Announcement for the
Bhiksuni Group Attending the 26th Kagyu Monlam Chenmo
 His
Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa has said that the purpose of the Kagyu Sangha
Monlam Chenmo is to spread the seeds of compassion and loving-kindness, to
awaken the power of compassion and loving-kindness, so that the world can
achieve genuine happiness and peace.
Concerning the
participation of the bhiksunis, His Holiness particularly said, to the
extent that the bhiksunis participate in the Kagyu Monlam, everyone will be
able to see the bhiksunis’ virtue. Although there are many female renunciant
practitioners and novice nuns in Tibetan Buddhism, there are still many
difficulties in establishing a bhiksuni Sangha. For this reason, if more
bhiksunis attend the Kagyu Monlam, it will help the nuns’ Sangha of the
Tibetan Buddhist tradition to increase their confidence and courage about
the bhiksuni Sangha.
More
Announcement of Gyalwang
Karmapa’s Teachings
 Following
the 26th Kagyu Monlam, the organizers of the Kagyu Monlam will organize a
special teaching by the Gyalwang Karmapa primarily for students from Western
countries. The teaching will be held from January 12–14, 2009 at Tergar
Monastery in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India. Its topic will be: “The Gyalwang
Karmapa shares his experiences: Living the Dharma.” For more information,
contact the Kagyu Monlam teaching organizing team at
monlamteaching@gmail.com , and
click here for the
Online
Registration.
More
An Invitation to Write
an Aspiration Prayer for the 26th Kagyu Monlam
 At
the 26th Kagyu Monlam we plan to line the outer
circuit with special prayer flags, displaying prayers of aspiration written
by ordinary people.
If you would like to write an aspiration prayer to be used at Kagyu Monlam:
the prayer can be short, just a few lines;
it shouldn’t be longer than 100 words;
it can be prose or poetry;
it can be in any of the following languages:
Chinese, English, French, German, Hindi, Korean,
Spanish, or Tibetan;
it should have a clear theme.
More
26th Kagyu Monlam Chenmo Rites & Rituals Team Announcement
Monlam Stone Altar
Project
 In
order to bestow blessings and merits to the people of all nations
in a literal manner during the upcoming Kagyu
Monlam Chenmo near end of the year, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa
Karmapa is requesting a collection of small stones
be gathered from each and every country of the
seven continents. The stone collections will be used in the
construction of a stone altar. His Holiness will personally perform
a blessing ritual during the Kagyu Monlam, and the
merits will then be dedicated to every human being in the world so that we all may have
peace, safety, and happiness while being free from illness, hunger,
disputes, and wars.
More
The Gyalwang Karmapa’s Birthday Celebration
June 26, 2008, report by Khenpo
Ten Nam, translated by Karma Choephel, photos taken by Karma Norbu
 During
the 25th Kagyu Monlam, the Gyalwang Karmapa spoke profoundly and extensively
about the need to preserve and protect the world’s environment. In accordance
with this, on the occasions of the birthdays of the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa,
on June 26, 2008, and the omniscient Dalai Lama on July 6, 2008, the Kagyu
Monlam Administration Team planted over 1000 trees in Palampur, near
Dharamsala, India. These trees were planted for world peace and for the long
lives of the Dalai Lama, the Gyalwang Karmapa, and the other great masters upon
whom world peace depends.
More
Announcement of the 26th Kagyu Monlam
 The
26th Kagyu Monlam will be held from January 4–11, 2009, in Bodhgaya, India. The
Gyalwang Karmapa will continue his teaching on The Life of Milarepa. On
the sixth day of the Kagyu Monlam, Pal Gyalwang Karmapa will confer the Tara
empowerment. In addition, the purification pujas of the buddha Akshobhya for the
living and deceased, reading of the Kangyur, an alms procession, and other
activities will be performed during the Monlam.
Click here for
the detailed
26th Monlam Schedule
Announcement of Gyalwang Karmapa’s Teachings
Following the 26th Kagyu Monlam, the
organizers of the Kagyu Monlam will organize a special teaching by the Gyalwang
Karmapa primarily for students from Western countries. The teaching will be held
from January 12–14, 2009 at Tergar Monastery in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India. Its
topic will be: “The Gyalwang Karmapa shares his experiences: Living the Dharma.”
For more information, contact the Kagyu Monlam teaching organizing team at
monlamteaching@gmail.com , and
click here for the
Online
Registration.
