Tshyokor Tuchen – First Turning of the Dharma Wheel
(Commemorating Buddha’s First Teaching in Mahayana Buddhism)
What is Tshyokor Tuchen?
Tshyokor Tuchen is one of the most important and sacred days in Mahayana Buddhism.
This auspicious day marks the moment when Lord Buddha delivered his first teaching after attaining enlightenment — an event known as the First Turning of the Dharma Wheel.
According to the Tibetan Lunar Calendar, Tshyokor Tuchen is observed on the 4th day of the 6th month, which generally falls in August.
This holy day is also known as Tukpa Tsheshyi, symbolizing the beginning of Buddha’s profound teachings that continue to guide Buddhist practitioners around the world.
Significance of Tshyokor Tuchen
Tshyokor Tuchen holds deep spiritual meaning because it commemorates:
– The Buddha’s first public teaching
– The introduction of the Four Noble Truths
– The beginning of the Dharma being shared with the world
– The foundation of the Buddhist path as we know it today
For Mahayana practitioners, this day represents the opening of the Dharma for all sentient beings and the start of Buddha’s compassionate mission to alleviate suffering.
Observance at Sherpa Kyidug America
Sherpa Kyidug America honors Tshyokor Tuchen with:
– Special Dharma teachings
– Prayer and mantra recitation
– Light offerings
– Community gathering and blessings
– Reflection on the Four Noble Truths and the path of liberation
This observance provides an opportunity for individuals and families to deepen their understanding of Buddha’s teachings and strengthen their spiritual practice.
A Day of Wisdom, Reflection, and Merit
Tshyokor Tuchen encourages practitioners to:
– Renew their commitment to the Dharma
– Practice compassion and mindfulness
– Accumulate merit through prayers and offerings
– Reflect on the meaning of Buddha’s first teaching
– Strengthen their connection to the Mahayana path
It is a day to honor the wisdom that began shaping the spiritual journey of millions across centuries.
Join Us in Observing Tshyokor Tuchen
Sherpa Kyidug America welcomes all community members to participate in this sacred annual observance.
Together, we celebrate the timeless teachings of the Buddha
and the beginning of the Dharma’s journey in our world.
Sponsors (Lawas/Jindakhas) 2026
1. Ang Chhiring Sherpa (Gorja) – Khoria
2. Dorjee Sherpa – Gomdel, Ramechhap
3. Er. Temba Sherpa – Kerung
4. Lhakpa Tenji Sherpa – Ramechhap
5. Rinjima Sherpa – Jiri, Dolakha
6. Chhiring T. Sherpa – Mainapokhari, Dolakha
7. Chima Sherpa – Jiri, Dolakha
8. Pasang Sherpa (Dragon) – Shyama, Dolakha
9. Dawa Karma Sherpa – Shyama, Dolakha
10. Dendi Sherpa – Ramechhap
11. Dorjee Sherpa (SKA Treasurer) – Goli
12. Kojock Dhindup Sherpa – Silangkati
13. Mingmar Sherpa – Phera
14. Nawang Zangbu Sherpa – Shyama, Dolakha
15. Pasang Sherpa – Jiri, Dolakha
16. Pasang Sherpa (SKA Vice President) – Chulemu
