The 2009 Kagyu
Monlam in Malaysia
April 24-26, 2009, report by
Lama Karma Chodrak, helped by Karma Rinchen Zongpo
The 2009 Kagyu
Monlam in Malaysia took place in Karma Kagyu Buddhist Society Johor
Bahru and was jointly organized with the cooperation of Karma Kagyu
Buddhist Society Johor Bahru and Benchen Karma Kamtshang Ling Johor
Bahru together. This Kagyu Monlam has been the second to occur in
Malaysia, and was performed over the course of three days from April
24th to 26th of 2009.
More
The 2009 Kagyu
Monlam in Nepal
March 7-10, 2009, report by
Lama Karma Chodrak, photos taken by
Karma Norbu
The
2009 Kagyu Monlam in Nepal was hosted in Swayambuth by Benchen
Monastery. Benchen Monastery is the main seat of H.E. Sangye Nyenpa
Rinpoche and Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche in Nepal. Through the
organization of Kagyu Dedon Lhentsho, the Kagyu Committee of Nepal,
this has been the tenth time the Kagyu Monlam was hosted in Nepal.
Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche presided over the monlam this year along with
several other rinpoches. In total, about one thousand four hundred
of the ordained sangha, including Khenpos, Vajramasters, monks and
nuns were present at the monlam pujas.
More
First Kagyu Monlam
in Indonesia
March 27-29, 2009, report by
Lama Karma Chodrak, helped by Karma Rinchen Zongpo
The first
Indonesian Kagyu Monlam for global peace, led by His Eminence Sangye
Nyenpa Rinpoche, was completed very successfully on March 30th. Some
180 members of the Southeast Asian Buddhist community took part in
the ceremony at Borobudur, the Indonesia’s 8-9th century UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
More
The 5th Hong Kong Kagyu
Monlam is really successful
February
6-8, 2009, report by Lama Karma Chodrak
The
main organizer of this time is the center of Venerable Zuri Rinpoche, Karma
Choejin Ling ( or Zuri Mahamudra Buddhist Centre in English ), they have
offered their brand new centre to be the venue of the prayer and The 5th
Hong Kong Kagyu Monlam commence on the same day as the grand opening of this
new centre. Under the great effort of the entire group of wonderful
volunteer, the venue is set up very nicely, the altar, torma and flowers are
all beautifully arranged. Certainly the flow and operation went smoothly as
well.
More
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.
More │27th
Kagyu Monlam Schedule
Upcoming
International Kagyu Monlams:
Hong Kong Kagyu Monlam: Dates: February 6-8, 2009; Place: Hong
Kong
Nepal Kagyu Monlam: Dates: March 7-10, 2009; Place: Benchen
Monastery, Swoyambhu
The 1st Indonesia Kagyu Monlam
Dates: March 27-29, 2009
Place: Barabudur, Jowo Serling Pa's main seat
Email: Triyana Dharma Centre
triyanadharmacenter@yahoo.com
The 2nd Malaysia Kagyu Monlam
Date: 24th to 26th April 2009
Place: Taman Molek, Johor Bahru, Johor
Email: Karma Kagyu Buddhist Society, JB
kkbsjb09@gmail.com
Environmental Guidelines for Karma Kagyu
Buddhist Monasteries, Centers and Community
January
20, 2009, report by Jo Gibson
Gyalwang
Karmapa’s booklet, Environmental Guidelines for Karma Kagyu Buddhist
Monasteries, Centres and Community went on sale at the end of Kagyu
Monlam. So far the booklet has been published in English and Chinese;
the Tibetan edition should be available in February/March 2009. His
Holiness briefly described the booklet and his own deep concerns about
the environment on the second day of the Western teaching.
More
E-Book Download : Environmental Guidelines
Gyalwang Karmapa
consecrates the land for the new Kagyu Monlam Centre
January
16, 2009, report by Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Karma
Lekcho,
8.30am
on a rather chilly but sunny Bihar morning, His Holiness sat, wrapped up
against the cold, under a white gazebo in an unploughed field, its four
boundaries marked by garlands of marigolds. The occasion was the
consecration of two acres of land, adjacent to Tergar Monastery, which
were bought in October 2008 for the new Kagyu Monlam Centre. The centre,
designed by Taiwanese engineer, Choekyi Gyatso, will provide
accommodation and offices for Kagyu Monlam staff.
