His Eminence Thuksey Rinpoche, a realized incarnate master and one of the two principal disciples of His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa, will preside over the Medicine Buddha Grand Prayer and the Refuge Ceremony during the event in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam.
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Nuns at a ceremony at the Grand Mandala Stupa of Tay Thien in April 2026. Photo by Hoang Giang |
From Aug. 12 to 14, the monastic community conducted the Amitayus-jnana (Immeasurable Life and Wisdom) ritual, a rare ceremony held to pray for health and longevity, cultivate merit, and promote peace among participants.
In Vajrayana Buddhism, Amitayus, the Buddha of Immeasurable Life, is depicted in a meditative posture holding a vase of immortal nectar and is associated with longevity and the wisdom that supports it.
On Aug. 15, the monastic community presided over the Tara Yuldog ceremony, a ritual dedicated to invoking peace, removing obstacles, and cultivating favorable conditions. In Vajrayana Buddhism, Tara manifests in 21 forms and is regarded as an important female deity embodying compassion, wisdom, and the power to liberate sentient beings.
Each form of Tara represents a distinct enlightened activity. Among them, Tara Yuldog is a specific practice intended to dispel obstacles and help practitioners and members of the public overcome challenges in both spiritual practice and daily life.
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Mother Tara and her 21 manifestations are worshipped in the main hall of the Tay Thien Mandala. Photo by Giang Huy |
On Aug. 16, the Jangwa Grand Ceremony was held, featuring purification rituals and prayers for the deceased. The ceremony also commemorated and offered prayers for fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s independence and sovereignty.
The Dharma assembly concluded on Aug. 19, when His Eminence Thuksey Rinpoche and the Drukpa Lineage monastic community conducted a Medicine Buddha empowerment and peace-prayer ceremony, dedicating merit and auspiciousness to the community and all sentient beings.
The Medicine Buddha and his eight manifestations are depicted holding precious medicine vessels, symbolizing the healing of physical ailments as well as inner suffering and spiritual distress. In the Vajrayana tradition, the Medicine Buddha is associated with the East, the direction of the rising sun and the beginning of a new day, reflecting the connection between physical well-being, mental peace, and a fulfilling life.
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People attend a ceremony at Tay Thien Mandala in 2025. Photo by Giang Huy |
The ceremony was held at Tay Thien Mandala, a Vajrayana Buddhist architectural complex influenced by the traditions of Himalayan Buddhism. The complex is organized along a central axis and includes a main stupa, subsidiary stupas, monastic quarters, a lake, and landscaped grounds. Each structure carries symbolic meaning, together forming a mandala that represents the Vajrayana concept of the “Five Elements and Five Wisdoms.”
The Drukpa Lineage is a major tradition within Vajrayana Buddhism with a history spanning nearly a millennium. It has played an important role in shaping Bhutan’s cultural and spiritual heritage. Bhutan is also known for its Gross National Happiness (GNH) framework, which incorporates Buddhist values into public policy and emphasizes a balance among material, spiritual, environmental, and cultural well-being.
The Drukpa Lineage has influenced Bhutanese Buddhist thought and culture, although GNH is a broader national policy framework rather than a model based solely on the lineage.