Longchenpa 2026
Longchenpa is an invitation-only community chanting ceremony held annually at Nyingma Institute. It starts on Sunday, February 1 at 10:30 am and ends on Wednesday, February 4 at 11:30 am.
Doors remain locked during this event, and RSVPs in advance are required. Please read over the commitments below before contacting us with the hours you would like to attend.
In order to continue the chant without pause, during the day two groups take breaks alternatively, and during the night smaller groups of people take overlapping shifts. We ask that participants sign up in advance for shifts.
We will make a Zoom link available for those who wish to join online.
Please register by midnight on Friday, January 30th. After the continuous chant begins, we will no longer be responding to questions or emails.
Donations are gratefully accepted, but not required.
Required Ceremony Commitments for Participants
If you wish to participate in Longchenpa, please make the following commitments before signing up to come:
- I will take great care to enter and exit only at appropriate times and with my assigned group.
- If I am late, I will not enter the ceremony room. Instead, I will wait for the next shift.
- Once I am inside the ceremony room, I will not exit until it is time to do so with my group.
- I will abide by essential speech, using my voice for chanting only.
- If asked to modify my behavior or leave by staff, I will do so immediately and respectfully.
In order to invoke the blessings of the ceremony, it is important to observe these basic rules. The formality of the ceremony is intrinsic to its power; traditionally it is said that failure to follow the form can counteract the effect of the ceremony, or even produce negative consequences.
Guidelines for Practice
Important: Please do not attend the chant if you have a cold or flu. Thank you.
Introduction
A ceremony is a ritual offering through which ordinary, finite consciousness is brought into contact with a higher, spiritual sphere, from which blessings and power radiate in streams of light and joy. Entering the realm of the ceremony is like entering the mandala, a sacred, consecrated space beyond worldly activity and ordinary time. The purpose of the Longchenpa ceremony is to purify negativity, to acquire merit through the activity of body, speech, and mind, and to dedicate this merit to the welfare of all sentient beings.
The Longchenpa ceremony is celebrated throughout the Nyingma community on the anniversary of Longchenpa’s death. It is a special opportunity to approach the radiant realization of Longchenpa and the compassionate lineage of Padmasambhava. During the chant at the Nyingma Institute, we commit ourselves to maintaining a continuous chanting of the Vajra Guru mantra for several days and nights.
In order to invoke the blessings of the ceremony, it is important to observe certain basic rules. The formality of the ceremony is intrinsic to its power; traditionally it is said that failure to follow the form can counteract the effect of the ceremony, or even produce negative consequences.
Preparation
Prepare for the ceremony physically and mentally. Please shower beforehand and put on clean clothes. Do not eat meat or fish during the ceremony. Avoid substances that produce strong odors, such as raw onions, raw garlic, or tobacco.
Conduct
To help the chanting ceremony run smoothly, and avoid disturbing your own concentration and the concentration of others, please:
- Aside from chanting, be silent except for essential speech.
- Take great care to stay with the schedule: be in the Kanjur Tangyur Room (formerly known as the Stupa Room) several minutes before your group enters the chant. (If you do arrive after your group has entered the meditation room, don’t go into the meditation room late; you may remain in the Kanjur Tangyur Room and chant there if you like.)
- While on break, be mindful of the ceremony. There will be reading materials available in the reading area and the Kanjur Tangyur Room.
- Inside the meditation room, practice with clear intention. Whatever you do, maintain the wish that your actions will benefit others. Even if you feel restless, negative, or uncomfortable you can still maintain this underlying positive intention.
- Never speak in the meditation room during the chant.
- Chant in an even voice—neither too loud nor too soft.
- When you change positions or leave the meditation room, move quietly and mindfully. Never extend your legs toward the altar or sit with the soles of your feet pointing at the altar.
- No food or water should be brought into the meditation room. This includes bottled water, water bottles, etc.