People attending the teachings will need to organize their own accommodations
and food; click here for more information on
staying in Bodhgaya. There is no fee for the teachings, but participants
will have the opportunity make teaching gifts and offerings to His Holiness. The
teachings will be translated into English, with translation into other languages
available over FM radio.
In addition, the
Hwa Yue Foundation will organize a three-day teaching by the
Gyalwang Karmapa prior to the Kagyu Monlam starting on December 31, 2008
primarily for students from Asian countries. This teaching will be translated
into Chinese with translation into other languages available over FM radio. For
more information, please contact to Hwayue Foundation.
GYALWANG KARMAPA’S
CONCLUDING SPEECH TO THE KAGYU MONLAM WORK TEAMS
December 28, 2007, report by Karma
Palmo, photo by Karma Lekcho
 The
25th Monlam Chenmo is completed, not only in this place. I believe it is
also completed in everybody’s heart.
It could be said the reason why
I am leading the Kagyu Monlam Chenmo’s work is because I am the head of the
lineage; I am the person who bears the name of Karmapa. However, it can also
be said that it is because I believe that everyone in this work team has
been my family for many lifetimes, either my parents, or other relatives.
Therefore, with gratitude, I plunge into the task, hoping that I can make
everybody even happier.
While working
during the Monlam, maybe due to some temporary circumstances, you may
sometimes have felt upset or uncomfortable, but from the ultimate
perspective I believe Kagyu Monlam Chenmo is the spring of happiness and
joy. More
An Explanation of the Kagyu Monlam
logo by the Gyalwang Karmapa
December 26, 2007,
Translated by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche & Karma Choephel,
photo taken by Karma Lekcho
 Throughout
my life I have always felt that the outer natural elements and my own mind
are close. I have a special connection with the four elements. I am not
being superstitious and saying I can talk to the elements, but sometimes it
feels that way.
Ever since the human race first appeared on this earth, we have used this
earth heavily. It is said that ninety-nine percent of the resources and so
on in this world come from the natural environment. We are using the earth
until she is used up. The earth has given us immeasurable benefit, but what
have we done for the earth in return? We always ask for something from the
earth, but never give her anything back. More
Kagyu Monlam
-- for the spread of peace and happiness throughout the world
December 26, 2007, report by Karma
Palmo, photos taken by Karma Lekcho & Karma
Pema
 Before
leaving the Mahabodhi Stupa, Gyalwang Karmapa said that it
was his last chance to talk to the participants gathered for
the International Kagyu Monlam. He described how the Kagyu
Monlam has been held 25 times in India, headed by the Gewa’i
Shenyen, Bokar Rinpoche. Many great masters came, and
hundreds and thousands of participants prayed for peace and
happiness in the world and made the firm dedication that
this would actually eventuate. So, this year, the
International Kagyu Monlam offered free medical service and
5,600 people received treatment; this is a practical
application of the aspiration to be of benefit to beings, of
the relieving of pain and of the expression of not only mere
words but real results achieved for sentient beings.
More
Medicine Buddha
Teachings
December 26, 2007, report by Karma
Palmo, photos taken by Karma Lekcho & Karma
Pema
 On
December 26, Gyalwang Karmapa spent one session teaching on
the Medicine Buddha sadhana, ‘A Sadhana of Menlha, Compiled
from the Clear Expanse of Mind, A Mind Treasure Found Within
the Sky of Dharma Texts called, “A Stream of Vaidurya”.’
He began by emphasizing that bodhicitta is the most
important factor in one’s practice. Only by bodhicitta can
one attain enlightenment, and whether one’s practice is a
Mahayana practice or not is determined by one’s motivation
of bodhicitta. Everything is connected with bodhicitta;
there is nothing that is not. May the bodhicitta arise in
those where it does not exist, and may it increase more and
more in those where it does exist.
More
MEDICINE BUDDHA
EMPOWERMENT
December 25, 2007, report by Karma
Palmo, photos taken by Karma Lekcho & Karma Pema
 As
a special addition to the Silver Jubilee 25th Kagyu Monlam,
His Holiness said that for three days the practice of
Medicine Buddha would be performed, and in the morning of
this first day, he would like to offer an empowerment of
Medicine Buddha, followed by a teaching session on the
Medicine Buddha practice the next day.
Before the empowerment, His Holiness spoke a little. He
first quoted from Candrakirti: “Now we have the chance to
acquire happiness for this life and for the next lives.” He
went on to say that we have this choice right now. We might
not always have this opportunity, and if we look not only
from the Dharma point of view, but also from a general
perspective, at all our lives, we cannot always get the
chance to do what we want.
