karmapa news
Gyalwang Karmapa attends the 7th Jonang Monlam at the Mahabodhi Stupa
Sunday 28th December, 2008
The Gyalwang Karmapa was requested to attend the Jonang Monlam and lead the prayers, and His Holiness attended with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. He was he was welcomed by Chogtrul Ngawang Tashi Gyaltsen Rinpoche and Khen Rinpoche Choe-kyi Nangpa Chog of the Jonang Tradition at the Jonang Monlam entrance gate and escorted by monks carrying incense and playing Tibetan gyalin to the main shrine room inside the Mahabodhi Stupa, where he prostrated and recited prayers, before making his way to the enclosure in front of the bodhi tree to join the morning session of the final day of the Jonang Monlam.
About two thousand people were gathered there, mostly monks and nuns, some Tibetan laypeople, and a scattering of foreign tourists and Westerners. After a mandala offering to His Holiness, the congregation chanted the Praises of Manjushri and other texts. The Gyalwang Karmapa completed his visit by circumambulating the outer circuit, followed by a large crowd of devotees.
Gyalwang Karmapa teaches on the Bodhisattva Vow
Friday 26th December, 2008
His Holiness Karmapa graciously accepted an invitation from the Root Institute, the F.P.M.T. Dharma centre in Bodh Gaya, and addressed the staff and a general audience which included a group who were about to undertake a short retreat course on the Bodhisattva Vow. His Holiness was accompanied by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche.
His Holiness emphasized the preciousness of bodhichitta - the altruistic intention. Quoting, he explained that if bodhichitta were to take physical form the universe would be too small to contain it, the reality of bodhichitta was sometimes misunderstood. It was far more than kind thoughts towards others or common acts of kindness. Bodhichitta arose from a deep understanding of the suffering of all sentient beings, tremendous compassion, the resolve to achieve Buddhahood for one’s self and the determination to work unceasingly for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Gyalwang Karmapa reminded everyone:
All happiness comes from cherishing others;
All suffering comes from cherishing one’s self.
He commented that we were living in an age when we were faced with not just the mental and emotional stability of our own minds, but also drastic changes and imbalance in the world. The degree of self-interest and self-cherishing in the world and the dreadful consequences of these were becoming self-evident. We all needed to recognize the harmfulness of self-cherishing and the benefits of truly cherishing others, not just as an elusive idea, but as a living experience applied to our own lives, translated into practice in our interactions with others and the environment.
His Holiness visits the Royal Bhutanese Monastery
Before returning to Tergar Monastery, His Holiness visited the Royal Bhutanese Monastery in order to check on progress in making the Kagyu Monlam torma (butter sculptures).
This year a film crew from US is making a documentary about the unique Tibetan tradition of butter sculptures, so His Holiness drew the word ‘torma’ with brush and ink in Tibetan calligraphic style for them.
His Holiness teaching on the Bodhisattva Vow and
visiting the Royal Bhutanese Monastery
Gyalwang Karmapa distributes presents on Christmas Eve
Wednesday 24th December, 2008
In the afternoon the Gyalwang Karmapa distributed small presents – a bag and an umbrella from this year’s Monlam souvenirs – to the staff of Tsurphu Labrang and to members of the Kagyu Monlam Working Team.
Last day of the Karma Gunchoe teachings
Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st December, 2008
Gyalwang Karmapa completed the reading transmission of the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje’s The Lion’s Roar which Destroys Confusion. He described the Four Yogas of Mahamudra, one-pointed, simplicity, one-taste, and no-meditation, and the three stages within each yoga – lower, middle, greater – and mapped each one onto the five paths and ten levels of the Bodhisattva. His Holiness went on to explain the phrase “appearances are mind”, and to speak more on the controversies between the rangtong and shentong viewpoints.
Finally His Holiness addressed the foreigners present – thanking them for attending the teaching and wishing them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – first in Chinese and then in English.
Last day of the Karma Gunchoe teachings
Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st December, 2008
Gyalwang Karmapa completed the reading transmission of the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje’s The Lion’s Roar which Destroys Confusion. He described the Four Yogas of Mahamudra, one-pointed, simplicity, one-taste, and no-meditation, and the three stages within each yoga – lower, middle, greater – and mapped each one onto the five paths and ten levels of the Bodhisattva. His Holiness went on to explain the phrase “appearances are mind”, and to speak more on the controversies between the rangtong and shentong viewpoints.
