General Spiritual Director
Day 9 ~ Pure Land of Heruka
Aug 2, 2026
Stop Blaming External Conditions
with Gen-la Jampa
Blessing Empowerment of Heruka
Pure Land of Heruka
The preparations for the Heruka empowerment that we engaged in last night help us remain mindful of the coming empowerment, keeping our minds blessed and protected. As a result, when we enter the Temple for the actual empowerment, we are ready to engage with it deeply. There is a great feeling of happiness in actually receiving the blessings of the empowerment, giving us the opportunity to draw closer to Buddha Heruka, the embodiment of Buddha's compassion.
At the front of the Temple is a vast array of offerings in shades of blue. Each day, the offerings seem more extensive and more blissful, adding to the sense that this is a very special and blessed occasion.
Receiving the Opportunity to enter the Pure Land of Heruka
A Profound Empowerment
It is such a profound empowerment. As Gen-la Jampa explains, Je Tsongkhapa brought together the essential instructions from the Highest Yoga Tantra scriptures into one initiation so that they would not be lost in the future. In our lifetime, Venerable Geshe-la renewed and re-established this for the people of the modern world. Now here we are, benefiting from all this wisdom and receiving the opportunity to enter the Pure Land of Heruka.
Through the blessings of the Lineage Gurus, Heruka, and our Spiritual Guide; through the concentration of the empowering Teacher; and through our faith and sincerity we will actually receive the empowerment.
Interwoven throughout the empowerment are special teachings and explanations shared by Gen-la Jampa. These illuminate its meaning and enable us to engage with its various stages in a heartfelt way. The empowerment takes place over the course of the whole day, finally concluding at 7 pm with Heruka tsog offerings and beautiful prayers. Together, these create a rich and immersive experience.
We leave feeling closer to Heruka, with renewed energy and enthusiasm for our Tantric practice, taking to heart that the most important practice is self-generation as the Deity and learning how to integrate our Tantric practice with our daily activities.
FEATURE VIDEO
Pure Land of Heruka
A Most Special Day
A Feeling of Great Joy
It is a most special day, and there is a feeling of great joy and lightness throughout the Festival site. After only a short break, the Temple is once again full for the evening puja, giving thanks and enjoying the power of meditating together as an International Kadampa Sangha.