More
Monday 24th
December
December 24, 2007, report by Karma
Palmo & Jo Gibson, photos taken by Karma Lekcho & Karma Norbu & Taiwan Life TV
 The
final day of the 25th International Kagyu Monlam began at
6.00am as the mist cleared and the sky lightened. Gyaltsab
Rinpoche conferred the Sojong vows.
Gyalwang Karmapa joined the
assembly for the short second session during which the Heart
Sutra and Prostrations and Offerings to the Sixteen Elders,
among other brief prayers were chanted. The main event of
the morning was the Alms Procession. The gelongs and
gelongmas, wearing chogos and namjars, began assembling
under the Bodhi Tree at 10am in their monastic order.
Gyaltsab Rinpoche led the procession followed by Mingyur
Rinpoche, Khenpo Lodro Donyo Rinpoche, Ringu Tulku and other
senior Rinpoches and lamas. The first hundred or so gelongs
carried in their right hands the traditional monk’s staff,
which they tapped on the ground as they walked, making the
metal rings sound. Behind the gelongs came the gelongmas,
the first one of which also carried the traditional staff. A
group of Korean bhikshunis followed. Each monk and nun also
carried a large grey metal begging bowl in their left hands.
More
Sunday 23rd
December
December 23, 2007, report by Jo
Gibson, photos taken by Karma Lekcho & Karma Norbu & Taiwan Life TV
 The
main event of the morning was the Procession of the Kangyur;
all 108 volumes of the Sutra and Vinaya were carried by
monks in procession around the outer and inner circuits of
the Mahabodhi temple. The procession began from the bodhi
tree at 7.30am. At its head came the incense-bearing,
yellow-hatted chostenpas, the discipline masters, behind
them a solitary monk blew a large white conch, which
represents the sound of the Noble Dharma. After that came
two monks blowing gyalings. Master Hai Tao, a Taiwanese
lama, in the ochre robes of the Chinese Mahayana tradition,
and the Venerable Hye Neung, Tibet House, Korea, in the long
grey robes of a Korean monk, led the next section. They were
followed by Mingyur Rinpoche, Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Jamgon
Kongtrul Rinpoche and the Gyalwang Karmapa, in that order,
wearing their red tsesha which signify high Rinpoches in the
Kagyu tradition, and carrying posna (traditional Tibetan
incense holders).
More
Saturday 22nd
December
December 22, 2007, report by Jo
Gibson, photos taken by Karma Lekcho & Karma Norbu & Taiwan Life TV
 At
11.30am Gyalwang Karmapa held a press conference on the 25th
International Kagyu Monlam at Tergar Monastery. Twenty eight
reporters, photographers and film crew, representing
fourteen different agencies and seven countries, attended
the conference. They received a pack of information about
the Kagyu Monlam in either English or Chinese, and a small
souvenir gift of a hat and tee shirt. Gyalwang Karmapa
welcomed them and extended prayers and good wishes to all on
behalf of Kagyu Monlam.
This was the second day that
the free camp staffed by Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps was
held in the village of Vinobapuri. The camp was set up in a
local private school. On the first day 731 patients arrived.
On the second day there were 826, and when the clinic
finally closed in the evening, there were still about two
hundred patients who had not been seen.
More
Friday
21st December
December 21, 2007,
report by Jo Gibson, photos taken by Karma Lekcho & Karma Norbu &
Taiwan Life TV
 Gyalwang
Karmapa arrived at 6.00am and conferred the Sojong vows.
Before beginning the morning prayers, he spoke to the assembly. He began with a
short description of the history of Kagyu Monlam and explained that the Kagyu
Monlam was able to happen because of the coming together of causes and
conditions including merit; even being fortunate enough to attend the Monlam was
rare, a testimony to the merit every one there had accumulated. He told everyone
how fortunate they were to have attained a precious human life, to have heard
the Dharma, and now to have the opportunity to visit a holy site. He talked
about the value of attending Kagyu Monlam at Bodhgaya, the great opportunity it
offered to all practitioners because of the sacredness of Bodhgaya itself.
More
Thursday 20th
December
December 20, 2007, report by Jo
Gibson, photos taken by Karma Lekcho & Karma Norbu & Taiwan Life TV
 Before
dawn broke, Choje Gyaltsab Rinpoche conferred the Sojong vows at the Mahabodhi
Temple and led the first session of the Monlam from 6.00am until 9.00am.
