World Oneness Center
The word Monlam means Aspiration. Monlam is a grand ceremony during
which auspicious prayers of aspiration is recited by a congregation of the
most noble Maha Sangha representative of that particular tradition of Tibetan
Buddhism. It is the chance to perform prayers with them for the benefit of the
entire world in the very place where the Buddha Shakyamuni attained
Enlightenment, a place where the results of any action are greatly multiplied.
To see photos from past events ...
which auspicious prayers of aspiration is recited by a congregation of the
most noble Maha Sangha representative of that particular tradition of Tibetan
Buddhism. It is the chance to perform prayers with them for the benefit of the
entire world in the very place where the Buddha Shakyamuni attained
Enlightenment, a place where the results of any action are greatly multiplied.
To see photos from past events ...
Special Events in Bodhgaya with H.H. The 17th Karmapa
Kagyu Monlam
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Kagyu Monlam at the Buddhist holy site of Bodhgaya. This is a small milestone in the Kagyu lineage¡¦s
activities for the benefit of sentient beings, but a big step forward for world peace and well-being. So, first of all, I would like to thank all staff members,
participants, and those who have supported and been involved in the Monlam over the last 25 years. Because of the power of your aspirations and
long-standing support and diligence, I sincerely hope that the Kagyu Monlam will not remain static but will flourish until peace and well-being permeate
every corner of the world.
Looking back over the last century, we can see that wars and violence have plagued the world everywhere, causing many kinds of suffering. As a
consequence, the Buddha dharma has diminished in many places. However, at the same time, it has spread, and begun to germinate and take root in
different places. When we consider the trials and tribulations of our times, it becomes all the more evident that the essence of buddhist loving kindness
and pure motivation cannot be shaken by either suffering or happiness. Life devoid of love and compassion is like a chariot without wheels, or an
airplane without engines: neither has any real value, nor can be of true benefit. The purpose of the Kagyu Monlam is to spread the seeds of loving
kindness and pure motivation, to activate their power, and hence bring about genuine peace, love, happiness and well-being in the world.
We can say that the name "Kagyu Monlam¨ came from a gradual development within the tradition. Some five hundred years ago in Tibet, the Seventh
Karmapa initiated Monlam Chenmo every year, in the months commemorating Buddha activities, in order to tighten the Vinaya discipline after it had
become lax. The purpose was to promote a correct sense of joy and appropriate esteem towards the Buddha, the qualities of Buddha's teaching and
towards their own qualities. Many thousands of monks gathered together to participate in the Monlam Chenmo by reciting the text that the Seventh
Karmapa had compiled, the Twenty-Branch Kagyu Monlam Chenmo, and he presided over a ceremony to pray for the removal of obstacles and the
accumulation of merit for all beings. The aspiration was to create a harmonious world free of suffering. From then on, in general, the Monlam continued
without interruption.
In 1983, in Bodhgaya, Kalu Rinpoche organised a one hundred thousand repetition recitation of the Samantabhadra Aspiration Prayer, thus planting the
seed of the Kagyu Monlam in India. Over the past 25 years, it has undergone a series of changes to become the world gathering we know today. Every
year now, practitioners and dharma friends from all over the world gather in Bodhgaya. Regardless of differences in tradition and lineage, they pray with
one-pointed sincerity and devotion, perceiving the suffering and happiness of all sentient beings as if it were their own. Each drop of their merit comes
together to form an ocean, sending a powerful current of well-being into the world.
In the Buddhist year 2548, 2004 C.E., I assumed responsibility for the Kagyu Monlam. Following the example of the dharma activities of the great beings
who have gone before us, I began to restructure the event and to compile a new prayer text, reflecting the splendour of this timeless tradition, making the
Monlam ever more glorious, meeting the needs of today's international Buddhist community as much as possible, and benefitting an even greater
number of people.
It is my sincere, continuous aspiration that the blessings from Lord Buddha and his uninterrupted lineage spread to fill infinite space. May all sentient
beings, while enjoying peace and harmony, enter the perfect celestial palace of enlightenment.
Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje
2007 C.E.
activities for the benefit of sentient beings, but a big step forward for world peace and well-being. So, first of all, I would like to thank all staff members,
participants, and those who have supported and been involved in the Monlam over the last 25 years. Because of the power of your aspirations and
long-standing support and diligence, I sincerely hope that the Kagyu Monlam will not remain static but will flourish until peace and well-being permeate
every corner of the world.
Looking back over the last century, we can see that wars and violence have plagued the world everywhere, causing many kinds of suffering. As a
consequence, the Buddha dharma has diminished in many places. However, at the same time, it has spread, and begun to germinate and take root in
different places. When we consider the trials and tribulations of our times, it becomes all the more evident that the essence of buddhist loving kindness
and pure motivation cannot be shaken by either suffering or happiness. Life devoid of love and compassion is like a chariot without wheels, or an
airplane without engines: neither has any real value, nor can be of true benefit. The purpose of the Kagyu Monlam is to spread the seeds of loving
kindness and pure motivation, to activate their power, and hence bring about genuine peace, love, happiness and well-being in the world.
We can say that the name "Kagyu Monlam¨ came from a gradual development within the tradition. Some five hundred years ago in Tibet, the Seventh
Karmapa initiated Monlam Chenmo every year, in the months commemorating Buddha activities, in order to tighten the Vinaya discipline after it had
become lax. The purpose was to promote a correct sense of joy and appropriate esteem towards the Buddha, the qualities of Buddha's teaching and
towards their own qualities. Many thousands of monks gathered together to participate in the Monlam Chenmo by reciting the text that the Seventh
Karmapa had compiled, the Twenty-Branch Kagyu Monlam Chenmo, and he presided over a ceremony to pray for the removal of obstacles and the
accumulation of merit for all beings. The aspiration was to create a harmonious world free of suffering. From then on, in general, the Monlam continued
without interruption.