Finally His Holiness addressed the foreigners present – thanking them for attending the teaching and wishing them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – first in Chinese and then in English.
Gyalwang Karmapa's Teachings on the Lion’s Roar that Destroys Confusion
Saturday 20th December, 2008
Displaying both erudition and a sense of humour, Gyalwang Karmapa continued his transmission and exposition of the text. He dealt with two new issues. The first was whether or not it was valid to rank the Consequentialist Middle Way School and the Autonomous Middle Way School, holding one as a higher view than the other. The second was with regard to rangtong (self-empty) and shentong (other-empty). His Holiness explored the historical context of the debate between the proponents of rangtong and shentong, the acceptance of the shentong view in the Khamtsang Kagyu, and the role of the Jonang School.
Gyalwang Karmapa then moved on to highlight the interrelationship between study and practice. He stressed that all the texts, both sutra and tantra, were written or taught for the purpose of practice and there was not one single word in the canon that was not a quintessential instruction to bring us to awakening. Even the commentarial treatises were written for this purpose.
Practice without the study which brings understanding and study without the intention of informing practice would not bring us to awakening. Faith was necessary - this was true of all religions - however we needed intelligence and wisdom too. His Holiness joked that a popular way to develop intelligence and wisdom was to recite Manjushri’s mantra, but the really effective method was debating, analyzing, and carefully examining in order to thoroughly establish the meaning.
Updated information on the Akshobhya Retreat
Friday 19th December, 2008
Following some changes, the retreat began on Friday 19th December, a day later than originally planned, and will last for fifteen days, concluding on 2nd January 2009. There are 16 monks, drawn from all the Kagyu monasteries, in retreat. The retreat is a preparation for the Akshobhya Ritual to be held on the 9th and 10th January 2009, during the 26th Kagyu Monlam. This year’s ritual will be especially dedicated to all those who lost their lives in the typhoon which hit Burma, the March disturbances and demonstrations in Tibet, the Sichuan earthquake in China, and the November terrorist attack on Mumbai (Bombay).
During the retreat the monks, who must have already completed a three year retreat in order to qualify, offer four sessions each day of the Akshobhya Saddhana, and keep strict soljong. They do not eat after midday. They do not eat meat or any ‘black’ foods - onion, garlic, eggs – and their food is specially prepared by a small team of volunteers: a Taiwanese nun is the chef, assisted by two Sikkimese laymen. During the retreat the monks will receive teachings on Akshobhya from the Gyalwang Karmapa.
Gyalwang Karmapa’s Teaching on Madhyamika : Fourth Session
Thursday 18th December, 2008
Gyalwang Karmapa gave a scholarly overview of some of the issues in the Tibetan canon, with particular reference to differences between Tibetan and Chinese texts. He focused on the Tibetan and Chinese versions of the Five Works of Maitreya, using internal evidence from the texts themselves to argue a logical order.
He also began the transmission of the main text for the teaching : The Lion’s Roar that Destroys Confusion by 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje.
Third Session of Gyalwang Karmapa’s Teaching on Madhyamika
Wednesday 17th December, 2008
Madhyamika is noted as being a very difficult area of study, yet, each day, the number of people attending the teaching has grown, and this prompted His Holiness to tell a funny story. Looking around the large assembly hall at Tergar, he told how a Geshe had gone abroad to deliver a teaching on the Middle Way approach. The first day there was a good number of people present. The following day there were fewer, and this continued until the final day, when the Geshe found himself addressing an empty room. His Holiness concluded that this was definitely not the case at Tergar.
Gyalwang Karmapa began by relating the life of Aryadeva, comparing the Chinese and Tibetan versions of his life story. Aryadeva is famous for his “400 Verses”, and for his skills in debating with non-Buddhists. According to some sources, he came from a royal family in Sri Lanka, studied with Nagarjuna in South India, and became his direct disciple.