Gyalwang Karmapa joined the assembly at 9.30 am, resuming his transmission of
The Life of Milarepa. He then gave a commentary on the Prayer of
Samantabhadra: The King of Aspiration Prayers before leading the chanting of
it. After lunch, he returned to the Mahabodhi Temple to lead the Akshobhya
Ritual in the third session.
More
Wednesday 19th
December
December 19, 2007, report by Jo
Gibson, photos taken by Karma Lekcho & Karma Norbu & Taiwan Life TV
 Khenchen
Thrangu Rinpoche gave the Sojong Vows and led the first part of the Monlam
prayers. There was a change in the schedule and Pal Gyalwang Karmapa arrived
at 7.00am for the conclusion of a special Tsedrub Ritual for him, sponsored
by The Kagyu Monlam Working Team. The Tsedrub began at Tergar Monastery on
December 13th and concluded at the Mahabodhi Temple this morning, with the
offering of a Tenshug (usually referred to as a ‘Long Life Prayer’). Choje
Gyaltsab Rinpoche was the Vajra Master.
On the second day
of the medical camp, the staff worked through from 8.30am until 5.00pm in
order to meet a growing need. Word had spread through the community and more
than 900 patients arrived, including many of the local children who were
very eager to collect free pencil cases and lollipops but rather reluctant
to take their medicine! More
Gyalwang Karmapa Blesses the Medical
Camp
December 18, 2007,
report by Jo Gibson, photos taken by Karma Lekcho & Karma Norbu & Taiwan
Life TV
 After
attending the second session of the Kagyu Monlam at the Mahabodhi Stupa, the
Gyalwang Karmapa visited the Medical Camp at Birla Mandir in Bodhgaya, in
order to bless the activity.
This camp is one of the special events offered this year in celebration of
the 25th Anniversary of the Kagyu Monlam. It aims to alleviate the suffering
of the local community by providing free medicine and treatment for local
people. In spite of the development of tourism, there are many people living
in desperate straits in Bodhgaya today, too poor to afford even the most
basic medical treatment or medicine. Poverty, disease and deformity haunt
the streets of this small town.
More
The 25th Kagyu Monlam Chenmo Begins
December 17, 2007, report by Jo Gibson & Karma Palmo, photos taken by Karma
Lekcho & Karma Norbu & Taiwan Life TV
 5.15am
and the dark streets of this small town, little more than a village, were
alive with hundreds of people making their way through the pre-dawn gloom to
the Mahabodhi Temple. Monks and nuns and laypeople, both Tibetans and
foreigners, thronged through the massive red Torii gates. Designed by
Gyalwang Karmapa and engineered by Choekyi Gyatso, they were built by eight
carpenters brought in specially, and took three months to complete. Then,
for two whole days and nights, the carpenters worked non-stop to erect them
in place at the entrance to the Mahabodhi site. These massive gates
represent sanctuary.
More
Gyalwang Karmapa Tests Gelongmas
December 16, 2007, report by Jo Gibson, photos taken by Karma Lekcho
 As
part of the on-going programme to train up monks and nuns in the new codes
of conduct, the Gyalwang Karmapa personally tested gelongmas in his private
shrine room this morning. Twelve nuns presented themselves at the
examination : two from Australia, one from
mainland China, one from Hong Kong, two from Switzerland, five from Taiwan
and one from the U.K.
Everyone was
obviously quite nervous at first, but Gyalwang Karmapa put them at ease as
he ran them through the various sections of the codes of conduct, giving
explanations, instructions and showing them how to do it when necessary.
More
Gyalwang Karmapa Meets
the Volunteers
December 16, 2007, report by Jo Gibson, photos taken by Karma Lekcho & Karma
Norbu
  At
a short meeting in the main hall at Tergar Monastery, the Gyalwang Karmapa
met a group of about 300 volunteers who are working for the 25th Kagyu
Monlam. After thanking them all for the work they are doing, he encouraged
them and advised that whenever difficulties or hardships arose they should
keep Shakyamuni Buddha in mind and be inspired by the thought of world peace
so that the difficulties and hardships would have meaning.
He blessed them
individually and handed each one a protection cord and a gift of a signed
photo of his hands holding a butter lamp. Each volunteer also received a
special silk scarf ─ maroon for women and grey for men ─ decorated with the
Kagyu Monlam logo, embroidered in gold.
An interview with the Gyalwang Karmapa
The Gyalwang
Karmapa kindly gave the following interview at Tergar Monastery on 13th
December.
