According to the Tibetan astrological system, this year will be the year of the Fire Horse. The elemental sign fire is said to represent warmth, clarity, and energy. Symbolically, it points to the dispelling of ignorance’s darkness from our mind, and the blazing flames of joyful enthusiasm in whatever activities we undertake. The animal sign horse is associated with swiftness, autonomy, and power of the heart. The union of the two is like adding fire’s potency to the speed of an excellent horse – an auspicious powerful connection through which all activities can be accomplished.
Losar Day, Wednesday February 18, 2026
We will meet in person at Balance Arts Center from 9:45am to 12:15pm and practice with our sangha friends at Nalanda West and Zoomdhatu. Below is the schedule.
10:00a Losar liturgy (starting with smoke puja)
~10:20a Losar address by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche (zoomcast)
~10:45a Nalandabodhi Executive Director transition ceremony (onsite at NW) + remarks by Acharyas and Mitras
~11:30a liturgy resumes
~11:35a pause for Tea & Rice
~11:45a liturgy concludes with Supplications and Dedications
Please register HERE
If you are not available to participate to join us at Balance Arts Center and would like to join online please use this link to register.
Pre-Losar Mahakala Pujas and Smoke puja – February 14 to 17:
The pre-Losar Mahakala Pujas will take place from February 14 to 16, 2026 and are being hosted by Nalandabodhi Vancouver. A Smoke Puja will be offered on February 17. A “Puja” is an intensive liturgical practice most commonly recited in the Tibetan language. Both of these practices are to clear the way for a fresh beginning on the New Year.
These activities will be in Tibetan only and are available online for those who wish to attend. We encourage everyone to participate as it is a wonderful opportunity to welcome the new year with our esteemed Nalandabodhi teachers. To join the pujas and receive more information, your members can register at the following link.
We warmly thank our friends in Vancouver who put their hearts into organizing these events.
Offerings to our precious teachers:
Generosity is a wonderful and important way to celebrate Losar. Offerings can be of many forms as we see expressed in our practice liturgies: food, music, flowers, and other objects of beauty and benefit. There is a spirit of abundance in the practice of making offerings, but it doesn’t mean that it has to be expensive. The heart of generosity is the main thing.
On Losar, one important object of offering is our teachers and lineage. It is a way of expressing connection and appreciation. As our teachers give so generously throughout the year, let’s express our gratitude by making an offering to support them.
This year, all local sanghas are responsible for collecting and distributing offerings to teachers. As sangha leaders, you can choose the best way to ensure that teachers receive their offerings:
– Consider making an offering as a sangha
– Invite your members to donate individually via the Nalandabodhi website at: https://nalandabodhi.org/donate/teacher-offering/
Puja Fund:
Please also encourage your members to contribute to the Puja Fund. This fund is very important as it helps us organize pujas throughout the year, such as the pre-Losar Mahakala pujas. It helps to sponsor meals for the lamas, snacks, offerings to the shrine, flower and fruit offerings, etc.
People should use this Special Donation link and write “Puja Fund” in the notes field: https://nalandabodhi.org/donate/special-donation/
