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Fire Puja

One of the most powerful practices in retreat is the fire puja done at the end. A purification practice to burn away all the negativities and obscurations of the past as well as the present, the puja has a clarifying and uplifting effect on the mind. Casting the negativities into a sesame seed scorpion, which is then slowly disassembled part by part and gently thrown into the fire, one gets a sense of starting over with a clean slate. All the members agreed it was a wonderful ending to a fruitful retreat.


Kevin puts the finishing touches on the scorpion.


The scorpion is ready for the fire puja.


A simple altar with Dorje Khadro, one of the Buddha’s wrathful aspects at its center, is assembled near the fire pit.


Cedar, a fast, hot-burning wood with a wonderful scent, is used for the fire.


Kevin lights the fire.

Jampel and the sangha gently toss the sesame seeds into the fire as they recite a mantra of purification.


The group loves singing “Star Spangled Compassion.” Click here to see the video.


A group of happy humans with very precious human lives pose in the bright sun and snow.

Venerable Chodron
Venerable Tarpa
Venerable Semkye
Jampel
Kevin
Barbara
Nan
Natalie
Kellyjoy
Kathleen
Sherran
Alec
Dallas

 
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