The Grand Puja of The Four-Armed Mahakala
Every year, Dechen Choekhor conducts The Annual Mahakala Grand Puja from 21st to the 30th day of the ninth month in the Tibetan calendar, in conjunction with Lhabab Duchen (Lord Buddha descending back to our world) and the parinirvana anniversaries of three great masters of Drukpa Kargyu: Choeje Lorepa, Tsangpa Gyare, and The 1st Tuchen Choekyi Gonpo.
Dechen Choekhor Mahakala Lineage
The source of Dechen Choekhor Mahakala Lineage originated from Palchen Galo Namgyal Dorje, also widely known as Ga Lotsawa, is a great Tibetan mahasiddha and translator who visited India and brought back many precious teachings to Tibet, particularly the Mahakala practices. He is the very specialist in the Mahakala tantra and holds all the essence of the Mahakala teachings from India. Later, instead of restraining it under a single lineage, he spread and transmitted the Mahakala practices into all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Any Mahakala teachings originating from Palchen Galo* are regarded as authentic and reputable sources.
The Four-armed Mahakala Thangka of Dechen Choekhorl Ling
Mahakala, also known as the chief Dharmapala, is the guardian protector of the Buddha's teachings. Higher levels of Dharmapalas are basically emanations of Buddhas who undertake the role of protecting the doctrine, its upholders, and practitioners.
Lord Buddha Sakyamuni taught Mahakala practices in the tantra teachings. Any teachings taught in the tantra are the ultimate practice; through such practices, one can achieve enlightenment. Thus, Mahakala can be practiced as the Three Roots - Lama, Yidam, and Protector.
The Four-armed Mahakala is a fully enlightened Bodhisattva manifested as a wisdom Dharma protector. He is a wrathful, powerful, and ferocious manifestation of Heruka Chakrasamvara, embodying the Buddhas' power, wisdom, and fierce compassionate activities. Mahakala’s wrathful compassion can overcome all obstacles and negativities one faces on the path to enlightenment.
In the Tantra, it is said that when Lord Buddha meditates under the bodhi tree, just right before He attains enlightenment, the power and wisdom that arose in His mind, and through it, He manifested to defeat and overcome the immense hindrances, negative forces, and evil spirits, is the Mahakala. In short, the strength, power, capability, and wisdom that Lord Buddha manifests to conquer all obstacles and negativities, if they ever have a form, is the Mahakala.
Similarly, the power and wisdom that Guru Rinpoche manifested to tame and subjugate all the evil forces in Samye are also the Mahakala.
*Palchen Galo Namgyal Dorje is one of the Choegon Rinpoches' Line of Incarnations.
Mahakala Practice and The Drukpa Choegon Lineage:
The Four-Armed Mahakala is the main among the eight manifestations of Mahakala. It is also the main form practiced in Mindroling monastery, in the Drukpa Kagyu lineage, and in the Nyingma tradition. Drukpa Choegon Rinpoches and Drukpa Yongzin Rinpoches of Dechen Choekhor firmly hold the Mahakala practice, particularly the Drukpa Choegon Lineage.
The line of incarnations of the Choegon Rinpoche Lineage is closely linked to the practice of Mahakala. The early lives of Choegon Rinpoche, such as Palchen Galo Namgyal Dorje, Phuljung Samgyal Khache, Sangdak Namkha Palzang, etc., are all great-accomplished masters of the Mahakala practices. The first Choegon Rinpoche, Shabdrung Druk Choekyi Gonpo, is renowned for his great attainment in the Mahakala practices.
Thus, the Mahakala practices are explicitly connected and are pivotal to the Choegon Rinpoche Lineage. The Drukpa Choegon Lineage is renowned as the incomparable accomplished master in the practice of the Mahakala, Chakrasamvara, and Vajrapani. The Drukpa Choegon Rinpoches is revered as the most powerful Mahakala practitioner of Drukpa Kagyu.
Should you wish to find out more details about this puja, please write to us: at web@dechenchoekhor.org
Thank you!
Click on the link to view the Mahakala Practice of Drukpa Kagyu.