Programme for the 27th Kagyu Monlam

The 27th Kagyu Monlam will be held at Bodhgaya from 24th to 31st December, 2009. Gyalwang Karmapa will preside over the Monlam accompanied by many other eminent Rinpoches and Lamas.

The Gyalwang Karmapa hopes to conclude the transmission of and commentary on the Life of Milarepa, begun at the 24th Kagyu Monlam. In addition, during each teaching session, Gyalwang Karmapa will give instructions on different meditations. He will also give short commentaries on the prayers in each session.

Prior to the Monlam, the Gyalwang Karmapa will give a two-and-a half-day teaching to foreign students on Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend.

During the Monlam, Gyalwang Karmapa will bestow the empowerment of Milarepa.

He will also perform the Akshobhya Ritual fire puja for the deceased, as before, at Tergar Monastery.

The 27th Kagyu Monlam programme will include prayers for long-life and for the flourishing of the Dharma, the Medicine Buddha Ritual, the recitation of the Kangyur, the Akshobhya Ritual and mandala, the recitation of Sutra, the Ritual of the Sixteen Arhats, the Alms Procession, the Lama Choepa Ritual, Marme Monlam (Lamp Prayer) and so forth. 

Special Events

During the 27th Kagyu Monlam the Gyalwang Karmapa will complete the transmission of the "Life of Milarepa", so the theme of this year's Monlam will be "Remembering the Kindness of the Lineage Masters, especially Milarepa". To reflect this, there will be a programme of special events.

Tuesday, 29th December, 2009 at 7.00 PM, Tergar Monastery: The Gyalwang Karmapa will lead the  Tsog (Ganachakra) Offering of the Guru Yoga of Milarepa, composed by the First Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche.  This puja is open to both ordained and lay people, but you must have completed the Drubgyu Four Ngondro (Preliminary Practices) in order to attend. You will need to bring your own copy of the text.

Friday, 1st January, 2010 at 11.00AM near Tergar Monastery: There will be a special celebratory lunch offering to the sanghas of those monasteries and nunneries which were formally invited to attend Kagyu Monlam. In order to recall the hardships Milarepa underwent, nettle soup will be served as part of the meal.

Friday, 1st January, 2010 at 6.00PM near Tergar Monastery: There will be a performance of a drama in six acts, based on Milarepa's life, written especially by the Gyalwang Karmapa. There will also be various presentations of monastic arts and culture. Everyone is invited to this special performance and we hope you will enjoy it.

Please don't forget to come.