13th U.S. Drikung Ngachö Monlam

13th U.S. Drikung Ngachö Monlam

June 13–14, 2026 | Chicago, Illinois
Hosted by Chicago Ratna Shri

With deep joy and devotion, we warmly invite you to join the 13th U.S. Drikung Ngachö Monlam, a precious annual gathering dedicated to prayer, remembrance, and the accumulation of vast merit.

This year’s Monlam takes place during the holy month of Saga Dawa, the most sacred time in the Buddhist calendar. During this auspicious period, we commemorate the enlightenment and parinirvana of the Buddha, as well as the parinirvana of the great Drikung Kagyu lineage founder, Jigten Sumgon. It is taught that the merit of all virtuous actions performed during Saga Dawa is vastly multiplied, making this an especially powerful time for prayer, practice, offering mandalas, prostrations, and generosity.

Rooted in the profound lineage of the Drikung Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, the Ngachö Monlam is a sacred opportunity for practitioners to gather in collective aspiration prayers, honoring the enlightened activity of the lineage masters and generating benefit for all sentient beings.

During this auspicious gathering, 21 monks will assemble to offer prayers together, creating a powerful field of collective merit and blessing. Their unified recitation greatly amplifies the strength of the prayers, bringing profound benefit to the world.

✨ A Powerful Time for Prayer and Aspiration
During Saga Dawa, this gathering becomes an especially potent opportunity to pray for:

• 🌍 Peace and harmony in our world
• 🌱 Prosperity and well-being for our families and communities
• 💫 The removal of obstacles and the flourishing of positive conditions

✨ Supporting the Living Dharma
Participating in and supporting this Monlam is a deeply meaningful way to:

• Sustain the precious Drikung lineage
• Support the monastic sangha
• Help ensure the continuity of the Buddha Dharma for future generations

We warmly invite you to support this sacred gathering of monastics during the highly meritorious month of Saga Dawa. You can support this auspicious dharma activity with offering mandalas, prostrations, contributions and your attendance in person and online.

Each sponsor will receive a White Dzambala Summoning Good Fortune Text, blessed by 21 lamas and anis.

All sponsors will be included in the dedication prayers and entered into the raffle.

All sponsors and attendees will be entered into a special raffle featuring:

• A blessed statue of Jigten Sumgon
• Elegant ritual tassels blessed by His Holiness Dalai Lama
• Two traditional prayer malas

All are warmly welcome to attend this powerful and auspicious gathering.

• $70 – Full Monlam (both days)
• $40 – Single day attendance
• $50 - Online (both days)
• $30 - Online single day

✨ Each ticket includes entry into the raffle for one of the three precious prizes.

Following the Monlam, on Monday, the monastic sangha will offer Green Tara mandala sand at Lake Michigan, extending prayers for peace, protection, and harmony into the natural world.

A limited number of 108 sacred Green Tara mandala sand bags—previously blessed by His Holiness Dalai Lama—will be available:

• $50 per blessed sand bag (limited to 108)

These precious substances carry deep spiritual significance and are traditionally used for blessing, protection, and the removal of obstacles.

Over these two days, we will engage in:
✨ Traditional Ngachö prayers and liturgical practices
✨ Offerings and dedications for peace, longevity, and liberation
✨ A powerful field of collective merit and compassion
✨ Connection with sangha in a spirit of devotion and unity

This Monlam is not only a time of prayer, but a profound opportunity to:

• Purify obscurations
• Accumulate merit and wisdom
• Deepen devotion and connection to the lineage
• Dedicate for the benefit of all beings

📍 Location: Hyatt Place Hotel

6810 Mannheim Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018
And Online

📅 Dates: June 13–14, 2026

Let us gather during this most sacred month to raise our voices in prayer—
for the peace of our world, the well-being of our families, and the flourishing of the Dharma for generations to come.

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Host or Publisher Chicago Ratna Shri