PILGRIMAGES
International Manjushri Namasangiti Chanting Ceremony
Reviving a Sacred Sanskrit Tradition in the Heart of India
The International Manjushri Namasangiti Chanting Ceremony, established by Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche in 2015, is an annual gathering in Bodh Gaya dedicated to restoring the recitation of one of Buddhism’s most sacred Sanskrit texts. Held during the Nyingma Monlam World Peace Ceremony, the event brings together Sanskrit pandits from India and Tibetan Buddhist practitioners from around the world. The ceremony preserves a rare living oral tradition through the chanting of the Manjushri Namasangiti at the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment, offering a unique opportunity to experience the power of sacred sound in one of Buddhism’s holiest places.
At A Glance
When: January, coinciding with the Nyingma Monlam World Peace Ceremony
Where: Bodh Gaya, India
Open to: Practitioners of all traditions
How to attend: Independently or as part of SINI’s Four Noble Truths Seminar and Pilgrimage
Contact: info@sinibridge.org
Origins of the Program
The International Manjushri Namasangiti Chanting Ceremony was established in 2015 by Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche with the aim of restoring and revitalizing the recitation of one of Buddhism’s most sacred Sanskrit texts. The ceremony supports the preservation of an ancient oral tradition and seeks to share its blessings throughout India and the world.
Held in Bodh Gaya
The ceremony takes place each year in Bodh Gaya, the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment, during the Nyingma Monlam World Peace Ceremony — one of the largest gatherings of Tibetan Buddhist practitioners in the world.
Approximately sixty Sanskrit pandits from Varanasi and Gaya join Tibetan practitioners from many countries, creating a rare meeting of traditional Sanskrit scholarship and living Tibetan Buddhist practice.
Chanting the Names of Manjushri
The Manjushri Namasangiti is regarded as one of the most profound teachings given by Shakyamuni Buddha and is revered across all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The recitation, led by trained pandits in its original Sanskrit, preserves the text in its authentic form while ensuring its transmission continues for future generations.
For many attendees, hearing this chanting in Bodh Gaya offers a powerful encounter with a living tradition that has been maintained for centuries.
Attending the Ceremony
The ceremony is open to all and may also be attended as part of SINI’s Four Noble Truths Seminar and Pilgrimage, a 14-day journey through India’s most sacred Buddhist sites.