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​Every day at Karma Chokor Dechen Nunnery starts and ends with Green Tara and Mahakala Puja practices, chanted as a group in the gompa (prayer hall). These practices, timed to take place at sunrise and sunset, are a lifelong work of devotion for the nuns. ​

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Green Tara (Dolma)

Tara is the embodiment of wisdom and compassion, our spiritual mother - the essence of compassion in action. She protects us from immediate dangers, provides us with all our needs, and guides and encourages us in our learning and personal development. She is particularly associated with the quality of fearlessness. She helps to rescue us from the eight outer fears (the fears of lions, elephants, fire, snakes, thieves, floods, bondage, and evil spirits – these symbolise all the real dangers in the world), and from the eight corresponding inner fears (the fears of pride, ignorance, anger, jealousy, wrong views, attachment, selfishness, and deluded doubts).

 

There are two stories about the origin of Tara. One is that she was born from the tears of Chenrezig when he recognised the vastness of suffering in the world.  The other is that Tara was born as a real human princess named Yeshe Dawa. Yeshe Dawa was extremely devoted to Buddha and dedicated to Bodhicitta, the heart of awakening. She vowed to become enlightened in order to relieve the suffering of all beings. Her masters advised her that this was not possible as a female being, and instructed her to pray to be reincarnated in a male body. Yeshe Dawa chose not to accept this advice, and continued to practice with extreme determination, ultimately attaining enlightenment in her female form. She is, therefore, especially important for female dharma practitioners.  

 

There are many forms and colours of Tara. Green Tara specifically symbolises the awakened activity of Feminine Compassion. The colour green is also associated with the Air element, which indicates a swiftness of response to the needs of all beings. Green is also associated with the quality of youthful vigor and activity.  Green Tara’s outstretched right leg shows her readiness to spring into action whenever she is needed, and she is often described as youthful, playful and dynamic.

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Green Tara practice develops the practitioner’s fearlessness and capacity for compassionate activity.

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Mahakala

Mahakala is the wrathful form of Chenrezig, and is considered the primary protector of the Gyalwa Karmapas and all Kagyu practitioners. ‘Wrathful’ deities represent a very powerful and determined expression of compassionate energy. Mahakala’s fierce appearance is not a sign of malevolence but rather demonstrates his strength and commitment to defeat harmful influences. The name ‘Mahakala’ means ‘beyond time or death’. He has three eyes, symbolising his ability to see the past, the present and the future in his search to eradicate all harm. The Black-Coat Mahakala of the Karma Kagyu appears in a fearsome and majestic midnight blue form, surrounded by a wall of flames that no enemy can penetrate. He holds a kartika (curved knife) aloft, symbolising his ability to “cut through” damaging mind-states. His black coat represents ultimate protection and the absorption of all negative energies. He serves to protect and defend all beings against the five poisons of ignorance, hatred, delusion, jealousy and attachment. 

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Mahakala puja practice develops the practitioner’s courage to stand against all that is harmful in the world.​​​

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Important events, festivals, pilgrimage and retreats

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Losar (Tibetan New Year)

Losar is a very important festival for Tibetans. During Losar, the nuns perform the Grand Mahakala Puja for a full week to remove all obstacles, difficulties and barriers to enlightenment for all beings. This is followed by a 15-day fasting puja for Thousand Arms Chenrezig, and a five-day Long Life puja to bring peace for the whole world for the coming year. Sometimes monks from nearby monasteries and lay people from the local village will also join these ceremonies. 

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Kagyu Monlam

Each December, KCD nuns make the long pilgrimage to attend the Kagyu Monlam festival in Bodhgaya, India (the place where Buddha attained enlightenment). This festival is the biggest event of the Kagyu calendar and is attended by more than 12,000 monks, nuns and lay practitioners, many coming from overseas. During Monlam, the nuns perform a week-long puja while the Karmapa gives teachings to those gathered. 

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Saga Dawa - Nyungne Practice

In Saga Dawa, the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar, the nuns perform Nyungne, a 15-day fasting puja for Thousand Arm Chenrezig. Saga Dawa is an auspicious time for Buddhists. Many of the key milestones of Buddha’s lifetime all took place in the fourth lunar month – his birth, the attainment of enlightenment, and his passing into Parinirvana. It is believed that the benefits of all prayers and acts of devotion and merit offered during this month are multiplied a thousand-fold. The fasting Nyungne practice aims to take on the pain of starvation and thirst that affects so many in the world, and to return relief for all who are suffering hunger and thirst. It is a puja of great compassion and requires alternating whole days of complete fasting and then light intake for 15 days. 

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Individual Retreats

From time to time, individual nuns from KCD undertake longer individual retreats for intensive practice. Some are just a few months, but some will take a full three years and three months. Shorter individual retreats are conducted in the nunnery (in separate accommodation), whereas three-year retreats are undertaken in other important Kagyu teaching centres. These retreats are an opportunity to deepen the nuns’ understanding of their practice and require great commitment and dedication. ​​​