The Second Kagyu Monlam in Indonesia

Dates: April 2-4 2010, Reported by Indonesia Kagyu Monlam Working Committee

Last year Triyana Dharma Center successfully held the First Indonesia Kagyu Monlam at Borobudur (Central Java), led by His Eminence Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche. This year, on 2 - 4 April 2010, the Second Indonesia Kagyu Monlam at Borobudur, was led by Venerable Anzin Rinpoche with the same goal, praying for world peace, environmental preservation and for the enlightenment of all beings.

Three Rinpoches and about 35 monks and nuns from all over the world gathered at Borobudur for the three-day ceremony. Together with around 150 members of the Asian Buddhist community from Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, they gathered and prayed for a peaceful world.

This three day series of events began on Friday, 2 April 2010, at 05.00 in the morning with the procession of Sangha carrying a picture of His Holiness Karmapa 17th to be placed on the Dharma throne. The Monlam opened with the Sojong Vows / eight Mahayana precepts for all members of the Sangha and those disciples wishing to follow the vows, and continued with a smoke offering puja (Riwo Sang Chod). These were followed by reading of Tisarana & Sutra in Sanskrit texts and breakfast. After which was the twenty branch prayers, mandala offerings from sponsors and Teaching by Anzin Rinpoche. It was then followed by the opening ceremony which was attended by the Director General of the Buddhist Society Guidance Mr. Budi Setiawan, Administrators SAGIN & MBI, also present were the board of BEC-Surabaya, the Officials of PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko and the officials of the Archaeological Service. Events included distribution of basic necessities to underprivileged people in the surrounding community, life release and closed with the planting of a Bodhi tree not far from the main stupa in the area of Borobudur Temple. A Buddha Bathing Ceremony was arranged in the morning of the second day. Anzin Rinpoche explained the meaning and benefits of implementing the eight precepts in the teaching session on the same day.

On the last day, Rinpoche gave teaching of "seven branch offering" which is very useful for us all. Toward the end of the day, Rinpoche gave blessings to the organizers for their contribution to the Indonesia Kagyu Monlam. At the end was the "Marme Monlam", all the Sangha and disciples held a lighting lamp and doing kora around the stupa of Borobudur which concluded the three day Monlam for the peace and benefit of the whole world.