Posted in 17th Gwalwang Karmapa, 2007, Akshobhya (Mitrugpa), Bodhgaya, december, Kagyu Monlam, Karmapa, monlam, tibetan buddhism, torma, tagged akshobhya, Bodhgaya, kagyu, Karmapa, mitrugpa, monlam, stupa, torma on November 30, 2007|
(Photo: Sketch of Mitrugpa’s Pure Realm on wooden board.)
This year’s Monlam torma features the Buddha Akshobhya.
(Photos: Sketch and torma sculpture of Buddha Akshobhya).
Akshobhya prayers will be recited daily during the 25th Kagyu Monlam. Please click on the Kagyu Monlam link for a complete schedule.
Posted in 17th Gwalwang Karmapa, 2007, Bodhgaya, Kagyu Monlam, Karmapa, monlam, Royal Bhutan Monastery, tibetan buddhism, tagged bhutan, Bodhgaya, buddhism, kagyu, Karmapa, monastery, monlam, royal, tibetan on November 28, 2007|
(Photo: His Holiness sits for tea on the lawn.)
(Photo: His Holiness talking with Lama Chodrak of Kagyu Monlam and Lama Rinchen of the Royal Bhutan Monastery.)
His Holiness made a short visit to the Kagyu Monlam office headquarters at the Royal Bhutan Monastery (“RBM”) on November 28. Monlam staff who are stationed at the RBM site spent the morning cleaning and organizing their workspace in preparation for Karmapa’s visit. When he arrived promptly at 2PM, he walked into the main temple which was surrounded by both Monlam staff and body guards and walked across the lawn to visit the torma artists and the administrative office.
With a steady glance around the rooms and nodding in acknowledgment at the staff, he made his way toward the lawn where afternoon tea and snack were waiting for him. The usual bustle of activity including hammering and sawing was altogether suspended and in its stead, a familiar and relaxed silence, something for which the Royal Bhutan Monastery is well known. As he made his exit, His Holiness caught sight of the wooden Tori pillar under construction and nodded. Job well done?
Posted in 17th Gwalwang Karmapa, 2007, Bodhgaya, december, Karmapa, mahabodhi, monlam, stupa, tibetan buddhism, tagged 2007, architecture, Bodhgaya, december, design, gate, kagyu, monlam, shinto, stupa, tori on November 27, 2007|
(Photo: Architect Lama Chokyi with the Shinto design.)
(Photo: One of the four wooden pillars.)
A new design is planned for the main gate of the Mahabodhi Stupa. For years, the Kagyu Monlam Chenmo used a simple bamboo gate with auspicious symbols and banners, but this year, His Holiness chose the elegance and simplicity of the Japanese Shinto gate design. Thus far, only one of the four wooden pillars is nearly constructed.
Lama Chokyi Gyatso, previously an architectural engineer from Taiwan and who currently resides in Bokar Ngedon Choekorling Monastery in Mirik, designed the gate for approval by His Holiness. Speaking in fluent Tibetan, Lama Chokyi is sought after as much for his engineering skills as for his humble presence.
Posted in 17th Gwalwang Karmapa, Bodhgaya, Kagyu Monlam, monlam, torma, tagged 2007, art, buddhism, december, kagyu, Karmapa, monlam, ritual, tibetan, torma on November 26, 2007|
(Photo: Amitayu Torma)
(Photos: Gyens or ornaments; Ani-la’s decorating the Gyens.)
(Tormas: Gyens on Shalzay tormas.)
Posted in 17th Gwalwang Karmapa, Bodhgaya, Kagyu Monlam, Karmapa, monlam, stupa, tibetan buddhism, Uncategorized, tagged 2007, Bodhgaya, kagyu, Karmapa, monlam on November 24, 2007|
(Photo: Dorje Wangyal returning from yet another trip to Gaya.)
