January 30, 2017 – Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India
This morning the Gyalwang Karmapa traveled to the Mahabodhi Stupa to visit the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo, taking place from January 28 to February 6, 2017. Arriving for the first session, the Karmapa was received by Minling Khenchen Rinpoche, the current president of Nyingma Monlam Chenmo International Foundation. He accompanied the Karmapa as he made prayers and offerings inside the main temple and then greeted each of the lamas presiding over large groups of monks, nuns, and lay practitioners in all four directions.
In front of the main altar, stretched out before the Bodhi Tree and filled with offerings, the Karmapa stopped to offer a white silk scarf and admire the tormas, some of which depicted important Nyingma lamas, the main one being a powerful sculpture of Guru Rinpoche. In an auspicious connection, the event this year is being managed by the Nyingma Monlam of Sikkim, home to the Karmapa’s seat outside Tibet, Rumtek Monastery. The altars were filled with the famous flower of Sikkim, the orchid, in a profusion of colors and shapes. At the end of the Karmapa’s visit, Minling Khenchen Rinpoche accompanied him up the main stairs and outside the main temple as the Karmapa returned to his temporary residence at Tergar Monastery.[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”38″ gal_title=”The Gyalwang Karmapa Visits the 28th Nyingma Monlam Chenmo”]
