Closed now for offerings and names
Each year on the 8th to 16th days of the 12th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar, the nuns of Nagi Nunnery perform the 9 day Ocean of Amṛta (Ngakso) Drubchen (Tantric Mending and Purification Practice).
There are three primary yanas (vehicles) in Buddhism—Hinayana (vehicle of personal liberation), Mahayana (vehicle of universal salvation), and Vajrayana (vehicle of tantra). The Ngakso Drubchen is a Vajrayana ritual composed by the great terton, Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa. It was later practiced by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche (the great-grandson of Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa and father of H.E. Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche) and became one of the annual events at Nagi Nunnery, performed each year before the start of the Tibetan new year.
The main purpose of the Ngakso Drubchen is to purify and repair broken samaya (spiritual commitments) and to eradicate negative energy, with an emphasis on restoring the Vajrayana for the empowerment of the three yanas. In addition, it is very effective for dispelling obstacles – including in the bardo state for those who have recently passed away.
It is an intensive ritual where the prayers and recitation of mantras are continued without interruption for 24 hours a day, for nine days. In order to keep the mantra recitation unbroken, the nuns practice in shifts, whether it be adult or young nuns.
Out of the 9 days of the Ngakso Drubchen, the first and last days follow a different schedule from the program of the middle 7 days. On the first day, the preparation puja starts at 1 pm, in which mandalas, puja objects, instruments, offerings, etc, are all arranged. In the middle days, during the morning session, the nuns perform Guru supplication, Refuge, and Bodhicitta prayers whereas for the rest of the day, they perform the Ngakso prayers. On the last day, the concluding puja starts at 3 am and culminates mid-morning with the distribution of blessings and offerings (tsok) to the lamas, nuns, and laypeople gathered in the nunnery.
May everyone rejoice in this noble and virtuous event and dedicate the merit for the benefit of all sentient beings.