Sponsoring a puja — a Tibetan Buddhist prayer ceremony — is one of the most meaningful ways to accumulate merit, support the Dharma, and dedicate positive energy to the people and causes you care about. If you are new to puja sponsorship, this guide explains exactly how it works at Tashi Gephelling Buddhist Centre (TGBC) in Singapore.
What Is a Puja?
A puja is a ritual prayer ceremony performed by trained monks or practitioners. In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, pujas involve the recitation of specific texts, the making of offerings, and the generation of merit — positive karmic energy — that can be dedicated to any person or intention you choose.
Different pujas address different needs. Some are performed for healing, obstacle removal, or protection. Others accumulate merit for the deceased, create auspicious conditions for new beginnings, or invoke the blessings of specific Buddhas and deities. At TGBC, the pujas are performed according to the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, the lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
What Does "Sponsoring" a Puja Mean?
When you sponsor a puja, you make an offering — a dana — that covers the costs of performing the ceremony: offerings to the Three Jewels (the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha), ritual materials, and the time of the monks and practitioners. In return, the merit generated by the puja is dedicated to you, your family members, or any person or aspiration you name.
You do not need to be present. You do not need to be Buddhist. The dedication of merit works regardless of your location or background.
Step-by-Step: How to Sponsor a Puja at TGBC
Step 1 — Choose your puja
Visit the Prayers collection on the TGBC website. You will find a range of pujas available, including:
- Yamantaka Peaceful Fire Puja — for purification, obstacle clearing, and merit accumulation
- Medicine Buddha Jangwa Prayer — for healing, and for the benefit of the deceased
- Heart Sutra Obstacles Clearing Prayer — for removing obstacles and creating clarity
- 400 Offerings Puja — for clearing sickness, evil influences, and life obstacles
- NamSeh Wealth Deities & Protector Tea Offering Puja — for prosperity and protection
- Hayagriva Tsog Offering — for removing interferences and power obstacles
- Mo Divination — for receiving guidance on a specific question or situation
Each listing includes a description of the puja's purpose, the tradition behind it, and the offering amount.
Step 2 — Select your offering amount
Many pujas at TGBC begin from as little as $5 SGD, making merit-making accessible to everyone regardless of means. Some pujas offer tiered amounts — a larger offering generates more merit and allows for more extensive dedications.
Step 3 — Add to cart and check out
Enter the name(s) you wish to dedicate the prayer to at checkout, then complete your offering. Payment can be made by credit card or PayNow.
Step 4 — Your puja is performed
TGBC's resident practitioners and monks perform the puja at the scheduled time. The merit is dedicated to your named beneficiaries.
For some pujas, TGBC shares updates or images via WhatsApp. You can follow TGBC on Instagram and Facebook for photos and videos from ceremonies.
Who Can Sponsor a Puja?
Anyone can sponsor a puja at TGBC — you do not need to be Buddhist, Tibetan, or a member of the centre. People from all backgrounds sponsor pujas for themselves, their families, their businesses, and for the benefit of all beings. TGBC welcomes sponsors from Singapore and around the world.
Can I Dedicate a Puja to Someone Who Has Passed Away?
Yes. Several pujas at TGBC are specifically performed for the benefit of deceased loved ones, including the Medicine Buddha Jangwa Prayer and the Yamantaka Jangwa. These are among the most requested pujas, particularly in the 49 days following a death — a spiritually significant period in Tibetan Buddhist belief.
Questions?
Contact TGBC via WhatsApp at +65 9768 4268 or email tashigephelling@gmail.com. The team is happy to help you choose the right puja for your situation.
Tashi Gephelling Buddhist Centre is a non-profit Tibetan Buddhist centre located at 8A Mayo Street, Singapore 208308. All offerings are used with full transparency and dedicated back to sponsors and all beings.