Rinpoche made several important points during the hour- long meeting.
The Monlam started before the time of Sakyamuni but actually goes back countless aeons, millions of centuries ago. Every buddha who attained enlightenment performed Monlams. There is still an enormous annual gathering in Lhasa called the Monlam Chenmo. Originally it did not bear the name of any school.
The Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya started in 1983 by Kalu Rinpoche. When Kalu Rinpoche passed away, Bokar Rinpoche was requested to preside over it
He told the Monlam Members and Volunteers to recite daily the King of Aspirations Prayers. “This is the essence of what I’m saying. Make this your practice.”
The blessing included two calligraphies, a photo of Tai Situ Rinpoche and the 17th Karmapa, and a lapis coloured mala as well as a blessing cord.