Monlam Pavillion,
Bodhgaya
27 December 2025
The 40th Kagyu Monlam Chenmo opened with HE Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche bestowing the Mahayana sojong vows and presiding over the first session of the Monlam prayers. The current HE Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche is the twelfth holder of this lineage and was recognised by the Sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa while still in his mother’s womb. The lineage was established at the time of the Fifth Karmapa Deshin Shekpa, who identified the first Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche as an emanation of the Indian mahasiddha Tilopa. The Zurmang Kagyu are known as the “Ear Whispered Lineage” or “Dakini Ear Whispered Lineage”, and the 12th Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche is the supreme holder of this lineage.
The story of his recognition demonstrates the prescience of the Sixteenth Karmapa. Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche was born into the Sikkimese royal household and his mother, a royal princess, was pregnant at the time when she attended the Cham dance at Rumtek Monastery. During the Tilopa dance, a jewel offering was always made to the Gyalwa Karmapa. However, the Karmapa broke with tradition and, instead of accepting the gift, ordered that the jewel should be given to the Gharwang Tulku. He indicated the pregnant princess and declared that her unborn child was the 12th Gharwang Rinpoche.
At 8.00am, after the first session of Monlam prayers, Rinpoche went with an entourage of Monlam staff to the Mahabodhi Stupa to make the traditional offerings for auspiciousness: a set of silken robes for the Golden Buddha image and alms bowls overflowing with fruits and sweet things. These offerings will be made daily during the Monlam. While at the stupa, Rinpoche went to pay his respects at the 34th Sakya Monlam for Universal Peace and Harmony, which is taking place in the Mahabodhi grounds at the moment, and exchanged greetings with the 42nd Sakya Trizin, Ratna Vajra Rinpoche.
In the second session, His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa began his teaching over video link on the Dharma Talks of First Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa. He will continue this teaching over the first four days of the Monlam. Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche presided over this session. Before the teaching began, there was an extensive 37-feature mandala offering to the Gyalwang Karmapa, whose presence was symbolised by a large photograph mounted on the great wooden Dharma throne centre stage.
After the teaching concluded, came the recitation of the Stages of the Path, followed by aspiration and dedication prayers. The Gyalwang Karmapa himself recited the Concise Aspiration Prayer and the Dedications for the Living and Deceased.
