Chotrul Duchen

Medicine Buddha Puja and Vajra Cutter Sutra Recitation

with Don Handrick

Tuesday, March 3, 2026
7:00pm–9:00pm PST (Pacific Standard Time)

in person and online

Program Category: Buddhist Prayers and Practices

This is a hybrid event, and we are using the Zoom video conferencing system for online participants. Please register below to receive your online access information.

By registering for this event, you understand that the sessions may be recorded and published in the public domain (such as YouTube), and consent to this process.

The Fifteen Days of Miracles—from the first day of the Tibetan new year, Losar, (this year on February 18th, 2026) until Chotrul Duchen (this year on March 3rd, 2026)—commemorate the special time when Guru Shakyamuni Buddha showed miraculous powers in order to subdue six tirthikas, or non-Buddhist teachers, who lacked faith in him, and to inspire more faith in his followers. It culminates on the full moon, the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar.

All fifteen days are merit multiplying days, when the merit of virtuous actions performed on each of these days is multiplied by 100 million, according to the vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic.

The Medicine Buddha represents an extremely powerful form of enlightened energy. The practices of Medicine Buddha are efficacious in healing and helping one to accomplish one’s goals successfully and can be of benefit to someone who is ill or who has died.


It is very important that the elaborate Medicine Buddha puja be done regularly in order to benefit all. Medicine Buddha puja is also something that can be done for people who are dying, or who have already passed away, and also for individual success in all kinds of activities. This Medicine Buddha practice is extremely powerful and beneficial especially when it is done with extensive offerings beautifully arranged.

— Lama Zopa Rinpoche

The text for this puja is The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel composed by Panchen Losang Chokyi Gyaltsen, available from FPMT.

Following the puja, Don will lead a recitation of the Vajra Cutter Sutra as recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche for Merit-Multiplying Days. The Vajra Cutter Sutra, one of the most well-known sutras of Mahayana Buddhism, is a discourse on the Buddhist concept of emptiness or “Wisdom Gone Beyond.”

Everybody is welcome to attend!

You are encouraged to bring offerings such as flowers, food or small donations to create vast merit and benefit countless beings.

Medicine Buddha
Medicine Buddha

Prayer Requests

If you would like to request a dedication for yourself or someone else, please make a prayer request here.

Registration

Registration is required to receive your online access information.

This is a free event. Donations are appreciated.