For months leading up to the Great Kagyu Monlam, Dorje Wangyal, a Monlam veteran employee, had been actively gathering supplies, contacting food vendors, picking up deliveries, carrying shipments, coordinating with the 40 cooks he supervises and so on. With so much responsibility, it would seem that he rarely has time for a break, but surprisingly enough, he takes breaks while working. He is spotted among his staff folding napkins, carrying boxes of shipments, and serving food. Truly a hands-on worker, Dorje is a protean man who sees broadly and is concerned with the big and the small.
(Photos: Hammering food vats, weaving teapot handles.)
The Dining Team employs a large group of staff. Nearly 150 workers prepare meals for over 4,000 monastics, hundreds of Lamas and Rinpoches and the international pilgrims. There are also the daily tea and bread offerings at the Stupa for which the staff has to prepare, ensuring that there are enough teapots and bread baskets in advance. Many from the dining team arrived early in Bodhgaya to prepare materials and supplies and also to help feed the many staff already on hand.
Posted in Bodhgaya on November 23, 2007| Leave a Comment »
Umze Ozer Rabten leads the Monlam prayers each year. At the end of this short video clip, listen to Umze chant part of the “Dorje Chang” prayer. This melody is the Tibetan melody that was composed by His Holiness along with the more popular Chinese one.
Posted in 17th Gwalwang Karmapa, Bodhgaya, monlam on November 22, 2007| Leave a Comment »
Last year’s Kagyu Monlam Chenmo brought nearly 7,000 pilgrims to Bodhgaya. This video is a slideshow of select photos from Monlam 24.
Posted in 17th Gwalwang Karmapa, Bodhgaya, Kagyu Monlam, Karmapa, monlam, stupa, tergar, tibetan buddhism, tagged audience, Bodhgaya, Karmapa, monlam, november, public, tergar on November 21, 2007|
(Photo: Karmapa teaches to Karma Guncho monks at Tergar.)
(Photos: Karma Guncho Khenpos offering mandala to His Holiness)
In his first teaching to the the Karma Guncho monks at Tergar, His Holiness taught Gampopa’s text on the Precious Garland. After the teaching, His Holiness took a quick break (watching pilgrims and gazing across at the view of the Mahabodhi Stupa from the rooftop) before giving a public blessing. While monlam is still a little less than a month away, several hundred pilgrims came to Tergar for a chance to offer khatas and to receive his blessing. Perhaps because he has some spare time left before the rush of monlam, this is quite possibly the best opportunity to receive blessings and make offerings. For those presently in Bodhgaya, public audience is given every other day at 3pm beginning November 20th.
Posted in 17th Gwalwang Karmapa, Bodhgaya, Kagyu Monlam, Karmapa, mahabodhi, monlam, stupa, tibetan buddhism, zongkar monastery, tagged art, Bodhgaya, buddhism, Karmapa, mahabodhi, stupa, temple, tibetan, zongkar on November 20, 2007|
Watch videos on right.
(Photo: His Holiness with Lamas from Zongkar Choede Monastery to inaugurate the 8th century Tibetan artifacts.)
(Photo: Circumambulating the Bodhi tree with Mahabodhi Temple management Monk in Charge.)
(Photo: His Holiness makes offerings inside the Main Stupa.)
Photos by permission from the Tsurphu Labrang and Kagyu Monlam photographers.
Posted in 17th Gwalwang Karmapa, Bodhgaya, Kagyu Monlam, mahabodhi, monlam, torma, tagged Bodhgaya, kagyu, Karmapa, monlam, stupa, torma on November 20, 2007|
Posted in 17th Gwalwang Karmapa, Bodhgaya, Kagyu Monlam on November 20, 2007| Leave a Comment »
Posted in 17th Gwalwang Karmapa, 2007, Bodhgaya, Kagyu Monlam on November 19, 2007| Leave a Comment »
His Holiness makes offerings at the Stupa on November 18, 2007.
On his second day in Bodhgaya, His Holiness visited the Main Temple to make offerings and to circumambulate the Stupa.
Kagyu Monlam Blog 
