CELEBRATING HERUKA DAY 2024
The month of January is a special month in the Kadampa calendar during which we emphasize the practices of Heruka and Vajrayogini, the principal Highest Yoga Tantra Deities of modern Kadampa Buddhism. These sublime practices were bestowed on us by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche and were his heart practices.
Today, the twenty fifth day of the month, is Heruka Day.
"As times become spiritually more degenerate, it is harder to receive the blessings of other Tantric Deities such as Yamantaka or Guhyasamaja; and, as the number of Gurus in the lineage increases, it takes longer to receive attainments. However, the opposite is the case with Heruka. Vajradhara Trijang Rinpoche says in his ritual prayer of Heruka:
As times become ever more impure, Your power and blessings ever increase, And you care for us quickly, as swift as thought; O Chakrasambara Father and Mother, to you I prostrate."
- Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, Essence of Vajrayana
Kadampa centers around the world celebrate this great good fortune with special pujas, prayers and other events today, January 25, which is Heruka Day.
THANK YOU VENERABLE GESHE-LA
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, from the depths of our hearts we thank you for introducing the precious practice of Heruka Body Mandala and showing us how to enter into, progress on and complete this sublime path.
Through this fortune may all living beings find supreme everlasting happiness.