17. Pasang Sherpa Lama (Vice President) – Shyama, Dolakha
18. Pemba Tshiri Sherpa – Baganje, Solu
19. Phurba Sherpa – Chongkhu, Dolakha
20. Mrs. Yangdu Lama (Executive Board) – Junbeshi, Solukhumbu
21. Mrs. Pemba Doma Lama (Executive Board) – Junbeshi, Solukhumbu
22. Ngawang Temba Sherpa – Lhosa-1, Dolakha
23. Pasang Lhomu Sherpa – Texas / Dolakha
24. Phurchiri & Pasang Sherpa – Texas / Dolakha
25. Rinji Sherpa – Texas / Dolakha
26. Phara Dendi Sherpa – Bhojpur
27. Ngawang Jimpa Sherpa – Chulemu/Solukhumbu
28. Ang Pasang Sherpa – Dolakha (63rd Street, New York)
29. Phugelzen & Maya Sherpa – Woodside, New York
30. Ngadoma Sherpa – Texas / Dolakha
31. Ang Ngima Sherpa – Jamaica, New York
Sponsors (Lawas/Jindakhas) 2025
1. Ang Chhiring Sherpa (Gorja) Khoria
2. Dorjee Sherpa ( Gomdel, Ramechhap )
3. Er. Temba Sherpa ( Kerung )
4. Lakpa Sange Sherpa ( Shyama, Dolakha )
5. Lhakpa Tenji ( Sherpa Ramechhap )
6. Lhamu Sherpa ( Jiri, Dolakha )
7. Chhiring Sherpa (NRNA) Regopark NY
8. Chhiring T. Sherpa ( Mainapokhari, Dolakha )
9. Chima Sherpa ( Jiri, Dolakha )
10. Denny G Sherpa ( Goli )
11. Dorjee Sherpa ( SKA Treasurer )
12. Ngawang Temba ( Sherpa Dolakha )
13. Pasang Sherpa ( Jiri, Dolakha )
14. Pasang Sherpa Lama (VP) Shyam, Dolakha
15. Phurba Sherpa ( Chongkhu, Dolakha )
16. Rinji Nuru Sherpa ( Takasindu )
17. Sarki Sherpa ( Bigu, Dolakha )
18. Tenzi Sherpa ( Lhosa 1, Dolakha )
19. Kojock Dhindup Sherpa ( Silangkati )
20. Tenzi Sherpa ( Thaleri )
21. Mingmar Sherpa ( Phera )
22. Ang Dawa Lama ( Khoria Solu )
23. Rinzin Sherpa (Badi) Jiri, Dolakha
24. Pasang Sherpa (SKA VP) Chulemu
25. Pemba Tshiri Sherpa ( Baganje Solu )
26. Jangbu Lama Family ( Phaplu Solu )
27. Ngawang T. Sherpa ( Kerung, Solu )
28. Nawang Dawa Sherpa ( Jiri, Dolakha )
29. Mingmar Geljen Sherpa ( Shyam, Dolakha )
30. Dendi Sherpa ( Ramechhap )
31. Da Pasang Sherpa ( Shyama, Dolakha )
32. Dawa Karma Sherpa ( Shyama, Dolakha )
33. Phara Dendi Sherpa ( Bhojpur )
34. Nawang Zangbu Sherpa ( Shyama, Dolakha )
Sponsors (Lawas/Jindakhas) 2022
1.Ang Chhiring Sherpa (Gorja) Khoria
2. Chhewang Sherpa ( Mendopake )
3. Dawa Sherpa ( Garma )
4. Dolma Sherpa ( Fera )
5. Dorjee Doma & Gyatso Family ( Darjeeling )
6. Dorjee Sherpa ( Gomdel, Ramechhap )
7. Funu Sherpa ( Elmhurst )
8. Ganga Lama ( Ramechhap )
9. Kanchimaya Hyolmu ( Hyolmo )
10. Lakpa Sange Sherpa ( Shyama, Dolakha )
11. Late Mingma Bhutia ( Darjeeling )
12. Late Tashi Yangjom ( Manang )
13. Lhakpa T. Sherpa ( Ramechhap )
14. Lhamu Sherpa ( Jiri, Dolakha )
15. Nima Chhunga & Family ( Woodside )
16. Nima Lama ( Himalayan Yak )
17. Nuku D Sherpa NJ
18. Paljer Sherpa ( Ramechhap )
19. Pasang & Ratna Sherpa ( Chulemu )
20. Pemba G. Sherpa ( Khumjung )
21. Phurbu Sherpa ( Taksindo )
22. Tshering Sherpa ( Darjeeling )
23. Ang Babu Sherpa ( Mopung )
24. Chhiring Sherpa (NRNA) Rego Park, NY
25. Chhiring T. Sherpa ( Mainapokhari, Dolakha )
