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. And this is also my good wish for everyone.
I am not at all concerned if I could continue to lead Kagyu Monlam
Chenmo in the future. What I am concerned about is whether everyone
involved can work together harmoniously with one mind, and make Kagyu
Monlam proceed in accordance with Dharma.
Taking myself as an
example, as leader of this Monlam, I cannot say that I have not made any
mistakes in the process. Even though I have made many mistakes, as long
as I am alive, even for one day, I will continue to devote myself to
Kagyu Monlam. Why? This is because I hope, I wish to benefit every one
of you, and even if I cannot bring real benefits to everyone, as long as
my two feet are still planted on this earth, I want to bring you joy and
happiness. And this has always been my wish.
This time, there are so many people who have come to attend Monlam from
all over the world. They all went back to their own countries full of
joy. And this is the sign that Kagyu Monlam has really accomplished
something.
So if it is just us,
and we say that the monlam was successful, it doesn’t mean much. The
real sign that Monlam is completed with satisfaction is to see that
every participant’s heart is full of joy and peace, and will bring with
them the feeling and the experience of compassion to their own home
country. This is the success of Monlam.
Why is it possible for Monlam to bring so many people such joy? I am
only the planner; the one who really executed the plan is Lama Chodrak
and everyone in this room. Because of your hard work, you made so many
people so happy.
If we want to talk about the mistakes we made – there are too many to
talk about. It is understandable that we all make mistakes, but this
time I really saw that everyone is completely devoted to pure Dharma
with their body, speech and mind. So I want to thank everybody again. I
want not only to thank you but I want to dedicate the merit of this
Monlam to all of you. May you all be happier and happier in this life
and in future lives and become closer and closer to perfect happiness.
And I pray that everyone may never be separated from Karmapa’s
activities, life after life.
I also want to say
that compared to the difficulties you encounter working for the monlam,
seeing the joy arising in so many people is even more powerful. I
believe hundreds if not thousands of people are already eagerly awaiting
the next Monlam. They are already asking when it is. I hope that for the
sake of those who are waiting for the next Monlam, all of you will work
together for it. Even though you may have made some mistakes working for
the Monlam, I want to assure you that I will never give up on any of you
because of the mistakes you might have made. Kagyu Monlam is not worldly
work; you will not be fired because you did not perform well. In common
worldly jobs in general people are selected based on their ability and
performance, but not Kagyu Monlam. Kagyu Monlam wishes to give more
people the opportunity to be involved. As long as you have the wish, as
long as you identify with the purpose of Monlam, I welcome you.
While working for
the Monlam, you may have felt some afflictive emotions: you might have
got angry or felt that somebody is jealous of you, or that some people
took advantage of you, but if you decide to quit because of this problem
of the afflictive emotions, then you should tell yourself, compared to
those who make you angry or get jealous of you or take advantage of you,
or abuse you, the one who trusts you is even more important. So you
shouldn’t retreat because of those who are jealous of you or want to
hurt you, you should march on because of the person who trusts you.
Finally I want to thank all the Chinese workers. You have participated
in different teams at the Monlam. You have worked hard and well. I trust
you fully and I hope you will continue with your good work and become
the pride of all the Chinese around the world.
I would also like to thank all the westerners who worked for the Kagyu
Monlam. As the Kagyu Monlam is an international event, I encourage more
people from all the western countries to participate.
