NEWS & CURRENT ACTIVITES

This year, for the first time, the ceremony was not held at the Mahabodhi stupa but transferred to Tergar Monastery and the Monlam Pavilion. It was also brought forward to six o’clock in the morning. The procession replicates the alms round from the time of Lord Buddha, a tradition which survives still today in some countries.  Buddhist monks and nuns set out each morning with their bowls to collect whatever food is given them by the villagers or townspeople.

By 5.15am the first laypeople had already begun lining up along the route, guided by Kagyu Monlam volunteers, easily recognized by their emerald green volunteer vests. The alms round is conducted in silence so people were encouraged to chant the refuge prayer.  After Mahayana sojong at the Monlam Pavilion, the monks and nuns gathered in the shrine room at Tergar Monastery and the round could begin.  A monk bearing incense headed the procession. He was followed by H.E. Gyaltsap Rinpoche, Khenpo Dönyö and Ringu Tulku bearing metal staffs Read the rest of this article

7 March, 2012 Bodhgaya

Sojong and the alms procession

5.30am and at the Monlam Pavilion, H.E.Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche was giving the Mahayana sojong vows. Meanwhile, at Tergar Monastery 500 Read more

Februrary 2, 2012 – Bodhgaya.

As has become an annual custom, the Gyalwang Karmapa today addressed the entire gathering of monastics attending the 15th Annual Kagyu Gunchö (Kagyu Winter Debates) in Bodhgaya. Half an hour after the doors opened for the afternoon session, the assembly hall filled Tergar Monastery to overflowing, with nearly 1,000 monks and nuns occupying the bulk of the large hall, and laypeople seated in the little space remaining in the back and spilling outside onto the lawn surrounding the assembly hall.

The theme for His Holiness’ talk was Motivation, Conduct and Inspiration for Study and Practice. The Gyalwang Karmapa described the historical trajectory of study and debate within the Karma Kagyu, noting the influence of the Eighth Karmapa Mikyö Dorje. He described a tendency in recent times for study institutions, or “shedra” to become distanced from the remainder of the monastery of which they form a part. With separate fund-raising Read the rest of this article

January 27, 2012 – Bodhgaya.

His Holiness departed Delhi today for Bodhgaya, After a two-week stay at Gyuto Monastery where he worked on the editing of various texts and overseeing the completion of a giant Thangkha.  His arrival was eagerly anticipated at Tergar Monastery in Bodhgaya, the monastery of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche.

In preparation for His Holiness’ arrival in Bodhgaya, almost a thousand monks of Kagyu Gunchoe and Tergar Monastery decorated the road leading to the monastery. Long before His Holiness’ flight had even landed at the airport in Gaya, the abbots and monks donned their ceremonial robes, and began rehearsing their instruments.

As the car carrying the Gyalwang Karmapa reached the road leading to the monastery’s gates, a golden procession of monastics wearing their best brocade played a musical welcome and solemnly escorted His Holiness Read the rest of this article

October 25,2011- Bodhgaya.

The Gyalwang Karmapa left in the morning with a small entourage to pay homage at the central shrine of Buddhism, the Mahabodhi Temple, home to the Bodhi tree and other sites linked with the time when Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment.

The Gyalwang Karmapa was welcomed by the Head Monk-in-Charge of the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee. His Holiness was escorted in procession through the Mahabodhi Stupa Ground and went directly to the main shrine room. Having prostrated three times, he presented traditional offerings of light, fruit, flowers, a donation and a new golden silk robe for the Buddha image, and recited prayers.

Leaving the shrine room, Gyalwang Karmapa walked around to the area behind the temple, under the Bodhi tree, he prostrated three times and returned back to Tergar Monastery.

Read the rest of this article