Pictures from Kagyu Monlam 2008
The Great Kagyu Monlam of 2008 took place at Bodhgaya from 1st December to 7th December.
The purpose of Kagyu Monlam is doing aspiration prayers for the benefit of others. It was told by Nagarjuna that if aspiration prayers are done together with great bodhisattvas, the resulting prayer is so powerful that it can avert natural disasters and can remove all kinds of bad karma.
Reciting aspiration prayers is also tremendously important in order to give the full meaning of this precious human body. That’s why to be in Bodhgaya and to make these prayers is a great opportunity, as planting the seed of enlightenment in one’s mind.
The tradition of these great Monlam was established in Tibet in the eighth century. During the following centuries these gatherings grew more and more popular. In the 13th century the 3rd Karmapa introduced the monlam to the Kagyu Lineage. The first Kagyu Monlam in exile with the 17th Karmapa took place in 1996, in Bodhgaya and was conducted by the 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje and Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche. Today, representatives of the four lineages of Tibetan Buddhism are making prayers in Bodhgaya.
Article by H. H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa about Kagyu Monlam read here.
Pictures from Kagyu Monlam 2008:

Beru Khyentse Rinpoche’s monastery

Welcome to Karmapa

Welcome to Karmapa

Karmapa postrates

Offerings to Karmapa

Offerings to Karmapa

Karmapa smiles. From the left - Beru Khyentse Rinpoche and Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche

Karmapa, Beru Khyentse Rinpoche and Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche inside Bodhi stupa

Karmapa opens the Mönlam 2008

Karmapa opens the Mönlam 2008

Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje and his Rinpoches

In front of the Bodhi tree

Tormas at the Bodhi stupa

Altar and Bodhi tree

Shamar Rinpoche arrives

Karmapa, Shamarpa and Rinpoches

Offerings

Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche, Nedo Rinpoche, Beru Khyentse Rinpoche

Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche’s Mandala offering to Karmapa

Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche’s Mandala offering to Shamarpa

17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje and 14th Shamar Rinpoche

Young Tulku Chime Rinpoche takes refuge

Tulku Chime Rinpoche gives blessings

Monlam altar and Bodhi tree

Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche gives 1000-armed Chenresig initiation
More pictures from Kagyu Monlam 2008 from Oxanna.
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By Fiona, July 16, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
Talking of compassion..would anyone like to look at my blog and help me raise money for a village in Amdo, East Tibet. They are battling against desertification and the resulting destruction of their farmland and also the local nomads way of life.Please sponsor me on my 800km trek across Spain to raise meney to help them plant trees ! Thank you very much.
Fiona´s last blog ..Pujah, he is the organiser of the Trees for Tibet project.
By Buddhism Facts, September 10, 2009 @ 2:37 am
Buddhism as traditionally conceived is a path of salvation attained through insight into the ultimate nature of reality….. Buddhism that many practitioners say they bring to their business lives