Q : Your Holiness, please could you explain the meaning of the word
monlam?
GK : From the perspective of mind, the meaning of monlam can be
explained in several ways. From the perspective of the individual it means
having the profound wish to bring happiness and well-being to others and
simultaneously enhance our own root of virtue, dedicating that merit for the
benefit of all sentient beings. That type of dream is monlam.
Q : What
is its importance?
GK : Generally speaking, all major developments in human culture have
come about as the result of hope and a clear vision. From the Buddhist point
of view, our ultimate goal is to attain parinirvana; in this process, the
role of aspiration is fundamental and threefold. At the beginning it is like
the seed, in the middle it is like water and manure, and at the end it is
the fruit. Without an aspiration the seed of Buddhahood will not germinate.
More
The Gyalwang Karmapa Meets the
Gelongmas
 At
a special meeting for gelongma (Sanskrit: Bhiksuni), held in his private
room at Tergar Monastery this morning, the Gyalwang Karmapa welcomed
everyone who had come to attend the 25th Kagyu Monlam. He then gave a short
talk, discussing the reasons why he had specially invited the gelongma to
attend Kagyu Monlam.
He recounted how,
in 2004, when he took on the responsibility of overseeing the running of
Kagyu Monlam, he began looking into the Vinaya and researching codes of
conduct.
More
The Gyalwang Karmapa’s Vision for the
International Kagyu Monlam
 At
a meeting with the Kagyu Monlam Committee members, the Gyalwang Karmapa
shared his clear and moving vision of how the Kagyu Monlam should be. He
clarified the origins of the reasons and conditions for Monlam, explaining
that Monlam means aspirations, giving as an example Shakyamuni Buddha. When
the Buddha made the aspiration to attain the mind of enlightenment, he
offered a simple bowl of soup – a small thing, but offered with pure
motivation for the ultimate aspiration. So, although it was such a small
thing, its blessings pervaded the whole of space and benefited all beings.
More
New Initiatives in preparation for
2007 Monlam
CONCERNING THE CONDUCT OF MONKS AND NUNS
 In
2004 the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa issued new instructions on conduct to members
of the Kagyu Sangha attending the Kagyu Monlam. In March 2007, there was a
meeting at Gyuto of representatives from different monasteries and nunneries
and the Gyalwang Karmapa personally instructed them in the new codes. They
were then asked to teach these back in their own monasteries and nunneries.
More
THE
INTRODUCTION OF SANSKRIT PRAYERS
This year, in
accordance with the wishes of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, many of the most
important common Buddhist prayers are to be recited in the original Sanskrit
form. The original Mahayana teachings were in Sanskrit so this brings us
closer to that tradition and forms a continuity between past and present.
Furthermore, it encourages us to study the original texts in Sanskrit.
More
A Message from the Gyalwang Karmapa
 This
year marks the 25th anniversary of the Kagyu Monlam at the Buddhist holy
site of Bodhgaya. This is a small milestone in the Kagyu lineage’s
activities for the benefit of sentient beings, but a big step forward for
world peace and well-being. So, first of all, I would like to thank all
staff members, participants, and those who have supported and been involved
in the Monlam over the last 25 years. Because of the power of your
aspirations and long-standing support and diligence, I sincerely hope that
the Kagyu Monlam will not remain static but will flourish until peace and
well-being permeate every corner of the world.
More
Coming Soon -- The 25th Kagyu
Monlam Chenmo
 The
25th Kagyu Monlam will be held
from
17th to 24th December,
2007 in Bodh Gaya, India. The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa will preside over the
assembly. Kyabje Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and Kyabje Gyaltsab Rinpoche along
with many other senior lamas and trulkus will attend.
The Gyalwang
Karmapa will continue his teaching on The Life of Milarepa
and will also teach The Fivefold Mahamudra
Practice to foreign students at Tergar Manastery.
In addition, Pal Gyalwang Karmapa will perform the complete
nyen-drub-ley-sum Purification Puja of Buddha Akshobhya for the deceased and
burn their names on paper. On the first day of the Medicine Buddha Puja, Pal
Gyalwang Karmapa will give teachings related to Medicine Buddha and confer
the empowerment.
Other features include
free medical treatments and a Charity
Souvenir Bazaar to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Kagyu Monlam.
Click here for
General Information for
All Participants of the 25th Kagyu Monlam Chenmo
Click here for the detailed
Monlam
Schedule
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