In the mid-19th century, the practice of the Vajrasattva drubchen ritual at Palpung Thubten Chökhor Ling was established in accordance with the vision of the 9th Tai Situ Pema Nyinje and his heart sons. At the beginning of the 20th century, the ruler of the Dharma kingdom of Bhutan Jigme Wangchuck sent an envoy with offerings of an extremely precious sacred support, extensive material gifts, and twelve mule loads of silver to be offered to Kenting Tai Situ Pema Wangchok Gyalpo. In accordance with the king’s wishes, a one-and-a-half-story-high silver statue of Vajrasattva was built in the monastic seat’s main shrine hall, and a tradition of regular practice of Vajrasattva drubchen rituals was established. After the period of change, this tradition was restored at the monastic seat in 1983. At Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat in India, Chamgon Kenting Tai Situ Pema Dönyö Drubpa initiated the tradition of practicing this ritual in 2007, and since then the Vajrasattva drubchen ritual has been conducted every year. 

From March 19 to 28, Kyabje Chungpo Gyalton Rinpoche presided over this year’s ten-day grand drubchö ritual of the Elaborate Heart Practice of Vajrasattva at the main shrine hall of the Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat.

The vajra assembly of practitioners who had completed the required mantra accumulation, along with tulkus, lamas, khenpos, and the entire monastic community, conducted this great accomplishment ritual based on the mandala of Vajrasattva, the embodiment of all Buddha families and the supreme among countless deities, by following the essential instructions on the performance of this ceremony. They began by consecrating the land, establishing the boundary, drawing the mandala, and arranging its ornaments, which was followed by visualization, meditation, and recitation practices of the actual sadhana, carried out in six sessions throughout the day and night, along with additional practices of Vajrakilaya, the Gathering of Secrets longevity sadhana, making tsa-tsas, offering water tormas, reciting sutras, and other rituals to dispel obstacles on the path. The Vajrasattva drubchen was then auspiciously completed with the fire puja to amend mistakes and accomplish the four activities, as well as receiving the siddhis and the butter lamp prayer.

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