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In the early morning of March 14 2019, which marks exactly 65 years since Guru Vajradhara the 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa’s physical manifestation was born on this Earth, his birthday celebration began with the entire monastic community of Palpung Sherabling performing a smoke offering and raising the Wind Horse ritual that comprised clouds of offerings and lofty praises to delight the Gurus, Yidams and Dharmapalas. At 9 am, after seating arrangements were made for Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche along with Tulkus, Khenpos, Lamas, monks, nuns and Tibetan lay people from the local communities, Guru Vajradhara arrived at the main temple. Following the refuge, bodhicitta and seven-branch prayers, Bokar Rinpoche and his entourage as well as Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat offered Guru Vajradhara a mandala along with enlightened body, speech and mind representations. Then, a traditional offering of tea and sweet rice to everyone assembled was followed by melodious chanting of prayers for Guru Vajradhara’s long life and a ceremonial white scarf offering. At 7 pm, Guru Vajradhara was escorted to the monastery courtyard, where a contemporary birthday celebration with birthday cakes and sweets along with offerings of birthday wishes was followed by Palpung Sherabling primary school students performing a variety of traditional as well as modern songs and dances. With that, Guru Vajradhara’s birthday celebration that was organised by the Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat in cooperation with the community of its former monastics was joyfully concluded.
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