26. Chima Sherpa ( Jiri, Dolakha )
27. Chongba & Lakpa Khambache ( Serga )
28. Dali Sherpa ( Garma )
29. Dawa Sherpa ( Chutok )
30. Denny G Sherpa ( Goli )
31. Dorjee Sherpa Salleri ( Salleri )
32. Jangbu & Jamuna Sherpa ( Salleri )
33. Karma Doma Sherpa ( Shyama, Dolakha )
34. Kumar Gurung
35. Lakpa Geli Sherpa ( Shyama, Dolakha )
36. Lakpa Sherpa ( Garma )
37. Mingmar Doma Lama ( Boudha )
38. Ngawang Garja Sherpa ( Thame )
39. Ngawang T. Sherpa ( Kerung )
40. Ngawang Temba Sherpa ( Dolakha )
41. Nima Sherpa ( Bakar )
42. Nini Dolma & Family ( Darjeeling )
43. Pasang Kami Sherpa ( Chulemu )
44. Pasang Sherpa ( Jiri, Dolakha )
45. Pemba Gelu Sherpa ( Beni )
46. Phurba Sherpa ( Chongkhu, Dolakha )
47. Sarki Sherpa ( Bigu, Dolakha )
48. Temba Sherpa ( Kerung )
49. Tenzi Sherpa ( Lhosa 1, Dolakha )
50. Tenzing Sherpa ( Thalleri )
51. Tshering Sherpa, Ramechhap ( Ramechhap )
52. Urgen Sherpa ( Loding )
53. Yandee Sherpa ( Garma )
54. Yankee & Family ( Walung )
55. Nawang Dawa Sherpa ( Jiri, Dolakha )
56. Pasang Sherpa (SKA VP) Chulemu, Solu
Sponsors (Lawas/Jindakhas) 2016
1. Ang Maya Sherpa ( Shyama Dolakha )
2. Pasang Sherpa ( Shyama Dolakha )
3. Pemba Sherpa ( Ramechhap )
4. Ang Nawang Sherpa ( Namchhe Solu )
5. Ang Nuri Sherpa ( Taksindo Solu )
6. Ang Ngima Sherpa ( Goli Solukhumbu )
7. Sarki Sherpa ( Kurima Solukhumbu )
8. Ang Nuri Lama ( Bhandar Ramechhap )
9. Phurba Sherpa ( Mera Solukhumbu )
10. Eng. Ang Temba Sherpa ( Kerung Solukhumbu )
11. Nawang Tenjing Sherpa ( Kerung Solukhumbu )
12. Dawa Sherpa ( Taksindo Solukhumbu )
13. Kanchhimaya Sherpa ( Kurima Solukhumbu )
14. Ang Dorje Sherpa ( Goli Solukhumbu )
15. Dendi Sherpa ( Bhandar Ramechhap )
16. Nima Sherpa ( Mopung Solukhumbu )
17. Nima Lhamu Sherpa ( Goli Solukhumbu )
18. Ang Phurba Sherpa ( Thame Solukhumbu )
19. Ang Phuri Sherpa ( Bhakanje Solukhumbu )
20. Kandu Sherpa ( Phaplu Solukhumbu )
21. Ang Nurbu Sherpa ( Thame Solukhumbu )
22. Sani Sherpa ( Goli Solukhumbu )
23. Gelbu Lama( Junbesi Solu)
24. Urgen Sherpa ( Loding Solukhumbu )
25. Ang Pasang Lama ( Junbesi Solu)
26. Dendi Sherpa ( Tapting Solu )
27. Nima Wongchhu Sherpa ( Tapting Solu )
28. Chhudim Sherpa ( Junbesi Solu )
29. Chjoten Sherpa ( Junbesi Solu )
30. Yanji Sherpa ( Goli Solukhumbu )
31. Yangdu Sherpini
Sponsors (Lawas/Jindakhas) 2015
1. Chhiring T Sherpa ( Mainapokhari Dolakha )
2. Phurchhiri Sherpa ( Shyama Dolakha )
3. Dorje Sherpa ( Gumdel Ramechhap )
4. Dendi Sherpa ( Bhandar Ramechhap)
5. Ang Tshering Sherpa ( Goli )
6. Lakpa Tenji Sherpa ( Gumdel Ramechhap )
7. Phurba Sherpa ( Mera Solukhumbu )
8. Phuri Sherpa ( Bhakanje Solukhumbu )
9. Dawa Sherpa ( Lumsa Solukhumbu )
10. Pasang Kaji Sherpa ( Gorakhani Solu )
11. Pasang Lama ( Junbesi Solu )
12. Ang Maya Sherpa ( Taktor Solu )
13. Pasang Sherpa ( Lukla Solu )
14. Dali Sherpa ( Khumjung Solu )
15. Pema Lama ( Thame Solu )