His Holiness then returned to the previous day’s discussion of what it means when the Middle Way school says it does not make any assertions of its own while making assertions in others’ frames of reference . He emphasized again that it does not mean the Middle Way school adopts the view of the other school. It was important to recognize that accepting others’ assertions for the sake of argument did not mean accepting their views per se. As to the question of what is meant by ‘self’ and ‘other’, the ‘other’ referred to was not as we normally understand ‘other,’ but referred to one who is not in the state of meditative equipoise i.e. someone in the post meditative state. There were three phases of others’ frame of reference: no analysis, partial analysis, complete analysis.
He explained how he had found it useful in his own life to remember “I have no assertions”, because, not only did this lead to a decrease in pride, it also reduced clinging to one’s own religion or sect. Such clinging was dangerous because it could lead to prejudice and many problems, as witnessed by events in the 21st century. In the end, it was not being a Buddhist which was so important, but what we do. There were people from many different religious traditions who were doing good in the world, and it was not good to criticize people for not being Buddhist.
With reference to Tibetan Buddhism, it had developed into four schools, but the important thing to remember was their commonality not their differences: all studied the Middle Way approach, all practised the Vinaya, and all followed a Vajrayana practice.
Gyalwang Karmapa’s teaching on Madhyamika continues
Tuesday 16th December, 2008
The assembly hall of Tergar Monastery was packed with monks and laypeople to listen to the second part of Gyalwang Karmapa’s teachings which continued this afternoon. This is only a brief report on the session. It may be possible later to provide a fuller report from the transcription of the Tibetan.
Because of Nagarjuna’s importance in establishing the Middle Way school of Buddhist philosophy Gyalwang Karmapa began with an overview of Nagarjuna’s life. Accounts of his life exist in both Chinese and Tibetan sources. The earliest Chinese source, written approximately one hundred years after Nagarjuna’s death, predates Tibetan sources. It seems he was born in South India into a Brahmin family, and studied Buddhism in South India. After many years of practice he reached an understanding of emptiness. There are also references to prophecies about Nagarjuna, but there is a need to exercise caution when citing prophecies, because the true intention and meaning of a prophetic text can only be disclosed by its author.
Gyalwang Karmapa then gave the transmission of the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje’s “Concise Summary of the Middle Way”.
In a detailed analysis of what the Middle Way school means when it describes its position as not having any assertions of its own while making assertions only in others’ frames of reference, Gyalwang Karmapa said that this often caused confusion so it was important to clarify its meaning.
In an important aside with reference to study and practice, His Holiness pointed out the serendipitous nature of sectarian affiliations, since most people practice within a particular tradition either because of a past life karmic connection or an accident of birth. Neither of these could be the basis for asserting the superiority of one’s own tradition!
Gyalwang Karmapa begins teaching on Madhyamika
Monday 15th December, 2008
Each year, during the Karma Gunchoe, the Gyalwang Karmapa gives a dharma teaching. Although strictly part of the Karma Gunchoe and not part of Kagyu Monlam, many of the Kagyu Monlam staff as well as lay students of His Holiness and pilgrims attend these teachings. Consequently, for the first time, simultaneous translation into Chinese and English has been made available this year.
The teaching will be based primarily on The Lion’s Roar which Destroys Confusion, a text written by the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje
In the first session, the Gyalwang Karmapa began by emphasizing the importance of motivation and intention these days, since modern methods of transport had made travel so much easier than in the past and great determination and perseverance were no longer necessary. Without correct motivation and intention, there would be no real benefit in travelling to Bodh Gaya on pilgrimage or to receive teachings. Further, it was important to concentrate on the great fortune of being able to be here rather than on any difficulties we might have experienced or be experiencing, and use the opportunity fully to carry out the twin dharma activities of study and practice.
His Holiness then discussed how different traditions may have evolved within Tibetan Buddhism, and the importance of studying the texts and viewpoints of different schools.
Finally, he gave a brief overview of the development of Madhyamika philosophy, beginning with the great Bhavaviveka who first used the term the “middle way” which avoids the extremes of eternalism and nihilism, in his treatise Lamp of Wisdom.
