Prajnaparamita Project for Peace in Memphis and the World

Chanting the 100,000 Verse Prajnaparamita Sutra

Crime statistics for cities over 100,000 population lists Memphis at 21 for murder and 5 for violent crime. Gang activity in Memphis is on the rise. We have racial division, poverty, and illiteracy as factors creating aggression, depression, and all of the states of mind the teachings of the Buddha say lead directly to suffering and a lack of peace.

It is taught within the mahayana tradition that 600 years after the parinirvana of the Buddha, the great master Nagajuna brought the 100,000 verse Prajnaparamita sutra from the Naga realm where it had been safely kept. Traditionally in Tibet the 100,000 verse Prajnaparamita Sutra is done annually to avert obstacles and negativity and to bring about good fortune.

Memphis is located on the banks of the Mississippi River. Our center is located in an area that has been known for its springs since the beginnings of Memphis. Therefore this sutra is appropriate and efficacious to be read aloud at Pema Karpo Meditation Center to subdue obstacles and generate merit in the Memphis area.

This sutra has not been completely translated into English so it must be done in Tibetan. Dorjee Rabgyal Sherpa, Khenpo Gawang Rinpoche's assistant, will chant the 100,000 verse Prajnaparamita Sutra aloud from 10-12 and 2-4 daily M-F. Each recitation of the 100,000 verse Prajnaparamita Sutra will take, at least, 6 months to be chanted. This is an ongoing project of the center.

The local sangha is invited to come for the morning and afternoon sessions to listen and sit in meditation generating compassion, doing tonglen, and making aspirations for peace in Memphis and the world.

Before the first session Dorjee Rabgyal will be offering butterlamps (candles) and fresh water along with Tibetan offering chants. After the last session he will be closing the shrine and making offerings. You are wecome to come and assist him. Please talk with him about training and time to arrive.

Weekly, money gathered from center members is used to purchase worms from local bait shops to be released on the center's property. Purchasing beings destined to be killed is a traditional way of generating fields of merit. Worms are small helpless beings without claws, fangs, legs or even teeth who daily suffer impalement, drowning, being eaten or left to cook in the hot Southern sun.

These worms are released after merit generating practices of mantra recitation, Stupa circumambulating, and blessing practices are done by Dorjee Rabgyal. Again you are welcome to come and assist him. Please talk with him about training and time to arrive.

According to traditional Tibetan Buddhism this chanting of the Prajnaparamita Sutra will be of great benefit to all who listen to the chanting, bring offerings of candles, money to liberate beings, or assist in the practice sessions.

Due to the blessings of the practice and the aspirations of all who participate obstacles to peacefulness will be pacified and the manifestation of the intrinsic qualities of the ground of goodness will be strengthened.