We are pleased to share photos taken by Shelkar monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Event ID: 4762
Event type:
Brief description: The ‘Festival of Turning the Wheel of Dharma’ (Chokhor Duchen), the anniversary of Shakyamuni Buddha’s first teaching, is one of the four major events celebrated by Buddhists around the world. For Tibetans, it occurs on the fourth day of the sixth Tibetan lunar month, which this year falls on July 18th, 2026. It is said that for seven weeks following his enlightenment, the Buddha did not teach. Finally, encouraged by Indra and Brahma, he turned the ‘Wheel of Dharma’ for the first time, at Sarnath, by teaching the ‘Four Noble Truths’. The merit of any good deeds performed during Chokhor Duchen is considered to be multiplied many times. You are cordially invited to participate.
Event details: The Guhyasamaja Drupchod is an extensive group practice (Drupchod), which includes the preparation of the sand mandala of Guhyasamaja, the inner and outer generation of the deity, and an empowerment. This profound Vajrayana practice centred on the Anuttarayogatantra meditational deity (yidam) Guhyasamaja is a complex ritual involving visualization, mantra recitation, and symbolic offerings, with the aim of transforming the practitioner’s body, speech, and mind into those of a buddha and radiating these enlightened and protective qualities throughout the environment. This Drupchod is said to carry a powerful blessing that can purify many aeons of negative karma, remove all obstacles, and endow profound confidence, wisdom, and merit.
There is no webcast for this event. Gompa member-supporters are invited to register for the event and to send offerings, together with dedications, at any time up until July 21st, 2026.
We apologise for the cancellation /postponement of this event. All paid registrations will be refunded, all pre-registrations have been cancelled.