The 12th Annual Kagyu Annual Winter Program of Philosophy and Debate commences
Friday 12th December, 2008
In the morning of the 12th of December, the Gyalwang Karmapa completed his first public engagement, visiting the Mahbodhi Stupa. He was greeted by the President of the Mahabodhi Management Committee, who presented His Holiness with a traditional Tibetan khatag. He then went to the Mahabodhi stupa main temple and into the shrine hall where he prostrated three times, offered Mandala prayers and recited the Praise of the Twelve Deeds of Lord Buddha. He then completed two circumambulations: one inner and one outer circuit.
The visit to the Mahabodhi Stupa was followed by a visit to the Bhutanese Temple, where His Holiness inspected the work in progress on the butter sculptures for the Kagyu Monlam. The sculptures are being prepared by a group of monks and nuns, chosen for their expertise from several Kagyu monasteries and nunneries.
In the afternoon the Gyalwang Karmapa presided over an assembly of the participants in the 12th Annual Karmae Gunchoe. He spoke about the origins of debate in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and its importance. He encouraged all the monks attending the Karmae Gunchoe to have sincere motivation and good understanding in their dharma practice.
His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa Arrives in Bodhgaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment
December 11, 2008
His Holiness Gyalwang Karmapa arrived at Tergar Monastery at dusk. Many devotees, local Tibetans and six hundred monks have been waiting for hours eagerly to have a glimpse and blessing of His Holiness. He arrived from Delhi via Patna to Bodhgaya. This is the beginning of his annual winter tour.
The monks holding Serbangs were led by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche and all the head Khenpos of different monasteries who are attending the annual Karmae Gunchoe Winter Debate.
Video footage and other information are available at the Monlam blog.
The schedule through the 20th:
December 12
His Holiness will visit the Mahabodhi Stupa in the morning. This will be his first visit to the Stupa for this tour. At Tergar in December, His Holiness is formally presiding over the 12th Karmae Gunchoe, the Kagyu Annual Winter Program of Philosophy and Debate (Karma Gön Chö). The Karmae Gunchoe involves extensive debate and philosophical inquiry into the teachings of the Lord Buddha and Kagyu Lineage, and is participated in by khenpos (professors) and monastic students from the different shedras (monastic colleges) of the lineage from all over the region.
The program begins with an address by His Holiness on the importance and relevance of the annual Gunchoe meeting of Karma Kagyu Monastic Colleges.
December 13
His Holiness will conclude the instruction on the Gunchoe program.
December 15-20
His Holiness will give teachings to the 12th Karmae Gunchoe participants on Madhyamaka based on the Ninth Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje's text elucidating on the landmark Prasangika Madhyamaka text by His Holiness the Eighth Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje.
overview of HH Gyalwang Karmapa activity in bodhgaya 2008-09
12th Annual Karmae Gunchoe Debate Session from December 11th to 29th, 2008:
His Holiness presides over the 12th Annual Karmae Gunchoe Winter Debate and Logical studies session which will be held at Tergar Monastery located at Bodh Gaya (Bihar). During the Session His Holiness will give teachings on Umaë Dües Dhon Sur khol Senghe Nga ro (Lion's Roar: the synopsis of the middle way).
Teaching in Bodhgaya from December 31st to January 2nd, 2009:
His Holiness will give a public teaching at Tergar Monastery, the topic will be: “The Teachings of Kagyu Masters.”
More information about this teaching, please click the following link: Hwa Yue Foundation
http://www.hwayue.org.tw/act/Lineage_Teachings_Annoucement_English.html.
26th Kagyu Monlam Chenmo from January 4th to 11th, 2009:
His Holiness Gyalwang Karmapa will preside over the 26th Kagyu Monlam Chenmo prayers for world peace which will be held at Bodhgaya. During the Monlam course His Holiness will confer Soljong vows and give teachings. This year His Holiness has initiated: In order to bestow blessings and merits to the people of all nations in a literal manner during the Kagyu Monlam Chenmo, His Holiness requested a collection of small stones to be gathered from each and every country of the seven continents. The stone collections will be used in the construction of a stone altar. His Holiness will personally perform a blessing ritual during the Kagyu Monlam, and the merits will then be dedicated to every human being in the world so that we all may have peace, safety, and happiness while being free from illness, hunger, disputes, and wars. Click the following link for more detail: http://www.kagyumonlam.org/English/News/Announcement/Monlam_Stone_Altar_Project.html
Teaching in Bodhgaya from January 12th to 14th, 2009:
His Holiness will give public teaching at Tergar Monastery, the topic will be: “The Gyalwang Karmapa shares his experiences: Living the Dharma.” The teaching will be focused primarily for the students from Western Countries. Click the following link for more detail: http://www.kagyumonlam.org/English/News/Announcement/2009_HHK_Teaching.html.
