Please join the KTC sangha in our chanting of prayers to commemorate Chökor Duchen, the day that Buddha Shakyamuni Buddha first turned the Wheel of Dharma, teaching the Four Noble Truths.

After the Buddha realized awakening beneath the Bodhi tree, he remained in contemplation. At first he was reluctant to teach, fearing that people would not understand his message. Finally, encouraged by Indra and Brahma, he shared his discovery of the truth in his first teaching. This auspicious day is a “multiplying day” on which karmic results are said to be multiplied by one hundred million, so we make this a joyful opportunity to practice extra virtue. Please join us for the chanting and/or sponsoring the chanting.

6:30am | Thousandfold Lamp Offering (Tong Chö)

• A traditional Tong Chö of 1,000 butter lamps, 1,000 bowls of saffron water and 300 bowls filled with rice, incense and flowers is offered weekly, accompanied by chanting of the Chenrezig practice.

10:00am | Kalu Rinpoche’s Practice of Aspiration Prayers (Monlam Choga), followed by the Short Practice of the Peaceful & Wrathful Deities (Shitro)

• Chanting of the Monlam Choga, a practice of offering and aspiration prayers compiled by Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche. This is followed by the short liturgy of Shitro (Peaceful and Wrathful Deities), a profound practice from the cycle of teachings and meditations of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. We dedicate this practice to the deceased in order to purify negativities, avert obstacles in the bardo, and establish a connection with the deities that will ripen in future lives.

For those who wish to sponsor the chanting, please be sure to include a prayer with your donation which will be read aloud to the assembly.

You may make your donations on-line or simply mail your tax-deductible contribution to:

Kagyu Thubten Chöling
Attn: Office
245 Sheafe Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

Please make checks payable to Kagyu Thubten Choling or KTC. For credit card payments, fax your credit card number (VISA or MasterCard only), along with the expiration date and signature and the amount you would like to charge to (845) 297-5761. For your protection, please do not email your credit card information.

As we are not able to check email during chanting events, please send your prayer request and sponsorship information 48 hours before the first day of chanting to guarantee that we receive it in time to announce your prayer. If you are not able to do that, please leave a short but clear message of your prayer on  845-297-2500  and we will do our best to have your prayer announced.

There is no charge for attending the chanting but reservations are required if you plan to join us for meals and/or need overnight accommodations. Rates for accommodations & individual meals are available on our visitor information page. Please send an email to reservations@kagyu.com if you are joining us for meals only.

Please note: When arriving by train, please make pick-up arrangements in advance. Click here for information on taxis.