Monlam Pavillion
2 January 2026
At 2:00 pm in the afternoon, all ordained and lay participants assembled in the Monlam Pavillion and Kyabgon Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche was escorted to take his seat on the Dharma throne.
The afternoon began with an extensive mandala offering to the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa and Kyabgon Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche.
Following this, the ceremony announcing the results and presenting certificates for the Grand Examination of Monastic Forms took place. This test for the monks and nuns began more than ten years ago, initiated by the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa who established rules for the dress and behaviour of all monks and nuns during the Kagyu Monlam Chenmo. There is now an annual tradition, that monastics from the various Kamtsang monasteries undergo an examination of their conduct before the Monlam begins. This year the examinations were conducted on the evenings of the 23rd to 25th by five khenpos. The three categories are novice nuns, novice monks and fully ordained monks. The award goes to their respective nunneries or monasteries and participants receive a certificate.
This year's novice nun examination results: First place—Druk Palmo Chokyi Dingkhang; Second place—Tsun Gon Karma Drubgyud Dargyay Ling; Third place—Palpung Yeshe Rabgyay Ling. The novice monk examination results: First place—Thrangu Tashi Choling; Second place—Tergar Osel Ling; Third place—Palpung Sherab Ling. The fully ordained monk examination results: First place—Karma Lekshe Ling; Second place—Thrangu Tashi Choling; Third place—Sonam Dar Samdrub Dargyay Ling.
The afternoon culminated in dedications and aspirations. The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa joined via video link and recited The Great Aspiration, the Monlam Chenmo composed by the Seventh Karmapa Chodrak Gyatso, and the Dedications for the Living and the Deceased.
Then everyone joined in to recite the final aspirations: Mila’s Aspiration, Aspiration for the Well-Being of Tibet, Lord Marpa’s Song of Auspiciousness, Auspicious Prayers from The Vinaya Topics, and The Auspiciousness of the Great Encampment.
The final prayer was the Trendrupma (The one who taught the truth) which was also composed by the Seventh Karmapa Chodrak Gyatso, with an addition by the Eighth Karmapa Mikyö Dorje, whose words contain the final aspiration which sums up the aims of the Kagyu Monlam Chenmo:
May the world have the good fortune of happiness!
We ask that the world be made happy.