From January 17 to 25, 2009
His Holiness will be in Saranath, Varanasi.
On 29th of January, 2009
His Holiness will be back to Gyuto, Dharamsala.
Past news about His Holiness Karmapa
For past news about His Holiness Karmapa's activities click here.
His Holiness Karmapa's Regular Activities
His Holiness Gyalwang Karmapa, from a recent photograph. His Holiness is now 23 years of age (according to the reckoning of the Western calendar system).
- His Holiness typically gives public audiences
on Saturdays and Wednesdays when in residence.
- Information on how to visit His Holiness
in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India
A Poem by The Karmapa
Coming from the sun of the precious Buddha
The smiling rays of luminous Dharma, precious and genuine,
Bring to blossom the lotus garden of the sangha, the supreme assembly,
May the three realms reveal all their beauty in auspicious glory.
In this new year may there be peace and prosperity on this earth
May you live long and be free from all form of sickness
May you accomplish success in everything that you do.
With prayers from Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, Buddha year of 2049, Western Year of 2005, Tibetan 1st month and 1st day of Wood Bird Year
Chinese Website for His Holiness Karmapa
The Kagyu Office maintains an official Chinese-Language website for His Holiness at www.kagyuoffice.org.tw.
Karmapa's Ongoing Study and Practice
When not touring and engaging in official duties, His Holiness Karmapa focuses on study and meditation at his temporary residence at Gyuto Monastic University. His Holiness regularly receives teachings from leading Kagyu masters, such as HE Situ Rinpoche, HE Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche (his main tutor), Ven. Tenga Rinpoche, Ven. Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche and others. This Spring, His Holiness engaged in special studies of Vajrayana with Ven. Tenga Rinpoche. In November and December 2006, Ven. Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche transmitted the Rinchen Terdzo to His Holiness. Ven. Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Mingyur Rinpoche, Gangkar Rinpoche were also in attendance. Last year, His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche transmitted and instructed His Holiness in the Ngedon Gyamtso (Mahamudra: The Ocean of Certainty). During the Summer and Fall of 2005, the Karmapa studied the Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom) with Ven. Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. Earlier in 2005, His Holiness engaged in intensive studies of the Hindi language with Dr. Vishwanath Mishra, the eminent linguist and renowned Hindi scholar, formerly of Banaras Hindu University.
Prayers for Troubled Times
His Holiness continuously offers his prayers for a peaceful solution to recent strife and disasters. In particular, in 2002, His Holiness stated that “Since September 11, it has been my prayer that this sort of event, in which lives are lost and people hurt, not happen again in future anywhere in the world. My wish is that every human being live in peace. And whatever conflict there is between countries might be resolved to the benefit of all, without war.” At a subsequent interview in March, the Karmapa talked about the hardships of war.  His Holiness also led prayer services after the Tsunami natural disaster in Asia in order to benefit the departed and injured and to aspire that such disasters not reoccur. In December 2005, the Karmapa joined Tibetans living in Delhi to offer a prayer service focusing particularly on prayers for victims of the bombings in that city and the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan and Indian Kashmir. At the celebrations of the 2550th Anniversary of the Buddha in February 2006, His Holiness joined in special prayers for world peace and harmony at a meeting attended by representatives of the world's great religions. In 2007, His Holiness dedicated the 25th Annual Great Kagyu Monlam anniversary ceremony to peace and the environment.
His Holiness Creates a Logo for the Environment
28-29 December, 2007: The Karmapa gave an important speech on the environment and explained the 25th Anniversary Monlam logo in his concluding speech in Bodhgaya for this year. A transcript is now available at the linked page. Also available is a transcript of His Holiness' concluding talk to organizers and participants in Bodhgaya on December 28th. Transcripts
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