Tergar Monastery/Monlam Pavillion
10 February 2025
The Arhat Procession and making offerings to the Sixteen Arhats is one of the highlights of the Kagyu Monlam Chenmo in Bodhgaya
The Arhats commemorated in the procession are the sixteen disciples, chosen by Shakyamuni Buddha, who vowed to remain in the world, protecting the Dharma until his teachings come to an end at the appearance of Maitreya, the next World Buddha.
The Procession of the Arhats is yet another Karma Kamtsang tradition which was revived in 2014 by the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje. The tradition stems from a practice in the Kagyu Garchen hundreds of years ago, when a procession of the Arhats, known as the chakkor, was held on the final day of the Monlam during the time of Chodrak Gyatso, the 7th Karmapa. Today’s procession also includes a golden Buddha statue; this was first introduced into the procession by the 9th Karmapa.
After the destruction of the Garchen, the tradition ceased. However, the 15th and16th Karmapas revived the tradition in Tibet, holding the procession on the auspicious full-moon day in the first month of the Tibetan year, the Month of Miracles. After the 16th Karmapa was forced to leave Tibet for exile in India, the procession ceased again.
Monks represent the Arhats and their attendants. The Arhat costumes which show specific features of the Arhat’s faces are based on the Chinese tradition. Each Arhat also carries specific accoutrements and is accompanied by a given number of attendants, symbolised by monks carrying alms bowls. The details for each Arhat can be found in the prayer which is recited to welcome them, Prostrations and Offerings to the Sixteen Elders, which is in the Monlam Prayer Book.
There are several stages.
First the monks who will take part in the procession assemble in Tergar Shrine Hall for prayer and meditation, as this is a sacred performance. The Arhats then walk along a red carpet strewn with flower petals and auspicious symbols from Tergar Shrine Hall to the Monlam Pavillion. They are greeted by monks, nuns and laypeople who line the path, proffering katags, incense and lotus flowers.
Once in the Monlam Pavillion, the Arhats take their seats on stage, either side of the Golden Buddha in its Chinese-style golden pavillion. The attendants and gelongs sit behind them in rows, on the different levels of the stage.
Now, the process of offering alms begins.
This year alms were first offered by the Gyalwang Karmapa’s Tsurphu Labrang, then by Palpung Labrang, Palchen Chöling labrang, Lava Labrang, and other monastic seats and monasteries.
Then, in order, offerings were made by monks and nuns, and finally by laypeople. As the offerings were made, the assembly chanted the Shakyamuni mantra. The offering line stretched around the Monlam Pavillion and outside,
After the offerings ended, the assembly was dismissed until the afternoon session, but the gelongs remained on stage to take their midday meal together.