Offerings
We encourage you to bring flowers or food offerings such as candy or fruit for the ceremony. The Institute has bought and prepared offerings of flowers, candles, and food that are arranged at the front of the meditation room. If you would like to contribute to these offerings, please feel free to make a donation.
Each evening the food offerings are removed from the meditation room and made available for you to eat in the dining room. These offerings should not be considered ordinary food; when you eat them, please eat with awareness, mindful that the food has served as an offering.
Sitting and Chanting
The most important aspect of the ceremony is to maintain the continuity of the group’s chant. Do not allow the chant to come to a halt! Listen attentively to the pace set by the group leaders, and do not embellish the chant with extra notes.
The first two rows of seats in the meditation room will be assigned. If you do not have an assigned seat, please fill up seats toward the front of the room first (unless they are reserved). If you are participating in the chant all day, you may save your seat by placing a piece of paper on top of the cushion when you leave for a break or meal. Paper will be available in the Kanjur Tangyur Room for this purpose.
Group leaders should sit at the front of the room, and are responsible for keeping the beat of the chant with bells or cymbals. If the group leaders are out of the room for any reason, other persons should take over this responsibility. Responsibility for keeping the beat should be shared among two or more people, who should relieve one another at fifteen to twenty minute intervals.
Particular people have been assigned to care for offering candles and incense. Please do not light incense unless this is your job.
Coming and Going
During the chant enter and leave the meditation room through the back entrance (via the Kanjur Tangyur Room). The front entrance is used only for the beginning and ending of the ceremony. Everyone in a group should enter and leave at the same time. When you leave for a break, wait for the bell to sound before leaving; when you return gather in the Kanjur Tangyur Room and come in together.
Breaks range from brief rest periods of 15 minutes up to one hour for lunch and dinner. During the meals, the last 30 minutes are for clean-up. Particular people will be assigned for cleanup, but EVERYBODY should help! Please be sure that you know the timing of the break, and can return to the ceremonies in time. Stay nearby and strive to preserve a contemplative state of mind. It is good to read Dharma texts, like Kindly Bent to Ease Us, the Bodhicharyavatara, Voice of the Buddha, and Life and Liberation of Padmasambhava.
Prayers
In the opening session we begin with three prostrations and then, once seated, you will receive instructions in the meditation and practice. You will receive copies of these prayers, which will be collected at the close of the practice (and can be placed in the Kanjur Tangyur Room when you have finished with them). Please treat these copies with respect. Later in the days of continuous chant we will be chanting the Vajra Guru Mantra.
At the end of the final session of the ceremony, a special closing mantra is chanted, prior to the closing dedication of merit. Copies of these prayers will be available in the Kanjur Tangyur Room before the last session begins. After the final prayers, there will be a period of silent meditation.
Schedule for Continuous Chant
- Sunday, February 1: Continuous chant begins at 10:30 AM
- Monday, February 2: Continuous chant all day and all night
- Tuesday, February 3: Continuous chant all day and all night (same schedule as Feb.2)
- Wednesday, February 4: Continuous chant ends at 11:30 AM
Sunday, February 1
Group A Schedule for Sunday, February 1
10:30–11:30 AM Chanting, Group A
11:30–12:30 PM Lunch, Group A
12:30–2:45 PM Chanting, Group A
2:45–3:15 PM Break, Group A
