14-21 February 2026 (8 days)

Gutor – long Mahakala Puja

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Led by: Lama Rinchen 

Gutor is the name of an intensive, week-long Mahakala practice which, in Karma Kagyu monasteries and centres, is traditionally performed before Losar – the Tibetan New Year. However, in justified cases this practice may be held at a different time and not always for full seven days.

This year we will practice Gutor in four sessions daily, following the medium-length Mahakala puja text, known as Tsalma, using insertions from the long puja Dangla Namsek. This is the way we practiced for many years in the past.

IMPORTANT: This year, exceptionally – unlike in previous years – from February 15th till 20th (Sunday–Friday), participation in and presence in the temple during the first three daily sessions will be limited exclusively to those who have received personal permission from Lama Rinchen. The reason is that during these days the group practice will be combined with explanations belonging to the secret Vajrayana tradition.

Every day during the evening sessions, as well as on February 21st (Saturday morning), everyone may be present in the temple, including those not actively participating in the practice. One may observe the puja or perform one’s own practice at that time.

The Friday evening session (February 20th) concludes with the ceremonial burning of the torma, in which all negativities have been accumulated. On Saturday morning, February 21st, the concluding ritual will take place together with receiving Mahakala’s blessing. Everyone who wishes may participate.

Those who are present in the temple during sessions not restricted solely to active practitioners (see the note above) may listen to the puja and quietly recite prayers or mantras they know, or perform their personal meditation. It is also possible to sponsor accommodation or meals for the puja participants or make a donation for materials needed for the ritual (rice for offering bowls, flakes for tormas, butter for decorations, tealight candles, incense, tsok offerings, etc.). All of these activities allow us to accumulate merit and to receive the same Mahakala blessings as those who actively participate in the practice.

Saturday, February 14th, 10:30 a.m.

Mahakala Bernagchen Empowerment – participation is limited exclusively to those who have received personal permission from Lama Rinchen.

The practice will begin with the afternoon session on Saturday, February 14th at 3:30 p.m.

During this session, the medium-length Mahakala puja, known as Tsalma (the text we have always recited until now), will be recited.

From the following morning onward, we will recite Tsalma (the medium-length Mahakala Bernagchen puja) daily in four sessions for seven days, from February 14thto 20th.

On Friday, February 20th, from 6:30 p.m. to approximately 9:00 p.m., the culminating part of the week-long puja will take place. The torma, which during the practice absorbs all the negativity of the past year and all obstacles that may arise in the future, will be thrown into the fire and burned.

We will conclude on February 21st with a morning Tsalma session and by receiving the blessings and siddhis of Mahakala gathered in the torma. Everyone present will receive this blessing, regardless of whether they previously recited the text. The session will end around 11:00 a.m.

IMPORTANT: During Gutor, both the Tsalma text and the Dangwa Namseg text will be required.

Those who will actively participate in the long puja are asked to place their orders for the Dangwa Namseg text no later than February 9th.

The Tsalma text is the same as in previous years, so if you already have it, there is no need to order a new copy.

Those who have received individual permission from Lama Rinchen, are planning to participate in Gutor for the first time, and wish to order both texts, are asked to indicate this in the registration form in the “Comments” field.

Registration:

Registration deadline (and prepayment for meals) – till the 9th of December.

Registration can be completed by using the REGISTRATION FORM. Please fill in the form also for any accompanying person not participating in the sessions.

All changes considering your stay should be submitted at least three days in advance.

Suggested donations:

Our Buddhist Centre in Grabnik is maintained exclusively by donations, therefore each, even very symbolic, amount offered money is important and appreciated. Those who would like to support us, may do the donations via transfer to our bank account or with a use of a debit card (see: donate) or in cash at the Centre.

February 15–20 (6 days) – 50 PLN per day
Afternoon session on February 14th and morning session on February 21th – free of charge
Dangwa Namseg text – 50 PLN

BONUS for those who participate in all sessions – total 250 PLN
(the bonus does not include meals).
The bonus applies to those who formally register and pay the full amount by February 9th.

Note: Participants who withdraw from part of the program forfeit the right to the bonus.

Additional stay not during the seminar – 40 PLN per day
Children and accompanying persons not participating in the sessions – 40 PLN per day

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Food (only when prepaid and booked on time):

All meals are vegetarian.
Suggested donation: breakfast 16 PLN, lunch 28 PLN, dinner 16 PLN (full board – 60 PLN)

Please bring your own mug.

Prepayment is not equivalent to registering for the seminar. Please remember to register!
We are not able to guarantee meals to those arriving unannounced.

NOTE:
– We cannot guarantee meals to those who do not register and make a donation on time.
– Meals are served at fixed hours (breakfast at 8:30 a.m., lunch at 1 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m.).
– Please think your order through. There are no returns for ordered and not used meals, unless a resignation is submitted three days in advance.

Donations may be done via transfer to a bank account or by credit card (see donate).
If you have any problems with money transfer, please contact the office.

Guide for participants:

In order to avoid misunderstandings and make the work of our team easier, please read the Guide for Participants which explains what to bring, where to stay, how to behave and more.

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