NEWS & CURRENT ACTIVITES

His Holiness the Dalai Lama celebrated his 70th Birthday on July 6, 2005. His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa attended the ceremonies, joining with others in prayers for longetivity of His Holiness, offerings of mandalas and celebrations of the accomplishments of the Dalai Lama. A photo of the Karmapa with the Dalai Lama is viewable at the Phayul website. Read the rest of this article

In April, His Holiness attended the Shoton Festival, which celebrates Tibetan culture, and is held annually in Dharamsala. The opening of the festival on April 4th was attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa and other notables. On April 11th, His Holiness gave a public teaching to the attendees on the special quality of Tibetan culture and the importance of preserving the Tibetan heritage. Transcripts of His Holiness’ teaching are available from this site in both Tibetan and English. Read the rest of this article

On March 3rd, His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa attended Losar celebrations with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala. This year, Losar observations for the Phukluk calendar were observed one month after Losar according to the Kagyu Tsurluk calendar. (More on the different Tibetan calendar traditions) Read the rest of this article

At the end of February, His Holiness returned to New Delhi on his way back to his camp at Gyuto Tantric University in Sidbhari. On February 23, at Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi, the Karmapa gave a public teaching and offered a Chenresik empowerment. Some 6000 to 7000 persons were able to fit in the Park for the empowerment. A slide show is now available of His Holiness recent public conferral of an Avalokiteshvara ceremony in Buddha Jayanti Park in New Delhi. Some 6000 to 7000 persons were able to fit in the Park for the empowerment. Read the rest of this article

In January, 2003, HH The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa presided over the conclusion of the Pal Nyammay Kagyupay Sangha Monlam Chenmo, “The Great Monlam Aspiration of the Glorious Unequaled Kagyu Sangha.” The gathering of Kagyu monks from all over the world takes place annually at the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodhgaya, India, under the Bodhi tree, the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment. The purpose of the Monlam is to bring peace to the world and to increase happiness and wisdom for everyone.

His Holiness arrived in New Delhi on January 4th and Bodhgaya on the evening of the January 5th. He joined the Monlam on the 6th and in the afternoon conferred a Tara empowerment. On the 7th, the Monlam was graced by the presence of His Read the rest of this article