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
27
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 →
Dec
24
24th December – Bodhgaya. Mahayana Sojong The monks and nuns attending the Monlam are expected to attend the whole day at the Pavilion and to take the Mahayana Sojong vows unless they are ill or old. In addition, every morning so far the rear of the pavilion has filled with... read more →
Dec
23
23rd December – Bodhgaya. Mahayana Sojong As Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche began giving the Mahayana Sojong vows, the generator malfunctioned, leading to a massive power failure; the stage and much of the pavilion were plunged into darkness. Unfazed, Rinpoche waited calmly, and resumed the Sojong ritual as soon as power was... read more →
Dec
22
22nd December – Bodhgaya. The work of the Kagyupa International Monlam Trust The annual Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya is organised by The Kagyupa International Trust, a charitable organisation registered in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India. Although its main activity is the Monlam festival, it also organises various charitable activities within the Bodhgaya... read more →
Dec
21
21st December – Bodhgaya. Early morning at Tergar and the Monlam Pavilion By 5:15 am long lines of people, nuns, monks and laypeople, had formed along the road from the pavilion as far back as the main gates of Tergar monastery. The morning was dark and chill but they waited patiently... read more →