More
Gyalwang Karmapa’s
teachings on “Living the Dharma” (12th
- 14th January, 2009)
January
14, 2009,
Tergar Monastery, Bodh Gaya,
report by Karma Palmo,
photos taken by
Karma Lekcho
His
Holiness began the last day of the teachings for foreign students by
announcing that he would bestow Refuge, the lung of the Preliminary Practice
text that he composed last year, and also bestow Bodhisattva Vows, but first
he decided to devote the entire morning session to questions and answers.
The first question concerned the profound meaning of reciting ‘Karmapa
Khyeno’. His Holiness began his answer by explaining the meaning of ‘karma’:
activity, or action, and ‘pa’: one who performs that activity.
More
Gyalwang Karmapa’s
teachings on “Living the Dharma” (12th
- 14th January, 2009)
January
13, 2009,
Tergar Monastery, Bodh Gaya,
report by Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Karma Lekcho
Gyalwang
Karmapa dedicated the first part of the morning session to discussing his
concerns over the environment. Many of those present had bought copies of
his booklet, Environmental Guidelines for Karma Kagyu Buddhist Monasteries,
Centres and Community. He spoke of the need to preserve forests, the danger
of glaciers in the Himalayan region shrinking, pollution of the rivers,
protection of wildlife from fur-hunting, the need to be vegetarian or at
least reduce the quantity of meat that we eat, and the crisis of climate
change. Monasteries did not have a training or culture in waste management
so he intended to provide training for them, in the hope that they could
become examples to the community.
More
Gyalwang Karmapa’s teachings on “Living the Dharma” (12th
- 14th January, 2009)
January
12, 2009,
Tergar Monastery, Bodh Gaya, report by Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Karma Lekcho
This teaching, organized by the Kagyu Monlam Organising Committee, was
the first teaching in India directed specifically at Westerners.
The doors opened shortly after 7.30am when people began moving through
the security checks. Inside the hall, people sat in organized rows on
mats and cushions or plastic chairs for those unable to sit on the floor
for extended periods. His Holiness was scheduled to start teaching at
9.00am and 3.00pm, and the final quarter of an hour before each teaching
began was designated as “silent meditation”.
More
The Gyalwang
Karmapa’s Special Address to the Kagyu Monlam
January
11, 2009, Translated by Karma Choephel
I
have the opportunity to give a special address today,
but I do not have anything special to say. Maybe all the
special topics have been used up. Last year I took the
opportunity to say some things about environmental
protection, and the year before that I had the chance to
talk about giving up meat and being vegetarian. Everyone
has really taken a lot of interest in these issues. With
the issue of vegetarianism, it has not been just the
Tibetan monasteries in India and Nepal. Many monasteries
of all lineages in Tibet itself have actually
implemented a vegetarian diet. This deserves accolades.
More
Mar-me Monlam 2009
January
11, 2009, report by Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Karma
Lekcho,
Karma Norbu, Pema Orser Dorje
For
many people, this is their favourite event, of the whole Monlam
festival, especially the young monks and nuns, who have sat patiently
through hours of prayers and teachings which they may not always
thoroughly understand. Mar-me is Tibetan for butter lamp, and,
originally, this was the time when thousands of butter lamps were
offered. The grease from butter lamps and candles was damaging the stone
of the monuments, so these days, for environmental reasons, butter lamps
have been replaced by battery-operated lamps.
More
The Alms Procession
January
11, 2009, report by
Karma Palmo,
photos taken by
Karma Norbu, Pema Orser Dorje
On
the last day of the Kagyu Sangha Monlam Chenmo, after the second session of
the day, gelongs and gelongmas (bhiksus and bhiksunis) prepared for the Alms
Procession. This procession of fully ordained monastics from the Mahabodhi
Stupa to the Deer Park was instituted by His Holiness Karmapa five years ago
to follow the traditional alms walk that the monastics of some Buddhist
traditions make in their daily lives to receive their food. His Holiness
also wanted for eight days to recreate, along with some other original
Vinaya practices, the alms walk that ordained monastics undertook daily at
the time of the Buddha.