In 1983, in Bodhgaya, Kalu Rinpoche organised a one hundred thousand repetition recitation of the Samantabhadra Aspiration Prayer, thus planting the
seed of the Kagyu Monlam in India. Over the past 25 years, it has undergone a series of changes to become the world gathering we know today. Every
year now, practitioners and dharma friends from all over the world gather in Bodhgaya. Regardless of differences in tradition and lineage, they pray with
one-pointed sincerity and devotion, perceiving the suffering and happiness of all sentient beings as if it were their own. Each drop of their merit comes
together to form an ocean, sending a powerful current of well-being into the world.
In the Buddhist year 2548, 2004 C.E., I assumed responsibility for the Kagyu Monlam. Following the example of the dharma activities of the great beings
who have gone before us, I began to restructure the event and to compile a new prayer text, reflecting the splendour of this timeless tradition, making the
Monlam ever more glorious, meeting the needs of today's international Buddhist community as much as possible, and benefitting an even greater
number of people.
It is my sincere, continuous aspiration that the blessings from Lord Buddha and his uninterrupted lineage spread to fill infinite space. May all sentient
beings, while enjoying peace and harmony, enter the perfect celestial palace of enlightenment.
Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje
2007 C.E.
December 24th ~ 31st 2009
A Message from H.H. The Gyalwang Karmapa
for the 25th Monlam (2007)
for the 25th Monlam (2007)
| The 27th Kagyu Monlam will be held from in Bodh Gaya, India. H.H. The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa will preside over the assembly. Kyabje Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and Kyabje Gyaltsab Rinpoche along with many other senior lamas and trulkus will attend. |
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The Gyalwang Karmapa hopes to conclude the transmission of and commentary on the Life of Milarepa, begun at the 24th Kagyu Monlam. In
addition, during each teaching session, Gyalwang Karmapa will give instructions on different meditations. He will also give short commentaries
on the prayers in each session.
Prior to the Monlam, the Gyalwang Karmapa will give a two-and-a half-day teaching to foreign students on Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend.
During the Monlam, Gyalwang Karmapa will bestow the empowerment of Milarepa.
He will also perform the Akshobhya Ritual fire puja for the deceased, as before, at Tergar Monastery.
The 27th Kagyu Monlam programme will include prayers for long-life and for the flourishing of the Dharma, the Medicine Buddha Ritual, the
recitation of the Kangyur, the Akshobhya Ritual and mandala, the recitation of Sutra, the Ritual of the Sixteen Arhats, the Alms Procession, the
Lama Choepa Ritual, Marme Monlam (Lamp Prayer) and so forth. Various other special activities will be scheduled. The Schedule is below.
addition, during each teaching session, Gyalwang Karmapa will give instructions on different meditations. He will also give short commentaries
on the prayers in each session.
Prior to the Monlam, the Gyalwang Karmapa will give a two-and-a half-day teaching to foreign students on Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend.
During the Monlam, Gyalwang Karmapa will bestow the empowerment of Milarepa.
He will also perform the Akshobhya Ritual fire puja for the deceased, as before, at Tergar Monastery.
The 27th Kagyu Monlam programme will include prayers for long-life and for the flourishing of the Dharma, the Medicine Buddha Ritual, the
recitation of the Kangyur, the Akshobhya Ritual and mandala, the recitation of Sutra, the Ritual of the Sixteen Arhats, the Alms Procession, the
Lama Choepa Ritual, Marme Monlam (Lamp Prayer) and so forth. Various other special activities will be scheduled. The Schedule is below.
Highlights from the Monlam Activities
For many people, this is their favourite event, of the whole Monlam festival, especially the young monks and nuns, who have sat patiently through hours of
prayers and teachings which they may not always thoroughly understand. Mar-me is Tibetan for butter lamp, and, originally, this was the time when
thousands of butter lamps were offered. The grease from butter lamps and candles was damaging the stone of the monuments, so these days, for
environmental reasons, butter lamps have been replaced by battery-operated lamps. Learn More
prayers and teachings which they may not always thoroughly understand. Mar-me is Tibetan for butter lamp, and, originally, this was the time when
thousands of butter lamps were offered. The grease from butter lamps and candles was damaging the stone of the monuments, so these days, for
environmental reasons, butter lamps have been replaced by battery-operated lamps. Learn More
Mar-me Monlam : Offering of the Prayer Lamp
The 27th Kagyu Monlam will be held at Bodhgaya from 24th to 31st December,
2009. Gyalwang Karmapa will preside over the Monlam accompanied by many other
eminent Rinpoches and Lamas. The Gyalwang Karmapa hopes to conclude the
transmission of and commentary on the Life of Milarepa, begun at the 24th Kagyu
Monlam. In addition, during each teaching session, Gyalwang Karmapa will give
instructions on different meditations. He will also give short commentaries on the
prayers in each session.Prior to the Monlam, the Gyalwang Karmapa will give a two-
and-a half-day teaching to foreign students on Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend. More
2009. Gyalwang Karmapa will preside over the Monlam accompanied by many other
eminent Rinpoches and Lamas. The Gyalwang Karmapa hopes to conclude the
transmission of and commentary on the Life of Milarepa, begun at the 24th Kagyu
Monlam. In addition, during each teaching session, Gyalwang Karmapa will give
instructions on different meditations. He will also give short commentaries on the
prayers in each session.Prior to the Monlam, the Gyalwang Karmapa will give a two-
and-a half-day teaching to foreign students on Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend. More