Mahabodhi Stupa
Bodhgaya
22 January 2024
In 2017, during a rehearsal for the Kangyur procession, the Gyalwang Karmapa spoke to the monks who would be participating about the significance of this event. “These texts hold the precious words of the Buddha, and you will carry them as you circumambulate the place of the Buddha’s enlightenment. This will make an auspicious connection for his teachings to flourish and spread throughout the world.”
He advised them, ''Those in the procession should recite the mantra Namo Shakyamunaye, “Homage to Shakyamuni Buddha” and visualize that the Dharma is pervading the whole universe. You should carry yourselves in a way that inspires respect in those who see you.''
In 2024, at the 38th Kagyu Monlam, Tai Situ Rinpoche, who is attending the Monlam for the first time in many years and presiding over it, headed the Kangyur procession.
When he arrived at the approach to the Mahabodhi Grounds, he was welcomed by the senior monk of the Mahabodhi Temple. He then went into the reception area and came out wearing his red crown (not The Red Crown) and carrying carefully in folded hands an elaborate incense censer. He walked down the steps to the central sacred shrine where the original and most sacred buddha image is revered. The procession had first gathered in the inner kora under the branches of the bodhi tree, where they had received the Kangyur texts.
At the very front of the procession was a single incense bearer, followed by monks blowing jalings and sounding the conch. Behind them were khenpos holding incense, followed by the high lamas in ascending order of seniority: first was Bokar Yangsi, Mingyur Rinpoche, Surmang Garwang Rinpoche, and Tai Situ Rinpoche. They were followed by the gelongs, each carrying a volume of the Kangyur on their left shoulder. The outer kora, where the procession of gelongs carried 103 Kangyur texts, commenced slowly with a precision-like, walking meditation. Their path was lined by laypeople, who scattered flowers before them in the same dignified manner.
Maintaining their composure for about an hour, the assembly of monks completed the outer kora and returned to the Monlam Pavilion.
[Please note that the photos in the album are not in sequence.]
Bodhgaya
22 January 2024
In 2017, during a rehearsal for the Kangyur procession, the Gyalwang Karmapa spoke to the monks who would be participating about the significance of this event. “These texts hold the precious words of the Buddha, and you will carry them as you circumambulate the place of the Buddha’s enlightenment. This will make an auspicious connection for his teachings to flourish and spread throughout the world.”
He advised them, ''Those in the procession should recite the mantra Namo Shakyamunaye, “Homage to Shakyamuni Buddha” and visualize that the Dharma is pervading the whole universe. You should carry yourselves in a way that inspires respect in those who see you.''
In 2024, at the 38th Kagyu Monlam, Tai Situ Rinpoche, who is attending the Monlam for the first time in many years and presiding over it, headed the Kangyur procession.
When he arrived at the approach to the Mahabodhi Grounds, he was welcomed by the senior monk of the Mahabodhi Temple. He then went into the reception area and came out wearing his red crown (not The Red Crown) and carrying carefully in folded hands an elaborate incense censer. He walked down the steps to the central sacred shrine where the original and most sacred buddha image is revered. The procession had first gathered in the inner kora under the branches of the bodhi tree, where they had received the Kangyur texts.
At the very front of the procession was a single incense bearer, followed by monks blowing jalings and sounding the conch. Behind them were khenpos holding incense, followed by the high lamas in ascending order of seniority: first was Bokar Yangsi, Mingyur Rinpoche, Surmang Garwang Rinpoche, and Tai Situ Rinpoche. They were followed by the gelongs, each carrying a volume of the Kangyur on their left shoulder. The outer kora, where the procession of gelongs carried 103 Kangyur texts, commenced slowly with a precision-like, walking meditation. Their path was lined by laypeople, who scattered flowers before them in the same dignified manner.
Maintaining their composure for about an hour, the assembly of monks completed the outer kora and returned to the Monlam Pavilion.
[Please note that the photos in the album are not in sequence.]