(NLDO)- From the 10th to the 12th of the Lunar New Year of At Ty (February 7 to 9), His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa presided over the opening ceremony of the Peace Prayer Dharma Assembly at the Great Stupa Mandala Tay Thien.
In the cold weather of 11 degrees Celsius, thousands of pilgrims still visited the sacred Mandala Tay Thien Stupa (in Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc province) in recent days to witness the moment when His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa performed the opening ceremony of the large embroidered painting (Thongdrol) of the Thousand-eyed and Thousand-armed Avalokitesvara.
His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa performed the opening ceremony of the Thousand-Handed Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Buddha Painting (Thongdrol) in front of thousands of people gathered in the freezing cold of 11 degrees Celsius.
This is the opening activity of a series of ritual events, empowerment transmission, Dharma teaching, and cultural and artistic exchange performances between Vietnam and the Himalayas in this year's Peace Prayer Festival.
Masterpieces of Buddhist Art from the Himalayas
Thongdrol - a masterpiece of Buddhist art from the Himalayas has become a living symbol of the fusion of art and spirituality. Thongdrol are huge embroidered scrolls depicting Buddha or Bodhisattvas, created by artisans and monks who are well versed in both art and scriptures with the blessing of enlightened masters.
In Vietnam, the Thongdrol (scroll painting) of the Thousand-eyed and Thousand-armed Avalokitesvara, which is being kept at the Tay Thien Stupa, is 11.8 x 16 m in size and weighs over 100 kg, and has been confirmed as the largest brocade embroidery. The painting was created by 40 Bhutanese Royal artisans in a record time of 6 months, under the strict supervision of the Supreme Master and senior monks. Each stage follows proper spiritual rituals.
In the middle of the painting is the Thousand-eyed and Thousand-armed Great Compassionate Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, below on the right is the Great Wisdom Manjushri, on the left is the Great Strength Vajrapani, and on top is the Five Wisdom Buddhas.
"For four years now, we have traveled from Ho Chi Minh City to the Tay Thien Great Stupa to attend the opening ceremony of the Cau An Dharma Assembly, to witness with our own eyes the moment of unveiling the Buddha painting - a sacred treasure that is only displayed once a year at the beginning of Spring here" - said Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh.
This was followed by the opening ceremony of the Great Stupa of Longevity of the Mother Goddess of Victory, which helped increase merit and longevity - which received special attention from the public.
![Excited pilgrimage to the Great Mandala Stupa of Tay Thien to attend the Peace Prayer Ceremony - Photo 2. Nô nức hành hương về Đại Bảo Tháp Mandala Tây Thiên dự Pháp hội Cầu an- Ảnh 2.](https://archive.vietnam.vn/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/No-nuc-hanh-huong-ve-Dai-Bao-Thap-Mandala-Tay.jpeg; charset=utf-8)
The opening ceremony of the Great Stupa of Longevity of the Mother Goddess of Victory helps to increase merit and longevity.
![The opening ceremony of the Longevity Stupa of the Mother Goddess of Victory helps increase merit and longevity. Khóa lễ gia trì khai mở Bảo tháp Trường thọ Tôn Thắng Phật Mẫu giúp tăng trưởng công đức và sự trường thọ](https://archive.vietnam.vn/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1739174530_605_No-nuc-hanh-huong-ve-Dai-Bao-Thap-Mandala-Tay.jpeg; charset=utf-8)
The opening ceremony of the Longevity Stupa of the Mother Goddess of Victory helps increase merit and longevity.
According to the Buddha's teachings, those who recite, worship, make offerings, pay homage, and circumambulate the Mother of Victory Buddha will have the merit of eliminating sins, prolonging life, and preventing disasters from falling into evil realms. According to the Vajrayana tradition, the Mother of Victory Buddha is one of the three main Buddhas: Longevity Buddha, White Tara, and Mother of Victory Buddha, who are responsible for granting blessings to sentient beings for longevity.
Also on the first day of the Dharma Assembly, there were empowerment ceremonies for the Thousand-Eyed, Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara Buddha, who saves sentient beings and helps increase love and compassion; and empowerment ceremonies for the Golden Treasure Buddha, who brings wealth and prosperity.
![Excited pilgrimage to the Great Mandala Stupa of Tay Thien to attend the Peace Prayer Ceremony - Photo 4. Nô nức hành hương về Đại Bảo Tháp Mandala Tây Thiên dự Pháp hội Cầu an- Ảnh 4.](https://archive.vietnam.vn/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1739174532_365_No-nuc-hanh-huong-ve-Dai-Bao-Thap-Mandala-Tay.jpeg; charset=utf-8)
Buddhists receive the empowerment and blessing of the Deity Hoang Tai Bao, the god of wealth and prosperity.
![Excited pilgrimage to the Great Mandala Stupa of Tay Thien to attend the Peace Prayer Festival - Photo 5. Nô nức hành hương về Đại Bảo Tháp Mandala Tây Thiên dự Pháp hội Cầu an- Ảnh 5.](https://archive.vietnam.vn/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1739174533_574_No-nuc-hanh-huong-ve-Dai-Bao-Thap-Mandala-Tay.jpeg; charset=utf-8)
Buddhists receive the empowerment and blessing of the Deity Hoang Tai Bao, the god of wealth and prosperity.
Receiving the Vajrayana Medicine Buddha Energy
Notably, on the second day, at the request of the Abbot of the Great Stupa of the West, His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa performed the Seven Medicine Buddhas of Peace Empowerment according to the Vajrayana tradition.
His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa gives teachings and empowerments on the Medicine Buddha tantra practice.
Medicine Buddha is the “medicine Buddha”. This ritual is known to be the essence of healing in the Vajrayana Medicine Master tradition and is the most anticipated practice among the monthly Medicine Master “Sutra and Secret” ceremonies held at the Great Stupa Mandala of the West over the years. This practice includes the Jangwa empowerment practice to heal the body and mind of the sick.
Hanoi Buddhist - Mr. Quoc Toan shared: "I spent a whole day attending the ceremony to receive the full blessings and peaceful, positive magnetic field from the Tantric Great Peace Altar by receiving the Medicine Buddha Mandala and the Guardian Deity Card".
![Excited pilgrimage to the Great Mandala Stupa of Tay Thien to attend the Peace Prayer Festival - Photo 7. Nô nức hành hương về Đại Bảo Tháp Mandala Tây Thiên dự Pháp hội Cầu an- Ảnh 7.](https://archive.vietnam.vn/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1739174535_150_No-nuc-hanh-huong-ve-Dai-Bao-Thap-Mandala-Tay.jpeg; charset=utf-8)
The entire Dharma assembly in the Seven Medicine Buddhas of Peace Empowerment Tantra according to the Vajrayana tradition
These are special protective objects prepared by the Venerable Sangha of the Lineage according to Tantric cosmology and astrology, distributed to the public during the 3-day Great Stupa Dharma Assembly.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/no-nuc-hanh-huong-ve-dai-bao-thap-mandala-tay-thien-du-phap-hoi-cau-an-196250210141302509.htm
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