January 16, 2014 Monlam Pavilion, Bodhgaya Right on time at 7:30, the Gyalwang Karmapa arrived to take his seat in front of the stage and the light show starts, bathing the stage in indigo blue as the spotlights find the golden statue of the Buddha who seems to float... read more →
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The Final Session of the 31st Kagyu Monlam January 15, 2014 A giant golden Buddha has replaced the thangka of Guru Rinpoche on the stage as the setting for the last day of the Monlam. Sixteen exquisite hand painted Chinese silk lanterns, eight on each side, are the ornaments... read more →
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January 15, 2014 - Monlam Pavilion, Bodhgaya Sessions 1, 2, 3 Although still cloudy, the land was clear of mist and fog this morning, when the gong sounded clearly across the Garchen at 3.00am, waking the monks and nuns in order to attend the full-moon day sojong for ordained... read more →
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January 14, 2014 Tergar Monastery, Bodhgaya The Alms Procession, an annual feature of the Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya, took on a new form and meaning this year when the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa revived another Kagyu tradition, the Procession of the 16 Arhats. Originally, during the time of the 7th,... read more →
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January 13, 2014 Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya Echoes of enlightenment The morning dawns grey and foggy on the third day of the Monlam, as all gather at the Monlam Pavilion where the Gyalwang Karmapa once more gives the day’s Sojong Vows. Shortly afterwards he leaves the stage to prepare for the... read more →
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Eight Verses of Mind Training, Session 2 January 12, 2014 Monlam Pavilion, Bodhgaya The Gyalwang Karmapa enters the Pavilion as usual from the right side, walking around to the front with security guards on all four sides, while monks with incense and jalings precede him. Going up the three... read more →
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Eight Verses of Mind Training, Session 1 January 11, 2014 Monlam Pavilion, Bodhgaya After a night of continuous rain across Bodhgaya, the first, brief rays of sunlight finally emerged just as the Gyalwang Karmapa prepared to begin his first teaching of the 31st Kagyu Monlam Chenmo. In the lead up... read more →