Home Event History Celebration of the 1st Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa’s 900th anniversary - December 30, 2010
Celebration of the 1st Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa’s 900th anniversary - December 30, 2010

Celebration of the 1st Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa’s 900th anniversary

December 30, 2010, morning

 

The great day has come: everybody has gathered to celebrate the 900th anniversary of the first Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa

The big day had arrived. Preparations for this final highlight of the month-long celebration of the first Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa’s 900th anniversary had been going on for many weeks.

From the early morning onwards throngs of people had been gathering at the Mönlam site at the Mahabodhi temple. The atmosphere was vibrant with expectation and filled with the chant of mantras and the song of the chipmunks.

Devotees have taken up position in two long rows to wait for Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa
At 7a.m. an amplified voice told everybody to get up and take up formation in two rows to welcome the representation of Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa. After a little while the gathered crowd of more than ten thousand started to react, and slowly two rows began to form on either side of the path.
The atmposphere is vibrant with expectation
The queue of people became longer and longer, stretching far beyond the entrance and quite a way along the main street into Bodhgaya.

Once everyone was in place, flowers were distributed to one and all. The waiting began.

Long before the statue comes into view it is already announced by the sound of drums
Long before the procession came into sight it was already announced by drumbeats and the sound of cymbals, gyalings (Tibetan wind instruments used in rituals) and conches.
The procession is led by several umdzes playing cymbals
Then finally, the procession itself became visible, led by several umdzes (chant masters) playing cymbals, followed by a long row of monks in ceremonial garb, playing various musical instruments.

Not long afterwards the heart of the procession came into view: an intricately carved wooden box, open on the sides and carried by four monks on their shoulders like a litter, containing an exquisite statue of Düsum Khyenpa.

Four litter bearers carry an exquisite statue of the first Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa

In front of this representation of the first Karmapa walked Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, Beru Khyentse Rinpoche, Jamgön Kongtrül Rinpoche, Nendo Dorje Lopön Rinpoche and Lodrö Rabphel Rinpoche.

A rain of flowers and offering scarves fell wherever the statue of Düsum Khyenpa passed. After a big khora (circumambulation) of the Stupa the procession was met at the entrance to Mahabodhi temple by the rest of Rinpoches and lamas, and after another small khora the statue was placed on the shrine.

The statue of Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa is placed on the shrine
Shamar Rinpoche, wearing his red hat, lit a butter lamp on the shrine and offered a mandala to the first Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa.
Shamar Rinpoche offers a mandala to Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa
It was then that the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje arrived at the venue. He prostrated in front of the Bodhi Tree, lit a butterlamp and mounted his throne, equally wearing his black hat.

The gathered Rinpoches, lamas, monks and nuns then performed the puja of ka gyu chi yi la drub, which is a general practice of Guru Yoga (practice of the teacher), with tsok offering.

Both the Gyalwa Karmapa and Künzig Shamar Rinpoche were present for the puja

Both the Gyalwa Karmapa and Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche were present for this puja, and the consecrated food was then shared out among all the participants. The beggars, too, got their share.

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