Tergar Shrine Hall, Bodhgaya,
24 – 26 February 2025
In the days immediately preceding Losar, it is customary to offer a Mahakala ritual; this is known as the Gutor [དགུ་གཏོར་] in Tibetan because it concludes on the 29th day of the twelfth Tibetan month. Tergar Shrine Hall was freshly decorated with great garlands of marigolds and a shrine to Mahakala Bernakchen was set up in front of the stage to the left. The ritual is performed each year before Losar in order to purify any negativities collected during the year and to clear away obstacles in the year ahead. Mahakala Bernakchen, the two-armed Mahakala, is the special protector of the Karma Khamtsang, so this ritual is of particular significance to Karma Kagyu; however, the aim is to perform the ritual for the benefit of all sentient beings
This year the Short Mahakala Puja was combined with another ritual—Tseringma. This ritual, previously performed at Tsurphu in Tibet, is an offering to the five Tseringma –the five Long-Life Sisters who are protectors of the Kagyu lineage–and their connection with the Kagyu can be traced back to Milarepa, hence a statue of Milarepa crowned the shrine set up to the Tseringma to the right in front of the stage.
Tashi Tseringma is the principal deity of this group of female protectors who are known as the Tashi Tsering Chenga.
In 2016 the 17th Karmapa expressed his hope that in the years to come, the nunneries would engage in the extensive practice of Tseringma every year and so it has become part of the Arya Kshema.
For further information on Tseringma:
https://www.aryakshema.com/index.php/en/category-lists/en-articles/5th-arya-kshema/the-nuns-offer-two-rituals-dolkar-and-the-five-tseringma
https://www.aryakshema.com/index.php/en/category-lists/en-articles/5th-arya-kshema/the-nuns-offer-two-rituals-dolkar-and-the-five-tseringma
