Kagyu Monlam, December 27, 2010

The holy site of the Mahabodhi Temple was at its most splendid on the morning of the opening day of this year’s Kagyu Monlam.

Thangkas depicting the masters of the Kagyu lineage had been put up on the Monlam shrine, and in front of them countless flower garlands, bouquets of flowers and butter lamps had been arranged, and a vast number of elaborately manufactured offering tormas set out.

Every surface was covered with flowers laid out in intricate patterns, and a mood of joyful anticipation was in the air.

Early in the morning a large crowd of devotees gathered in front of the entrance to the Mahabodhi Temple to await the arrival of Gyalwa Karmapa and Shamar Rinpoche

Devotees awaiting the arrival of Gyalwa Karmapa and Shamar Rinpoche

Once the Gyalwa Karmapa had arrived he was led in a procession to the temple in the Mahabodhi Stupa to the accompanying sound of gyalings (Tibetan musical instruments used in rituals) where he paid homage to the Buddha, lit a butterlamp and offered a silk scarf.

Karmapa inside the Mahabodhi Stupa

The procession then continued to the Monlam site, where both Gyalwa Karmapa and Shamar Rinpoche lit a butterlamp to mark the official beginning of the Kagyu Monlam.

Karmapa lights a butter lamp to mark the beginning of the Monlam

Kagyu Monlam with Gyalwa Karmapa and Shamar Rinpoche

Apart from the Gyalwa Karmapa and Shamar Rinpoche there are many other Rinpoches and high lamas who have graced the event with their presence, including Beru Khyentse Rinpoche, Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Dorje Lopon Nendo Rinpoche, Shangpa Rinpoche, Lodro Rabphel Rinpoche, Togden Rinpoche, Sang Sang Rinpoche and Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche.

Beru Khyentse Rinpoche and Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche

Moreover, approximately six thousand monks belonging to different schools of Tibetan Buddhism as well as about five hundred nuns and several thousand lay devotees from the different corners of the globe have come to Bodhgaya for the auspicious occasion.

Thousands of monks and nuns have gathered to take part in the Kagyu Monlam

Recitations started as soon as Gyalwa Karmapa and Shamar Rinpoche were seated and continued until the evening. As usual, the main prayer recited during the Monlam was Samantabhadra’s Wishing Prayer for Excellent Conduct, also known as the King of Wishing Prayers.

During breaks throughout the day both Gyalwa Karmapa and Shamar Rinpoche continued to receive visitors and give their blessing to devotees.