The Last Day of the 26th Kagyu Monlam

January 11, 2009, report by Jo Gibson, photos taken by Karma Norbu, Pema Orser Dorje


His Holiness attended all four sessions of the final day of the Monlam.

Following the Sojong Vows and precepts for the day, the assembly recited the Twenty Branch Monlam. The second session concluded with the annual alms procession. (See separate report)

In the afternoon His Holiness formally thanked all the sponsors, all those who had come, and those who had worked for the Kagyu Monlam, and gave his concluding remarks. He spoke again about his concerns over the crisis facing the environment. He urged people to remember that Kagyu was the practice lineage and do more meditation. He emphasized the importance of good quality education in monasteries and nunneries.

(A full translation of this speech will be available within the next few days and will be posted on the website then.)

Then came the final dedication prayers, His Holiness rose from his seat and walked with great dignity and presence up the stairs and through the red gate to his waiting car. People milled around, gathered up their cushions and other belongings, and slowly moved away, as if reluctant to leave. As they left, the special bags of tsog were distributed at two collection points. Everyone looked content, though perhaps a little tired, and everyone agreed that the 26th Kagyu Monlam had been a great success. But it wasn’t quite finished. There was still the Mar-me Monlam to come.