Kagyu Mönlam, January 2, 2011

Both the Gyalwa Karmapa and Shamar Rinpoche are present for the final puja of the Kagyu Mönlam

The second day of the New Year marked the end of this year’s Kagyu Mönlam.

Vast tsok offerings were prepared for the final puja

Gyalwa Karmapa during the Guru Yoga puja

Straight after lunch everybody assembled at the Mönlam site to await Gyalwa Karmapa and Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche. As soon as they arrived they took their seats and the puja began.

Once more, the ritual performed was the ka gyu chi yi la drub, the general Guru Yoga practice for all the lineage masters of the Kagyu School.

Guru Yoga puja with tsok (feast offerings)

At the end of the puja the extensive consecrated food offerings were shared out to the more than ten thousand participants, and every single one received some tsok offerings to take away and share with others.

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In the evening of the last day of the Mönlam Gyalwa Karmapa and Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche are invited for dinner by the All India Bikkhu Sangha

Ven. Dr. Dhamma Viriyo Mahathero gave a little speech in which he emphasised his close connection with the 16th Karmapa and his long-standing friendship with Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche.

Gyalwa Karmapa is awarded the honorary title of a Tripitaka Mahapandit

The Sangha Council of the All India Bhikku Sangha then conferred the honorary title of a Tripitaka Mahapandit (Doctor of the Tripitaka, the three “baskets” of teachings by the Buddha: Sutra, Vinaya and Abidharma) to Gyalwa Karmapa, in recognition and appreciation of his valuable contribution for the promotion of Buddhism in the universe.

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More Kagyu followers than ever before attended this year's Mönlam

May this auspicious event benefit all sentient beings!

The Kagyu Mönlam concluded with a Guru Yoga with Tsok offering

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