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 forward. By the time the procession had reached the main assembly hall of the monastery, many hundreds of disciples had gathered. Among those jostling for a glimpse of their revered guru were hundreds from across the Himalayan region, as well as Tibetans and international disciples.
