Special Announcement: Long-Life Activities for the Three Rinpoches During the 28th Kagyu Monlam

At this historical juncture, when the practice lineage of Kampo Nenang (the Karma Kamstang) has fallen into a lamentable state in terms of study and practice due to local, historical and personnel conditions, it is an inconceivable and inexpressible amassing of kindness that beings with the power to accomplish their aspirations as holders of the teachings have determined that they themselves will bear the great burden of bringing about the welfare of beings and of the Buddhadharma, and, like a seasonal rain falling at just the right time, remain in the world as sources of refuge, as bodhisattvas in human form showing the infallible path to wretched disciples.

This is especially so in the case of Kyabje Thrangu Rinpoche, Vajra Master Tenga Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsultrim Gyatso, who, due to the exemplary lives they have led, have each reached an advanced age and still remain for the sake of the Buddhadharma and sentient beings. With the aim of praising the greatness of their lives and qualities, exhorting them to continuously turn the wheel of Dharma, and completely fulfilling their greatly compassionate wishes, on the morning of December 22nd, the eighth day of the Twenty-Eighth Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya, the vast gathering of sangha headed by the Gyalwang Karmapa and his heart disciples will perform the practice of Prostrations and Offering to the Sixteen Elders and offer the three Rinpoches a special long-life puja that combines sutra and tantra. His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa will further bestow upon each of them a certificate of encomium.

His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa has issued the following instructions:

All those connected to the three Rinpoches all over the world, from east to west—including monasteries, Dharma centers and disciples who have relationships of Dharma and of samaya—are requested to participate on that day {December 22nd, 2010 at 6:00-8:30 am (India time)} from wherever they may be, however near or far, by performing the Prostrations and Offering to the Sixteen Elders while supplicating with intense longing. Those who are unable to do so are asked to recite the short or long dharani mantra of Amitayus for long life, engage in Vajrasattva recitation to remove any stains to their samaya, and to perform the Padmasambhava supplication to remove obstacles. In addition, with wholesome devotion, they should accumulate recitations of the prayers that already exist for the long life of the three Rinpoches, as well as the long-life prayers that have been specially composed for the occasion this year by the heart disciples who are lords of refuge.

We thus ask you all to take this to heart.

Kagyu Monlam Organizing Committee
November 8, 2010

The relevant practice texts and prayers may be downloaded at the following links:
Prostrations and Offering to the Sixteen Elders
Long-Life Prayers
Supplication Clearing the Path of Obstacles

The ceremonies will be webcast live and may be viewed at this site:
http://www.kagyumonlam.tv/