More
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.
More
The Akshobhya Fire
Ritual
January
10, 2009, report by Pi-Chun Chen and Jo
Gibson,
photos taken by
Karma Lekcho
The
whole ordained sangha recited the Akshobhya Saddhana for two afternoons
(9th and 10th January), and on the evening of the 10th His Holiness
completed the Akshobhya Ritual with a fire puja.
At 8.40pm His Holiness, with the sixteen retreatants who completed the
fifteen-day Akshobhya retreat, gathered in the main assembly hall of
Tergar Monastery to bless the deceased.
More
Gyalwang Karmapa
inspects the Korean-style Altar Offerings
January
10, 2009, report by
Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Karma Norbu, Pema Orser Dorje
This
year, for security reasons, His Holiness was unable to take part in the
Kangyur procession, but he was able to use the opportunity to take a
closer look at the altars, including a special feature of this year’s
Kagyu Monlam, Korean-style offerings which he commissioned himself.
In November 2008 His Holiness saw a Korean Buddhist thangka which showed
a display of traditional Korean offerings. He immediately requested the
Korean sangha to prepare special offerings for this year’s Monlam. His
Holiness designed the layout of the altars himself. He chose the colour
of the cloth and the decorative blue frieze of the dharmachakra symbol.
More
Processing and
Reading the Kangyur
January
10, 2009, report by Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Karma Norbu, Pema Orser Dorje
A
t 8.00am heavy mist still lay over the Mahabodhi Stupa grounds,
obscuring the upper storeys of the shikara [temple tower] and the crown
of the bodhi tree. There was a chill in the air, and the gelong and
gelongma sat in their dagams [heavy woollen cloaks]. It seemed the sun
was unable to break through. Young monks brought the 103 volumes of the
Kangyur down to the waiting gelong and gelongma. Then, as the procession
began, the mist lifted slightly, the shikara came into view, and the sun
appeared.
More
Gifts for the Gods –
the ancient art of Tibetan Butter sculpture
January
10, 2009, report by Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Ko Jung-Fa
This
is the working title for a documentary being shot during this year’s
Kagyu Monlam by American Mary Young and an international crew. In the
film they have detailed the making of this year’s torma from the
beginning, interviewed the Gyalwang Karmapa, Lama Chodrak, and Master
Torma Maker Lama Sangye.
The documentary, which is being made under the
supervision of the Gyalwang Karmapa, was prompted by Mary’s interest in
torma. She explained how the Gyalwang Karmapa has transformed and
revitalized the Kagyu torma tradition since 2005. New torma have been
created which reflect a non-sectarian eclecticism.
More
Teaching on Kagyu
Lineage Prayer – Dorje Chang Tungma - His Holiness the Karmapa
January
09, 2009, report by
Karma Palmo, photos taken by
Karma Norbu, Pema Orser Dorje
(Summary of His Holiness's words)
On
Day Six of the Kagyu Monlam, preceding the recitation of the Aksobhya
Ritual, the assembly chanted the Dorje Chang Tungma, Short Lineage
Prayer. His Holiness gave a short teaching on the prayer.
Great Vajradhara, Telo, Naropa,
Marpa, Mila, Dharma Lord Gampopa,
Knower of three times, omniscient Karmapa,
More
Gyalwang Karmapa has
lunch with sponsors
January
09, 2009, report by Jo Gibson, photos taken by
Karma Norbu
His
Holiness was Guest-of-Honour today at a luncheon at the prestigious Royal
Residency Hotel, here in Bodhgaya. The luncheon was organized by the Kagyu
Monlam Committee to thank the major sponsors of this year’s Monlam, the
members of Karma Ngodrub Ling Dharma Centre, Tai Chung, Taiwan. The resident
Lama of the centre, Ven. Jamtson Rinpoche, sat with His Holiness at the top
table. They were joined by Khenpo Hye-Neung, sponsor of the first Kagyu
Centre in Korea, Karma Jang Chub Dzong, and two leading laypeople from Karma
Ngodrub Ling. The event concluded with the presentation of a small gift of
appreciation to all the sponsors by His Holiness.
