Home Event History Celebration of the 900th anniversary of Düsum Khyenpa, afternoon
Celebration of the 900th anniversary of Düsum Khyenpa, afternoon

Celebration of the 900th anniversary of Düsum Khyenpa

December 30, 2010, afternoon

A huge tent has been put up for the occasion
Throughout the morning, the last preparations had been made in the huge tent which had been set up for the occasion on the grounds of the Kalachakra Maidan.

Thousands of seats had been set out in long rows in front of the large stage where the guests of honour were seated: the Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje,

Gyalwa Karmapa with the Governor of Bihar, Mr. Devanand
Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche; the registrar of Magadh University; Venerable Chalinda, Chief Monk of the B.T.M.C. (Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee); Mr. Nangzi Dorje, Chief Secretary of the B.T.M.C.; and last but not least the Chief Guest, Mr. Devanand Konwar, Governor of Bihar.
The guests of honour were seated on the stage
Other important guests included Beru Khyentse and Jamgön Kongtrül Rinpoche, Togden Rinpoche, Mr. Ramdas Athawale, Ex-member of Parliament, and the District Magistrate of Gaya, as well as Prof. Sempa Dorje, the representatives of H.H. Drikung Kyabgön Rinpoche, H.H. Sakya Trizin Rinpoche, H.E. Luding Khenchen, H.E. Thartse Khenchen Rinpoche and H.E. Chobgye Shabdrung Rinpoche and many others.

The programme was officially opened by Gyalwa Karmapa and the Chief Guest lighting a lamp on the shrine.

The Venerable Bikshus of Mahabodhi Temple recite Mangalam Prayers
Next, the Venerable Bikshus of the Mahabodhi Temple recited Mangalam Prayers (prayers for auspiciousness).
Shamar Rinpoche delivers the opening speech
Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche then gave the welcome speech, talking about the history of the 1st Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa and the lineage of the Karmapas and giving examples of their extraordinary qualities and achievements.
Mr. Devanand Konwar, Governor of Bihar, addresses the audience in a passionate speech
Next, the Chief Guest of the event, Mr. Devanand Konwar, Governor of Bihar, gave a fervent speech in which he professed his great liking of Buddhism. He said that he was particularly appreciative of the fact that the Buddha’s teachings aim at an inner transformation of the individual. He continued to explain that in his opinion it was this inner change that was most likely to bring the greatest result. He illustrated this statement by telling the story of Angulimala, a mass murderer who, upon meeting the Buddha, had a complete change of mind, turned towards virtue and ended up as a great saint.

Gyalwa Karmapa then presented trophies to the Chief Guest, and there was a short break during which tea and snacks were served.

Prof. Sempa Dorje talks about the life of the first Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa
The programme then continued with a speech in Hindi on the life of the first Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa, delivered by Prof. Sempa Dorje.

Next, the Gyalwa Karmapa took the floor and addressed the audience in a short speech. He said that it was a very auspicious occasion, mainly because this environment was the most blessed place of all, since it was the place where Prince Siddharta had attained perfect enlightenment and had spread the teachings and the knowledge which he himself had understood, for the benefit of all of us. “And it is due to that that all of us are here today, in great multitude, in peace, in harmony. So what I would like to convey and ask of you is this: Please make wishes and aspirations in the same way as the great bodhisattva Düsum Khyenpa did in the past. Please aspire to benefit all sentient beings, and that all of us may achieve perfect enlightenment, like the Buddha himself. That is what I would like to wish.”

Gyalwa Karmapa addresses the audience

Next, Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche once more took the floor, and this time addressed the audience in Tibetan, with a consecutive translation into Mandarin.

Shamar Rinpoche takes the floor for the second time
He concluded by saying that “When you think of the great Bodhisattva Düsum Khyenpa you will receive his blessings as if he were truly present here and now.

This blessing will eliminate any chances of falling into the lower realms in the next life and help ensure that you will be reborn in the Buddha’s pure land and eventually be enlightened.”

Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche’s address marked the end of the formal part of the event.

The V.I.P. guests were invited for dinner at the Kalachakra Maiden, the other guests at Beru Khyentse Rinpoche’s monastery.

After dinner a cultural programme was provided for all the guests, the concept of which had been evolved by Shri H.P. Maurya, the founder of Missionaries of Lord Buddha of Jayantipur, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, especially for this occasion.

The programme consisted of two aspects: First there was a musical performance by Dr. Shivani Matanhalia, a noted vocalist and composer. She rendered a series of beautiful songs, expressing Buddha’s message and philosophy.

The play "Hey Tathagat" portrays the life and works of Lord Buddha

Next, a troupe of actors presented the historical play “Hey Tathagat”, written by the late Dr. Chaturbhuj, a famous historian of Bihar, and directed by Shri Sanjay Upadhayay. The play portrays the life and works of Buddha in a theatrical manner, and was much appreciated by the audience.

The performance is much appreciated by the audience
Finally, some of the monks from the Shedra at Kalimpong performed a lively Snow Lion Dance, which was greeted by peals of laughter and enthusiastic applause.
The Snow Lion Dance is extremely popular with the audience

The event concluded with a closing speech delivered by Lodrö Rabphel Rinpoche, the new General Secretary of the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa. Rinpoche thanked everyone for having come to join in the celebrations. “In this holy place where all the Buddhas attain enlightenment, all the auspicious conditions are gathered. In the presence of our most respected master and protector, the Gyalwa Karmapa, Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, the Venerable Chalinda, Chief Monk of the BTMC, all the venerable Rinpoches and sangha members, I would like to thank all our generous supporters from all over India, Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal and all over the world from the bottom of my heart. We have been working together during the hardest period of the Karma Kagyu lineage. So please continue to support our precious lineage with the same effort, diligence and courage, for the sake of all living beings. I hope that we will meet again and again on such joyful occasions. Thank you, and may virtue and auspiciousness increase.”

Gyalwa Karmapa, Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche and the Venerable Chalinda

The evening ended with a display of fireworks illuminating the night sky over Bodhgaya.