Video Clip :The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa
The Karmapa is one of the most important holders of the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. The first Karmapa, Düsum Khyenpa (1110-1193), one of the most prominent lamas of his time, indicated prior to his death that he was to take rebirth again in Tibet. The second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (1204-1283), was thus the first reborn lama of Tibet. Since then, the Karmapas continued to reincarnate in Tibet and to guide the Karma Kagyu tradition.
In the early morning of December 29, Rinpoches, lamas, monks and nuns gathered at the Mahabodhi Temple for the Kagyu Mönlam as usual, while the Gyalwa Karmapa started preparations for an empowerment of Chenresig (Avalokiteshvara), the Buddha aspect representing enlightened compassion.
About three thousand devotees, many of them new to Buddhism, gathered to receive the empowerment, which was given in the courtyard of Beru Khyentse Rinpoche’s monastery, since the shrine room was too small to accommodate such a large gathering. The whole courtyard was packed, with people standing on the roofs and the crowd spilling beyond the gate of the monastery out into the street.
Before starting the initiation proper, His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa addressed the audience to welcome them, both in English and in Tibetan.
He said that he was pleased to see so many dharma friends from all over the world gathered there and that he rejoiced in their willingness to take upon themselves the hardships of such a long journey. “It is an auspicious, wonderful occasion that we can all be here together. We are all human beings, and we have the precious opportunity to meet dharma teachers and gain experience of the dharma.
There are two conditions which need to come together for this to be possible: first of all, one’s own merit, conditions and accumulations. Second, the wishes, blessings, aspirations and dharma teachings of the buddhas and bodhisattvas.
The combination of these two is a wonderful circumstance. We should respect and acknowledge this and rejoice that we are here together for this precious wonderful time. It is a pleasure for myself, and I will do my best to guide you through this empowerment.”
He then welcomed the audience in Mandarin and Hindi, and addressing himself particularly to the Indian audience he said that “it is a very great pleasure to be in your country, the country where the Buddha was born”.
He once again emphasised the immense benefit of making wishes a place like Bodhgaya and encouraged everyone present to engage in the practice of wishing prayers. Concerning the empowerment itself, he explained that Chenresig is beneficial for all, since the meaning of Chenresig is genuine compassion and loving kindness. “From beginningless time, it is in the innermost nature of all of us to express compassion and loving kindness.”
The Gyalwa Karmapa then proceeded with the empowerment, and by the time all the devotees had passed in front of him to receive the blessing with the ritual vase five hours had passed and it was already afternoon.
Karmapa then went to the Mahabodhi temple to join the sangha in the Monlam prayers. Meanwhile, Shamar Rinpoche was holding a press conference at Sujata Hotel. About thirty journalists from Delhi and Patna (the capital of the State of Bihar where Bodhgaya is located), representing the most important national media, had gathered for the occasion.
Shamar Rinpoche first addressed himself to the press in a short speech in which he briefly talked about the first Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa and explained the meaning of the lineage of the Karmapas, after which he invited the journalists to present their questions.
When asked about the process of recognising a Karmapa reincarnation he told the story of how the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje had been found and recognised, demonstrating that the whole process had been in accordance with the 900-year-old tradition of the Karma Kagyu lineage.
In the evening the Gyalwa Karmapa received some of the same journalists and answered their questions. When prompted for a message he would like to give to young people he emphasised the importance of respecting one’s elders and in particular one’s parents. He said that our parents are our first teachers and that we should be aware of the great kindness they have shown us and take good care of them.
On the first day of the Western New Year 2011, once again the Gyalwa Karmapa received many visitors for blessing. One encounter was particularly noteworthy: Ven. Dr. Dhamma Viriyo Mahathero, ex-member of Parliament and spiritual director of the All India Bhikku Sangha in Bodhgaya, came to pay a visit to the Gyalwa Karmapa.
Ven. Dr. Dhamma Viriyo Mahathero’s connection with the Karmapa goes back more than thirty years: he already knew the 16th Karmapa when he was in Rumtek and has been a close friend of Shamar Rinpoche’s for several decades now. In 1975 he organised a big Buddhist conference in Darjeeling which both the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa and the Dalai Lama attended.
During his visit to the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa on January 1 he invited him for dinner for the next day on the premises of the All India Bhikku Sangha, just around the corner from Karma Dhargye Chokhor Ling monastery where Gyalwa Karmapa is staying. During the Kagyu Mönlam in Bodhgaya food is offered every day to the poor on the grounds of Kalachakra Maidan.
Rice, vegetables and dahl are prepared in a tent directly on the premises, and the food is then served to the poor on plates made of leaves. Voluntary helpers from all over the world help with this project, and approximately 500 poor people come every day to receive the food offering.
December 26, 2010
Though no official programme was scheduled at Bodhgaya for December 26, 2010, this did not mean that it was a day of leisure.
While lamas, monks and nuns were busy at the Mahabodhi Stupa with the last preparations for this year’s Kagyu Monlam, scheduled to start the day after, an endless stream of devotees from different countries, continents, age groups and walks of life came to see the Gyalwa Karmapa: Rinpoches and large groups of Tibetan monks from different schools, Western students from all over the world, Tibetan ladies in traditional costumes, devotees from South East Asia, fresh-faced young nuns…
They all waited patiently in line for their turn to present their ceremonial scarves and other offerings to the Gyalwa Karmapa and receive his blessing.
December 27, 2010
The holy site of the Mahabodhi Temple was at its most splendid on the morning of the opening day of this year’s Kagyu Monlam.
Thangkas depicting the masters of the Kagyu lineage had been put up on the Monlam shrine, and in front of them countless flower garlands, bouquets of flowers and butter lamps had been arranged, and a vast number of elaborately manufactured offering tormas set out.
Every surface was covered with flowers laid out in intricate patterns, and a mood of joyful anticipation was in the air.
Early in the morning a large crowd of devotees gathered in front of the entrance to the Mahabodhi Temple to await the arrival of Gyalwa Karmapa and Shamar Rinpoche, while countless others were circumambulating the Mahabodhi Stupa, turning their malas and mumbling mantras, or prostrating themselves around the stupa.
Once the Gyalwa Karmapa had arrived he was led in a procession to the inner temple to the accompanying sound of gyalings (Tibetan musical instruments used in rituals) where he paid homage to the Buddha, lit a butterlamp and offered a silk scarf.
The procession then continued to the Monlam site, where both Gyalwa Karmapa and Shamar Rinpoche lit a butterlamp to mark the official beginning of the Kagyu Monlam.
This year more people have gathered in Bodhgaya to participate in the Kagyu Monlam than ever before – all in all an estimated total of nine thousand.
Apart from the Gyalwa Karmapa and Shamar Rinpoche there are many other Rinpoches and high lamas who have graced the event with their presence, including Beru Khyentse Rinpoche, Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Dorje Lopon Nendo Rinpoche, Shangpa Rinpoche, Lodro Rabphel Rinpoche, Togden Rinpoche, Sang Sang Rinpoche and Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche.
Moreover, approximately six thousand monks belonging to different schools of Tibetan Buddhism as well as about five hundred nuns and several thousand lay devotees from the different corners of the globe have come to Bodhgaya for the auspicious occasion.
Recitations started as soon as Gyalwa Karmapa and Shamar Rinpoche were seated and continued until the evening. As usual, the main prayer recited during the Monlam was Samantabhadra’s Wishing Prayer for Excellent Conduct, also known as the King of Wishing Prayers. During breaks throughout the day both Gyalwa Karmapa and Shamar Rinpoche continued to receive visitors and give their blessing to devotees.
Artical by:- http://www.karmapa-news.org/
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