More
Gyalwang Karmapa
gives the White Tara Initiation
January
09, 2009, report by Jo Gibson, photos taken by
Karma Norbu, Pema Orser Dorje
Before
conferring the initiation, the Gyalwang Karmapa gave a general introduction
to Vajrayana practice, an explanation of the history of the White Tara
initiation, and a description of the benefits of White Tara practice. His
Holiness explained that the Tara initiation was often seen as a long-life
empowerment but that it was also a kriya yoga tantra, and as such, was a
Vajrayana practice which needed the basis and support of the Buddhist
preliminaries, refuge, generating bodhichitta, and some realization of
emptiness. Such a practice should arise out of loving kindness towards all
sentient beings and the courage and strong aspiration to seek enlightenment
in order to benefit all sentient beings.
More
His Holiness Karmapa
rehearses the Marme Monlam and Kangyur Procession
January
08-09, 2009, report by Karma Palmo,
photos taken by
Karma Norbu
On
the evenings of the fifth and sixth days of the Kagyu Monlam, His
Holiness Karmapa called a meeting at Tergar Monastery to rehearse the
Marme Monlam, Butter Lamp Prayer, which takes place on the final night
of the Kagyu Monlam, and also the Kangyur Procession which is conducted
on the seventh morning. Gelongs and gelongmas were asked to attend, as
well as monks and nuns of other Buddhist traditions who intend to chant
at the Marme Monlam.
More
His Holiness
Gyalwang Karmapa attends the monastics’ midday meal
January
08, 2009, report by Karma Palmo,
photos taken by
Karma Lekcho, Karma Norbu
Every
day after the second session of the Kagyu Sangha Monlam Chenmo, gelongs
and gelongmas gather at Tergar Monastery for the midday meal. His
Holiness Karmapa has attended on several occasions to examine whether
monastic discipline is being adhered to correctly and to check the
conduct of Sangha members. He gave two lengthy talks about eating the
midday meal according to the Vinaya and instructed those present in
physical deportment and posture while eating.
More
Special prayers for
Tibet
January
08, 2009, report by Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Karma Norbu, Pema Orser Dorje
The
first part of the afternoon session was dedicated to prayers for Tibet.
The weather seemed to share in the more sombre mood - overcast and even
lightly raining at times. Gyalwang Karmapa gave a short speech, setting
a context for the prayers which followed.
He first recapped the history of Tibet, describing how in the past
religion and politics mostly worked in harmony - although there had been
internal and external disputes which caused great hardship and
difficulty for the people.
More
Gyalwang Karmapa’s preparatory teachings on the White Tara Empowerment
January
08, 2009, report by Nina Finnigan,
photos taken by
Karma Norbu, Pema Orser Dorje
His Holiness began by saying that teachings regarding Tara practice are
appropriate today in preparation for tomorrow’s White Tara empowerment.
Generally the image of Tara can be seen in many monasteries and stupas
in India. There is one to the left of the gate into the Mahabodhi
Temple, which reputedly asked Atisha to go to Tibet. No monastery in
Tibet is without Tara.
More
Gyalwang Karmapa’s
Private Audience with Members of the Friends of Kagyu Monlam
January
07, 2009, report by Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Karma Lekcho, Karma Norbu
Approximately
five hundred members gathered in the assembly hall at Tergar Monastery,
waiting expectantly for His Holiness. Seated quietly in rows, the array
of races and nationalities truly illustrated the international nature of
the Kagyu Monlam, and the bond of friendship through the Dharma which
has united people from all five continents.
More
Gyalwang Karmapa’s teaching on The Songs of Milarepa
January
07, 2009, report by Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Karma Lekcho, Karma Norbu, Pema Orser Dorje
This
was to be the final session of teaching on Milarepa for this Kagyu
Monlam, but His Holiness promised to resume the teaching next year.