16. Pema Rinchhen Sherpa ( Sindhupalchok )
17. Nawang Tenjing Sherpa ( Kerung )
18. Gelmu Lama ( Phungmuche Solu )
19. Chhongba Lama ( Kharikhola Solu )
20. Doma Lama ( Junbesi Solu )
21. Phuti Sherpa ( Goli Solukhumbu )
22. Wongchhu Sherpa ( Junbesi Solu )
23. Chhildim Sherpa ( Mopung Solukhumbu )
24. Ngima Wongchhu Sherpa ( Tapting Solu )
25. Eng. Temba Sherpa ( Kerung Solu )
26. Pasang Phuti Sherpa ( Taktor Solukhumbu )
27. Ang Dendi Sherpa ( Kurima Solukhumbu )
28. Gombu Sherpa ( Mopung Solukhumbu )
29. Phuri Sherpa ( Chetmingtang Solu )
30. Chhongba Lama ( Chhunakpu Solu )
31. Ang Nima Sherpa ( Mopung Solukhumbu )
Tshyokor Tuchen / Mani Khyokhor
United Sherpa Association successfully organized the Tshyokor Tuchen / Mani Khyokhor on Sunday, August 3, 2014. This was the first time the ceremony had been held in New York.
The program was led by Mr. Dendi Sherpa, a well-known Sherpa artist originally from Ramechhap. The event was supported by Mr. Jangbu Sherpa, a community leader from the Goli Sherpa Society. In addition, Sangye Sherpa, a videographer from Dolakha based in New York, generously provided free video recording services for the event.
Donations (Lawa) received during the ceremony were as follows:
• Phurchhiri Sherpa (Shyama, Dolakha) – $ 101
• Ang Chhiri Sherpa (Shyama, Dolakha) – $101
• Chhiring Sherpa (Mainapokhari, Dolakha) – $ 101
• Jangmu Sherpa (Bigu, Dolakha) – $50
• Dendi Sherpa (Bhandar, Ramechhap) – $ 101
• Lhakpa Tenzing Sherpa (Gumdel, Ramechhap) – $101
• Lhamu Sherpa (Deurali, Ramechhap) – $50
• Dolma Sherpa (Gumdhel, Ramechhap) – $50
• Ang Chhiring Sherpa (Goli, Solu) – $101
• Ang Chhiring Sherpa (Goli–Astoria) – $101
• Ang Babu Sherpa (Goli) – $101
• Ngima Sherpa (Goli) – $101
• Jangbu Sherpa (Goli) – $101
• Phurba Sherpa (Goli) – $101
• Phurba Sherpa (Mera) – $101
• Mingmar Sherpa (Chengmiteng) – $101
• Khenpo Gyurme Chodak – $55
• Pasang Phuti Sherpa (Taktor ) – $50
• Dolma Sherpa (Phera) – $25
• Pasang Kaji Sherpa – $100
In addition, the Goli Sherpa Society contributed $362.
The event was held at the Sherpa Kyidug building and was attended by Dharma Guru Khenpo Gyurme Chodak along with other respected Buddhist lamas.
At the beginning of the program, Khenpo Gyurme Chodak explained the significance of the Tshyokor Tuchen / Mani Khyokhor
—why and how it is performed—and its importance in Buddhism and the Sherpa community.
Following Buddhist tradition, the statue of Fapa Che Renzey was beautifully decorated and consecrated. After the Buddhist rituals and prayers were completed by the lamas, all participants offered khatas (ceremonial scarves) to the Buddha statue as a mark of respect and devotion.
Immediately after the prayers, the lamas began chanting “Om Mani Padme Hum” as part of the Mani Khyokhor ritual, and all the participants joined together in chanting in unison, creating a deeply spiritual and harmonious atmosphere.