3:15–5:00 PM Chanting, Group A
5:00–6:00 PM Dinner, Group A
6:00–8:00 PM Chanting, Group A
8:00–8:15 PM Break, Group A
8:15–10 PM Chanting, Group A
Group B Schedule for Sunday, February 1
10:30–12:30 PM Chanting, Group B
12:30–1:30 PM Lunch, Group B
1:30–3:15 PM Chanting, Group B
3:15–3:45 PM Break, Group B
3:45–6:00 PM Chanting, Group B
6:00–7:00 PM Dinner, Group B
7:00–8:15 PM Chanting, Group B
8:15–8:30 PM Break, Group B
8:30–10:00 PM Chanting, Group B
All night chant Sunday, February 2
Group 1: 9:55PM–midnight
Group 2: midnight–2 AM
Group 3: 2–4 AM
Group 4: 4–6 AM
Group 5: 6–8 AM (Group 5 breakfast, 8–8:45 AM)
Monday, February 2 & Tuesday, February 3
Group A Schedule for Feb. 2 & Feb. 3
7:15–8:00 AM Breakfast and clean-up
8:00–9:15 AM Chanting, Group A
9:15–9:45 AM Break, Group A
9:45–11:30 AM Chanting, Group A
11:30–12:30 PM Lunch, Group A
12:30–2:45 PM Chanting, Group A
2:45–3:15 PM Break, Group A
3:15–5:00 PM Chanting, Group A
5:00–6:00 PM Dinner, Group A
6:00–8:00 PM Chanting, Group A
8:00–8:15 PM Break, Group A
8:15–10:00 PM Chanting, Group A
Group B Schedule for Feb. 2 & Feb. 3
7:15–8:00 AM Breakfast and clean-up
8:00–9:45 AM Chanting, Group B
9:45–10:15 AM Break, Group B
10:15–12:30 PM Chanting, Group B
12:30–1:30 PM Lunch, Group B
1:30–3:15 PM Chanting, Group B
3:15–3:45 PM Break, Group B
3:45–6:00 PM Chanting, Group B
6:00–7:00 PM Dinner, Group B
7:00–8:15 PM Chanting, Group B
8:15–8:30 PM Break, Group B
8:30–10:00 PM Chanting, Group B
All night chant Mon, Feb.2 & Tues, Feb.3
Group 1: 9:55 PM–midnight
Group 2: midnight–2 AM
Group 3: 2–4 AM
Group 4: 4–6 AM
Group 5: 6–8 AM (Group 5 breakfast, 8–8:45 AM)
Wednesday, February 4
Group A Schedule for Wednesday, February 4:
7:15–8:00 AM Breakfast and clean-up
8:00–9:15 AM Chanting, Group A
9:15–9:45 AM Break, Group A
9:45–11:30 AM Final Chanting Session and closing ceremony
Group B Schedule for Wednesday, February 4:
7:15–8:00 AM Breakfast and clean-up
8:00–9:45 AM Chanting, Group B
9:45–10:15 AM Break, Group B
10:15–11:30 AM Final Chanting Session and closing ceremony
How You Can Help
There is no charge, but we are grateful for donations to help cover the cost of housing, meals, and the offerings.
We encourage you to bring flowers and food offerings like fruit, candy, crackers, cheese, or nuts.
We’d be delighted if you would like to volunteer to assist in the kitchen.
As a reminder, everyone should help with meal clean up and dishes. Thank you!
Online Participation
This year we’re prioritizing in-person participation! For those joining remotely, we’ll have a Zoom stream available—just note that it won’t be actively moderated.
If you will be participating online, we ask that you:
- Turn off your microphone during the sessions.
- Please keep your video on, as it enhances a sense of presence and participating together.
- If your internet connection is too weak and you have no choice but to keep your screen off then that’s okay.
- When you enter, plan to participate for the full session. Try not to get up from your seat during a session.
- If you have to attend to an emergency, turn your video off temporarily.
- Ensure that you are not interrupted during this time with other calls, background conversations or people appearing on screen.
- Don’t eat food, check emails, or watch videos, anything that is overly casual or splits your attention.
- Clean and prepare the space you will participate in.
- Wear appropriate, clean, respectful clothing, as you would in a temple.
- Please do not record the chants or take photos or post to Instagram, Facebook, any social media site, or anywhere online.
Please sign up by midnight on Friday, January 30th. After the continuous chant begins, we will no longer be responding to questions or emails.
During registration, you will be prompted to indicate your mode of participation: in person or online. All attendees will receive the Zoom link 1 day prior to the event. Donations are gratefully accepted, but not required.