The Practice of Traditional Naga Rituals on Full moon

October 17th,  2024, 8AM-9AM Pacific Time,  On Zoom

With Chaphur Rinpoche

A Smoke Offering to the Nagas (Lu)  is an ancient Bön ritual (Lu Sang).  According to the Yungdrung Bön tradition, we share the earth with many unseen spirits who are affected by our actions. Through the Lu Sang  ritual, harmony is restored and the support of the Nagas is requested for fulfilling our goals and for increasing  general wealth and the availability of natural resources. Nagas are associated with sources of water such as lakes, ponds, rivers or streams and are said to  inhabit them. Because water seeps beneath the earth, Nagas also rule the regions of  subterranean caverns. They also dwell in some trees close to lakes and rivers as well as under trees located in expansive plains.  They have dominion over the Earth’s hidden treasures.

There are many kinds of Nagas such as white, black and multicolored. Nagas, even kindly ones, are easily angered by disturbances and pollution of the natural environment. If a Lama or Tibetan doctor determines through divinations  that a patient’s disease is due, at least in part, to a Naga provocation, then one can placate the Nagas by making both confessions and offerings. Nagas not only dwell beneath us but  also in the darkness of our subconscious mind. They are regarded as being very wise and eager to teach.  They are  the guardians of great treasures sometimes physical ones but more often  spiritual treasures in the form of Termas or hidden tantric texts from the past.

We will also participate in the Chu Tor ritual as it includes the intention of placating the nagas. Chu Tor is actually a water torma or water offering to the deities of wealth as well as to the starving naga spirits . This offering also includes delicious food and drinks to please both wealth deities and starving Naga spirits.

List of Items needed for this ritual:

1. A crystal or glass bowl
2. A wine glass to place in the bowl
3. An offering spoon
4.  Flower petals.
5. Either a peacock feather or a small branch ( approximately 5 inches long ) of  juniper
6. A small amount of milk .
7. A small container of rice.

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