Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, Woodstock, New York
March 28, 2018
By the afternoon, a wide table in front of the Karmapa’s throne had been spread with colorful bowls of fruit, heaps of sweets, a variety of nuts, dried fruit, crackers, biscuits, and the traditional red and white tormas (sculpted offerings). These were set out in preparation for a ganachakra or feast offering, centered on the Second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (1206-1283). The practice was composed by a previous incarnation of Yongye Mingyur Dorje, a treasure finder (terton) linked to the Karma Kagyu lineage. It is performed every month at Karma Triyana Dharmachakra and also in the traditional three-year retreats.
The practice is famous for its eloquent introduction to the mind’s nature at three levels—ground, path, and fruition—and also for broadly encompassing practices of all three roots–the lama, the yidam, and the protectors.
For this day on the mountain above Woodstock, disciples of the Karmapa filled the main shrine hall from edge to edge. Everyone felt especially fortunate to be in the presence of the Karmapa, fifteen incarnations after Karma Pakshi, as he led the practice from his golden throne.
