18th DECEMBER, 2010
Report by Jo Gibson
Photos taken by Liao Guo Ming
A multi-national audience of nearly 750 Members of the Kagyu
Monlam, softly sang Karmapa Khyenno as they waited for the
Gyalwang Karmapa to appear. Suddenly, without warning, he
strode through the side doors into the main shrine room at
Tergar Monastery and took his seat.
He began by giving the reading transmission for the
Four-Armed White Chenresig Short Sadhana, explaining that,
as many people recited the six syllable mantra OM MANI PADME
HUM, he hoped the transmission would enhance their practice.
Having welcomed and thanked everybody for their support,
which made the Monlam possible, Gyalwang Karmapa reviewed
its growth from small beginnings in the early 1980s when the
assembly recited the Sangchos Monlam [the King of
Aspirations: the Noble Aspiration to Excellent Conduct] into
the present day Kagyu Monlam Chenmo, which now includes many
more prayers, and is a gathering of people from different
Buddhist traditions from the Himalayan Regions, and from all
over the world. Originally, there had been no plan for such
an extensive Monlam, but the seeds sown by Kyabje Bokar
Rinpoche and Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche had germinated naturally
and spontaneously.
His Holiness reflected on the aspiration made by the Seventh
Karmapa Chodrak Gyatso 500 years ago, that one day the time
would come when people of different nationalities and
traditions would meet together to make aspirations together
for the harmony and well-being of all sentient beings,
Although there had been no intentional plan, it seemed that
this aspiration had now been realized.
Speaking of his own aspiration that the members would
support the Monlam not just with financial contributions but
with pure motivation, he compared this to water which , drop
by drop, would accumulate into a vast ocean of pure intent.
His second aspiration was that, as representatives of the
Kagyu Monlam, the members’ activities of body, speech and
mind would accord with the spirit of the Monlam prayers, so
that they would become walking beings of true wisdom and
compassion.
He wanted everybody to know that he respected their
contribution and acknowledged their sincerity and support.
His final wish was “in future may we bring about true
harmony and well-being in the world”.
Members then presented their katas one by one, and received
a blessing cord, sacred pills, and a special Kagyu Monlam/Karmapa
900 pen.
