In a time of growing challenges—war, famine, drought, and other suffering—I felt compelled to take action, however small, to bring peace and healing to the world. Over the past five months, I’ve placed 22 tsa tsas—sacred Buddhist votive objects imbued with prayers and blessings—across five states in the Northeast.
Each tsa tsa placement was a quiet, deliberate act, filled with meaning and intention. Although the exact locations remain hidden, the journey itself was transformative, offering hidden lessons and blessings at every turn.
Honoring the Land and Its People
The land of the Northeast carries ancient stories. Every river, lake, and mountain whispers its history, shaped by the Native American tribes who revered these spaces for generations.
Massabesic Lake, NH: The source of the Merrimack River, this lake was sacred to the Pennacook Tribe, who saw its waters as a vital lifeline. Standing on its shores, I felt the weight of their enduring connection to the land and placed a tsa tsa as an offering to honor their wisdom.
Newfound Lake, NH: The stillness of this lake, feeding the Pemigewasset River, seemed to hold the memory of the Abenaki people, who lived in harmony with the rhythms of nature. Placing a tsa tsa here became an act of connecting with that balance.
Lake Champlain, VT: With its waters flowing northward into Canada, Lake Champlain felt like a bridge between worlds. Known to the Abenaki and Mohican peoples as Bitawbagw, or “The Lake Between,” this site reminded me that blessings, like water, know no borders.
East River, NY: This tidal strait, known for its powerful currents, connects the waters around Riker’s Island with the Atlantic Ocean. A tsa tsa placed here carried the aspiration to offer blessings to those incarcerated at Riker’s Island, helping them find inner peace and healing. The water’s flow, sometimes reversing, symbolized the hope for transformation and release.
Long Island Sound, CT: At the mouth of the Connecticut River, where fresh water merges with the saltwater of the Atlantic Ocean, a tsa tsa was placed to honor this powerful confluence. This gateway symbolizes the union of the finite and infinite, amplifying blessings to purify and renew while extending their reach far beyond the Sound’s waters into the vastness of the ocean, touching countless beings.
Some places, like Lake Winnipesaukee, remain on my list. Known in the Abenaki language as the “Smile of the Great Spirit,” it calls for a tsa tsa placement to honor its harmony and joy.
The Auspiciousness of Confluences
One of the most spiritually potent locations for tsa tsa placement is at the confluence of two rivers, where two bodies of water merge into one. In both Native American and Tibetan traditions, these sites are recognized as places of power and transformation:
Flowing Energies Merge: Confluences symbolize the union of different energies coming together harmoniously, creating a natural amplification of blessings.
Native American Reverence: For tribes such as the Abenaki and Pennacook, these places were often regarded as sacred sites for ceremonies, reflecting the balance and interconnectedness of life.
Tibetan Wisdom: In Tibetan Buddhism, confluences are considered auspicious for placing sacred objects like tsa tsas or stupas. The merging waters act as a carrier for blessings, spreading them far and wide while pacifying negativity.
At the confluence of the Pemigewasset and Winnipesaukee Rivers, which form the Merrimack River, a tsa tsa placement honored this merging of energies. The act felt timeless, as though generations of prayers and offerings still lingered in the air.
Walden Pond: A Quiet Teacher
Among all the locations I visited, one stands out for its quiet wisdom: Walden Pond in Massachusetts. This timeless body of water, immortalized by Henry David Thoreau, a philosopher, writer, and nature lover, holds a profound spiritual resonance. For Thoreau, Walden Pond was more than a place—it was a teacher. Here, simplicity revealed wisdom, and stillness gave rise to profound insight.
Placing a tsa tsa at Walden Pond felt like tapping into the stillness of Thoreau’s meditative reflection, blending it with the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism. This act added a dynamic healing energy to an already sacred space, harmonizing with the land and amplifying its legacy of peace and introspection.
This placement taught me that the most profound lessons come from nature itself. Walden Pond, for me, became a reminder that simplicity and mindfulness are the keys to lasting harmony.
Challenges Along the Way
The journey to place these tsa tsas wasn’t without its obstacles. In many cases, access to the sites was gated or fenced off—a sign of the modern times, where land is increasingly divided and restricted. Navigating these challenges became part of the practice, teaching me patience, creativity, and the importance of perseverance.
Each challenge became an opportunity to grow, requiring new skillful means or the patience to honor the spirits of the place who may not have understood what was taking place.
For example, simply reciting prayers wasn’t always enough. It became about reaching out and “communicating” with the lokapalas—the protectors of the land—clearing the space both inside myself and in the surrounding environment. Only then did the process unfold with ease, and what initially felt like resistance transformed into a quiet blessing.
The Mystery of the Journey
The 22 tsa tsas placed across oceans, rivers, reservoirs, and lakes in five states each carried their own story, hidden from even these words. Some were placed in rushing waters; others nestled quietly in serene, forgotten corners of the land.
Why This Matters
This practice taught me that tsa tsa placement is about more than tradition. It’s about weaving ourselves into the story of the land, honoring its history, and creating a legacy of peace and renewal for generations to come.
Honoring the Past: Each placement honors the Native American tribes, historical figures, and natural spaces that have shaped this region.
Blessing the Present: Waterways in motion amplify tsa tsas’ blessings, transforming negativity and carrying peace outward.
Building the Future: Tsa tsas act as seeds, planted with the aspiration that they blossom into harmony and wisdom for all beings.
A Sacred Window: 2024 as the Year to Act
The Tibetan calendar marks 2024 as a pivotal year for pacifying obstacles and planting seeds of peace. This sacred period concludes on February 28, 2025, making now the perfect time to act.
Even after this date, placing tsa tsas continues to generate blessings, transforming environments and benefiting countless beings.
The Journey Continues
This work is far from over. There are more tsa tsas waiting to find their homes—hidden corners of land, forgotten waters, and even Lake Winnipesaukee, where the “Smile of the Great Spirit” invites reflection and offering. Each new placement will carry the same intention: to alleviate suffering, heal, and harmonize a world in need.
Join the Journey
This work is open to everyone. Whether you feel called to place tsa tsas in a nearby lake, a favorite river, or at the confluence of two waterways, your actions contribute to this wave of peace and transformation.
SEOT Project: Purchase tsa tsas ready for placement.
Future Alchemy: Explore miniature stupas for placement in meaningful locations.
Let us honor the land, its history, and its future. Walden Pond, the heart of New England, reminds us that even the smallest intention can ripple outward to change the world.
Together, we can plant seeds of peace today that will blossom into harmony and wisdom for generations to come.
Related Posts
Emaho! Thank you for sharing your inspiring story. May all beings benefit!