its use as an offering is very auspicious. For our Losar ceremony, raisins were used due to the unavailability of troma in the United States. This food symbolizes offering all of one’s bodies, enjoyments, possessions and glories of the succession of all of one’s lifetimes to the three Jewels.

The raising of a prayer flag is also an important part of Losar because it benefits oneself as well as all sentient beings. It pleases all the deities and dharmapalas. The pole symbolizes the reader of the mantras and prayers written on the flag itself. The wind represents speech. When the wind moves the flag, the prayers are read into the wind. The prayers are carried countless miles and will benefit all those whom the wind touches! Prayer flags are Banners of Victory; that is, they indicate that the Dharma is flourishing. Per Lama Tsondu’s recommendation, I will reproduce below page 62 of the Dudjom Tersar Ngondro. This page describes the pure intention of why one would seek to raise a prayer flag:

“In the world in general and in this nation, may not even the names of disease, famine, war and suffering be heard. May virtuous qualities, merit and prosperity greatly increase. And may continuous good fortune and sublime well-being perfectly arise.”

During Losar, it is customary for everyone to go to their own local monastery to make these offerings, recite prayers and receive blessings and teachings from their own Rinpoches. After this, one would journey to other monasteries to visit Dharma practitioners, make offerings and receive blessings and teachings from other Rinpoches as well. At some point, one would travel to their parent’s home to again make offerings and give thanks. Finally, one would visit with friends and relatives.

It is at this time that I would like to thank Lama Tsondu, Tashi La and Sangay Chopel for sharing with us the precious Dharma and all of their Tibetan customs. As part of the Losar celebration, they cooked a wonderful meal for the entire Sangha. We spent the entire day relaxing, laughing, enjoying each other’s company and talking about the Dharma. It was wonderful. At the end of the day when everyone had left, the table was covered with half filled cups, empty plates, dishes and dirty napkins. All this was left overnight and into the next day to symbolize the continuation many such dinners in the future.

- Paul Amendola

Sangha News
Lama Tsondu will be traveling to Alameda, CA to give his first teaching on the west coast. Victor and Tina Miller have rented a venue and made all the arrangements for a successful teaching. Lama Tsondu, Tashi Yangzom and Sangay Chopel Gyatso will all be going on the 18th of April to the 25th.

Sangha Members shared in their first Losar (Tibetan New Year) celebration on Sunday March 2, at the Center this year. Lama Tsondu was so kind to instruct us in the rituals and meaning of Losar (see Paul Amendola’s article). The first 15 days of the New Year sets the tone for the rest of the year.

Paul Amendola lead a crew of people to prepare 10 additional prayer flag poles, which were raised in a wonderful ceremony on March 15, 2003. As you can imagine, the ground in March is pretty difficult to deal with, but they managed to work at night to complete the job in time for the early morning ceremony. All of the poles had separate sponsors and we hope to add more in the future. If you are interested in sponsoring a prayer flagpole or helping to install one, please contact Sharon Knies.

Khandro Karma Drolma (Angela Amendola) and Lama Padma Karma were married at the Center on March 15, 2003 in a Buddhist ceremony conducted by Lama Tsondu Sangpo. 

The Nepal trip itinerary has been emailed to people who showed an interest. If you did not receive a copy, please let us know and we will be happy to put you on the email list.

There will be a Thangka exhibition at Atlantic Gallery in Hamden CT from March 31 -.May 2, 2003. A reception will be held on April 4, from 6pm-8pm (see Newsletter flyer) anyone interested in helping put this event together please speak to Damian Keany. We look forward to seeing lots of Sangha members and friends at the opening.

The garden at the Center is in need of attention and loving care, anyone interested in assisting in sprucing up please let us know.

Lama Tsondu Sangpo will be visiting Albuquerque sometime in May to give Ngondro teachings to Pema Osel Ling practitioners. Check with us within the next week to find out exact dates for the visit.