Home Event History Kagyu Mönlam, December 29, 2010
Kagyu Mönlam, December 29, 2010

Kagyu Mönlam, December 29, 2010

Gyalwa Karmapa gives a Chenresig empowerment to 3,000 people

In the morning of December 29, Rinpoches, lamas, monks and nuns gathered at the Mahabodhi Temple for the Kagyu Mönlam as usual, while the Gyalwa Karmapa started preparations for an empowerment of Chenresig (Avalokiteshvara), the Buddha aspect representing enlightened compassion.

3,000 devotees have gathered to receive the empowerment
About three thousand devotees, many of them new to Buddhism, gathered to receive the empowerment, which was given in the courtyard of Beru Khyentse Rinpoche’s monastery, since the shrine room was too small to accommodate such  a large gathering.
Many people have gathered on the roofs to watch the proceedings
The whole courtyard was packed, with people standing on the roofs and the crowd spilling beyond the gate of the monastery out into the street.

Before starting the initiation proper, His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa addressed the audience to welcome them, both in English and in Tibetan.

Before starting the initiation, Karmapa addresses himself to the audience in a welcome speech

He said that he was pleased to see so many dharma friends from all over the world gathered there: “It is an auspicious, wonderful occasion that we can all be here together. We are all human beings, and we have the precious opportunity to meet dharma teachers and gain experience of the dharma.

There are two conditions which need to come together for this to be possible: first of all, one’s own merit, conditions and accumulations. Second, the wishes, blessings, aspirations and dharma teachings of the buddhas and bodhisattvas.

The combination of these two is a wonderful circumstance. We should respect and acknowledge this and rejoice that we are here together for this precious wonderful time. It is a pleasure for myself, and I will do my best to guide you through this empowerment.”

Concerning the empowerment itself, he explained that Chenresig is beneficial for all, since the meaning of Chenresig is genuine compassion and loving kindness. “From beginningless time, it is in the innermost nature of all of us to express compassion and loving kindness.”

Gyalwa Karmapa transmits the empowerment of Chenresig to 3,000 devotees
Devotees are queuing up to receive the blessing with the ritual vase
The Gyalwa Karmapa then proceeded with the empowerment, and by the time all the devotees had passed in front of him to receive the blessing with the ritual vase five hours had passed and it was already afternoon.
By the time everybody has received the blessing with the ritual vase five hours have passed

Karmapa then went to the Mahabodhi temple to join the sangha in the Monlam prayers.

Meanwhile, Shamar Rinpoche was holding a press conference at Sujata Hotel.

Press conference with Shamar Rinpoche
About thirty journalists from Delhi and Patna (the capital of the State of Bihar where Bodhgaya is located), representing the most important national media, had gathered for the occasion.

Shamar Rinpoche first addressed himself to the press in a short speech in which he briefly talked about the first Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa and explained the meaning of the lineage of the Karmapas, after which he invited the journalists to present their questions.

Shamar Rinpoche addresses the journalists
When asked about the process of recognising a Karmapa reincarnation he told the story of how the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje had been found and recognised, demonstrating that the whole process had been in accordance with the 900-year-old tradition of the Karma Kagyu lineage.
Shamar Rinpoche addresses the journalists

In the evening the Gyalwa Karmapa also received some journalists and answered their questions. When prompted for a message he would like to give to young people he emphasised the importance of respecting one’s elders and in particular one’s parents. He said that our parents are our first teachers and that we should be aware of the great kindness they have shown us and take good care of them.

At the end of the question-and-answer session the journalists asked for his blessing and were happy to receive protection cords.

To see more photos, go to www.karmapa-news.org