Chapter Six opens as Milarepa returns to his home village and learns
that his mother had died about eight years before and his sister had
wandered off. Failing to recognize him, the villagers recount the story
of a family dispossessed following the death of the father, and reduced
to virtual slavery by the uncle, and of the son who had become a black
magician in order to eke his revenge. They had been too frightened to
enter the house which was now derelict.
More
A glimpse of the
Gyalwang Karmapa’s hectic schedule
January
06, 2009, report by Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Karma Lekcho, Karma Norbu, Pema Orser Dorje
Consecration
ceremony at the Bangladeshi Buddhist Monastery
After attending the morning session of Kagyu Monlam at the Mahabodhi
Temple, and giving a teaching on The Songs of Milarepa, His Holiness
went on to the Bangladeshi Buddhist Monastery. There he lit candles and
joss sticks at the shrine to bless the shrine room, and chanted prayers
with the resident monks, who belong to the Theravadin tradition. He then
consecrated a new Buddha statue in the monastery grounds.
More
Gyalwang Karmapa’s
teaching on The Songs of Milarepa
January
06, 2009, report by Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Karma Lekcho, Karma Norbu, Pema Orser Dorje
His
Holiness gave the transmission of Chapter 5 on meditation.
When the chapter opens, Milarepa was in retreat meditating, however he
had a terrible dream in which he saw his home village: the fields were
neglected, the house was dilapidated, his mother was dead, and his
sister had wandered off. Disturbed by this dream, particularly concerned
for his mother, Milarepa decided he had to go to see for himself, so he
broke down the wall in front of his cave and went to ask his teacher
Marpa for permission. This was to be his final meeting with Marpa.
More
26TH INTERNATIONAL
KAGYU MONLAM NEWS RELEASE
January
06, 2009, report by Jo Gibson
The
International Kagyu Monlam is an eight day Buddhist prayer festival held
annually in Bodhgaya, the place of Buddha’s enlightenment. His Holiness
the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, head of the Karma Kagyu
School of Tibetan Buddhism, presides over the festival, with many
leading Rinpoches from the Kagyu tradition, including H.E. Jamgon
Kongtrul Rinpoche, H.E. Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Ven. Zurmang Garwang
Rinpoche, Ven. Kalu Rinpoche, Ven. Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche and Ven.
Mingyur Rinpoche.
More
Gyalwang Karmapa’s
teaching on The Songs of Milarepa
January
05, 2009, report by Karma Palmo,
photos taken by
Karma Lekcho, Karma Norbu, Pema Orser Dorje
His
Holiness read Chapter Four which tells how Milarepa, having received
instructions from Marpa, undertook an eleven month meditation retreat.
When Marpa and his wife summoned him from retreat he was initially
unable to take down the wall which had bricked up the entrance to the
cave.
Then Marpa questioned him on his meditation
experiences and Milarepa offered his lama The Song of the Seven Branch
Prayer, describing his realizations during the retreat.
More
Gelongs and
Gelongmas take the noon meal
January
04, 2009, report by Karma Palmo,
photos taken by
Karma Lekcho
Each
day during the Kagyu Monlam, all the gelongs and gelongmas are required
to eat the noon meal together in the main Shrine Hall at Tergar
Monastery. The Hall is prepared with rows of cushions and mats by
volunteers, and begging bowls are also laid out before each place.
Servers fill the bowls in advance with rice, vegetables and dhal, and
other vegetarian combinations, all of which have been cooked with
devotion and care by volunteer cooks. Fruit or fruit juice is also
placed beside the bowls.
More
Gyalwang Karmapa
resumes his transmission of The Songs of Milarepa
January
04, 2009, report by Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Karma Lekcho, Karma Norbu
During
the second session of the first day of the 26th Kagyu Monlam, Gyalwang
Karmapa resumed his transmission of The Songs of Milarepa. He began by
reading the third chapter which tells how, after years of difficulties
and hardships, Marpa finally accepted Milarepa as his student. Milarepa
prostrated and wept with joy. Marpa gave him the Refuge Vows, cut his
hair, gave him the Bodhisattva Vow, and promised to instruct him.
