Agency: With only a few days left for the Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF) to begin, preparations in Thimphu are almost complete. The grand event, which will take place from 4th to 19th November, is expected to draw more than 2,000 international participants and thousands of Bhutanese devotees.
The festival aims to unite spiritual leaders from around the world in prayers for global peace, healing, and harmony. It will bring together eminent teachers and lamas from all schools of Buddhism, Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, making it one of the largest non-sectarian Buddhist gatherings in recent times.
A total of around 2,400 spiritual masters and their disciples are expected to attend the festival, including about 84 Rinpoches, Trulkus, Khenpos, and Lamas from across different Buddhist traditions. Each spiritual master is anticipated to be accompanied by a group of devoted followers. As of yesterday, over 1,300 international visitors and 25,000 Bhutanese participants had registered for the event.
The Central Monastic Body will lead the Jabzhi Dhoechog ritual at Kuenselphodrang, a rare and elaborate ceremony dedicated to global peace and happiness. The ritual, which blends peaceful offerings and protective prayers, will seek to purify negative karma and promote collective well-being.
For seven days, from 4th to 9th November, non-sectarian Vajrayana Buddhist peace prayers will be held at Changlimithang Ground, with prayers conducted in multiple languages. Simultaneous translations will be available in English, Tibetan, and Dzongkha during teachings and empowerments, allowing both Bhutanese and international devotees to participate fully.
A public blessing ceremony by eminent lamas will follow on 10th November, and on 11th November, thousands will join in the mass recitation of the Bazaguru mantra to invoke peace and compassion.
From 12th to 14th November, His Holiness the Je Khenpo will preside over a three-day Kalachakra empowerment, offering profound teachings on the sacred connection between the individual and the universe.
Adding to the festival’s significance, more than 250 Buddhist nuns from around the world will receive Bhikkhuni (Gelongma) Ordination from 15th to 19th November at the Bhutan Nuns Foundation’s Training and Resource Center in Tshalumaphey. This marks the second ordination of Mahayana Buddhist nuns organized by the Foundation, further promoting women’s empowerment in the Buddhist community.
An exhibition of Kalachakra art and artefacts, along with scholarly seminars on Kalachakra philosophy, will also be held alongside the main events.
Organizers said the preparations are in their final stage, with event sites being decorated and volunteer teams being briefed. Prayers will also be conducted in devotees’ preferred language where possible, ensuring that everyone, regardless of origin, can join in the shared aspiration for world peace and harmony.
