30th December – Bodhgaya. On December 30th 2012, in the radiant light of the morning, the Fourth Jamgön Rinpoche walked from Tergar Monastery through the spacious doors of the Monlam Gate, over land that the Buddha must have once trod, and into the Monlam Pavilion. Preceded by monks carrying incense,... read more →
Dec
30
Dec
30
30th December – Bodhgaya. At 7:30 in the morning a procession of monks in golden ceremonial hats set out from Tergar Monastery to the Monlam Pavilion carrying a plain wooden palanquin with a precious statue of Pema Gyalpo, one of the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche. The statue is a... read more →
Dec
29
29th December – Bodhgaya. Day One: Offerings and the dance December 29th began the first of two days of ceremonies commemorating the Jamgön Kongtrul lineage of tulkus and making an auspicious connection with his fourth incarnation, Lodrö Chökyi Nyima Tenpey Drönme (Intelligent One, Sun of the Dharma, Lamp of the... read more →
Dec
28
28th December – Bodhgaya. Early morning, Tergar Monastery 4.45 am. From the Garchen a steady stream of spectral figures emerges on to the road. The monks and nuns are making their way to the Mahabodhi stupa, two kilometres away, for a special full-moon-day Vinaya sojong, scheduled to begin at 5.00... read more →
Dec
27
27th December – Bodhgaya. Mahayana Sojong at the Mahabodhi Stupa The Mahayana Sojong vows were given by Kyabje Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche. Foggy vista For those watching the webcast, please note the picture is not out of focus! This is the fog that we're encountering because of sudden wintry conditions across... read more →
Dec
26
26th December – Bodhgaya. Once more some of the teams who support the Monlam had to work late into the night and arrive at the stupa early in the morning so that the site was prepared. By the time the Gyalwang Karmapa arrived before daybreak, new altars and torma had... read more →
Dec
25
25th December – Bodhgaya. Mahayana Sojong Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche gave the Mahayana Sojong vows. Those who have taken Mahayana Sojong have to wait until daybreak in order to eat again. As the days pass, it seems the fog each morning thickens, and today it was impossible to tell when night... read more →