More
The 26th Kagyu
Monlam Begins
January
04, 2009, report by Karma Palmo,
photos taken by
Karma Lekcho, Karma Norbu
The
first day of the 26th Kagyu Sangha Monlam Chenmo began with a quiet,
subdued air. Thick, damp fog blanketed the north Indian plains,
penetrating every part of Bodh Gaya and muffling sound and movement. As
the participants proceeded to the Mahabodhi Stupa, only gradually did
their forms emerge from the silent mist. The closer to the Stupa they
came, the greater were their numbers, until monks, nuns and laypeople
from all parts of the world came streaming through the great gates of
the Stupa complex and began their circumambulation of the ancient site,
murmuring mantras and prayers. An electricity cut made the early morning
seem even more mystical, and the reduced lighting caused the Stupa to
appear floating in space and insubstantial.
More
The Gelongmas are
tested in monastic procedure
January
03, 2009, report by Karma Palmo
The
gelongma group were required to undergo a test to measure their
proficiency in Kagyu Monlam monastic conduct and procedure. The test
followed the same lines as last year when His Holiness Gyalwang Karmapa
himself tested the gelongmas.
In the days before the Kagyu Monlam began, the
gelong group, the getsul group and the getsulma group all faced tests in
a similar way. Their groups are very large compared to the twelve
gelongmas participating in the Kagyu Monlam this year, the same number
as last year.
More
The
Third day of Gyalwang Karmapa’s Lineage Practice Teachings
January
02, 2009, report by Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Karma Lekcho, Karma Norbu, Cheng, Lu-Chung, Pan, Shih Wang
On
the last morning of the teachings Gyalwang Karmapa conferred the
Bodhisattva Vow and spoke about developing bodhichitta.
He began by detailing the necessary conditions when taking the
Bodhisattva Vow. First came motivation and
then there needed to be a support - either a human, a deity or a god.
The vow could be taken in front of a Lama, a spiritual friend or a
support such as a picture. The maximum support was someone who held the
eight Pratimoksha vows, the minimum support was someone with the refuge
vows.
More
The Second day of Gyalwang Karmapa’s Lineage Practice Teachings
January
01, 2009, report by Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Karma Lekcho, Karma Norbu, Cheng, Lu-Chung, Pan, Shih Wang
The
morning session was devoted to the Refuge Vow, which was given in
Tibetan, Chinese and Korean. His Holiness began by explaining the
meaning of refuge and why we needed a refuge. First he pointed out that
from the time of our birth until our death we were dependent on others.
The very nature of our lives meant we had to rely on other people. These
people, including family and friends, who protected and cared for us
were a form of refuge. Also, everyone wished to be happy, as witnessed
by the many people who wrote to him or sought audiences to ask for help
– failing businesses, illnesses, and other unhappiness.
More
Gyalwang Karmapa
attends Interfaith Prayer Meeting for World Peace
January
01, 2009, report by Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Cheng, Lu-Chung
Before
the morning teaching session, Gyalwang Karmapa visited the Mahabodhi
Stupa as guest-of-honour at an inter-faith prayer meeting under the
bodhi tree. The meeting, organized by the International Buddhist Council
of India, Bodh Gaya and Gaya branch, the Mahabodhi Management Committee
and the local interfaith organisation, was held partly in memory of
those who had died in the November Mumbai bombings, partly as an
opportunity to pray for world peace and harmony on New Year’s Day.
More
The first day of
Gyalwang Karmapa’s Lineage Practice Teachings
December
31, 2008, report by Jo Gibson,
photos taken by
Karma Lekcho, Karma Norbu, Cheng, Lu-Chung, Pan, Shih Wang
These
teachings, sponsored and organized by the Hwa-Yue Foundation from
Taiwan, are the third in a series of teachings entitled: Lineage
Practice Teachings. More than one thousand five hundred people filled
the main assembly hall at Tergar Monastery to listen to His Holiness
deliver the teachings in a mixture of Tibetan and Chinese. Chinese
devotees from Taiwan and Hong Kong formed the majority of the audience.
However, there were also disciples from the Americas, from Europe and
Russia, and from other Asian countries including Korea, Vietnam and
Malaysia.
More
