Chokhor Duchen, 24 July 2020

Chokhor Duchen is the anniversary of Shakyamuni Buddha's first turning of the wheel of Dharma.

This year, Chokhor Duchen occurred on 24 July 2020, and on this day Ngor Monastery performed the Sixteen Arhat Ritual to commemorate the sacred Chokor Duchen.

Buddha Shakyamuni personally selected the Sixteen Arhats from amongst his disciples and requested them to protect the Dharma. At the time of the Buddha’s Parinirvana, the Sixteen Arhats vowed to remain in the world and maintain the Dharma until the time of the future Buddha Maitreya.

The Chokor Duchen Puja, 'The Wish-fulfilling Gem Enhancing the Buddha’s Teachings', is a method for making offerings and prayers to Shakyamuni Buddha and the Sixteen Arhats. The Puja is said to bring special blessings, including long life and the removal of obstacles, untimely death, and to quickly generate the merits which increase ones spiritual development.

At Ngor Monastery, Ritual Master Gen Dhundup la and senior monks performed the Sixteen Arhat Puja. The monks dedicated the Puja to the attainment of peace and happiness by all beings around the world.